Famous commentator Ted Barton talks about Tutberidze, Trusova, Tuktamysheva and Medvyedeva.
The well-known Canadian expert Ted Barton, who comments on the Russian championship for the world stream, explained in an exclusive interview with SE why the rigour of Eteri Tutberidze is justified, quadruple jumps will not kill women’s skating, and Alina Zagitova absolutely honestly won the gold in Pyeongchang-2018.
Trusova's smile
-- Aleksandra Trusova plans to perform five quadruple jumps in her free program, and yet you were one of the first to witness her attempts to jump a quad Salchow in August 2017 ...
- Yes, I remember that day. It was in Brisbane on a cold dark rink, which was quite usual for the junior stage of the Grand Prix. Then I thought: “Oh God, this is the next step in figure skating.” Although Sasha's quadruple Salchow wasn't very good, she landed on two legs. Trusova was the first to try to do it, which meant: after her first quad there would be others, Sasha proved that it was possible. But what struck me the most was the smile on her face, no matter how she performed. And this already captivates and attracts to Trusova purely from the human point of interest.
-- At the same time, there is an opinion that she is very focused on jumping and her skating lacks expressiveness ...
- I will say this: each skater has a component in skating that needs to be improved. Sasha devotes a lot of time to mastering the quadruple jumps. And her programs for this season are very saturated with sequences and elements. Perhaps a little less attention is paid to gliding skills, as she is more focused on tech. But to say that she rides badly ... No! She rides cool and is sure that in the future she will also add an amazing glide to her jumps. And then her rivals will have to really beware!
-- What do you think about the fact that quadruple jumps will kill real female skating?
- No no! As you can see, I’m not a very young person anymore, and several generations of skaters have changed in my lifetime. And talk of something killing figure skating does indeed come up periodically. That was, in particular, when a new grading system appeared. And now, when the quadruple jumps appeared, it seems that five turns are possible. After all, look at the quadruple technique and how well quads are being performed now! The quad didn't kill skating. This is something incredible, and it seems to me that people are not fully aware of what is happening. Quadruple jumps combined with a bright presentation and skating for girls ... I did not expect that I would ever see such a thing.
Zagitova and Medvyedeva
-- Do you remember Yevgeniya Medvyedeva at junior level?
- Yes, it was in Courchevel in 2014, when we were just starting live broadcasts of junior competitions and were very nervous about this. Yevgeniya then simply gave magical skating runs in both programs and forced us to follow her every movemet, and two years later she became World Champion!
I also remember the first time I happened to see Alina Zagitova there in France, but in Saint-Gervais in 2016, she was then in a bright red tutu. Alina skated simply perfectly and easily performing all the jumps: regardless of what it was: a triple Flip or a triple Salchow. And two years later she became Olympic Champion.
-- Then, did you even think for a second that Alina will win in Pyeongchang-2018?
- No, as well as immediately before their performances there, because Yevgeniya had been in leading positions for a long time. But later, I came to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter during what period you won before and how old you are. On a particular day, you show everything you can, and the judges just appreciate it.
Incredible wave of talent
-- At what point did you personally realise that there is a wave of talented Russian girls?
- It was when Sasha first appeared, then Alyona, then Anna. It became clear that something incredible was happening before your eyes. Prior to this, I also noted talented Russians, but not of the highest level. There was only one question: will they succeed in developing their success? And last year, all three of them were already in the final of the Junior Grand Prix Final, and this year in the Senior. Although an athlete cannot constantly win, at some point a recession may occur. But these girls have amazing technique and training, this can only be enjoyed.
-- And what about the young talented skaters in other countries, in your opinion?
- Korea, Japan and the United States are certainly very strong. But I would like to mention one girl ... She seems to have competed for Russia before, but now she skates for Poland ...
-- Yekaterina Kurakova.
- Oh yeah. She's just a wonderful skater. I noticed another talented girl from Estonia, sorry I can’t remember her name. Everyone, of course, looks up to the Russian girls and thinks: “Yeah, you do these elements, well, we will work too.” After all, once all the participants in the Junior Grand Prix Final were American, now it’s the time of the Russians. And for example, Canada won the gold team tournament in Pyeongchang, and the representative of this country Caitlin Osmond became the 2018 world champion.
Severe mother Tutberidze
-- Continuing the theme of quadruple jumps, how do you like this element performed by 23-year-old Yelizaveta Tuktamysheva?
- Incredible. She is a very strong girl. She has such technique! Yelizaveta proved that it is not about age, but about technology. In how you can set yourself up. Tuktamysheva probably thought: “Since young girls can, why can't I?” And this is cool. We were very lucky to watch this. Why was Yelizaveta unable to qualify for the Grand Prix Final? Everything is very simple here - the stages begin in mid-October, and sometimes athletes simply do not have time to prepare. Plus, do not forget that the same Trusova, Kostornaya and Shcherbakova passed into seniors this season and reduced the chances of the other skaters to qualify for the Final.
-- Tutberidze very rarely gives interviews, but a year ago in Vancouver at the Junior Grand Prix Final you had a chance to talk. What is your impression of her?
- It was interesting. I admire her work, but I do not feel the same admiration from many other people. In public, Eteri looks very serious, but the feeling didn't leave me that inside she was hiding something personal. And when we did the interview, I saw a beautiful woman and a caring mother in front of me.
Yes, she is a tough coach. But you try to achieve something in any other business without toughness? You just can't handle it. This is just one approach, and for other people it may be different.
I saw the faces of Tutberidze’s students when they look at her, and how she looks at them, and they smile. I noticed how warm their relationship is. Maybe I'm wrong, but this is what I saw. And it seems to me that Eteri teaches not only how to skate, but also how to achieve goals. And this is always difficult and unpleasant.
Gorgeous Valiyeva
-- And how do you like the junior top 3 Valiyeva-Liu-Usacheva, who remained in the shadow of events in women's skating?
- You know, I've seen lots of figure skating, but in recent years a very large wave of talented girls from Russia has emerged. This is incredible, they are so talented and not only in jumping. Forget about jumping at all! Basic skating skills, a vivid presentation from such young girls - it's just awesome!
-- In Russia, some fans think that Alysa Liu doesn’t have much luck with skating ...
- She works a lot, because Turin was her first junior Grand Prix Final. And most importantly, Alysa herself knows about it and plans to seriously improve.
-- But you must admit that what happened in Turin is simply unique. Valiyeva beat her rival, who has three triple Axels and two quadruple Lutz's ...
- I can’t say that I was surprised at this fact. Just took it for granted. Moreover, Alysa had problems with landing triple Axels plus low GOE on her quadruple jumps. I really like this girl. But Kamila was simply magnificent: her presentation, skating, connections! She doesn’t have a second in her programs wherever she just rode plainly on the ice and the judges appreciated it! As for Dar'ya Usachyova, in terms of skating, she is a real princess.
-- And what about the programs of Kseniya Sinitsyna, whose originality was noted by many?
- Yes, all her programs are actually good. It’s simple that both fans and judges have certain programs they like the most, because of the music or choreography. They are people like you and me. All skaters try to do something special - sometimes it works, and sometimes not. But what exactly every Russian skater has is the quality of skating. And it is worth noting that the classic programs are also very beautiful. Because you must admit that it’s difficult for a young athlete to do something innovative, creative, and at the same time it’s fun to jump and spin.
(c) Екатерина Беспалова
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From:
https://www.sport-express.ru/figure...he-voshischeniya-so-storony-ostalnyh-1626876/