Alena Kostornaia

[vesperalvioletta]

Daniil, those music cuts * I'm not sure how this is going to go over internationally, but at least the crowd had fun with it and so did she. The tonal shifts in the music are kind of jarring, but they're all good pieces individually. I really hope her costume isn't campy though.

 

[Ailera]

Alyona's FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNV6ND8LEYc
Hopefully this won't get taken down too quickly!!!!!!

 

[Ailera]

Daniil, those music cuts ����* I'm not sure how this is going to go over internationally, but at least the crowd had fun with it and so did she. The tonal shifts in the music are kind of jarring, but they're all good pieces individually. I really hope her costume isn't campy though.

yeah Daniil was definitely at it again. "Jarring" is the perfect word to describe it. However, I think they might be trying to tell the story of a vampire transformation?? The first part is beautiful and lyrical (ahhh sooo beautiful), probably Bella as a human or whatever. At the end of that part, the choreo has Alyona touching the side of her neck - i.e. Bella's been bitten and is about to transform. From that point on, the music just gets edgier, which I assume is Bella becoming/fully embracing her new vampire self.

That being said, the step sequence during Eyes On Fire just seems so out of place? I personally don't think the moves fit the music at all (compared to how the choreo fits the first and third parts) and it really feels like they just slapped it in there because they didn't have anywhere else to put it. I do like the 3F+3T at the crescendo/climax at the end of Eyes On Fire, it's the perfect moment to appreciate Alyona's massive and beautiful jumps. I'm also really happy that she worked on her lutz edge so much and is repeating lutz and flip now. And her beautiful spirals! Wow
Yeah I lowkey thought I was gonna hate this but it's actually not too bad and I'm not worried. I'm happiest about Alyona having fun with her music and tbh as long as she is happy with her performance, that's good enough for me

 

[SkateSkates]

Pretty solid performance for Aliona and I love the first part. I am hoping they rework the StSq a bit because it didn’t go with the music or she was off (I think she tripped a couple of times)

Her jumps with the exception of the lutz look great and nice to see her upgrading her tech content. I think she was maybe reverting back to old technique/habits on the lutz today because it looked much better yesterday. Hope she can get it in her muscle memory in time for her first event, which is likely Finlandia.

 

[sclloyd]

Pretty solid performance for Aliona and I love the first part. I am hoping they rework the StSq a bit because it didn’t go with the music or she was off (I think she tripped a couple of times)

Her jumps with the exception of the lutz look great and nice to see her upgrading her tech content. I think she was maybe reverting back to old technique/habits on the lutz today because it looked much better yesterday. Hope she can get it in her muscle memory in time for her first event, which is likely Finlandia.

That triple double at the beginning is not something that would ever be in a top tier Eteri program. It appears she’s hurt, and that’s why her technique is off. Technique often reverts to what’s comfortable when you’re hurt.

I also noticed the step sequence in the SP yesterday was downgraded from last year so my assumption is that there is more to perform in the Eyes on Fire sequence but she didn’t put it on ice from injury.

On a more speculative note, her 2A’s look a lot like they did when she had a 3A, so I’m wondering if it’ll make an appearance any time this season? If I was watching correctly trusova has four quads in her FS, one in a combo. Without any upgraded jumping elements, as amazing as she is, Alena isn’t going to be able to pull off another win like her Grand Prix Final upset.

Anywho, I surprisingly liked the Twilight program, and I loved Alena’s little smiles while performing it. I really hope that she can recover and skate to her full potential.

 

[Edwin]

HQ fan cam with Alyona. Grab this while it is still up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWWKQ0fRyYg

 

[anna gabriela]

That triple double at the beginning is not something that would ever be in a top tier Eteri program.

I also thought the 3Lz-2T was strange, until she did the 3F-Eu-3S as her 3 jump combo instead of the 3Lz-2T-2T from last year. Since she repeats 3Lz and 3F and she does 3F-3T, she therefore (correct me if I’m wrong because im not certain about this) can’t repeat a third jump (3T), meaning it has to be just a 2T.

The other 4A girls have a 3Lo combo instead as far as I’m aware. So it is definitely a big hit on BV compared to the others but unless Aliona adds a 3Lo combo I think it’s the maximum layout she can do, no matter if she’s healthy or injured.

 

[oleada]

That triple double at the beginning is not something that would ever be in a top tier Eteri program. It appears she’s hurt, and that’s why her technique is off. Technique often reverts to what’s comfortable when you’re hurt.

It's deliberate. Her 3-3 and 3+eu+3s were in the second half. It's for extra points.
I liked her programs and I hope they can incorporate the 3A this season.

 

[ruga]

That triple double at the beginning is not something that would ever be in a top tier Eteri program. It appears she’s hurt, and that’s why her technique is off. Technique often reverts to what’s comfortable when you’re hurt.

