Mikhail Kolyada

[vorravorra]

He did mention in one of his latest interviews some along the lines of when one gets used to training and competing with health problems, it's easy to lose perception of where one should be at in perfect form. It's clear he had to hit a low point to step back and realize that.

Yes, you cope somehow till you can't any more and (only) then you take a shovel and dig yourself out. I am still not 100% sure they have cleared all the snow and it's not coming back to bury him once again at some point. I hope they will give anything suspicious from his upper respiratory tract more serious treatment in the future and not dismiss it as a runny nose that will go away by itself.

 

[rachno2]

I have to say I had really hoped the SP music would grow on me but 5 months later I still don't like it. Not a reflection on Misha's performance, but watching the SP several times in a row is hard because the audio gets stuck in your head and not in a good way. Was there no way to cut it better, really? I guess those who dislike Carmen must suffer even worse.

It isn't cut, really. Just skips a verse. The transition you hear to the Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix section is exactly how it sounds in the original recording, and it is rather abrupt there too.

But I agree on the music, hasn’t ever worked for me. I don't think Misha has fully sold it, and I'm not getting "rebellious" or "romantic," which were the words Stephane used to describe it. (He is still mesmerizing to watch, and I think the composition of the program is excellent). I wonder if he will have another Lambiel program next season given the positive reception of this one.

I think the music fits his skating stylistically, but not in terms of personality. If that makes sense.

 

[coldblueeyes]

I also am totally bored out of this world with this music. I feel nothing for Muse, does that count? It's not even Misha for me, I just dislike the music, which is not to say it's a bad song or anything like that. We'll only hear it once more this season, so that's a plus.

On another note, I also don't think he's out of the woods yet, but it was a big turning point for him what happened at Nats. After the exchanges in the K&C, I get the feeling that Misha didn't want to get checked before, and now they got to rub it in a bit, asking if it wasn't better to compete under better circumstances regarding his health. Maybe from now on they'll be a lot more careful, because it's not only taxing for Misha, but also for those around him to have to go through his ups and downs.

 

[rachno2]

^^^ two more times if he does WTT

OTOH, I’m not ready to say goodbye to Carmen. The music cuts toward the end might not work, but I’ve loved the concept and his presentation since the very beginning. Looking forward to seeing it again on Saturday, whatever happens.

 

[vorravorra]

I think the music fits his skating stylistically, but not in terms of personality. If that makes sense.

Yes, it does. Shows off his skating but I don't think he's feeling it. While it's just as obvious that he loves Carmen but he had to struggle with it physically which took away from his performance. But when he is on his energy blows people off their seats.

 

[Heleng]

Misha (Happy that I could finally use that emoji for him this season lol.)

I’ve only watched his performance once, but to me his performance quality of it was his best so far. Admittedly, his tech may have influenced my impression I think the music choice showcases his strength and power, and I like that it’s a Muse song that (to my knowledge) no one has used before. I’d love to know Stéphane’s impression if he got to watch it live.

It’s great to see the impact Misha’s skating has on the judges and fans-at-large when he shows what he can do.

I’d be surprised if he’s clean in the free. I’m hoping for a performance he can be satisfied with and gives him relatively minor things to improve on for Worlds.

 

[coldblueeyes]

WHAT. IS. HAPPENING!??
https://twitter.com/sunlight_girl/status/1088741212910178310

Misha landed a 3A-Eu-3S in practice this morning.

Also, on a run-through he jumped a solo 3T on the second half of the program, so maybe he is doing three quads. He landed more than one quad salchow too, but since there are two more practice sessions until the FS, he didn't go full on in this one, according to vk.

Speculated layout from his training:

4T-3T
4S
3A-2T (?)
3L
-
4T
3A-Eu-3S
3Z

On another note, goodbye 3lz-Eu-3S :yay:

 

[rachno2]

Misha landed a 3A-Eu-3S in practice this morning.

Misha, what are you doing to us? and three quads? I knew that was coming, though.

This is the seventh version of Carmen

 

[chopinskate]

But Kovtun's max rotation speed is slow, Misha's pretty decent although he is no Chen or Shcherbakova.

I just noticed this. I don't care for fast rotators, it makes the jump look unaesthetic. Both Chen and Shcherbackova have a slight cheat on their toe pick for the toe loops, anyway, which leads them to have low height and hence the need for fast rotations.

He does better when his toe jumps are not too high actually. He has that issue with axis which seems to rear its ugly head when he takes off to hard. Or when he is off in general, you can see even his 3Lz start to tilt backwards then like at Nationals.

He does have those issues, but here I thought it was higher. At least, the quality I mentioned was more apparent here, and I thought it was because of extra height.

Misha, what are you doing to us? and three quads? I knew that was coming, though.

This is the seventh version of Carmen

LOL you guys are funny. I don't mean that in a malicious manner, though I do hope it won't lead to a meltdown due to lack of muscle memory.

 

[coldblueeyes]

LOL you guys are funny. I don't mean that in a malicious manner, though I do hope it won't lead to a meltdown due to lack of muscle memory.

Misha toned down his layout for Nats after his hospital stay, and that wasn't really a big problem. Usually his problems are not that related to muscle memory, but what happens between his ears.

 

[chopinskate]

Misha toned down his layout for Nats after his hospital stay, and that wasn't really a big problem. Usually his problems are not that related to muscle memory, but what happens between his ears.

Sure, but an easier layout will be, well, easier to execute. I won't monger fear here, though.

 

[rachno2]

LOL you guys are funny. I don't mean that in a malicious manner, though

is kind of our brand

 

[coldblueeyes]

is kind of our brand

I mean, we already go through such an emotional rollercoaster every season, we have to do something to externalize our feelings, haha.

 

[rachno2]

Are there any videos of his quads? All I’m seeing is the new three-jump combo and some spread eagles.

 

[coldblueeyes]

Are there any videos of his quads? All I’m seeing is the new three-jump combo and some spread eagles.

As far as I know, no videos. Only the report from vk.

 

[demarinis5]

Dropping by to Congratulate Mikhail on his great SP and to wish him luck in the FS. I will be rooting for him to take the Gold!

GO MISHA!!!!

 

[Tutto]

Mika! :hap93:

Got my supper burnt last night watching SP again and again! Nearly done same with breakfast but restrained myself in time -haha
And what a present to Stephane too, though he probably could not watch it live preparing Deniss for his turn...

Well, as if the excitement & anxiety for tomorrow was not hitting through the roof as it is, his skating last and right after Javi certainly adds another notch! And now this crazy combo with 3A - what are you doing to us Mika?!!!!

 

[vorravorra]

I just noticed this. I don't care for fast rotators, it makes the jump look unaesthetic. Both Chen and Shcherbackova have a slight cheat on their toe pick for the toe loops, anyway, which leads them to have low height and hence the need for fast rotations.

Chen has a slight cheat on take-off but I have no real complaints about his 4Lz, Shcherbakova on the other hand cheats almost as much as physically possible. But it's unlikely that women are able to jump uncheated quad lutzes, very few men can.

 

[chopinskate]

^ Getting OT, but I'm hoping Tomoe Kawabata tries her hand at the 4T, and the 4Lz. Her technique on the 3Lz is great, even better than Tukt (but she has a more natural spring/explosion due to stronger legs currently). IDK how much credibility ice scope has (at least in the early stage of development) but apparently she jumps her 3Lz higher than a few 4Lz attempts from men. Her 3T sometimes tends to have ZERO pre-rotation (beyond the natural quarter turn).

 

[Heleng]

Argh, why did Misha have to draw last, right after Javi?!?! I hope he just stays in the zone, like he did yesterday.