2017-2018 State of Russian Ice Dance

[puremagic]

Diana Davis/Fedor Varlamov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqtr1rT-i1Y

This is the first time when I see Diana not as a single skater, but in a couple. And I liked it! She's very beautiful young girl.

 

[keasus]

But let's face it, Tarasova has always been extremely and suspiciously complimentary about them

She coached his father and Natalia B in the 80s. They won gold over a far better (IMHO) Klimova and Ponomorenko in 1988. Full disclosure: B&B are one of my least favorite ice dance teams. Talk about over-the-top theatrics in place of solid skating skills. But, those were the politics of the time in ice dancing: wait your turn.

 

[noidont]

I can't quite think of any positive thing to say about the two Zhulin SDs....

 

[coldblueeyes]

I really like the slower parts of both SDs, but that last change of rhythm kind of lost me. They are still a long ways away of being competitive at the moment.
Nikita did the twizzles though, that's an improvement.

 

[Barb]

New programs!

Bobrova/Soloviev (Short Dance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-S61Rg9Ffo

Sinitsina/Katsalapov (Short Dance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT4pt_h7e5o

Popova/Mozgov (Free Dance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiwevRtVzYQ

Loboda/Drozd (Free Dance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ie_fYwxiYs

The sound is really poor in the SDs, it looks like if they were skating without music, but S/K were not so bad, and I think those were the most decent twizzles I've seen them do in a long time.

 

[bramweld]

The sound is really poor in the SDs, it looks like if they were skating without music, but S/K were not so bad, and I think those were the most decent twizzles I've seen them do in a long time.

What I don't get is the similar layouts for both teams; however one comes across as clean/elegant, the other baudy but both sort of miss the latin flavour. Gadbois has a comparable number if not more teams than Zhulin, but each team has a uniquely charming SD. The clips I've seen from Tessa and Scott are impressive, if just purely in terms of the choreography. Is there no one other than Petukov that can assist with choreo? I thought B/S looked genuinely embarrassed after that dance. I felt embarrassed for them. They should be much further along by now.

 

[Barb]

What I don't get is the similar layouts for both teams; however one comes across as clean/elegant, the other baudy but both sort of miss the latin flavour. Gadbois has a comparable number if not more teams than Zhulin, but each team has a uniquely charming SD. The clips I've seen from Tessa and Scott are impressive, if just purely in terms of the choreography. Is there no one other than Petukov that can assist with choreo? I thought B/S looked genuinely embarrassed after that dance. I felt embarrassed for them. They should be much further along by now.

I don´t think it is a great program, but IMO the main problem are B/S, not the choreography, I have long ago accepted that they are simply not artistic enough, look at this part https://youtu.be/P-S61Rg9Ffo?t=181 imagine a couple that was able to move/dance, it would look cool, but they can´t do it. And I agree about the lift, very laboured. Plus, those costumes :disapp:

And who is responsible for the abomination that Alla and Pavel are skating?

 

[bramweld]

I don´t think it is a great program, but IMO the main problem are B/S, not the choreography, I have long ago accepted that they are simply not artistic enough, look at this part https://youtu.be/P-S61Rg9Ffo?t=181 imagine a couple that was able to move/dance, it would look cool, but they can´t do it. And I agree about the lift, very laboured. Plus, those costumes :disapp:

And who is responsible for the abomination that Alla and Pavel are skating?

The same French whip that did their FD last year it appears. I mean this is the most uninspiring, un-Chicago, Chicago program, I've ever seen. Is Alla supposed to be Roxie? Are they nuts? The part we've seen skated to by Baiul and Pechalat? Somebody within their training team would have to be fired. I mean Betina and Sergei, look regal in comparison. What gives? I just can't. I look at how seemlessly Diaz and Smart blended all aspects of their SD (almost two weeks ago), oh and the placement and ease of their lift. This is just insane.

 

[Sweet Dream]

The same French whip that did their FD last year it appears. I mean this is the most uninspiring, un-Chicago, Chicago program, I've ever seen. Is Alla supposed to be Roxie? Are they nuts? The part we've seen skated to by Baiul and Pechalat? Somebody within their training team would have to be fired. I mean Betina and Sergei, look regal in comparison. What gives? I just can't. I look at how seemlessly Diaz and Smart blended all aspects of their SD (almost two weeks ago), oh and the placement and ease of their lift. This is just insane.

Keep cool, bramweld, but I have to admit their FD is really horrible to watch, and Alla's posture... OMG!

 

[Kittosuni]

Wow I didnt expect P/M to skate that good! I don't know if Popova/Mozgov really improved that much or the others are just really a mess. P/M looks very clean and very promising. Now I want to see their SD. Im actually excited for them!

L/D is very frantic and sloppy. Alla has a very strong presence so this kind of dance she really shines. They need major polishing.

S/K actually looks really good. I actually felt Vika this time.

Both S/B and S/K's lifts are very uninspiring and labored. I like the lifts of P/M because its very meaningful and has connection to their dance.

 

[Grin]

Ksenia KONKINA / Grigory YAKUSHEV took silver medals at Cup of Austria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZVvWRdVN4c

Amasing performance

 

[bramweld]

Ksenia KONKINA / Grigory YAKUSHEV took silver medals at Cup of Austria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZVvWRdVN4c

Amasing performance

True but given her age she might outgrow him, but hey enjoy the good moments

 

[gmyers]

I can't quite think of any positive thing to say about the two Zhulin SDs....

They do not care what wins or what is successful! I don't get these programs. Why aren't they copying North American coaches? Following IJs?