I think that's what she planned to do. Other Eteri girls with no loop combos, such as Valieva or Usacheva do +2T as well. It can be improved by doing a +2Lo instead though.

Did she mention something about changing technical content during the season at the end of her interview with Channel 1? I understand some russian but she speaks quite quickly.
https://youtu.be/fXSh-Vbp770

 

[flanker]

Free skate from 1TV channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NUZ9es8irc

 

[sclloyd]

It's deliberate. Her 3-3 and 3+eu+3s were in the second half. It's for extra points.
I liked her programs and I hope they can incorporate the 3A this season.

Has she or the coaching staff said it’s planned? It seems out of place regardless. Perhaps it’s supposed to be a loop combo, but that would put a lot of strain on the knees? At least from last season, the jumps for the three girls were all the same format with the exception of the quads. Since the Eteri programs are always so meticulously planned to maximize points possible it would seem odd to go with a format that does otherwise.

And yes I would love to see the 3A. Trusova is working on it in a harness, apparently, and hopes to have it by worlds. It would be awesome to see Kostornaia debut a 3A this season, and if she’s injury free enough, I don’t think training the new jump during the season is out of the question.

 

[Fluture]

Has she or the coaching staff said it’s planned? It seems out of place regardless. Perhaps it’s supposed to be a loop combo, but that would put a lot of strain on the knees? At least from last season, the jumps for the three girls were all the same format with the exception of the quads. Since the Eteri programs are always so meticulously planned to maximize points possible it would seem odd to go with a format that does otherwise.

And yes I would love to see the 3A. Trusova is working on it in a harness, apparently, and hopes to have it by worlds. It would be awesome to see Kostornaia debut a 3A this season, and if she’s injury free enough, I don’t think training the new jump during the season is out of the question.

It doesn‘t seem odd. Valieva and Usacheva for example have a similar layout. In fact, Aliona upgraded her TES. Last season she had two 3F and two 3T in the FS. Now she repeats the 3Lz instead of the 3T. That‘s a lot of points earned. Especially since her edge is now ! at best. She improved that. She does a 2T on the first lutz because she‘ll go for an Euler combo later. It‘s not a placeholder, it‘s the way the program was designed. She can‘t do a loop combo (unless you mean 2Lo) because she already repeats two different triples. It‘s a smart way to do the layout. All three combos in the second half would be too risky because there‘d be no way to make it up if she missed a jump. Now she has a solo lutz at the end where she has room for a plan B. It‘s typical Eteri style program based on the technical elements Aliona is currently capable of doing and was smartly designed. Her loop combos aren‘t the best, so it‘s smarter to go for the +Eu+3S instead.

As for the 3A. All will depend on her health. Let‘s see and hope.

 

[SkateSkates]

Can anyone translate what she said in her post LP interview with 1tv?

Yes the 2T is intentional as many have stated above. She can’t repeat another triple, and she is now only about a point lower in BV vs. Alina. Obviously if she can get the 3A that would help. It looks like she can do it if healthy.

Not sure what anyone saw different in the SP steps - it was exactly the same as last year? Same as jr Nationals. She seems a bit tentative on her steps but I wonder if it’s cause she tripped at Nationals and wants to make sure she doesn’t make that mistake again.

 

[vesperalvioletta]

Aside from the fact that with this layout, a loop combo would be impossible, I think the Sambo 70 team chose not to put one in because Alyona can get higher GOE on other combos. That one time she did a 3Lz+3Lo at a domestic comp in the 2017-18 season, it was a little squirrely. She doesn't snap into rotation the same way that Zagitova and Trusova do and it ended up looking a little clumsy. I'm sure she'd get better at it with practice, but it's not one of her best skills. Better go for the lutz-toe or lutz-euler-salchow and maximize GOE, I think.

I do hope she's able to incorporate a 3A into her programs later in the season, providing that she's healthy. Her 2A somehow looks even bigger and looser in the air before. Watching it, it almost looks like a popped triple. It looks like there should be another rotation in the air because she has so much room for it. Alina looks to be in great form at the moment, so if Alyona wants to win her two GP assignments, she'll have to work a little harder than I initially anticipated, but I do think it's doable. Topping the podium isn't everything, though. I just want her to have a wonderful debut season. I have a feeling everyone is going to just adore her.

 

[SkateSkates]

Aside from the fact that with this layout, a loop combo would be impossible, I think the Sambo 70 team chose not to put one in because Alyona can get higher GOE on other combos. That one time she did a 3Lz+3Lo at a domestic comp in the 2017-18 season, it was a little squirrely. She doesn't snap into rotation the same way that Zagitova and Trusova do and it ended up looking a little clumsy. I'm sure she'd get better at it with practice, but it's not one of her best skills. Better go for the lutz-toe or lutz-euler-salchow and maximize GOE, I think.

