Alena Kostornaia

[Fluture]

Also congratulations to Aliona for best newcomer. I haven’t watched the stream but I wonder if it was awkward between her and Sasha? I think given her victories everyone knew Aliona would win, but still may be uncomfortable for Sasha given that she left Eteri and had a season she wasn’t hoping for.

I only watched a few clips but it didn‘t seem to awkward to me. Aliona looked very surprised at winning, maybe she thought Sasha and her many records would get the award. And I‘m not too sure everybody knew Aliona would win either. She definitely has the most victories this season and holds the total and SP world record but Sasha has made history a few times, for example with the 4F, three/four quad routine and stuff like that. It could have gone either way and I think both knew it. I‘m very happy for Aliona, though. She deserves it.

 

[icybear]

Imo the thing that will really make or break this performance will be her dress. I kind of hope it’s not super dark or black. Something similar to the muted purple and blue tones in the lovely music video would suit her better, I think. Billie Eilish seems to be known for her neons, and I don’t want that to make an appearance on Aliona either, re the Matrix from Kaori.

Something floaty and dreamy but with a hint of darkness cause the lyrics is kinda depressing.

 

[icybear]

Personally would love Alena to have something like this https://www.instagram.com/p/B6429rgn3rx/ but a shade darker.
Or something like this https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rLW-qH-DR/

 

[Scott512]

I think that might have been a repost from her birthday last year...? Her birthday is August 24.

I thought so.

 

[macy]

Something floaty and dreamy but with a hint of darkness cause the lyrics is kinda depressing.

this is what i think too. the song is heavy and emotional but also lyrical and delicate in places too. this is the music video-

https://youtu.be/V1Pl8CzNzCw

i think she will take some inspiration from this. dark and heavy but icy and cold.

 

[Azikin]

First program announced by Daniil. It's Aliona's FS:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCeMxeaIxs5/

Billie Eilish? Seriously? Oh no, oh no, oh no.... at least it's not the whole program, that would be unbearable... but still a serious disappointment....

 

[flanker]

Billie Eilish? Seriously? Oh no, oh no, oh no.... at least it's not the whole program, that would be unbearable... but still a serious disappointment....

I share your feelings, but unfortunately music taste of the young girls (and Aliona is obviously happy with the choice, if she didn't wish it directly) is different from mine. But as was said, Twilight didn't seem to be a good idea but at the end it turned to be a good program for Aliona.

 

[SXTN]

Billie Eilish? Seriously? Oh no, oh no, oh no.... at least it's not the whole program, that would be unbearable... but still a serious disappointment....

If she is into modern music and programs, it's fine. She has to skate the program for a whole season, not her coaches or fans.

And I like that she is one of the few Eteri skaters who participates more in choosing music and programs.

 

[macy]

Billie Eilish? Seriously? Oh no, oh no, oh no.... at least it's not the whole program, that would be unbearable... but still a serious disappointment....

i don't like Billie's music either (like at all...bad guy is ok but the rest is a solid no) but i didn't listen to this song until the program announcement and it really is beautiful. i can see her skating to it easily, its definitely program material. give it a listen if you haven't yet.

also, she is using 3 different pieces of the song for the whole program. the first is a more classical piece, 2nd is the normal song, 3rd is the piece heard in the clip. i think it's going to come together nicely, i just hope the music cuts flow better than twilight.

 

[McBibus]

Soothing

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCkrfo-i1E0/

That was the 1st words that come to my mind seeing this

 

[elbkup]

Good choice of music for her. Billie is one of the defining artists of Aliona’s generation so it is a fitting and clever choice. The three versions add a sense depth and timeliness to the song. The classical piece is so much like music I thought would be good for her this season so I am happy... bet she turns it into something riveting and iconic!! She is growing with her music - Twilight suited the younger Aliona... this is more edgy, romantic in a dark way and totally suitable. Can’t wait to see it performed. :luv17:

 

[Elana]

this is what i think too. the song is heavy and emotional but also lyrical and delicate in places too. this is the music video-

https://youtu.be/V1Pl8CzNzCw

i think she will take some inspiration from this. dark and heavy but icy and cold.

She may also take some inspiration from "13 Reasons Why" (not sure how popular it would be in Russia though), this song was written for the show and I think I would describe it similarly to how you did the music video. I still gets chills every time I hear the song, just from the lyrics and memory of first hearing it a few years ago while watching the show.

I actually think it is a beautiful song with so much emotion built into and I think Alena will be able to feel it so well, this is a great choice for her IMO. I wouldn't focus on it being by Billie, the song should be judged for the way it sounds not by which artist it is from, all of her songs don't fit into just one box. Also one of the Korean juniors used this song last season and I thought it made a nice program for her, can't remember who it was now though, but might be worth a watch.

