Russian figure skating news & updates in 2022

[PRlady]

My guess would be they probably have 2, 3 & 4. I'm pretty sure they were living together while they were in Michigan, and given the length of their on-ice partnership, one would hope they'd be able to answer personal questions about each other. But #1 might be harder, especially if one or both of their parents were paying the bills.

ETA - at least they haven't announced a country switch and continue to insist they will be competing for Russia in the future...

#1 is so important I called Pepco to put my husband’s name on the electric bill, and we sent them our joint Verizon cell phone bill. Really.

 

[Amy L]

The Ice Dance couple Morozov/Naryzhnyi has split up, according to Alexander Kogan.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cloc0ihJlQE/

Oops. That didn't take long. I thought they were pretty interesting, but I liked Naryzhniy a lot more with his former partner Shanaeva. She has Russian, French, and US citizenship, so maybe she'll try to switch. Naryzhniy was born in Kharkhiv, so I imagine this season could have been awkward for him.

 

[Karen-W]

#1 is so important I called Pepco to put my husband’s name on the electric bill, and we sent them our joint Verizon cell phone bill. Really.

I don't doubt its importance at all. I just wonder whether or not they had any of those things while they were living in Michigan, ya know? They weren't a couple when they began training with Igor and they were pretty young, so my thought would be that they were being funded by their parents and they weren't co-mingling bank accounts, cell phone bills, etc, and that, if anyone's name was on the utility bills (cable, electric, etc) it would have been Diana or her biological father since they're US citizens. And it's anyone's guess who made their living arrangements. Neither would have been able to get a mortgage, as young as they were; it could have been a lease/rental situation where one or both sets of parents were included on the lease; etc.

 

[Spikefan]

I am constantly stopped at the border and spend six or seven hours at some interviews, while Diana is waiting for me with suitcases. This is a crazy problem.

Sounds better than getting sent to a penal colony.

 

[Karen-W]

Sounds better than getting sent to a penal colony.

Or conscripted to the Ukrainian front...

 

[rfisher]

Oops. That didn't take long. I thought they were pretty interesting, but I liked Naryzhniy a lot more with his former partner Shanaeva. She has Russian, French, and US citizenship, so maybe she'll try to switch. Naryzhniy was born in Kharkhiv, so I imagine this season could have been awkward for him.

It's curious that they split just weeks before Russian nationals. They won both their Russian cup events. And so did her former partner with his new partner which leaves Annabelle with no partner. Curious. I wonder what happened.


ETA per Mozorov

Nikolai Morozov said that the reason for the collapse of a pair of Morozova/Narizhny is different views on the training process. And also that Annabel has already started looking for a new partner and that she still intends to skate for Russia.

"When the couple was just being created, we discussed a certain plan of joint work, which included periodic trips to the United States for an internship with American specialists. Annabel and David spent the summer in America, which allowed the guys to make a strong prediction: at the stages of the Russian Grand Prix in Moscow and Kazan, they twice became champions.
However, now the situation has developed in such a way that the athletes' views on the training process have diverged, and therefore further joint training and performances simply do not seem possible"

 

[kirkbiggestfan]

Did Morozov find a new partner for his daughter?
Is he waiting for Splitsville at US Nationals?
Did he steal someone from Villard or Lyon?
Is she flying to Australia? Is she ok?

 

[Rukia]

Oh, this was a most unwise interview and it's going to be a big problem if it comes to the attention of the ICE officials handling his green card application. Smolkin makes it sound like their marriage very much was one of convenience and only for the purposes of obtaining a green card.

Eh I don't think it'd be that much of a problem. Any skating nobody (including me) could vouch that they've been together for a while. They could easily say "we were already thinking about marriage and the war and all the issues made us feel that we were more committed and ready to be married for a number of reasons" or something like that. Plus I'm sure Eteri can shell out for a good immigration lawyer for them.

