Mikhail Kolyada

[Heleng]

I guess when you are in the hospital getting surgery (on both sides this time judging by the photo, not just one) you are a bit beyond trying to push through. So much for Misha's complete recovery in the second half of the season :noshake:

Yeah, I hadn’t known he was in the hospital for surgery again. Poor Misha, the procedure was probably as painful as last time At least this time he doesn’t have to worry about competing in five days.

 

[Tutto]

Yeah, I hadn’t known he was in the hospital for surgery again. Poor Misha, the procedure was probably as painful as last time At least this time he doesn’t have to worry about competing in five days.

Exactly, I hope he will use the off-season wisely the recuperation being the main goal.
All these surgeries & antibiotics are no good if the body not allowed to heal properly.
I am afraid that there is some underlying cause the doctors have not determined yet. In my case it is allergies + deviated septum ( a result of trying to walk through my bedroom door one night )
Hope he will find a good specialist thinking beyond endless courses of antibiotics + surgeries
Urmanov in Sochi (is he still in Sochi?) would be a good idea to get away from a damp & cold climate of St Petersburg
Also Mika sadly has to come to terms with the fact that his stamina will probably never be at the same level as before and plan his season accordingly - not to do as many comps as he used to and so on..
I think he could easily keep his SP for next season - one thing less to worry about - what do you think guys?

 

[rachno2]

I was actually thinking the other day that I would like to see the SP again next season, not because I particularly like it, but because it never really came together for me from a performance standpoint, not even at Europeans. I don’t think we ever saw Stéphane’s vision. But I doubt he will keep either program. He said in that one long matchtv interview that he dislikes recycling, and I am sure he wants to wipe the slate clean next season after all the hardships he went through.

IG update https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvyfl62FIkJ/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1n55tztzjioka

 

[eaglehelang]

I would rather Mikhail start afresh with new program. Leave the reminder/ bad luck of this difficult season behind

 

[Tutto]

I was actually thinking the other day that I would like to see the SP again next season, not because I particularly like it, but because it never really came together for me from a performance standpoint, not even at Europeans. I don’t think we ever saw Stéphane’s vision. But I doubt he will keep either program. He said in that one long matchtv interview that he dislikes recycling, and I am sure he wants to wipe the slate clean next season after all the hardships he went through.

IG update https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvyfl62FIkJ/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1n55tztzjioka

I would rather Mikhail start afresh with new program. Leave the reminder/ bad luck of this difficult season behind

On the second thought I agree with you guys

 

[coldblueeyes]

I have the feeling that Misha is kind of taking on a bit of a paternalistic role with the other guys on the team. I would love to see if he can develop that, and maybe apply to what he wants to do in the future, if it's coaching or even trying his way onto a more executive position in the Fed. Having the perspective he has now certainly is a good asset.

Other than that, hopefully this season can set the tone for what he has to do next, and how he should do it. I don't think there's anything wrong in admitting that there's a limit to what he can achieve in skating(the jumps he can land being one of them), and then going forward to do the best you can with what you have. I hope he can find the balance he needs to keep competing, because it seems like something he really likes to do. Otherwise he woudn't be doing as many competitions as he does.

 

[RoundedBackCamel]

Yes, I would definitely like two new programs this coming season! Out with the old and in with the new. Also, I can't help but be a little disappointed about WTT, only because it gives one last chance to see him and I really wanted him to be stellar--and to grab that $$$. But, of course, if he's having another sinus operation, or boot problems, or whatever, he should rest and start fresh.

 

[vorravorra]

Exactly, I hope he will use the off-season wisely the recuperation being the main goal.
All these surgeries & antibiotics are no good if the body not allowed to heal properly.
I am afraid that there is some underlying cause the doctors have not determined yet. In my case it is allergies + deviated septum ( a result of trying to walk through my bedroom door one night )
Hope he will find a good specialist thinking beyond endless courses of antibiotics + surgeries
Urmanov in Sochi (is he still in Sochi?) would be a good idea to get away from a damp & cold climate of St Petersburg
Also Mika sadly has to come to terms with the fact that his stamina will probably never be at the same level as before and plan his season accordingly - not to do as many comps as he used to and so on..
I think he could easily keep his SP for next season - one thing less to worry about - what do you think guys?

Whatever underlying cause made Misha have endless respiratory infections when he was younger, I would venture a guess it is the same thing.

I agree about possibly fewer comps and not trying to carry on pretending that everything is OK when it isn't.

