Elena Radionova

[Batsuchan]

I don't agree with the WTT scores either. I&Z got low scores for their SD here as well. The Tech Panel was totally out of their mind. Having said that, it's WTT, as you mentioned. Who cares?

True, in the grand scheme of things, WTT doesn't matter much. But it must be disappointing for Lena to feel like she skated better than at Worlds and then see her score drop.... Personally, *I* wanted to see "OMG! Is that my score?!" super-happy shining Lena, but that's just me being greedy.

Well, I hope we get to see beaming Lena in the FS!! I wonder what dress she will wear! (Though I wonder if maybe she hasn't worn the GPF one because it no longer fits...)

GOOOO LENA~!

 

[CutieP]

True, in the grand scheme of things, WTT doesn't matter much. But it must be disappointing for Lena to feel like she skated better than at Worlds and then see her score drop.... Personally, *I* wanted to see "OMG! Is that my score?!" super-happy shining Lena, but that's just me being greedy.

Yeah, the "OMG! Is that my score" moments are my favorites. We used to see them a lot earlier in the season, now she just mostly looks disappointed.

Hopefully today will be different. Come on, Lena!!!

 

[Sandpiper]

Lena looked a bit tired in the free. At least the score was good (as could be expected) this time.

Hopefully feisty Lena is back in the gala (and she gets a nice long break afterwards).

 

[Lipea]

Lena was BEAUTIFUL! I so much love her new look; her posture improved a lot! She will get used to her new height during the summer. She is doing indeed great for the fact that she is on the peak of the puberty.
Yes, a bit tired, but of course, this is so late in the season, it is hard to keep it all up.

 

[Batsuchan]

Congrats to Lena on placing 2nd in the FS!!

Lena was BEAUTIFUL! I so much love her new look; her posture improved a lot! She will get used to her new height during the summer. She is doing indeed great for the fact that she is on the peak of the puberty.
Yes, a bit tired, but of course, this is so late in the season, it is hard to keep it all up.

I agree with you Lipea, her posture really looked a lot better! :agree:
And I also think Lena will get used to her new height in the off-season, because right now I think puberty is starting to catch up to her a little bit. I think part of the reason she ran out of steam in the second half was because she hasn't quite built enough strength to accommodate her new height, and I think being taller has thrown her off her spins a little bit.
But these are small nitpicks. She's really had a fantastic first senior season!

And now for the fun part! Well, I wanted shenanigans...only I expected them to be with Lena I and Liza, not with...Team China and Denis!!! Well, Zijun, you are NOW my hero!

First, Denis was ignoring them...(how dare he?!)
http://ww2.sinaimg.cn/large/71eb2af7jw1era38d1uaij20xc18g4c7.jpg

So they threatened him with knives...
http://ww4.sinaimg.cn/large/71eb2af7jw1era38e7oxpj20xc18gtm0.jpg

And he tried to photo bomb their selfie:
http://ww2.sinaimg.cn/large/71eb2af7jw1era5rjlz22j20ku0rsq8r.jpg

But they did manage to get a nice one together:
http://ww2.sinaimg.cn/large/71eb2af7jw1era39d0kj2j20ku0rsn2l.jpg

And Han Yan got one too:
http://ww1.sinaimg.cn/large/76ad8596jw1era2bchwlvj20dc0hswgi.jpg

And then Princess Lena stole a crown from Team China!
https://instagram.com/p/1oBCPqzX3j/

 

[Batsuchan]

And I also think Lena will get used to her new height in the off-season, because right now I think puberty is starting to catch up to her a little bit. I think part of the reason she ran out of steam in the second half was because she hasn't quite built enough strength to accommodate her new height, and I think being taller has thrown her off her spins a little bit.

Heh, here I am replying to my own quote! In the Japanese broadcast of Lena's FS, Shizuka Arakawa commented that Lena looked tired and lost speed in the second half, and she was saying that during puberty, not only do you get taller, but your body shape changes, but if you limit how much you eat, then you lose strength/energy...i.e., she was kinda speculating that maybe Lena isn't eating enough or keeping too strict a diet in order to maintain her (very thin) body shape, so she is running out of energy in the second half...

I'm not sure that is true, but I *do* think that building some more muscle would probably help...and hopefully not hurt her jumps. Mao Asada went uber-skinny for a season or two and that definitely did her no favors...

ANYWAY, onto happier things, like this!
http://s7.hostingkartinok.com/uploads/images/2015/04/7560986ee75a5fa3039af18df1e6a6da.gif
We definitely got to see happy Lena in the K&C, so I was happy!

Also, Zijun posted one more photo of Princess Lena!
http://www.weibo.com/1911237367/CdVaxxA68#_rnd1429421108489

And here is Denis & Lena photobombing Liza & Kaitlin's photo:
https://cs7061.vk.me/c624221/v624221213/2c962/LP50wfdioj0.jpg

 

[Globetrotter]

That's my point--that layout (and hence, 3Lz-3Lo) is too ridiculous, complex, and thankless to consider.