I do hope she's able to incorporate a 3A into her programs later in the season, providing that she's healthy. Her 2A somehow looks even bigger and looser in the air before. Watching it, it almost looks like a popped triple. It looks like there should be another rotation in the air because she has so much room for it. Alina looks to be in great form at the moment, so if Alyona wants to win her two GP assignments, she'll have to work a little harder than I initially anticipated, but I do think it's doable. Topping the podium isn't everything, though. I just want her to have a wonderful debut season. I have a feeling everyone is going to just adore her.

I don’t think height was ever the issue, but the axis of rotation. She sometimes gets a bit wide in the air, which is salvageable for a double, but will cause a major crash on a triple. She has to be really precise in her technique and timing for a triple. But that being said I totally think it’s within her abilities to get it back. If Finlandia is her 1st assignment she still has another month of training to hopefully upgrade even further.

Also, I want to note that Aliona has one of the prettiest eu-3S out there. She actually jumps the euler and keeps her timing/doesn’t weight transfer before the 3S

 

[elbkup]

Alena's FS was my favorite of the night tho all ladies had programs that were stunning .. musically it made perfect sense to me, following the trajectory of the story and, like the film, was meant to be a bit of fun.. beautiful, mysterious and exuberant at the same time. Her skating is measured.. she takes her time with each element, turn, nuance... nothing seems rushed or out of place, very natural.
To me Alena is a wonderful technician who will add to her arsenal in time but she truly a gifted artist... Pulling for her to have the absolute best Season ever!

EDT. To clarify my point just a bit about "unrushed".. she was the only skater that was "in the moment", fully committed to the element being performed at that moment. I so often have the impression with other skaters they are already thinking of, preparing for, the next element before they have completed the current move.. I find watching this uncomfortable and it subtracts from the quality of the performacne imv...
Alena NEVER does this..

 

[Batsuchan]

Well, I was very happy to see that Aliona got to bring out some of her genuine spunky personality in the 3rd part of her program--it was great to see her having fun out there! :yes:

But I am super puzzled as to what exactly she worked on over the summer. The music for her FS is basically her EX music plus the "Meadow" music at the beginning. Some of the choreography is also the same as her EX. And her SP is basically identical to last year. She barely had to learn any new choreography.
So what exactly was she working on? Fixing the lutz edge? Working on the -1Eu-3S combo?
I mean, I'm glad that she did that, but all the other Eteri girls have two new programs this year, so I'm kinda puzzled about what's going on with Aliona. I *really* hope it's because she's been working hard on that triple axel, but if not, maybe she has been struggling a lot more with an injury or puberty (?) than we know about? Hmm..

Anyway, I'm glad to see that many other people seemed to really like Aliona's FS! :yes: It was a relief to see her skate largely cleanly, with upgraded content! And to do it after Sasha laid down those 3 perfect quads! :agree:

In one of her interviews, she did say that the program is still "damp" -- so hopefully I'll like it a lot more when it's much sharper. :yes:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2KGiaCotdu/

 

[Azikin]

But I am super puzzled as to what exactly she worked on over the summer.

Hmmm... I'm a bit afraid she worked mostly on staying healthy. I hope I'm wrong but I don't exactly have a good feeling from her overall presentation at the test skates.. She also doesn't have any challenger assignment.. hopefully Finlandia..

 

[Vandevska]

Guys, she was injured. And it seems like it affected her a lot. Her jumps are beautiful, massive. I'm sure she was doing everything she could together with her team.

 

[claudsk97]

The way her FS is set up at the beginning with that looonnng held Ina Bauer, just screams that the 2A is a placeholder for 3A. I don’t think they’ll put the 3A in her short program unless she becomes confident, but the lack of Daniil choreo and transitions into the first 2A in her free is somewhat telling to me.

I think Alyona herself must be itching to get that 3A...and I reckon she’s strong willed enough to get it in her own time. She’s a smart, smart girl and I think she knows that she’s gotta play the long game. If you compare how she was skating during the off-season shows to now, she’s improved heaps - and that’s without mentioning how much she’s improved on her lutz! Her spins seem a lot faster too.

I think her and Eteri’s strategy is to play the GOE game and avoid getting injured a lot. I’m sure Eteri can see how special she is and they’re gonna be smart. I reckon in the middle of the season, she’ll be more recovered; and I don’t think she’ll grow too much more. Certainly next season will be the one to see if she does get all those technical upgrades she needs to fully win. I mean, imagine Alyona with 4S, 4S+3T, 3A! Hopefully she gets the technique and strength to pull out a 4F one day too ��