 

[clairecloutier]

ETA - at least they haven't announced a country switch and continue to insist they will be competing for Russia in the future...

He doesn't say this in this particular interview. To me, his words are quite ambiguous and leave open the possibility of a switch.

But maybe he said that elsewhere?

 

[Karen-W]

He doesn't say this in this particular interview. To me, his words are quite ambiguous and leave open the possibility of a switch.

But maybe he said that elsewhere?

Well, he did say they were prepared to compete this season and would have done so had it not been for the lack of the green card and the concerns/challenges of trying to re-enter the USA without that.

 

[kirkbiggestfan]

Option A: Get a Green Gard - Compete for the US next year. If ice-dancers can't fake love during an immigration interview, I don't know who can?
Option B: Get a Green Card - Compete for Georgia next year if the Usfsa puts hurdles there
Option C: Get a Green Card - Compete in Russia for the Red versus Blue Ice Cream Sandwich tournament.
Option D: Green Card is denied - Compete for Georgia, Quatar or the Cayman Islands.

Stay as vague as possible until the green card comes in the mail!

 

[PRlady]

Hilariously we just got the “permanent“ Green Card today (it was conditional because we were married less than two years when husband applied.) it’s hilarious because he has already passed his citizenship interview and is waiting to be sworn in. The left hand is on another continent from the right hand, but whatever.

DH never even wanted to become an American, it’s part of the package of marrying me. (Of course he didn’t say that.) But our Israeli friends are jealous because it’s gotten so bad there that many are exploring their European roots and pondering grandfathered citizenship.

 

[greenapple]

Well, he did say they were prepared to compete this season and would have done so had it not been for the lack of the green card and the concerns/challenges of trying to re-enter the USA without that.

They receive funding so of course he will be toeing the party line. He can say whatever he likes, but the fact that he is applying for a Green Card makes me think they are looking at making the U.S.a permanent move. With Russia probably (hopefully) shut out again next season, for me there is little doubt they will switch countries.

 

[Karen-W]

They receive funding so of course he will be toeing the party line. He can say whatever he likes, but the fact that he is applying for a Green Card makes me think they are looking at making the U.S.a permanent move. With Russia probably (hopefully) shut out again next season, for me there is little doubt they will switch countries.

They might very well decide to make a country switch, but I'm not convinced it will be to the US - they would have an easier time switching to represent Georgia, IMO, especially since KazRev are likely to secure at least 2 spots for Euros next season.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I'm with @Karen-W : the green card will allow him to travel easily and to live and train in the US as long as he wants. If he pursues citizenship eventually, then he won't have residency requirements, although he'll have to file US tax returns on worldwide income, no matter where he lives. She would be obligated already as a US citizen.

They would need a release to skate for another country or an ISU exception made, if that release were denied. She has ties to Georgia, and there's usually always Azerbaijan. But with a country switch, they'd need alternate funding, even if that means the parents. What might give them some leverage to compete for the US would be her citizenship, but I can't imagine they'd declare that intention while they're still getting funds to train.

I don't blame them for holding out to see if Russia will slot back into international competition, given the general spinelessness of international sports federations, and, until the other day, at least officially, the IOC.

 

[PRlady]

The green card will also mean he has to be in the US more than half the year every year, so there’s that. As for taxes, assuming they file jointly, he’s already on the hook for that.

 

[kwanfan1818]

The amount of time he needs to stay in the US is pretty much covered by training. If they wanted to switch to coaches outside the US, the only feasible way to meet those requirements with training nine-10 months of the year would be living on the US/Canadian border and commuting to a Canadian training center.

 

[greenapple]

They might very well decide to make a country switch, but I'm not convinced it will be to the US - they would have an easier time switching to represent Georgia, IMO, especially since KazRev are likely to secure at least 2 spots for Euros next season.

That could be. I guess we will have to wait and see what Eteri - who is for sure directing this show - decides .