 

[macy]

new interview with the Olympic Channel!

https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/s...tornaia-exclusive-beijing-tutberidze-surgeon/

 

[macy]

some thoughts as i'm reading through...

she has filmed videos of makeup looks and hairstyles and thinks of starting a blog about being a figure skater. that would be so wonderful! i just hope she has time to do it with training. she would be great at it.

i'm not sure when this interview took place, but it sounds as if she has not started training her 3A yet and is still working on consistency with the rest of her jumps. i get the impression she is taking it slow as to not risk injury, which is good. she will get there in time. she has not trained a quad yet but still would like to. it sounds as if things are coming back together nicely after a shaky first few days.

as far as things being cancelled this season, she is going with the flow. she will keep training anyway and if things happen, they happen and she understands. wise Aliona!

she can't hide her emotions, which is why they come across so well on the ice. her eyes really do all the talking!

she knows social media is not important in life and does not prioritize having content, popularity or followers.

she is still planning on competing through the olympic season (but kinda hoping maaaaaaybe she might consider adding 1 more season if this one doesn't happen as normal )

every time this girl speaks i am in awe of how realistic, wise and grounded she is for a 16 year old. she does not have her head in the clouds and realizes there is more to life than skating. very wise and smart for her age. bravo Aliona

 

[SkateSkates]

Wonderful interview, especially the parts about her personality. You really can see her genuine emotions out on the ice, and we see her get upset even in training - that’s just Aliona!

I’m glad the triples seem to be going okay, and hope she can get the 3A back soon. She was off for 2 months, so it’s not surprising if it takes at least 2 months to get it back, especially the axel which depends so much on timing and technique.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

some thoughts as i'm reading through...

she has filmed videos of makeup looks and hairstyles and thinks of starting a blog about being a figure skater. that would be so wonderful! i just hope she has time to do it with training. she would be great at it.

i'm not sure when this interview took place, but it sounds as if she has not started training her 3A yet and is still working on consistency with the rest of her jumps. i get the impression she is taking it slow as to not risk injury, which is good. she will get there in time. she has not trained a quad yet but still would like to. it sounds as if things are coming back together nicely after a shaky first few days.

as far as things being cancelled this season, she is going with the flow. she will keep training anyway and if things happen, they happen and she understands. wise Aliona!

she can't hide her emotions, which is why they come across so well on the ice. her eyes really do all the talking!

she knows social media is not important in life and does not prioritize having content, popularity or followers.

she is still planning on competing through the olympic season (but kinda hoping maaaaaaybe she might consider adding 1 more season if this one doesn't happen as normal )

every time this girl speaks i am in awe of how realistic, wise and grounded she is for a 16 year old. she does not have her head in the clouds and realizes there is more to life than skating. very wise and smart for her age. bravo Aliona

The interview is recent they talk about her new choreo in it. So not older than a week

 

[flanker]

new interview with the Olympic Channel!

https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/s...tornaia-exclusive-beijing-tutberidze-surgeon/

Truly very nice interview.:agree:

 

[sclloyd]

this is what i think too. the song is heavy and emotional but also lyrical and delicate in places too. this is the music video-

https://youtu.be/V1Pl8CzNzCw

i think she will take some inspiration from this. dark and heavy but icy and cold.

I found it. I found what I’ve been looking for to represent this in costume form.

Something like this!

https://pin.it/6URmYQJ

 

[Batsuchan]

Wow, we've really been spoiled with a ton of Aliona content over the past week! :hap57:

I'm even more impressed by that clip of Aliona's new FS step sequence now that I know she had only just learned the program when they posted the video.
With more practice, I'm sure she'll be able to make it completely her own. :agree:

Speaking of "Lovely" -- looks like whoever made this fan video totally predicted the future!
https://youtu.be/jwpjTW8aPI8

As for the ISU Skating Awards -- congrats to Aliona for winning "Best newcomer"!
To be honest, ever since I found out (months ago) that the winner would be selected by a panel of judges (not a popular vote), I had thought Aliona had a very good chance of winning. In my mind, I had thought that the only reason she wouldn't win is if someone else had won Worlds. But since Worlds didn't happen, Aliona seemed like the logical choice--she does hold the world record for total score, and she won the GP Final and Euros.

So I wasn't at all surprised that Aliona won--I was more surprised that she was shocked.
But I guess I can understand her thinking. Since her days in juniors, Sasha and Anna have always received more attention from the media because they have quads, and they both have major sponsors (Adidas and Nike), and she does not.
So I'm glad that she's pleased with the award. It certainly is a lovely piece of hardware to add to her collection! :agree:

And now this interview--how I love interviews with Aliona!
There wasn't anything really new in this interview, but it always impresses me to see how level-headed Aliona is, and how she is planning for the future, and how she doesn't hesitate to point out her own flaws.
Though I would be very sad to see her leave the sport so soon, I also hope that she is able to achieve all her other dreams in life. :yes:

 

[macy]

maybe she got the idea from that video

someone should overlay the song on one of her twilight free skates. it would be harder to do it with the 3 music cuts, but then we might get a pretty accurate preview!