Mikhail Kolyada

[yinchulin]

It's interesting that Russians tended to dislike Misha's SP either for its own sake (weird music mix, arms etc.) or think it doesn't suit him or both, and be more favourably inclined towards his LP. On the other hand, from English speakers, e.g. commentators, there has been more criticism of his LP and that it is the LP that isn't really him. Not sure why the difference.

Interesting, it's that the reason why Misha say his SP doesn't really suit him? Or is it the other way around?
I think Russians always tend to have weird taste for trying Western pop music, like, it's problemic. And Misha isn't excluded.

 

[coldblueeyes]

I for one think people have blown out of proportion the Elvis thing. It got so much attention it became a meme for me, tbh. You like, you don't like, that's fine. I just think some people act like he's lit a fire in Elvis' grave or something.

 

[SnowWhite]

I think people just took it as "he isn't really trying to be Elvis, just dancing to his music" and weren't too bothered by it.

On the other hand, a lot of people felt classical music isn't where Misha should go.

He is dressed like Elvis though.

Anyways, it's not like it was an awful program, I just wouldn't go back and watch it over and over.

 

[Tutto]

I don't know, how familiar are Russian people with Elvis? Because for me and some of the people I made watch skating with me, the performance side of the Elvis just didn't work. It improved over the course of the season, but I never 'bought' it from him and he always seemed really in and out of the performance. Whereas the SP showed off how good his basic skating is better.

Maybe if you don't have as strong an idea of what Elvis is 'supposed' to be it works better? But I don't know.

I am sure the Russians are well familiar with Elvis but it doesn't mean so much to them as to the English-speaking world. I personally quite liked Mika's Elvis precisely because I am not into a pop music at all and hardly would know the difference between Elvis and any other pop super star. Whereas his SP I was very sceptical & critical about due to my life long devotion to Mozart, it took all my liking for Mika to get over the fact how cruelly the 23rd Concerto was dealt with... in short people who hold Elvis as an icon, idol etc minded very much about Mika's interpretation. The fact that there was a better choreo & interpretation by a Canadian guy (sorry I'll remember his name in a minute!) didn't help Mika's cause either. Plus it would have been hard for anyone to carry that larger than life personality of Elvis when you chronically struggle with jumps. So the program was sort of doomed from the start though I am sure it came as a surprise to Mika and his team as their original intentions & ideas were good.
But it is all the learning curve and valuable experience I guess... I so want Mika to find that program that would be a perfect fit for him, when everything would come together, his charisma, his performance ability, musicality. I just wish that for once they let someone else decide on the music & idea of the program, e. g like Nathan did

Edit: got it - Nicolas Nadeau

 

[SnowWhite]

I am sure the Russians are well familiar with Elvis but it doesn't mean so much to them as to the English-speaking world. I personally quite liked Mika's Elvis precisely because I am not into a pop music at all and hardly would know the difference between Elvis and any other pop super star. Whereas his SP I was very sceptical & critical about due to my life long devotion to Mozart, it took all my liking for Mika to get over the fact how cruelly the 23rd Concerto was dealt with... in short people who hold Elvis as an icon, idol etc minded very much about Mika's interpretation. The fact that there was a better choreo & interpretation by a Canadian guy (sorry I'll remember his name in a minute!) didn't help Mika's cause either. Plus it would have been hard for anyone to carry that larger than life personality of Elvis when you chronically struggle with jumps. So the program was sort of doomed from the start though I am sure it came as a surprise to Mika and his team as their original intentions & ideas were good.
But it is all the learning curve and valuable experience I guess... I so want Mika to find that program that would be a perfect fit for him, when everything would come together, his charisma, his performance ability, musicality. I just wish that for once they let someone else decide on the music & idea of the program, e. g like Nathan did

Edit: got it - Nicolas Nadeau

Yeah, I think you're right. And it is a program that suffers with mistakes, especially since the character doesn't come especially naturally. If you're trying to really perform 'big' and that's a little hard for you, of course jumping mistakes are going to take you out of it. I'm sure having done the program will make Mikhail a better performer in the long run.

 

[Tutto]

Yeah, I think you're right. And it is a program that suffers with mistakes, especially since the character doesn't come especially naturally. If you're trying to really perform 'big' and that's a little hard for you, of course jumping mistakes are going to take you out of it. I'm sure having done the program will make Mikhail a better performer in the long run.

I think Mika is a born performer but he needs a better material to show it. Why I mentioned Nathan is that Shae Lynn Bourne seems to be the choreographer who is able to bring the best out of a skater (and mask the weaknesses!)

 

[SnowWhite]

I think Mika is a born performer but he needs a better material to show it. Why I mentioned Nathan is that Shae Lynn Bourne seems to be the choreographer who is able to bring the best out of a skater (and mask the weaknesses!)

Yeah, I didn't mean he's not a performer, just that this specific sort of character isn't as natural for him as it is for someone like Nic Nadeau. And stretching yourself to something that doesn't come as naturally is always good in the long run. I'd love to see him with material that really suits him.