 

[bramweld]

They do not care what wins or what is successful! I don't get these programs. Why aren't they copying North American coaches? Following IJs?

Probably the coaches wouldn't know where to begin. I honestly also believe that Latin is one of the most challenging genres to master. Also, can your skaters dance and are they committed to putting in the time to learn how to dance latin? It isn't for nothing that Maya and Alex and Tessa and Scott said no to shows and WTT to get prepped for this season. These guys are much further along in their preparations than certain camps appear to understand. With the exception it appears of S/B not many understand how short this season is.

But two completely different teams with the exact same element layout, the exact same type of lifts as well? Can I call Zhulin lazy? Because this strategy will obviously help one but not the other. Sad. Hopefully the FD's are much better. I remember Zhulin once saying that SD's aren't really important to invest in, just as long as you hit your levels. Obviously he hasn't been paying attention to ice dance for the last copuple of seasons. V/M's SD looks like its going to be the bomb, again.

 

[Marta25]

The Junior Grand Prix started two weeks ago and it`s been rather successful for the Russian teams with 3 medals. I have to say that Konkina/Yakushev surprised me a lot this weekend. Before the season started I thought that the World Junior team would be pretty much locked with Shpilevaya/Smirnov, Skoptsova/Aleshin and Polishchuk/Vakhnov, but now I wonder if Konkina/Yakushev could snag one of the spots.

Up to this point the Russian Fed has already distributed 10 of their 14 slots on the JGP. I assume that both P/V and S/A will get a second assignment, which means that the Fed only has 2 spots left. I really hope that K/Y can get another assignment because it looks like they have a good chance to qualify for the JGPF.

I know that people keep saying that there is no talent in Russian ice dance, but watching the JGP and some videos from the local competition in Moscow this weekend makes me actually hopeful for Russian ice dance.

 

[puremagic]

The Junior Grand Prix started two weeks ago and it`s been rather successful for the Russian teams with 3 medals. I have to say that Konkina/Yakushev surprised me a lot this weekend. Before the season started I thought that the World Junior team would be pretty much locked with Shpilevaya/Smirnov, Skoptsova/Aleshin and Polishchuk/Vakhnov, but now I wonder if Konkina/Yakushev could snag one of the spots.

Up to this point the Russian Fed has already distributed 10 of their 14 slots on the JGP. I assume that both P/V and S/A will get a second assignment, which means that the Fed only has 2 spots left. I really hope that K/Y can get another assignment because it looks like they have a good chance to qualify for the JGPF.

I know that people keep saying that there is no talent in Russian ice dance, but watching the JGP and some videos from the local competition in Moscow this weekend makes me actually hopeful for Russian ice dance.

Yeah, their skating impressed me, much better than other Russian pair. But still I can't get one thing about Russian ladies it's their growth in figure skating. Russian single ladies almost all are small. But in the ice dance almost all are tall. How is it? And it really spoils the big picture when girls are so tall and have the same growth as their partners.

 

[Ice Dance]

Yeah, their skating impressed me, much better than other Russian pair. But still I can't get one thing about Russian ladies it's their growth in figure skating. Russian single ladies almost all are small. But in the ice dance almost all are tall. How is it? And it really spoils the big picture when girls are so tall and have the same growth as their partners.

Being tall can be a huge advantage in ice dance if you can find a partner that is tall enough to skate with you. Taller skaters tend to have longer strides & more leg muscle, which translates to the fact that they tend to skate faster and leave a stronger impression on the audience.

There are some exceptionally fast shorter athletes; but they are the exception rather than the rule.

Papadakis & Cizeron and Domnina & Shabalin are/were both among the largest physical dance teams in the field. Hubbell & Donohue are as well. And while Monko & Khaliavin were not at the top, their speed was their best quality. You rarely get the impression of the speed & power of these teams while watching them live. Or of their height because they are in good proportion to one another. But when you see them live it is immediately apparent.

 

[puremagic]

Being tall can be a huge advantage in ice dance if you can find a partner that is tall enough to skate with you. Taller skaters tend to have longer strides & more leg muscle, which translates to the fact that they tend to skate faster and leave a stronger impression on the audience.

There are some exceptionally fast shorter athletes; but they are the exception rather than the rule.

Papadakis & Cizeron and Domnina & Shabalin are/were both among the largest physical dance teams in the field. Hubbell & Donohue are as well. And while Monko & Khaliavin were not at the top, their speed was their best quality. You rarely get the impression of the speed & power of these teams while watching them live. Or of their height because they are in good proportion to one another. But when you see them live it is immediately apparent.

Thanks for clarification! I understand. But... Because of their growth they're also sloppy. They look awkward. Like Popova... Her skating is like a nightmare. It's painful to watch. More or less Shpilevaya looks polished and nice, but she's not so tall.

 

[vorravorra]

Yeah, their skating impressed me, much better than other Russian pair. But still I can't get one thing about Russian ladies it's their growth in figure skating. Russian single ladies almost all are small. But in the ice dance almost all are tall. How is it? And it really spoils the big picture when girls are so tall and have the same growth as their partners.

Konkina is shorter than Yakushev, though not by much, she just manages to look taller when she skates.
And I wouldn't say ladies in singles are almost all small. Radionova, Pogorilaya, Konstantinova are not short, and Guliakova, Sotskova, and Tsurskaya are quite tall. Medvedeva and Tuktamysheva are shorter but still not tiny. The rest who are short are mainly juniors who haven't grown yet, though Fedichkina and Gubanova are probably not going to grow by much.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

Is there video yet of Nikita and Viki free dance? I adore them.

Lots of secrecy and hype for stepanova and bukin. I hope they show their programs at test skates next week (next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!)