Alina Zagitova

[colormyworld240]

So I am new here. Before February, I knew virtually nothing about figure skating and had no interest in it. I was watching the team event with friends and something about Alina's performance really captivated me. I started reading up on her and her teammates and I have fallen down the rabbit hole.

So while I'm not very knowledgeable about figure skating, I did compete at a high level in a completely different sport and have had coaches similar to Eteri. And I have started obsessively watching all videos she's in and studying her reactions. A couple things stand out.

I do not think its a coincidence that Alina performed her best at competitions where Medvedeva also competed. But this isn't for the reasons most assume - its because Eteri's attention is directed almost exclusively on Zhenya. Eteri isn't above playing mindgames, having Alina show off her five triple jumps. This was intended to psych out the competition, I just don't think Eteria ever expected Alina to be THE competition. I think she assumed Alina was too inexperienced and would succumb to pressure in individual competition like Lipnitskaya. And she never thought much of her talent.

I believe Alina's performance issues at worlds were mental. She skated tense, she overthought things, and she got the yips. Can't remember the interview but she essentially admits that she didn't think about her skating at the olympics and wants to go back to that. I wouldn't be surprised if Eteri sabotaged her to a degree to prove she was right about Alina. I've seen other coaches act against their interests because of their own ego.

I'm also skeptical that Alina gained 5cm in two months. Its not impossible, but thats a lot to grow over a short amount of time and she doesn't look noticeably taller especially compared to Medvedeva. Eteri has an obsession with height (and weight but that's another post). Height is what "ruined" Eteri's figure skating potential. I would not be surprised if Eteri embellished her growth or even outright lied to mentally mess with Alina's confidence. Or even as a way to convince herself that Alina won't be able to maintain her career.

Sorry for the really long post. Its mostly just my personal speculation, but I've been needing to discuss my thoughts. I'm obsessed with the personalities, drama, and sheer athleticism of those at Sambo 70!

Do you need to rest after that reach? Also the spurt in "growth spurt" does mean something

 

[russianfan]

my favorite Alina's element

 

[Sugar Coated]

Agree! And Eteri benefits from Alina winning too - reputation and monetary; why wld she throw that away?

I don't mean to diminish Eteri's accomplishments. She is extremely talented coach who is running the top program in the world. But I also think she's a narcissist and somewhat crazy so her actions don't always appear rational.

Which girl's success in the following scenario demonstrates Eteri's ability to recognize and coach talent? Girl A, who started with her at age 6 and has been her primary focus in recent years? Or Girl B, who only came to her at age 12, who she came very close to kicking out, and has gone on record as saying she needed to push herself because she wasn't getting enough attention from coaches?

Whose programs do you want to win? Programs for Girl A, that you developed for the Olympics, were skated by the reigning world champion - who skated near perfect and initially beat the world record for the short program. Or the programs you gave to Girl B, that included a program you recycled from her junior season with a hand-me-down costume? And I suspect Daniil had more to do with Alina's programs, since he seems to be assigned to work with the more junior skaters.

While most people would want to be coach to the olympic champion, I suspect Eteri saw this as potentially threatening to her reputation and her ability to judge talent and create winning programs (you give your best programs to your best skater so Eteri's "best" didn't end up winning). She came close to dismissing a girl who would go on to win the Olympics and almost swept all major competitions in her first year competing at the senior level.

I also think that Eteri's methods are sometimes counterproductive. She may not be intending to psych out her skaters. Medvedeva seems to thrive under her attention, but Alina may do better when she is not Eteri's main focus. I think Eteri's coaching style ended up mentally (and physically) breaking Lipnitskaya.

 

[russianfan]

interview with gorgeous Alina
short program

 

[lusk8]

interview with gorgeous Alina

Thank you!!! Thank you!! I wonder what she said, loved the paper hearts at the end.

This interview was part of the Ice Fantasia broadcast but the last 30min of so of the show, at least on my stream, went down and Alina's second performance (Ice Goddess) wasn't on TV. The broadcast never came back up sadly so the closing number and all else never aired.

 

[lusk8]

Never mind my question, someone subtitled it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JoeH4MmePg

 

[madison]

I don't mean to diminish Eteri's accomplishments. She is extremely talented coach who is running the top program in the world. But I also think she's a narcissist and somewhat crazy so her actions don't always appear rational.

Which girl's success in the following scenario demonstrates Eteri's ability to recognize and coach talent? Girl A, who started with her at age 6 and has been her primary focus in recent years? Or Girl B, who only came to her at age 12, who she came very close to kicking out, and has gone on record as saying she needed to push herself because she wasn't getting enough attention from coaches?

Whose programs do you want to win? Programs for Girl A, that you developed for the Olympics, were skated by the reigning world champion - who skated near perfect and initially beat the world record for the short program. Or the programs you gave to Girl B, that included a program you recycled from her junior season with a hand-me-down costume? And I suspect Daniil had more to do with Alina's programs, since he seems to be assigned to work with the more junior skaters.

