Deniss Vasiljevs | Page 48 | Golden Skate

Deniss Vasiljevs

There were some pretty loud "woos" :hap57: during the up tempo :party2: :dance3: section. Was that you? Such a difference when we can hear the audience. So much more fun!

LOL yeah that surely was me, my bottled up expectation just exploding in full force as the "Sway" section started! The intensity had been bottled up from the practice session that morning, I got to watch it up close from the rink side fence (restricted zone) thanks to my photographer friend, but I had to remain very quiet amidst the professionals!!!

That Toothless was soo cute!!

Do you mind if I send the link of the SP video to Christopher? He was asking for fancams

Of course!!! Actually I saw his request on Twitter and I posted it in reply section, not sure if he has seen it. You can post again just to make sure! :yay:
 
I brought the program videos to this thread from YouTube, thanks to gracious and fast uploaders, but yours are so much more enjoyable, MGStyle!!! :thank: It's strange to not hear the audience on the official videos, and the music is not as loud. I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself at Lombardia! :)
 
I had an argument with some of my relatives. They claim that Deniss is overtaking Stephane's style too much and losing his own. Yes, there are some traits but not that outstanding. What do you think? We watched also Brendan Kerry (3rd place). All in all his performance was not better. Deniss could be the third.
 
I had an argument with some of my relatives. They claim that Deniss is overtaking Stephane's style too much and losing his own. Yes, there are some traits but not that outstanding. What do you think? We watched also Brendan Kerry (3rd place). All in all his performance was not better. Deniss could be the third.

About Deniss's style, I agree, there are some similar qualities but Deniss' aura when he skates is very different. He makes you look at every movement, he moves like he is composing the music. Of course there are qualities that he shares with Stephane, and there are things Stephane has taught him, grace, elegance, attention to detail in his movements. But it's more like Stephane has refined those aspects of his skating.
Deniss's style on the ice is still different to his - it's exciting, tense, shocking. When he got going in the 'Sway' FS at Lombardia, I couldn't look away. It was as if I was witnessing some once in a lifetime phenomenon (obviously he's not doing anything that unique on the technical side but he MAKES you feel that way).

I think the placings at Lombardia were correct though. I love Deniss and adore his skating (I had to cut this post down significantly lol) but he made a costly error in the SP and had mistakes in the FS. Brendan skated very very well, and has clearly worked hard on his presentation over the summer. Deniss had significantly higher PCS so I think it's fair.
 
I almost completely forgot what originally came here to post :palmf: :laugh: Remember when Deniss found Anna P's necklace at Fantasy on Ice? It was broadcast on Japanese TV! :biggrin: Sadly no recording but at least we have this.
https://twitter.com/santanuts/status/910128496852180992
https://twitter.com/santanuts/status/910133942312828928
https://twitter.com/santanuts/status/910134605402931201

There's another unique part of Deniss: his beautiful smile.

Thanks for those photos!! I had no idea that Deniss was who found Anna Pogo's necklace.
 
About Deniss's style, I agree, there are some similar qualities but Deniss' aura when he skates is very different. He makes you look at every movement, he moves like he is composing the music. Of course there are qualities that he shares with Stephane, and there are things Stephane has taught him, grace, elegance, attention to detail in his movements. But it's more like Stephane has refined those aspects of his skating.
Deniss's style on the ice is still different to his - it's exciting, tense, shocking. When he got going in the 'Sway' FS at Lombardia, I couldn't look away. It was as if I was witnessing some once in a lifetime phenomenon (obviously he's not doing anything that unique on the technical side but he MAKES you feel that way).

I suppose it's inevitable that Deniss will be compared to Stephane, and it's inevitable that some of Stephane's style is reflected in the programs that he choreographs. But I don't see where Deniss has "lost" anything. Deniss is a bit more of a natural showman than Stephane, imo (just look at those videos of him in the Lithuanian ice shows a few years ago!) and I think that still comes out in the FS. But he's also in that awkward transition phase between a boy and a man and it's normal that his skating would evolve as he grows up. Also, his programs need more mileage - we are at the very beginning of the season, and he was nervous here, and his performance was a little subdued as a result.

