The Knierims have switched coaches from Sappenfield to ... Aljona Savchenko!

[aftershocks]

Just a note - Christopher Dean did their long program, John Kerr - short

Yep, I know John Kerr did not choreograph all of S/M's programs, but that boffo sp from last season that they brought back for the Olympics is so inspirational and groundbreaking. Kerr and Dean are two of the best choreographers to help talented skaters shine.

 

[aftershocks]

They got a World bronze medal.

Yes, I'll make that correction. I/Z were fifth at 2002 Olympics. Meanwhile, Kyoko Ina and her former partner, Jason Dungjen, wuzrobbed of an Olympic bronze in 1998. Moskvina's gorgeous, but error-prone Berezhnaya/Sikharulidze benefited. The perceived unfairness likely had something to do with Moskvina later coaching I/Z.

 

[overedge]

I think you were reading into the introduction statement. USFS announces lots of things they have no input into.

The wording attributes the shock and awe reaction to USFS. It would be more accurate to say the shock and awe was in reaction to the Knierims' and Aljona's decision, not to USFS making the announcement.

 

[olympic]

I like the fact that SK/K are getting a more Euro POV to their development (Aljona, Bruno, French choreographer, Alexander Koenig). A change like that could reignite their fire.

IMO, Aljona is spot-on in her assessment of SK/K - Good pair w/ just a couple of weak spots: She notes the jumps, but I wish they would also work harder on the SBS spins. Those seem to be a throwaway move for them. They get LV4 but they crawl through that element. Of course, she correctly notes they need to show a love connection on the ice which could boost PCS, especially w/ cleaner programs.

Koenig was a GDR pairs skater in the late 80s, no? I think he was teamed w/ Peggy Schwarz and they were like the best non-Soviet pair in European skating.

 

[Tinami Amori]

The Knierims.... pls do something modern or spunky now! honeymoon is over..

 

[olympic]

The Knierims.... pls do something modern or spunky now! honeymoon is over..

Agreed. Their Metallica SP in 2015 and 2016 w/ heavy metal music and costuming was well-received by international judges. They were capable of scoring over 70 points w./ that program even w/ jump mistakes

 

[Vagabond]

I forgot we're now in the early years of the 21st-century.

Not any more, we're not.

Tempus fugit.

 

[nimi]

Chris tweets (click to see the accompanying gif)

Training with Aljiona is no joke. @alexa_knierim and I are going to be in the best shape of our life’s. Almost 7 hours of training for the day done.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Chris tweets (click to see the accompanying gif)

HOLY CRAP! SERVE ME THE GOLD MEDAL at SkAm Knierims. Get.It.Done.For ANL.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Agreed. Their Metallica SP in 2015 and 2016 w/ heavy metal music and costuming was well-received by international judges. They were capable of scoring over 70 points w./ that program even w/ jump mistakes

That was a good SP - Metallica, and the costumes. Knierfms are a gorgeous handsome couple and "balletic" or "classical" would suit them well, style wise.... but then they would have to skate like Grinkovs to make a splash. And until they do, they need an interesting unique programme to stand out.

 

[floridaice]

I also loved the Metallica SP. Aljiona said in the IceNetwork article, "Also, they love each other, as they are a married couple. They need to show that more. " I don't see lovey dovey/super romantic as their style. They can show their connection in other ways. Metallica was sexy -- that is the style they need - passion/heat/strength. At least in my totally amateur opinion

 

[DimaToe]

I really want the Knierims to skate to a “pop” country music medley for the LP to be honest. It’s not really been done other than random SDs, that genre of music would give them a touch of originality and it would allow Alexa to bring the sass.

 

[nimi]

Alexa tweets some words of wisdom from Aljona

“If you wake up every day in pain; that’s good. It means you’re alive. If you wake up feeling good; you’re dead.” -Aljona (Update on how I’m doing....)

 

[briancoogaert]

Alexa tweets some words of wisdom from Aljona

I think the original motto says : "After 60 years, if you wake up with no pain at all, it's that you're dead".
Hahahaaaaa

 

[Tinami Amori]

I think the original motto says : "After 60 years, if you wake up with no pain at all, it's that you're dead".
Hahahaaaaa

That's why Aleona is wearing lots of Gold on her neck....

I think the original saying is from the Bohemian region, and goes like this: If you wake up in the morning and feel no pain it is to be feared that you died in the night.

There are more versions from more current characters...

Pain is a part of being alive, and we need to learn that. Pain does not last forever, nor is it necessarily unbeatable, and we need to be taught that. ~ Rabbi Harold S. Kushner

A little bit of pain is good for you. I feel alive. Everybody needs struggle. Once you overcome an obstacle, you springboard into the future. ~ Pamela Anderson

 

[Sylvia]

Before Chris went fishing yesterday, I saw his and/or Alexa's IG stories of them running outside a rink and maybe in a park(?). Aljona seems to have given them Sunday off and she walked along the sunny shore of Lake Michigan and then they dressed up for a tea party ("girls only"), according to Aljona's IG stories today.

 

[el henry]

Before Chris went fishing yesterday, I saw his and/or Alexa's IG stories of them running outside a rink and maybe in a park(?). Aljona seems to have given them Sunday off and they dressed up for a tea party ("girls only") according to Aljona's IG stories today.

According to Alexa’s IG story it appears to be a wedding shower, perhaps for Alexa’s sister, Alivia? (at least I think it’s her sister). Alexa is matron of honor. I imagine that was important enough for Aljona to grant the day off and even attend

 

[olympic]

It seems Aljona is really nurturing them to become champs. I like this

 

[Tinami Amori]

It seems Aljona is really nurturing them to become champs. I like this

"soviet training" + "post east german training"....

 

[Mad for Skating]

According to Alexa’s IG story it appears to be a wedding shower, perhaps for Alexa’s sister, Alivia? (at least I think it’s her sister). Alexa is matron of honor. I imagine that was important enough for Aljona to grant the day off and even attend

Yes, Alivia is Alexa's sister. They look a lot alike!

 

[olympic]

"soviet training" + "post east german training"....

Are you referring to Aljona’s Ukrainian heritage for the ‘soviet training’ ?

 

[Tinami Amori]

Are you referring to Aljona’s Ukrainian heritage for the ‘soviet training’ ?

I am referring to her former citizenship, USSR, where she was born in 1984, and started training in 1989...

 

[Tinami Amori]

A day of Aleona's training... http://sh.uploads.ru/gwfSA.png

 

[aftershocks]

A day of Aleona's training... http://sh.uploads.ru/gwfSA.png

They look spent in a good way though. I was looking back at some of A&C's performances this season. The talent is there with some great elements (lifts, throws, throw twist). And then there's the need to ace the sbs jumps consistently. So perhaps working under pairs diva extraordinaire Aliona will help A&C with some of their missing ingredients.

It's hard to figure some of the miscues A&C have experienced in recent performances. Probably due to their mixture of injury and illness-related setbacks, that also led to emotional strains? Alexa did seem to be experiencing a great deal of emotional stress at Worlds and Olympics. Hopefully, a change of scenery, a different approach, and a more rigorous training regimen can make a difference? Music selection and program concepts are also key. I also think that A&C have lacked in their ability to spark and connect with each other on the ice. Of course they have a connection and a spark, but IMO, it's never been brought out adequately in their skating. Paint it Black came close. It will indeed be interesting to see how their leap of faith move and hard work will pay off.