- Joined
- Dec 21, 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuZRT9wXRTA
Video from ATS
Video from ATS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuZRT9wXRTA
Video from ATS
Well, and what will Robin be doing? something interesting as well. He is going to be a coach at iceDOME in Oberstdorf, a very well known skating camp for young talented skaters which was founded by Michael Huth, Carolina Kostner's coach, in 2008. Huth competed for the former GDR in the 80s for the Dresden skating club and also Chemnitz later on. So they really know each other! Furthermore, Kostner took part in the farewell show "Imagine on Ice" last Saturday in Chemnitz, so all of this is a well-laid out plan for all 3 of them masterminded by of course Ingo Steuer. ;-)
http://en2012.ice-dome.com/icedome/coaches/8043-8693-0-0-8693-0.htm
Robin will be a great coach IMO!
@BlackPack
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He could have capitalized on their success by going to All That Skate, and chose not to.I feel bad for Robin because he doesn't get to capitalize on his success because Aliona chose to skate on with another partner.
I feel bad for Robin because he doesn't get to capitalize on his success because Aliona chose to skate on with another partner.
Maybe it is the Fumie Syndrome or a trend towards Geriatrics on Ice (LOL) but it seems like there are more skaters trying to prolong their amateur careers on in some cases fence sitters or more bluntly not wanting to commit, perhaps not willing to move on all this in sp ite of the fact that the prize money and opportunities have decreased significant both pro and competitive. Remember we still have K and S in pairs and Dai, Carolina, D and W, V and M, Czisny,all undecided or sitting there even Chan and Mira but I will not put them in that category as they are relatively young still. I guess despite the popularity of the song Let it Go...it is really hard to do that. sure you want people to reach their dreams but sadly or truthfully your dream is likely to conflict with someone else's. I admire these skaters because they are going for what they want. Maybe i am jaded. So many dreams and hope but "reality" or my fear of supporting myself and a family often puts dreams secondary to getting a job. I mean these are very talented people who have accomplished a lot - even for them to be mentioned they are undoubted national if not world or international medallists with more travelling than most of us will see in our life times. But you wonder is it that they are so blessed with rich families. My mom and dad worked hard jobs, not glamourous, no adoration and hated their jobs but did it so we could eat. Maybe people like Aliona and other skaters can have it all - if not in part because of talent or wealthy family members. For every Brian Boitano or Katarina Witt or Yuna Kim, Michelle Kwan and Mao Asada there are so many who don't even reach the level of success athletically or financially of even Nicole Bobek, Christopher Bowman et al.
Let's not go doom and gloom just yet.
- The videos have so far looked promising, the lifts in particular.
- Pairs have far more longevity than singles. Many pairs have attended 3+ Olympics, and have medalled in more than one. Shen/Zhao won Olympic gold while they were 31 and 36 respectively, adding to two previous bronze medals. I'm more worried about the Caro/Dai/Plush situation in singles.
- Let's not rag on Massot too soon. Sure, he hasn't been successful so far, but he can improve with a strong partner like Aliona. Artur Dmitriev won another Olympic gold with his second partner, who was reportedly much worse than Massot.
- I'm sure Aliona knows how difficult it'll be. She wants Olympic gold with all her heart, yes. But I really doubt she'd do this if she'd regret it the moment she misses gold. No way does she think she's a lock for gold--that would be ridiculous. In these four years, I'm sure they can achieve something even if it isn't OGM. If she feels healthy enough to continue, and feels like she has nothing to lose, why not go for it? If they win any kind of medal at all in 2018, it'll already be a triumph. Imo, three bronze medals is possibly worth more than a single gold, because it shows your ability to stay competitive through a long period of time.
Regarding money: Well, I don't know what this particular situation is. But if they have the means/funds to skate, why not? How they spend their money is up to them. And frankly, so many normal people spend money on dumber things than skating (cigarettes, beer, going for a movie every Friday instead of every other Friday... ). Then again, I've never been an advocate of "let it go." Always went for "keep holding on."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuZRT9wXRTA
Video from ATS
But at the time S/Z "retired" the first time, they had two Olympic bronze medals. Same as S/S. And three less World titles. Yes, you could say they were "better" in terms of programs, skating, consistency, ect. But I wonder, would we (because I agree with you) be hailing them as one of the greatest of all time if they hadn't come back and won Olympic gold? I think their story just proves you should come back and give it another go.
There's no point "blaming" either Robin or Aliona for Vancouver or Sochi. So, she fell on the throw 3A. Even if they landed it, I doubt they would've won, considering their other errors. They would've just gotten silver instead. Well, Robin had a whole slew of mistakes in Vancouver. Should we go blame him too? You're right--they (the two of them) didn't deliver on the Olympic stage. No need to play the blame game when acknowledging that.
The thing is, Aliona doesn't need to skate better in than twilight years than in her prime in order to win Olympic gold. She just needs to finally deliver on the Olympic stage--surely we can agree that Vancouver and Sochi were not good examples of S/S's skating? Aliona only needs to outskate her opponents, not her past self. Were Shen/Zhao in their physical prime in 2010? If she keeps herself injury-free, why not continue? Even if she and Massot come dead last in every competition, I don't think it'll tarnish S/S's legacy one bit. (Of course, if Aliona is very injured, I suggest she retire for the sake of her health. That's another argument altogether).
I do agree she should quit if Olympic gold is all that mattered to her--if she'd deem the following four years a waste the moment she misses gold. But if you and I can sit here speculating about her chances, I'm sure she knows what they are herself. More likely, she wants gold and will keep chasing it, but knows the road will be difficult and is willing to accept any result. I can't think of anyone being deluded enough to think otherwise. Only she can answer if continuing "matters" or not, but I see regrets being more likely for people who don't try, rather than people who gave it their best shot and just couldn't pull it off.