Deniss is such a creative and multifaceted person that I cannot imagine him turning into a mere clone of anyone else!
 
About Deniss's style, I agree, there are some similar qualities but Deniss' aura when he skates is very different. He makes you look at every movement, he moves like he is composing the music. Of course there are qualities that he shares with Stephane, and there are things Stephane has taught him, grace, elegance, attention to detail in his movements. But it's more like Stephane has refined those aspects of his skating.
Deniss's style on the ice is still different to his - it's exciting, tense, shocking. When he got going in the 'Sway' FS at Lombardia, I couldn't look away. It was as if I was witnessing some once in a lifetime phenomenon (obviously he's not doing anything that unique on the technical side but he MAKES you feel that way).

Thank you. I feel the same.
 
My photographer friend Wilma has published loads of gorgeous photos to die for taken at Lombardia. Worth a click and browse, I promise :luv17::agree:
FP
SP
 
There are some news about Deniss:luv17: but they are in Latvian, It would be great if someone translated them or at least give a summary of what they say.

https://www.diena.lv/raksts/sports/ziemas-sports/domas-phjonchana-prata-ari-pekina-14180934

http://sportacentrs.com/ziemas_sports/slidosana/16092017-vasiljevs_jaunaja_sezona_sak_ar_ceturto_v
I don't speak Latvian, but looks like google translate handles Latvian>Finnish way better than e.g. English>Finnish :laugh:

I compared Lat>Fin and Lat>En translations with each other and I think that the content of the article is roughly as follows.... (if there are any Latvian speakers here, feel free to offer corrections etc!)


The Diena article begins with noting that Deniss debuted his new programs @Lombardia and that his score was 10 points less than his PB but in skating, that's normal in the beginning of the season. Deniss is determined & year after year he keeps progressing & winning new fans from all over the world; it looks like this trend is continuing this season, too.

Now it's his 2nd season with Lambiel as his coach, they were in the Alps when the journo contacted Deniss. The journo notes that this time, he contacted Deniss through his manager and that Deniss is now more careful/deliberate with his words.

Deniss tells his training is going well, he's attended important training camps, intense training both on and off ice. He's well prepared & his condition is better than at the beginning of the last season, when he started competing while still recovering from injuries. It's his best off-season this far.

The journo notes than last season Deniss was dealing with a groin injury, which affected the first half of the season, and that Lambiel has had a similar injuries. Lambiel has found the best experts in Canada, where Deniss went too. Deniss tells the main reason for the Canada visit was to check that everything in his body (groin, ankles, the body as a whole) is working like it should. Deniss paid special attention to off-ice training while in Canada. Deniss also visited World & Olympic champion level coaches in Toronto and tried to absorb as much knowledge and different opinions as possible. His trip to Canada was very helpful to him. The experts gave him advice on off-ice exercises he can use to strengthen his body this season.

(The whole article appears in today's print edition, so this was only a sample I guess?)

The second article was a dry report about Lombardia, scores etc. There's also a little bit about Olympic spots: the article notes that in men the decision is pure formality (i.e. Deniss will go to Korea)
 
I don't speak Latvian, but looks like google translate handles Latvian>Finnish way better than e.g. English>Finnish :laugh:

I compared Lat>Fin and Lat>En translations with each other and I think that the content of the article is roughly as follows.... (if there are any Latvian speakers here, feel free to offer corrections etc!)


The Diena article begins with noting that Deniss debuted his new programs @Lombardia and that his score was 10 points less than his PB but in skating, that's normal in the beginning of the season. Deniss is determined & year after year he keeps progressing & winning new fans from all over the world; it looks like this trend is continuing this season, too.

Now it's his 2nd season with Lambiel as his coach, they were in the Alps when the journo contacted Deniss. The journo notes that this time, he contacted Deniss through his manager and that Deniss is now more careful/deliberate with his words.