While most people would want to be coach to the olympic champion, I suspect Eteri saw this as potentially threatening to her reputation and her ability to judge talent and create winning programs (you give your best programs to your best skater so Eteri's "best" didn't end up winning). She came close to dismissing a girl who would go on to win the Olympics and almost swept all major competitions in her first year competing at the senior level.

I also think that Eteri's methods are sometimes counterproductive. She may not be intending to psych out her skaters. Medvedeva seems to thrive under her attention, but Alina may do better when she is not Eteri's main focus. I think Eteri's coaching style ended up mentally (and physically) breaking Lipnitskaya.

You forgot that girl B, when she came to Eteri at 12 years old, had only 2 triple jumps. So this is even more a reason for Eteri to be proud that she managed in such a short time to bring Alina where she is today.
And according to Alina's father her coaches said that she has potential - even in times when she had weak results- this means that they believed in her.
When did Alina say that? as saying she needed to push herself because she wasn't getting enough attention from coaches?
I think you have many misinformation in your post.....

 

[hanyuyuzuru1207]

So is Alina going to do more ice shows in Russia now? Or are there not much ice shows in Russia?

 

[EdRoz]

So is Alina going to do more ice shows in Russia now? Or are there not much ice shows in Russia?

She has exams at school, she needs to study..books are waiting for her))

In June they start training in Novogorsk , Russian national team training base

Novogorsk base

http://www.sport-dp.ru/novogorsk

 

[inver]

So is Alina going to do more ice shows in Russia now? Or are there not much ice shows in Russia?

After the Korean show she will have a rest, study at school and exams, and then preparing for the new season.

 

[tars]

short program

Off-season +3 or no tights over boots effect (don't kill me)?

 

[hollyho]

Never mind my question, someone subtitled it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JoeH4MmePg

Yay, subtitles, thanks! Heart melts at paper hearts.

 

[Scott512]

So I am new here. Before February, I knew virtually nothing about figure skating and had no interest in it. I was watching the team event with friends and something about Alina's performance really captivated me. I started reading up on her and her teammates and I have fallen down the rabbit hole.

So while I'm not very knowledgeable about figure skating, I did compete at a high level in a completely different sport and have had coaches similar to Eteri. And I have started obsessively watching all videos she's in and studying her reactions. A couple things stand out.

I do not think its a coincidence that Alina performed her best at competitions where Medvedeva also competed. But this isn't for the reasons most assume - its because Eteri's attention is directed almost exclusively on Zhenya. Eteri isn't above playing mindgames, having Alina show off her five triple jumps. This was intended to psych out the competition, I just don't think Eteria ever expected Alina to be THE competition. I think she assumed Alina was too inexperienced and would succumb to pressure in individual competition like Lipnitskaya. And she never thought much of her talent.

I believe Alina's performance issues at worlds were mental. She skated tense, she overthought things, and she got the yips. Can't remember the interview but she essentially admits that she didn't think about her skating at the olympics and wants to go back to that. I wouldn't be surprised if Eteri sabotaged her to a degree to prove she was right about Alina. I've seen other coaches act against their interests because of their own ego.

I'm also skeptical that Alina gained 5cm in two months. Its not impossible, but thats a lot to grow over a short amount of time and she doesn't look noticeably taller especially compared to Medvedeva. Eteri has an obsession with height (and weight but that's another post). Height is what "ruined" Eteri's figure skating potential. I would not be surprised if Eteri embellished her growth or even outright lied to mentally mess with Alina's confidence. Or even as a way to convince herself that Alina won't be able to maintain her career.

Sorry for the really long post. Its mostly just my personal speculation, but I've been needing to discuss my thoughts. I'm obsessed with the personalities, drama, and sheer athleticism of those at Sambo 70!

What an amazing first post. Very controversial. if I wrote that I would have been attacked from all angles. Lol!

Welcome Sugar.

 

[hollyho]

I don't mean to diminish Eteri's accomplishments. She is extremely talented coach who is running the top program in the world. But I also think she's a narcissist and somewhat crazy so her actions don't always appear rational.

Which girl's success in the following scenario demonstrates Eteri's ability to recognize and coach talent? Girl A, who started with her at age 6 and has been her primary focus in recent years? Or Girl B, who only came to her at age 12, who she came very close to kicking out, and has gone on record as saying she needed to push herself because she wasn't getting enough attention from coaches?

Whose programs do you want to win? Programs for Girl A, that you developed for the Olympics, were skated by the reigning world champion - who skated near perfect and initially beat the world record for the short program. Or the programs you gave to Girl B, that included a program you recycled from her junior season with a hand-me-down costume? And I suspect Daniil had more to do with Alina's programs, since he seems to be assigned to work with the more junior skaters.

While most people would want to be coach to the olympic champion, I suspect Eteri saw this as potentially threatening to her reputation and her ability to judge talent and create winning programs (you give your best programs to your best skater so Eteri's "best" didn't end up winning). She came close to dismissing a girl who would go on to win the Olympics and almost swept all major competitions in her first year competing at the senior level.

I also think that Eteri's methods are sometimes counterproductive. She may not be intending to psych out her skaters. Medvedeva seems to thrive under her attention, but Alina may do better when she is not Eteri's main focus. I think Eteri's coaching style ended up mentally (and physically) breaking Lipnitskaya.