3F probably isn't worth it either, you're right. But even that is a less risky strategy than 3Lz-3Lo.

Anyway, in other news, great skating from Lena at WTT SP! I'm a little confused/disappointed by the scores (she lands a swingy 3Lz-3T at Europeans and gets +2, which I can't agree with... but here she lands it nicely and can barely pull a +1. One judge even gave her +1 on the layback, and while I agree it wasn't her usual +3 standard, +1 is a little too harsh) Anyway, it's WTT, I shouldn't get so worked up. Just a little worried about the ongoing trend, after she didn't break 70 at Worlds either.

But I can see that Lena was really lacking her usual big smile big personality performance here especially as the LP progressed. Maybe she was tired after a long season, the usual spark and big personality was not there. She depends a lot on her infectious personality to carry her performance and the lack of that simply made everything less exciting to watch and hence lower PCS. The jumps were also rather eked out, especially the 3T tagged after the 3L. Even her 3R-1R-3S lacked the flow from the past. She needs a rest to recharge and regroup.

 

[Seruleane]

I don't think it is just that she is tired after a long season. She doesn't strike me as someone who would let herself get fatigued during competition unless there was something physical going on (like an illness). I think earlier in the season, her growth just started and she could compensate for it, but now, she is having more trouble with her technique. I really hope it is NOT that she isn't eating enough to make herself lighter, or whatever some other people were insinuating earlier. I also hate when TV commentators, whether they were competitive skaters, whether they have good intentions or not, insinuate stuff like that. It is terribly damaging to someone's reputation, and should not be discussed offhand like "oh, btw maybe she is fatigued b/c she might have an eating disorder." Either way, I agree that she needs a good rest to regroup, work on her technique and skating skills, and come back next year stronger than ever!

 

[Batsuchan]

Either way, I agree that she needs a good rest to regroup, work on her technique and skating skills, and come back next year stronger than ever!

:agree: Lena certainly had more than enough energy to party with Zijun until well after 3am (judging by her weibo posts) and then still came out and was full energy at the gala! :yes:

Before I forget, Lena's post-FS interview:
http://fsrussia.ru/news/1017-elena-radionova-znala-chto-nuzhno-vytyagivat-komandu.html

I just luuurrvvve HAPPY LENA!!!
https://pp.vk.me/c622316/v622316107/2a2b2/4znx3D0PZkY.jpg
https://pp.vk.me/c622316/v622316863/2ad7b/Ht0LZIY_mVU.jpg
https://pp.vk.me/c622316/v622316311/28522/da9HvY9BRnE.jpg

And some cute ones from the medal ceremony:
https://pp.vk.me/c622230/v622230483/2ab8b/LnrM5Jajl_0.jpg
https://pp.vk.me/c622230/v622230726/29067/7EA_cyFdIVQ.jpg

And when I see a photo like this (where Lena & Lena look pretty close in height)...
https://pp.vk.me/c622230/v622230337/29627/zUE870sqpJU.jpg

...I'm like, wow, Lena R has grown SO much since this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpV2SA4OwKo

 

[CutieP]

Thanks so much Batsuchan for the Lena+Zijun stuff! Too much prettiness around with those two

I don't think it is just that she is tired after a long season. She doesn't strike me as someone who would let herself get fatigued during competition unless there was something physical going on (like an illness). I think earlier in the season, her growth just started and she could compensate for it, but now, she is having more trouble with her technique. I really hope it is NOT that she isn't eating enough to make herself lighter, or whatever some other people were insinuating earlier. I also hate when TV commentators, whether they were competitive skaters, whether they have good intentions or not, insinuate stuff like that. It is terribly damaging to someone's reputation, and should not be discussed offhand like "oh, btw maybe she is fatigued b/c she might have an eating disorder." Either way, I agree that she needs a good rest to regroup, work on her technique and skating skills, and come back next year stronger than ever!

I also have doubts about the theory of her being tired. I doubt she can be tired. (as such (when healty))

Anyway, I would be majorly surprised as well to find out about her not eating well. She said in an interview recently that she's lucky to be able to eat absolutely anything. And she has been growing so much, and when you grow that much, you're going to look very thin for a while. All in all, the not eating much theory doesn't fit her character/healthy surroundings situation either.

But I also think that the break comes in at a good time. Though, I think that the actual rest period is at late may/early june. She will practise very hard around that (especially after that), and there's quite a lot of time to get used to her new body, which I think did cause her slight problems during the season. That said, I was very pleased about the first half of her FS at WTT. Especially that 3Lz3T was the best one I've seen all season. And I was so worried when she started to skate, simply because she looked visibly so tall. But why did she seem to run out of steam? Still a leftover of ilness(/es)/lack of practise time/constant long distance travelling I suppose.

 

[Batsuchan]

That said, I was very pleased about the first half of her FS at WTT. Especially that 3Lz3T was the best one I've seen all season. And I was so worried when she started to skate, simply because she looked visibly so tall. But why did she seem to run out of steam? Still a leftover of ilness(/es)/lack of practise time/constant long distance travelling I suppose.

