Sofia Muravieva

[vorravorra]

Yeah, it was interesting to see her and Samodurova skate head-to-head considering Sofia M is ex-Team Davydov, and seeing the difference in skating skills. I'm not sure about the circumstances that led to her moving to AoP, but I don't think she was considered particularly outstanding among Davydov's skaters. That flow and speed she has now - I think it developed over the past year or so.

I'd say Mikhailov does indeed play an important role in packaging/skating skills, I think he learnt a thing or two from training under Zhuk/Svinin and Rubleva/Shefer (their dance teams always have cool programmes!). But I also lurk on AoP's instagram sometimes and you can see Plushenko involved in multiple aspects of training; to me his most obvious area of influence is jumps/off-ice training (those spinny gadgets from Mishin) but also the way the kids hold their heads up and connect with the audience.

I am not sure exactly what happened with Davydov, but I know Sonya tried out with Eteri and Eteri wouldn't take her. A similar story happened with Zinina, Lukin also tried a couple of other places before coming to AoP. So Plushenko has been taking in other coaches' rejects, which shows the Academy is still often a place of last resort.* And as Zinina said, somebody finally believing in you is a great motivator.
According to Plushenko, his main focus is jump technique. He has been looking for coaches who have at some time been Mishin's students so they are on the same wavelength. Their off-ice coach appears very dedicated and has developed his own system for training figure skaters. Good training conditions and being able to hire qualified, energetic and committed people seem to be the Academy's main strengths.

Thanks for the explanation. Sofia M. is my favourite female skater. She seems so determined and I love that anger at the end after not hitting her 4S. She is a perfectionist. Her test skate one was similar. It is huge and she rotates it fully, but, isn’t able to land it. At least she rotates it. So, it has potential. My hope is to see her eventually master this jump. When she moves to Seniors, it would be amazing to have this quad jump plus her artistry. So, I’m happy with the result and effort here.

I am worried Sonya has put herself under tremendous pressure to get that quad, and you can understand why. I've seen her upset in practices too. She is not like Veronika who is a natural jumper, and even Zinina has found it easier. Sonya has different strengths and should be able to use them but that's not enough these days in Russian women's skating.

*Of course this isn't helped by the school's location way out in the sticks. Unless you live in the right part of Moscow it must be hell to get to.

 

[vorravorra]

Great news, apparently Sonya landed two quad sals in the warm-up while she wasn't filmed.

 

[RatedPG]

Great news, apparently Sonya landed two quad sals in the warm-up while she wasn't filmed.

Where did you find this out? Last I heard was her test skate 4S was her first fully rotated quad despite the fall. If this is true, I’m so happy and this would explain why she was upset with her fall during the competition.

 

[vorravorra]

It was quoted in her fan group as something Sonya herself had said, I am not sure when or to whom.

 

[vorravorra]

Spanish Sonya
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVo9fZ6DPJT/

 

[GoneWithTheWind]

Sofia landing a 3A in training:


And a 4S+1eu+3S:


Go Sofia! Looking forward to seeing the new elements in competition.

 

[vorravorra]

If Sonya stabilises even one of these in competitons, with her skating quality she will be a real contender. Of course we will have to see if the Fed scores her appropriately to give her a chance, she isn't in the basket the Fed likes to keep its eggs in.

 

[RatedPG]

I’m so happy! My little queen is really determined to fight with not one, but, two ultra-c elements. I love her 4S.

 

[vorravorra]

Opening of the LP with 3A+3T. Her 3A is spectacular. I wonder if she gives it a try somewhere before the JGPF. She isn't going to Stage 4 of the Russian Cup, most likely because Zinina is there, but Zinina is also going to be at Stage 5. Maybe there is some small competition somewhere?

 

[ScattyKatty]

Samodelkina is at Stage 4 so hopefully she’ll go to Stage 5 with Zinina as there isn’t any other high level competition for them that I can see.

 

[RatedPG]

Opening of the LP with 3A+3T. Her 3A is spectacular. I wonder if she gives it a try somewhere before the JGPF. She isn't going to Stage 4 of the Russian Cup, most likely because Zinina is there, but Zinina is also going to be at Stage 5. Maybe there is some small competition somewhere?

Thanks for these updates. I’m loving watching her improve. I have a feeling she may skate at Stage 5. It would be good practice for her to get a domestic competition to practice these new jumps prior to the junior Grand Prix finals.

 

[Flying Feijoa]

Nice long interview with Sofia

«ТÑÑÑова миÑила наÑ, когда Ð¼Ñ ÑÑоÑилиÑÑ». СоÑÑÑ ÐÑÑавÑева воÑÑиÑаеÑÑÑ Ð ÑÑÑкой РакеÑой и ÑÑаÑÑлива Ñ ÐлÑÑенко

ФиналиÑÑка ÑниоÑÑкого ÐÑан-пÑи ÑÑиÑаеÑ, ÑÑо одними квадами ÑÑÑ Ð½Ðµ бÑдеÑÑ.

matchtv.ru

 

[anonymoose_au]

Nice long interview with Sofia

«ТÑÑÑова миÑила наÑ, когда Ð¼Ñ ÑÑоÑилиÑÑ». СоÑÑÑ ÐÑÑавÑева воÑÑиÑаеÑÑÑ Ð ÑÑÑкой РакеÑой и ÑÑаÑÑлива Ñ ÐлÑÑенко

ФиналиÑÑка ÑниоÑÑкого ÐÑан-пÑи ÑÑиÑаеÑ, ÑÑо одними квадами ÑÑÑ Ð½Ðµ бÑдеÑÑ.

matchtv.ru

Ha ha I was just coming to post this, you beat me to it

A very interesting interview! Sofia is so sweet I look forward to seeing her skate again soon.

 

[vorravorra]

Sonya is competing at Stage 5 of the Russian Cup, presumably to try her 3A.

 

[vorravorra]

Sonya landed her 3A in the SP First attempt, perfect, huge, light and easy

 

[charl179]

So happy for her landing her 3a , I thought it was a double at first! I guess that was unexpected for her too that she missed little parts of the choreo after it which was kinda cute Hope she can land the 4s tomorrow!

 

[vorravorra]

3A
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWa9zIKIugi/

 

[vorravorra]

 

[Azikin]

The girl can skate...

 

[vorravorra]

I assume she'll try her 3A+3T and most likely 4S as well in the free tomorrow. Good luck!