Why would a narcissist want her student to fail on an international stage for the world to see? Doesn’t make sense.

BOTH girls’ success reflect well on the coaching team and the girls’ talent and hard work.

Girl B’s success also shows great coaching ability - to be able to train someone to improve and excel in such a short time.

One can also say Eteri saw talent and that was why she gave Alina a second chance. Talent may come to nothing without hard work. So it is not just about “recognizing talent” but also turning that talent into success. Which Eteri did.

If I had trained someone from when she was just a tiny tot, of cos’ I would like for her to win and feel her pain when she loses. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want my other students to win - they too bring me glory (and money) when they win. Why on earth wld I sabotage them? If that is the case, I might as well not take them on, not train them, and definitely not give them a 0+7 program.

 

[Scott512]

I don't mean to diminish Eteri's accomplishments. She is extremely talented coach who is running the top program in the world. But I also think she's a narcissist and somewhat crazy so her actions don't always appear rational.

Which girl's success in the following scenario demonstrates Eteri's ability to recognize and coach talent? Girl A, who started with her at age 6 and has been her primary focus in recent years? Or Girl B, who only came to her at age 12, who she came very close to kicking out, and has gone on record as saying she needed to push herself because she wasn't getting enough attention from coaches?

Whose programs do you want to win? Programs for Girl A, that you developed for the Olympics, were skated by the reigning world champion - who skated near perfect and initially beat the world record for the short program. Or the programs you gave to Girl B, that included a program you recycled from her junior season with a hand-me-down costume? And I suspect Daniil had more to do with Alina's programs, since he seems to be assigned to work with the more junior skaters.

While most people would want to be coach to the olympic champion, I suspect Eteri saw this as potentially threatening to her reputation and her ability to judge talent and create winning programs (you give your best programs to your best skater so Eteri's "best" didn't end up winning). She came close to dismissing a girl who would go on to win the Olympics and almost swept all major competitions in her first year competing at the senior level.

I also think that Eteri's methods are sometimes counterproductive. She may not be intending to psych out her skaters. Medvedeva seems to thrive under her attention, but Alina may do better when she is not Eteri's main focus. I think Eteri's coaching style ended up mentally (and physically) breaking Lipnitskaya.

This is a more reasonable post than your first one. You make very fair pertinet points with this post. Eteri has worked with Medvedeva for 11 or 12 years and Alina for only 3 or 4 years so I understand why Eteri would be closer to Evgenia. And Eteri even almost gave Alina the boot once! If she did Zhenya would be olympic champion. Hmmm. I wonder if that ever crosses Eteri's mind

Conversely Eteri's daughter Diana may be closer to Alina than Zhenya.. So maybe it evens out.

 

[Scott512]

Why would a narcissist want her student to fail on an international stage for the world to see? Doesn’t make sense.

BOTH girls’ success reflect well on the coaching team and the girls’ talent and hard work.

Girl B’s success also shows great coaching ability - to be able to train someone to improve and excel in such a short time.

One can also say Eteri saw talent and that was why she gave Alina a second chance. Talent may come to nothing without hard work. So it is not just about “recognizing talent” but also turning that talent into success. Which Eteri did.

If I had trained someone from when she was just a tiny tot, of cos’ I would like for her to win and feel her pain when she loses. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want my other students to win - they too bring me glory (and money) when they win. Why on earth wld I sabotage them? If that is the case, I might as well not take them on, not train them, and definitely not give them a 0+7 program.

Eteri deserves credit for Alina's rise the world junior champions in 2017 and then Olympic champion only 11 months later and champion of everything else in between. Amazing work by Alina, Eteri, Sergey and Danill. Lets not forget their part too.

 

[flanker]

Which girl's success in the following scenario demonstrates Eteri's ability to recognize and coach talent? Girl A, who started with her at age 6 and has been her primary focus in recent years? Or Girl B, who only came to her at age 12, who she came very close to kicking out, and has gone on record as saying she needed to push herself because she wasn't getting enough attention from coaches?

So that is how misinterpretations are created. To take part of what somebody have said and to add own words to it. What she exactly said was: "I did not understand that you need to work here yourself, that nobody will force you here (at Sambo 70)." So what you said is complete misinterpretation of what she said. Yes, she said she is the type who needs to be pushed to work harder, but nothing of how you are presenting it. She was no longer taken as a child in school where teacher tells the pupil exactly what to do. It's like transition from school to university, where it's the student who has to work on himself. Coaches teach them the technique, the elements, but the real training is on themselves. And that matters to all of them, nothing special with Alina.

 

[madison]

Off-season +3 or no tights over boots effect (don't kill me)?

I know what you mean.... I think she is still growing at a fast pace.... the costume looks small for her now.

 

[agentscullyskates]

https://aqstream.com/kbs2/KBS2-Stream-2 stream to the show

Thank you!

 

[hollyho]

Eteri deserves credit for Alina's rise the world junior champions in 2017 and then Olympic champion only 11 months later and champion of everything else in between. Amazing work by Alina, Eteri, Sergey and Danill. Lets not forget their part too.

Yes, thanks for that. Credit to the entire team!