 

[Tatjana]

I liked the Muse short program a lot and wouldn't mind if he keeps it, but I also understand if he wants to do something new. He uses his time now to look for music and I mean, in worst case, if he really doesn't find something he likes, he could keep it. I remember that last year "Carmen" was a quick decision, because he had wanted to skate for it for a long time and they mounted the program right away after the end of his season. The short he was still undecided in May and he only picked it when he went to Stéphane and Stéphane suggested "I Belong to You" to him.

 

[Tutto]

Whatever underlying cause made Misha have endless respiratory infections when he was younger, I would venture a guess it is the same thing.

I agree about possibly fewer comps and not trying to carry on pretending that everything is OK when it isn't.

Yes and no, an underlying cause for any chronic infection is the weakened immune system but in case of sinusitis in addition there has to be something specific which makes that area particularly 'comfy' for bacteria, it could easily be some dental problems like botched root canal treatment on upper teeth, or allergies or deviated septum etc. But the point is that until that cause is addressed properly the sinusitis will return again and again no matter how many antibiotics or surgeries one will take/have. Unfortunately, by the time the patient realises that antibiotics are no good their immune system is already so shattered by repeated courses of drugs that recovery is very problematic, but doctors either really believe in it or like it that patients have to come back to them again I am not sure

 

[Tutto]

I liked the Muse short program a lot and wouldn't mind if he keeps it, but I also understand if he wants to do something new. He uses his time now to look for music and I mean, in worst case, if he really doesn't find something he likes, he could keep it. I remember that last year "Carmen" was a quick decision, because he had wanted to skate for it for a long time and they mounted the program right away after the end of his season. The short he was still undecided in May and he only picked it when he went to Stéphane and Stéphane suggested "I Belong to You" to him.

Many thanks for keeping us posted! I was hoping for a big interview after Worlds but I guess everything is on hold for now..
I wonder if any of us have music ideas what is the best way to communicate those to him?

 

[Tatjana]

Many thanks for keeping us posted! I was hoping for a big interview after Worlds but I guess everything is on hold for now..
I wonder if any of us have music ideas what is the best way to communicate those to him?

Well, I planned to do an interview at World Team Trophy, but it is not going to happen now, obviously. Hopefully I can catch him in May when I go to Russia again.

As for music suggestions, I think you could write to him on Instagram. In his Instagram post he mentioned that he will make plans for the new season and think about new programs. There is also this "business contact" email [email protected] . I don't know who reads that, though, but I guess music suggestions will be forwarded to Misha.
I think Misha is happy to receive suggestions. Already in December he asked if I have any suggestions, something more upbeat. I actually put together some ideas now. There is time to listen to music in the hospital ;-)

 

[Tutto]

Well, I planned to do an interview at World Team Trophy, but it is not going to happen now, obviously. Hopefully I can catch him in May when I go to Russia again.

As for music suggestions, I think you could write to him on Instagram. In his Instagram post he mentioned that he will make plans for the new season and think about new programs. There is also this "business contact" email [email protected] . I don't know who reads that, though, but I guess music suggestions will be forwarded to Misha.
I think Misha is happy to receive suggestions. Already in December he asked if I have any suggestions, something more upbeat. I actually put together some ideas now. There is time to listen to music in the hospital ;-)

I hope you will - your interviews are the best!
And thanks for the advice - I think I might venture to use that email address as he said so many times he doesn't read social media anymore (understandably) besides if he happens to like any of our suggestions he might want to keep it a secret for a while

 

[demarinis5]

IG update-English translation. Poor Misha he looks so uncomfortable but he is trying to smile along with his thumbs up.

https://twitter.com/sunlight_girl/s...sunlight_girl/status/1113381663789199360?s=21

 

[Fanou]

TAT is at it again, saying Misha has no motivation and should not be satisfied with his free skate when he could easily be doing 3-4 quads. I know Misha (wisely) does not read these things, but I am puzzled and concerned by this philosophy that more quads are the way to go. Did she not see how much more successful he was when he only did 4T? With a better short program, that simplified layout could have gotten him back on the world podium. If he had skated that free at Europeans, he would have gotten Russia the title back. It seems she would rather see him fall on quads and potentially destroy his body chasing the top 3 men rather than stabilize and refine what he already has. I hope her views don’t reflect RusFed views, but they probably do

I had a good time yesterday google-translating the comments section on TAT's interview... We can be reassured, Micha has very protective fans in Russia... that are very good at mocking/dismantling her biased commentaries...

 

[Tutto]

I had a good time yesterday google-translating the comments section on TAT's interview... We can be reassured, Micha has very protective fans in Russia... that are very good at mocking/dismantling her biased commentaries...