 

[Tutto]

Something from Mika to keep us going:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiMrR6HHfQx/?taken-by=mikhail_kolyada

:luv17:

 

[yinchulin]

I am sure the Russians are well familiar with Elvis but it doesn't mean so much to them as to the English-speaking world. I personally quite liked Mika's Elvis precisely because I am not into a pop music at all and hardly would know the difference between Elvis and any other pop super star. Whereas his SP I was very sceptical & critical about due to my life long devotion to Mozart, it took all my liking for Mika to get over the fact how cruelly the 23rd Concerto was dealt with... in short people who hold Elvis as an icon, idol etc minded very much about Mika's interpretation. The fact that there was a better choreo & interpretation by a Canadian guy (sorry I'll remember his name in a minute!) didn't help Mika's cause either. Plus it would have been hard for anyone to carry that larger than life personality of Elvis when you chronically struggle with jumps. So the program was sort of doomed from the start though I am sure it came as a surprise to Mika and his team as their original intentions & ideas were good.
But it is all the learning curve and valuable experience I guess... I so want Mika to find that program that would be a perfect fit for him, when everything would come together, his charisma, his performance ability, musicality. I just wish that for once they let someone else decide on the music & idea of the program, e. g like Nathan did

Edit: got it - Nicolas Nadeau

I'm sorry, could you please list the cons you think about his Mozart tango mashed up? I'm not a educated fan, nor do I have the proper taste with classical world. I'm just curious and want to learn more, since I'm intrigued by his SP. [emoji144]

 

[vorravorra]

I'm sorry, could you please list the cons you think about his Mozart tango mashed up? I'm not a educated fan, nor do I have the proper taste with classical world. I'm just curious and want to learn more, since I'm intrigued by his SP. [emoji144]

The Mozart and the tango do not really fit together, it takes a while to get over the dissonance. Also, it took till at least as late as the Olympics for Misha to really inhabit that program. And it is not all about the mistakes, the near perfect technical performance at CoC looked a lot like going through the choreographic motions. By Worlds, definitely, he had found that nerve that the program requires, and it came across, but it was not a natural character for him to slip into which is probably what he was referring to in the interview.

 

[Tutto]

I'm sorry, could you please list the cons you think about his Mozart tango mashed up? I'm not a educated fan, nor do I have the proper taste with classical world. I'm just curious and want to learn more, since I'm intrigued by his SP. [emoji144]

As a big fan of classical music and Mozart in particular I just don't see the need for mixing such different in everything pieces of music. If they wanted a change of tempo they could have take a piece from the first or third movements of the concerto (Allegro & Allegro Assai). Not to mention that if they wanted to turn to classical they could have chosen something less prone to comparison i.e already iconic programs by Caro and P/C. I personally think that e.g Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata could be a better choice (if the intention was to show Mika can skate to a slow classical piece) as even the Adagio is more dramatic & gives more perhaps to interpret?

Edit: on the second thought if Mika is to use a classical piece again I'd wish it to be Tchaikovsky or Glinka something really Russian

 

[Tutto]

The World Standings were updated - Mika is 4th after Nathan, Shoma & Yuzuru but 2nd in Season Standings!

 

[vorravorra]

The World Standings were updated - Mika is 4th after Nathan, Shoma & Yuzuru but 2nd in Season Standings!

Well, you can't say the season has been a waste. I have seen people seriously insisting that he has stagnated or even deteriorated since last season. Do they even remember last season?

But it is all the learning curve and valuable experience I guess... I so want Mika to find that program that would be a perfect fit for him, when everything would come together, his charisma, his performance ability, musicality. I just wish that for once they let someone else decide on the music & idea of the program, e. g like Nathan did

Edit: got it - Nicolas Nadeau

Valentina has said that Misha is the one who will make the final decision wrt the program choreographer, so let him make that decision, he is not a kid any more and should take responsibility for his career. Plus now he has the money to afford whatever he chooses. Of course he may decide that jumps are simply more important than choreography and he will have a point. The fans want to see him in something new and different, but are the judges bothered? Possibly Misha and Valentina could get some help with jumps too. And of course his psychological preparedness is something that they really need to concentrate on. He doesn't have the temperament to ever be completely consistent, but there is a lot of room for improvement. He needs to learn not to let his emotions get the better of him.

P.S. Nicolas Nadeau was good, but I am not sure I want to see a reproduction of that from Misha. I'd rather he goes in another direction.

 

[Tutto]

Well, you can't say the season has been a waste. I have seen people seriously insisting that he has stagnated or even deteriorated since last season. Do they even remember last season?