 

[Karen-W]

The bottom line for DavSmo is they've already been pushed out of the WS Top 24, so unless they make a country switch in February after the full year since they last competed has passed and switch to a country that can/will send them to Worlds, they're not going to have an opportunity to even get on the SB Top 75 list and they'll be off the GP next season as well.

I don't think the Georgian fed would burn KazRev and keep them from Worlds in favor of DavSmo, even though it doesn't seem very likely that either team would finish in the top 10 and be seeded on the GP next season - so, in that regard, I suppose it's possible that KazRev could be sent to Euros where they earn 2 spots and ISU Championship points to keep them in the WS Top 24, and send DavSmo to Worlds to at least get them on the SB Top 75 list (maybe even SB Top 24, though I'm not sure how likely that would be for Russia's former #3 team with no large fed backing).

Or, maybe find some other fed willing to send them to Worlds...

 

[Ananas Astra]

Kamila Valieva and Grigorii Fedorov won the jumping competition today.
Fedorov was quite a surprise and his rise reminds me of Kondratiuk's. Both coached by Sokolovskaya, barely known, suddenly appeared and did very well.

Sokolovskaya seems to have a thing for unknown kids. Fedorov is one to watch, definitely.

 

[3T3T]

Interview with Annabelle Morozov from FS-gossips. She discusses the split with Devid. I don’t think he like the USofA to much. I thought it would be hard for him to enter the States on a Russian passport. It’s a pity they split, I really enjoyed them.

Annabelle Morozov about breakup with her partner: “It is pointless to make long-term plans when there is no mutual understanding within the pair. Sooner or later, everything will break anyway.”

Interview with Annabelle Morozov about the breakup with David Narizhny.

fs-gossips.com

Some comments from her father & Zhuk

“David refused to prepare for the Russian Nationals in America. This was the reason for the breakup.” Annabelle Morozov and David Narizhny splitted up

Annabelle Morozov and David Narizhny splitted up. Comments from their coach and choreographer Nikolai Morozov.

fs-gossips.com

 

[barbarafan]

I would be more impressed if she did it at full speed…

She is saving that for her quad axel

 

[skatingguy]

She is saving that for her quad axel

Quad Axel has been done - she'll be saving it for the quint.

 

[airgelaal]

Interview with Annabelle Morozov from FS-gossips. She discusses the split with Devid. I don’t think he like the USofA to much. I thought it would be hard for him to enter the States on a Russian passport. It’s a pity they split, I really enjoyed them.

He has Ukrainian passport

 

[barbk]

What was with the question regarding her underpants?

Maybe the pants with crash pads to protect the skater in case of falls? They are super ugly, but I certainly see the benefit.

 

[Lara111]

He has Ukrainian passport

I am wondering if he could have just been stressed with all that going on with Ukraine. Wanted to be close to the family

 

[Amy L]

I am wondering if he could have just been stressed with all that going on with Ukraine. Wanted to be close to the family

TSL said that he has a girlfriend who he won't leave Russia for.

 

[Lara111]

TSL said that he has a girlfriend who he won't leave Russia for.

That makes sense. Guys at this age do not think straight. They could have had a great future.

 

[Amy L]

That makes sense. Guys at this age do not think straight. They could have had a great future.

He'd have a good case for a US visa: he's a Ukrainian citizen whose job is being funded by the government who has invaded his homeland. If a team like that wanted to change countries it'd be a way out. But I'm thinking about things as a pragmatic adult woman and not a young man in love.

 

[3T3T]

He has Ukrainian passport

Thanks airgelaal. I knew he was Ukrainian born but I didn’t realise he still held a Ukrainian passport. From the interview below I assumed he held only a Russian one.

“I don’t remember Ukranian language at all. We were only forced to speak Ukrainian at school. All textbooks were on it. But we spoke Russian.” Devid Narizhny, partner of Annabelle Morozov

Russian dance duo Annabelle Morozov and Devid Narizhny told how to pronounce and spell their names correctly.

fs-gossips.com