Deniss tells his training is going well, he's attended important training camps, intense training both on and off ice. He's well prepared & his condition is better than at the beginning of the last season, when he started competing while still recovering from injuries. It's his best off-season this far.

The journo notes than last season Deniss was dealing with a groin injury, which affected the first half of the season, and that Lambiel has had a similar injuries. Lambiel has found the best experts in Canada, where Deniss went too. Deniss tells the main reason for the Canada visit was to check that everything in his body (groin, ankles, the body as a whole) is working like it should. Deniss paid special attention to off-ice training while in Canada. Deniss also visited World & Olympic champion level coaches in Toronto and tried to absorb as much knowledge and different opinions as possible. His trip to Canada was very helpful to him. The experts gave him advice on off-ice exercises he can use to strengthen his body this season.

(The whole article appears in today's print edition, so this was only a sample I guess?)

The second article was a dry report about Lombardia, scores etc. There's also a little bit about Olympic spots: the article notes that in men the decision is pure formality (i.e. Deniss will go to Korea)

Thank you for doing this translation! It's funny that the journalist was commenting about Deniss being more deliberate with his words. I wonder how his Latvian is doing these days, and if he and Diana get to practice together.
 
Thank you for doing this translation! It's funny that the journalist was commenting about Deniss being more deliberate with his words. I wonder how his Latvian is doing these days, and if he and Diana get to practice together.

To my mind the journalist meant that now he is more careful when explaining his point of view. When I read or listened to his interviews, I always smiled. They were so interesting, cheerful, frank, vivid and philosophical. But he is maturing! He is becoming a grown-up man! He is becoming more serious about his future life plans. But I'm sure he won't lose anything of him as a child (as Stephane hasn't)
 
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Deniss and Stephane are on their way to Moscow, recognized by 2 ballet dancers on their flight :) How exciting!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaWKcnUDxi6/

Stephane talked about Deniss at his fan meeting at Intimissimi on Ice. He discusses the adductor injury that he, Deniss, and Koshiro all have in common starting around 17:45, and his impressions of Lombardia Trophy at 31:05. It's definitely worth a listen. He seems like such a supportive and inspiring coach and they must have a lot of fun - he talks about how they will just go crazy doing something on the ice like twizzles for an hour. And he praises Deniss for his musicality and his open mind. He says they just need to connect the technique and artistry, and I'm sure they will continue to make great progress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XxdQuy6Hj8
 
Deniss and Stephane are on their way to Moscow, recognized by 2 ballet dancers on their flight :) How exciting!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaWKcnUDxi6/

Stephane talked about Deniss at his fan meeting at Intimissimi on Ice. He discusses the adductor injury that he, Deniss, and Koshiro all have in common starting around 17:45, and his impressions of Lombardia Trophy at 31:05. It's definitely worth a listen. He seems like such a supportive and inspiring coach and they must have a lot of fun - he talks about how they will just go crazy doing something on the ice like twizzles for an hour. And he praises Deniss for his musicality and his open mind. He says they just need to connect the technique and artistry, and I'm sure they will continue to make great progress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XxdQuy6Hj8

:thank: a lot for the links, I will sure listen to the talk in some spare time!

I do think that Deniss working with Stephane is match made in heaven - two very sensitive souls, musical athletes with multi-dimensional focus on the discipline, I think that some could complain that Stephane should push Deniss harder technically or something, but for me it's about making it all custom-designed for the student, understand him, his point of view, to help him out find one, not for all costs. I already see a huge growth and opening up in Deniss' skating, programs are great, skating skills, edges and flow are amazing - with right feedback and health in place results will come, I believe.

good luck to Deniss at Rostelecom!!!:cheer:
 
^^^"Match made in heaven" seems like a great way to describe this Dynamic Duo. Can't wait to see the progress Deniss has made with his programs since Lombardia...I couldn't help but laugh when Steph talked about the two of them doing twizzles for an hour. I could imagine them twizzling all over like crazy people! :laugh: Best of luck to Deniss at Rostelecom!
 
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