Valentina has said that Misha is the one who will make the final decision wrt the program choreographer, so let him make that decision, he is not a kid any more and should take responsibility for his career. Plus now he has the money to afford whatever he chooses. Of course he may decide that jumps are simply more important than choreography and he will have a point. The fans want to see him in something new and different, but are the judges bothered? Possibly Misha and Valentina could get some help with jumps too. And of course his psychological preparedness is something that they really need to concentrate on. He doesn't have the temperament to ever be completely consistent, but there is a lot of room for improvement. He needs to learn not to let his emotions get the better of him.

P.S. Nicolas Nadeau was good, but I am not sure I want to see a reproduction of that from Misha. I'd rather he goes in another direction.

Oh I didn't mean Mika should have replicated Nadeaus's interpretation but it was a bit unfortunate comparison where Western fans were concerned.

I agree that mental preparation is the key area for Mika & team as frankly what's the point of the arguably best jumping technique in the world if the nerves constantly prevent him from showing even 50% of what he is capable of. And yes Mika, I feel, has a kind of artistic temperament, too sensitive to the mood, atmosphere, surroundings whatever... But we know from his best competitions e.g Boston and CoR 2015 that he is capable of skating two clean/nearly clean programs back to back. So if he even can cut down his 'customary' 3 - 4 mistakes in LP to one or two next season the results will be even more impressive than this year.
I wonder who will dominate in this coming season: Nathan is a big question mark (Yale & elite skating- don't believe any can pull it off but will take my hat off if Nathan can), Shoma might suffer more under new rules due to his jump technique (though would not be surprised if the opposite the case!). My bet is on Yuzuru (health permitted) and Boyang (if he is under Orser as rumoured)
On Russian 'front' things may get more interesting - with Maxim's return, Dmitri's determination to overtake Mika and Alexander hungry for that 3rd spot and some new names emerging...
As regards to who is to choreograph his programs, of course we know it is Mika's decision, as if they ever even read our ramblings here! But what else to do in the off season but speculate

BTW Am I imaging things or Valentina keeps very quiet ever since the Oly? Normally there would be interviews with her too during/after the season...

 

[madison]

https://rsport.ria.ru/figure_skating/20180506/1136475645.html
Kolyada wants to work with Rafael, in the USA.... i think it's just a summer camp or so.... but I'm happy that he is eager to try new things.

 

[saphire]

^^ they called it an internship in this tweet https://twitter.com/ifsmagazine/status/993142173771149317

 

[coldblueeyes]

Well, that's pretty awesome for him.

 

[vorravorra]

And another rumour confirmed. What's next? There is a list somewhere :dev3:

But yes, however much it helps, it's unlikely to hurt, so good on Misha for showing initiative.

 

[Tutto]

And another rumour confirmed. What's next? There is a list somewhere :dev3:

But yes, however much it helps, it's unlikely to hurt, so good on Misha for showing initiative.

Poor Mika, a few days ago his news would has been at the front of the Edge discussion, now it is drowned in the avalanche of latest developments - what an exciting weekend for FS world!

I am excited and a bit cautious at the same time. The very fact that they are seeking help is such a positive development. Not sure I like it that Valentina going with him though it is not confirmed I understand?
My main concern is that Raf will mess up with Mika's classic pure jumping technique with no real gain in the end. I do hope though he will be able to make 4lz more consistent, the question is it possible without messing up with technique
I felt more positive on him helping with the mental strength aspect until I read this in Raf's interview on Marin Honda:

“I focus on technical and physical, and when they come together, the mental strength shows up,” Arutunian commented. “I think this is the way it works for everybody. If you train well, and are physically strong, then sooner or later your mental strength will show up. Sometimes it happens late.”

Oh dear I am not sure that is what Mika needs (and I strongly disagree with Raf on that - see e.g Gracie Gold...)
What do you think guys?

 

[SnowWhite]

Poor Mika, a few days ago his news would has been at the front of the Edge discussion, now it is drowned in the avalanche of latest developments - what an exciting weekend for FS world!

I am excited and a bit cautious at the same time. The very fact that they are seeking help is such a positive development. Not sure I like it that Valentina going with him though it is not confirmed I understand?
My main concern is that Raf will mess up with Mika's classic pure jumping technique with no real gain in the end. I do hope though he will be able to make 4lz more consistent, the question is it possible without messing up with technique
I felt more positive on him helping with the mental strength aspect until I read this in Raf's interview on Marin Honda:

“I focus on technical and physical, and when they come together, the mental strength shows up,” Arutunian commented. “I think this is the way it works for everybody. If you train well, and are physically strong, then sooner or later your mental strength will show up. Sometimes it happens late.”

Oh dear I am not sure that is what Mika needs (and I strongly disagree with Raf on that - see e.g Gracie Gold...)
What do you think guys?

Misha thinks the problem with his 4Lz is technical, though, doesn't he? I remember I saw they asked him about a comment Brian Orser made that he thought the issue was mental because the technique was there, and Misha said something like "well maybe he is right, but I don't think the issue is mental".

Not that I necessarily agree that the issue is technical, but if that's what he thinks then that's probably the help he's looking for.