I believe he knows how much he loved by people in Russia and that what keeps him going, in fact I think TAT has gone so over board in her hate on Mika that it's actually began to earn him more supporters in people who hadn't been his fans/ indifferent to his skating up to now
Also with her 'help' he might be becoming not less mentioned in the media than Alina & Evgenia - all publicity is good publicity

 

[Tutto]

Thinking of some strategies for the next season it occurred to me that he has two options:
1. to focus on skating clean his current content with two 4Ts in LP, overall layout has to be re-thought though, and make sure that his programs can earn max PCS (can he afford to go to Lambiel this year - that is a question)
2. to add 4sal (or 4lz) and stick to it from the start of the season no matter what

And I think the smart thing for the latter would be to choose some nondescript music for LP (that is very much in vogue anyway) and think less about hitting the music accents, interpreting and performing but focusing on the tech instead because let be realistic the judges could not care less if the jumps are there they are willing to give high PCS regardless - see Vincent in Saitama - I am not attacking him I was actually very pleased he did so well as I remember those scenes of devastation for him and Boyang in Milan so good for them to come back that way. But Vincent 's PCS only 2 points less than Mika's it is something I just can't digest after all the work & effort he put in Carmen, his SS, ice coverage, his lines, the elegance in every position he hit - No, just, No, judges - shame on you! Of course skating in the earlier group explains a lot (really the Carmen, the costume all has screamed for skating in the final group!:sad21 and also I suspect the events of the previous day might have had something to do with how stingy the judges turned to be to Mika (I mean -no edge calls for certain skaters, max GOE for very average jumps etc - the limit for the Russians might have just run out at that point -just Mika's usual 'luck' of this season!)

 

[coldblueeyes]

I wouldn't go into much discussion about his PCS in Saitama, eleven guys skated after him, and only two actually got higher PCS, which is what matters. He would most likely score two or three points better if he skated in the final group.

But if we are thinking about doing different things this year, that would be sticking to his two quad toes layout. He only didn't do the quad sal earlier this season because he wasn't in his best form--which he wasn't all season, but, oh well. Building on clean-ish skates with less quads is something I would advise at this point, because Misha is not a teenager anymore, he can learn how to compete with his three quads, but I don't think it's something achievable for an entire season, or for next season. This entire year was a bit of a bust because he was never in shape for his layouts, and with his health in order we could have a better idea of what he can do, but at this point it's anyone's guess.

Now, on to a possible layout, leaving one of his jumping passes for a toss between flip and loop, awaiting what he would like to work on during the season, he could go for something like this:
4T-3T
4T
3A-2T
3L (3F)
--
2A-eu-3S
3A
3Z

Doing a 3S-eu-2S is ridiculous when he could get 2-3 points more with a 2A in place. Also, if this layout turned out to be 'easy' for him, why not take notes from Eteri and push his harder jumps to the second half like the quad toe, or even the quad combo. But first, he needs to be in shape.

 

[Tutto]

I wouldn't go into much discussion about his PCS in Saitama, eleven guys skated after him, and only two actually got higher PCS, which is what matters. He would most likely score two or three points better if he skated in the final group.

But if we are thinking about doing different things this year, that would be sticking to his two quad toes layout. He only didn't do the quad sal earlier this season because he wasn't in his best form--which he wasn't all season, but, oh well. Building on clean-ish skates with less quads is something I would advise at this point, because Misha is not a teenager anymore, he can learn how to compete with his three quads, but I don't think it's something achievable for an entire season, or for next season. This entire year was a bit of a bust because he was never in shape for his layouts, and with his health in order we could have a better idea of what he can do, but at this point it's anyone's guess.

Now, on to a possible layout, leaving one of his jumping passes for a toss between flip and loop, awaiting what he would like to work on during the season, he could go for something like this:
4T-3T
4T
3A-2T
3L (3F)
--
2A-eu-3S
3A
3Z

Doing a 3S-eu-2S is ridiculous when he could get 2-3 points more with a 2A in place. Also, if this layout turned out to be 'easy' for him, why not take notes from Eteri and push his harder jumps to the second half like the quad toe, or even the quad combo. But first, he needs to be in shape.

I too believe that not going for another quad will be a wise move at least for a season he will still have another season before Olympics. He could build on that clean LP and restore further his confidence, he was rushed into doing 4Lz when it was far from competition ready, and with every error ridden skate his confidence was sinking lower and lower. If he manages to get to some level of consistency and starts believing in himself the results will follow.
I thought as well that he could move the second 4T to the second half. Even with the limitation of doing only quad toes he could score about 10 points higher with little tweaking and not losing points on spins and step seq.

 

[coldblueeyes]

Misha even managed to do the quad combo in the second half of the FS back in 2017, which is a lot more points in the table than a 2S in a combo. But really, his health did him in this year, which is why I think it's hard for us to know how much can he do if in better shape.