2016-17 State of Russian Ice Dance
- Thread starter gmyers
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And now they also have Popova/Mozgov
And I also have some hope for Loboda/Drozd a season after next one.
And now they also have Popova/Mozgov
Popova/Mozgov I am sure will need work and some time to adjust to each other... so I don't expect much from them at first... Laboda/Drozd? I guess we'll see, but also not next year for sure... we'll have to see how the field develops, but there are some very strong teams in the field now, it will be hard to break through
Well, of course they need time. Alla is still very young, she's only 17, that's basically a kid for ice dance now. But I honestly see much more potential in them than I've seen in Monko/Khaliavin and Stepanova/Bukin when they became seniors. They're not lacking charisma (both of them, what's important) and technical abilities. And I really think Pavel Drozd could became a strongest male partner since Nikita Katsalapov. So, not a team for 2018 obviously, but maybe for 2022.
Drozd could be much stronger. He easily handles partner in lifts and can twizzle really well. He also has range. But I don't think he skates with Loboda but rather drags her around. I honestly believe it's the coaching and training regimens that need the most work. There is also the young team in Zhuk's camp Anastasia and Grigory. They are lovely ice dancers. Russia just needs a bit of poise and patience, things will work out in time.
Yes, I agree they need some balancing. I don't want them to be the type of a team like Sinitsina/Katsalapov (just an example). But Loboda progressed tremendously even during this season. If you will watch their SD at first JGP event and then at JWorlds one after another you will see it clearly. She has edges, she has lines and flow, her knees work finely, she can twizzle and easily does difficult poses in the lifts. I only hope she will continue to reach to Pavel's level as stronger partner in the team. He's more powerful, while her skating is more subtle at times (but not always). I know she's extremely hard-working lady, so I expect her to progress fast.
As for Shpilevaya/Smirnov, I like them too. They're clearly talented, but need to work a ton.
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2014
Shpilevaya/Smirnov are my favorite of the Russian junior dance teams, but I'm kind of bad at analyzing these things so IDK how much potential to be competitive they have. However, they don't seem to have twizzle issues, and I've never seen him drop her, so I am remaining optimistic. 
Shpilevaya/Smirnov are my favorite of the Russian junior dance teams, but I'm kind of bad at analyzing these things so IDK how much potential to be competitive they have. However, they don't seem to have twizzle issues, and I've never seen him drop her, so I am remaining optimistic.
Very good potential if they will not split
And she'll only turn 17 in 1.5 months!P.S. and your shots at Nikita
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Shpilevaya/Smirnov are my favorite of the Russian junior dance teams, but I'm kind of bad at analyzing these things so IDK how much potential to be competitive they have. However, they don't seem to have twizzle issues, and I've never seen him drop her, so I am remaining optimistic.
The size difference works very well in their favour. They can do complicated lifts without looking laboured unlike S/B.
Very good potential if they will not split
Yes, so we have to see how she grows or matures. But she could remain small like Khoklova. Grigory also presents her very nicely.
Very good potential if they will not split
P.S. and your shots at Nikita
Never mind that too much, I'll try to be charitable from time to time.
I also like her knees. I don't think their edges currently are deepest on the field honestly, but her basic technique is great. I hope they will turn as great team in a couple of years. I only DREAM that Zhuk will not give them such disasterous programs as she does to Stepanova/Bukin.
That's fine actually. No lies were detected
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Honestly I prefer S/S to L/D any day. The latter is more powerful of course but I find S/S so much more refined and harmonious as a team. Loboda always looks as though she's desperately trying to catch up with her partner not a really good look.
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- Joined
- Mar 23, 2006
Agreed, I really like S/S - especially her. IMO, Alla needs a better packaging. She is a gorgeous young lady off the ice, but her dresses, hair and make-up make her look extremely unattractive on the ice.
I prefer Loboda & Drozd. I agree that he is outstanding, but I like the relationship they have as a team on the ice. They can tell a story. They can sell both a traditional program and a quirky one, which demonstrates that they have versatility. They struggled with major errors at crunch time during the past two seasons, but it is also clear that they have the ability to score very well & place competitively when they skate strong.
Both teams have potential. At the junior level, it's all about potential. We wait. We cheer. And we hope they stay together.
Both teams have potential. At the junior level, it's all about potential. We wait. We cheer. And we hope they stay together.
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yes, they're selling it. They can sell even bad dance, such as this season FD. Well, it's not bad exactly, it's just too messy and overloaded with small movements and simple steps. Not my fave from them for sure.
And I think we also should mention that Loboda/Drozd is the only team in junior circuit this season who never missed a single key point in their Starlight Waltz patterns during the whole season. Tarasova called them one of the most accurate dance teams she's ever seen on patterns. Maybe that's a stretch, I don't know, but you don't receive YYY just because you look good.
It's official, Loboda/Drozd stay juniors. They're on vacation now till the 1st of June. New programs are in work, but not completely finished yet. Also, there will be new specialists in Ksenia Rumyantseva's group.
It looks like 'Sambo-70' decided to really invest into Ice Dance finally. Can't wait to see the results of that.
Source: new interview with Pavel http://vpsfund.org/444-6/
It looks like 'Sambo-70' decided to really invest into Ice Dance finally. Can't wait to see the results of that.
Source: new interview with Pavel http://vpsfund.org/444-6/
And now they also have Popova/Mozgov
Season after next is 2017/2018! So they will be Russia's hope for Olympic gold in 2018 or at least a medal. Someone is going to have to step up. Right now no chance whatsoever ussian will medal in ice dance and 2018 and who is to say that doesn't kill russian ice dance once and for all?
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
As Russian Junior National Champion and Junior World medallists they should get more funding this season compared to last, right? Hopefully, they can improve on their packaging. They are actually both attractive, but their costumes and his hairstyle could need some improvement. It`s good for Rumyantseva that she is at least keeping L/D and I think they were considered the more talented team between them and P/V? It`s a positive sign that their club invests more into their Ice Dance program, I think going forward the Russian Fed should maybe invest more into the training groups who actually bother to develop junior teams. US ice dance is that strong because coaches like Shpilband or Novak take teams and develop them from a very young age, maybe that`s what is missing right now in Russian Ice Dance.
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2011
I like L/D quite a bit--probably my favorite of the current Russian juniors. I think an additional year in juniors will do them a world of good. They do need better choreography. I think a really classic High Russian Style program like B'S's Anna K would suit them admirably. Just please--not a Russian folk dance. I can only take so much cutesywootseypoo over the course of a season!