I agree, that 3Lz+3T was beautiful! As was a single 3Lz! :agree:

Well, wishing Lena a nice relaxing break, and then a very productive off-season! I simply can't wait to see what kind of programs she'll do next!

Lena hasn't posted any new WTT photos, but I did find this!
https://instagram.com/p/1sYpWfNcoL/

I think we can say that everybody loves Lena! :yes:

 

[sabinfire]

Lena hasn't posted any new WTT photos, but I did find this!
https://instagram.com/p/1sYpWfNcoL/

Ahh, when Moscow and Ann Arbor collide...

 

[Sugarpova]

aw the princess Lena pic from Zijun's weibo is gorg!

 

[Batsuchan]

I posted this in the ladies FS thread, but according to one of the Russian forums, supposedly Lena had a pinched nerve and had to wear a neck brace on the day before the FS...?
http://forum.fsonline.ru/index.php?...15-wtt-2015-женщины/page__st__870#entry550964

If this is true, then JEEEZ, what an amazing fighter she is!!!

I stumbled upon this fan page today, which I'm really sharing for CutieP's benefit because I know what a fan of the Lena/Yulia bonding he is. Lots of cute fan arts of the two of them.
https://instagram.com/yulia_elena_room

Like this one.
https://instagram.com/p/1BLMBnC6Od/?taken-by=yulia_elena_room
Like I said in my previous post, everybody loves Lena!!

 

[Batsuchan]

Zijun shares another freakin' adorable photo! (And I recognize Kristina Zaseeva, one of Lena's besties, there too.)
https://instagram.com/p/1w_GRhzX4k/?taken-by=lizijunn

And, separately, a quote about Lena from a recent Ilya Averbukh interview. (He talks about the other Russian girls too.) Although he does say that Lena might struggle with puberty next season, he did say this [according to GoogleTranslate with some best-guess edits from me]:

“For me, Lena Radionova is the most interesting skater in this galaxy, because she has enormous potential, but she still has yet to survive (puberty). There are still a lot of ‘but's.’”

:agree:
http://tass.ru/sport/1919978

 

[CutieP]

I stumbled upon this fan page today, which I'm really sharing for CutieP's benefit because I know what a fan of the Lena/Yulia bonding he is. Lots of cute fan arts of the two of them.
https://instagram.com/yulia_elena_room

Thanks!:agree: Amazing pictures!

I found this at youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsaKjlxl_3Q

And its great to see that she took notice of this funny clip: https://instagram.com/p/1048pFQYX3/

 

[plushyfan]

Thanks!:agree: Amazing pictures!

I found this at youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsaKjlxl_3Q

And its great to see that she took notice of this funny clip: https://instagram.com/p/1048pFQYX3/

adorable!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Batsuchan]

I found this at youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsaKjlxl_3Q

I live for Lena's post-program and K&C celebrations!! :yay:

Here's the latest interview with Lena:
http://rsport.ru/figure_skating/20150423/825518182.html

Lena says that she and Inna haven't talked about trying more difficult jumps like 3A's and quads, but I think that in the upcoming season, she needs to focus more on keeping the jumps she already has rather than trying newer, harder ones. At least until she gets adjusted to her new, bigger body. :yes:

I can't believe she's going to get her new programs choreographed in the next few weeks!! I can't wait to see what she does!!

On an unrelated note, Saturday is Lena Ilinykh's birthday! I hope that Lena R gets to attend the festivities (and that we get lots of photos)!

 

[umeko_yur1tasukee]

I miss you guys!
I had a very bad internet connection that's why I cant post lately i hope this one will be posted.

First, Congrats to our Lena for a very good senior season. I'm glad that she is satiafied too ^^) I hope no more fever in so untimely events, I was so worried seeing her pale skin and losing strenght somewhere in her programs.

And I was surprise in the new found closeness of Lena and Zijun! ^^) although i find Zijun friendly, but still didnt expect that haha and may I just say that I super like the pic of Lena with Han Yan, im really snobing my YuzuLena ship bcoz of that pic hahaha

Thank you for all the links guys!

 

[Batsuchan]

Welcome back umeko_yur1tasukee!! I missed you too!!!

And I was surprise in the new found closeness of Lena and Zijun! ^^) although i find Zijun friendly, but still didnt expect that haha and may I just say that I super like the pic of Lena with Han Yan, im really snobing my YuzuLena ship bcoz of that pic hahaha

I hope you get a better internet connection soon so you can rejoin the fun! Though sadly there probably won't be much Lena news for awhile since it's the off-season (and our darling Lena so RARELY posts on Instagram)...

Oh wait, what's this I've found??
https://instagram.com/p/1_45N-kLb3/?taken-by=sunnylipnitskaya


And, totally unrelated--looks like there's another fairy-tale princess that Lena can play! If she keeps growing out her hair, she can be...Rapunzel!
https://instagram.com/p/13DO1Msd03/?taken-by=russia_girls_fan