Alena Kostornaia

[macy]

I cant beleive people think Aliona will slip up this season whatever it is. Her skills are now too good to just fall off. As for desperation I dont think she should have felt desperate when you look at the results and quality of her skating which was the best last season. Other things had to be the deciding factors to leave so suddenly and shockingly. We will probably never know and thats okay.

i don't think it's realistic to expect a season as good as the last from her, especially with the extra 3 ish weeks she missed with the transfer on top of quarantine. her skills and fitness will come back with time. i am just happy we will get some sort of season and see her skate.

 

[Fluture]

i don't think it's realistic to expect a season as good as the last from her, especially with the extra 3 ish weeks she missed with the transfer on top of quarantine. her skills and fitness will come back with time. i am just happy we will get some sort of season and see her skate.

I‘ll say it point blank - I expect this season to be a struggle for her. She‘s right in the middle of growth, has been off the ice for a long time this summer and is still adjusting to a rather abrupt coaching change and completely new environment. Frankly, it would be borderline inhuman if she didn‘t struggle. Not that I want her to, of course, I‘m just setting my expectations straight and know that I‘ll keep supporting her no matter what. She‘s a strong young woman and she‘ll get through these difficulties - others have before her. She just needs some time. (luckily, her cup events are the last ones so she‘ll have just that after test skates) Like you, I‘m just happy to see her skate and will keep my fingers crossed for her.

 

[elbkup]

As a steadfast fan I have sorely missed her and cannot wait to see her skate again... she is SO beautiful, mesmerizing to watch... the Instagram posts recently are encouraging

 

[dunffvanstorn]

Guys, as we’ve seen from Veronika Zhilina’s program, I think we have many reasons to believe one of Aliona’s new programs with Pluschenko will be to Inverno Porteño. Pluschenko was “improvising” to it during a session with Volkov’s group in which Rozanov was participating. Rozanov and Pluschenko at Volkov’s session only means one thing... ALIONA.

If that’s the music choice, it’s gonna be a BOMB.

 

[Azikin]

If that’s the music choice, it’s gonna be a BOMB.

I hope so. Zhilina's performance from today quite encouraged my hopes for Alenka, too!

 

[macy]

Guys, as we’ve seen from Veronika Zhilina’s program, I think we have many reasons to believe one of Aliona’s new programs with Pluschenko will be to Inverno Porteño. Pluschenko was “improvising” to it during a session with Volkov’s group in which Rozanov was participating. Rozanov and Pluschenko at Volkov’s session only means one thing... ALIONA.

If that’s the music choice, it’s gonna be a BOMB.

i love that piece of music, its so dramatic and Aliona would do a fantastic job with it! i don't think she's skated to a piece that requires such passion and emotion yet, it would be a great developmental tool.

 

[McBibus]

i love that piece of music, its so dramatic and Aliona would do a fantastic job with it! i don't think she's skated to a piece that requires such passion and emotion yet, it would be a great developmental tool.

I just plainly love Piazzolla.
It's my favorite 900 composer.

Two of my favorite version of Invierno Porteno

Gidon Kremer (contaminated with Vivaldi's Summer cause the season are reversed between Argentina and Italy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDCMwQQjERk&list=PLjkFJB4afNFmRRap1eBGSz2HOcLnfO8NJ&index=9&t=0s

Stephanie Jones (solo guitar)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k96nsGSU-gg&list=PLjkFJB4afNFmRRap1eBGSz2HOcLnfO8NJ&index=5&t=0s

 

[dunffvanstorn]

However, if we follow the same logic, her other program might be to that terrible song from the Harley Quinn movie... I’m gonna cry if that’s the song.

 

[Artemisa]

However, if we follow the same logic, her other program might be to that terrible song from the Harley Quinn movie... I’m gonna cry if that’s the song.

I think kostornaia can skate to everything ... make people in love with the music .. and i think she would be a very lovely Harley quinn

 

[McBibus]

I think kostornaia can skate to everything ... make people in love with the music .. and i think she would be a very lovely Harley quinn

that character is perfect for her miskievous side, but I would see it more suited for an ex

 

[Batsuchan]

I think kostornaia can skate to everything ... make people in love with the music .. and i think she would be a very lovely Harley quinn

Oh yes, I think she'd make quite a good Harley Quinn:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEs70wYK637/


And I would love it if she does skate to "Invierno Porteño"! :agree:

 

[Fluture]

However, if we follow the same logic, her other program might be to that terrible song from the Harley Quinn movie... I’m gonna cry if that’s the song.

To be honest, I really like the song. It‘s quite catchy and I can see Aliona portraying the role of Harley Quinn. But I think of it more as music for an exhibition - it‘s similar to the one she had last season. I just can‘t really imagine fitting a competitive step sequence to it, for example. So, I don‘t think they‘ll use it for her competitive programs but that‘s just my take on it.

Also: You can call me out for having bad taste but personally, I don‘t like Invierno Porteño or any music that‘s similar to it. However, I do see the potential for a really good program and I think it would suit Aliona and would simultaneously help her grow artistically. So, I might not be a fan but I‘m still all for it.

 

[Artemisa]

To be honest, I really like the song. It‘s quite catchy and I can see Aliona portraying the role of Harley Quinn. But I think of it more as music for an exhibition - it‘s similar to the one she had last season. I just can‘t really imagine fitting a competitive step sequence to it, for example. So, I don‘t think they‘ll use it for her competitive programs but that‘s just my take on it.

Also: You can call me out for having bad taste but personally, I don‘t like Invierno Porteño or any music that‘s similar to it. However, I do see the potential for a really good program and I think it would suit Aliona and would simultaneously help her grow artistically. So, I might not be a fan but I‘m still all for it.

So I'm not alone ... I don't like Invierno Porteño for her either ..

 

[Batsuchan]

I‘ll say it point blank - I expect this season to be a struggle for her. She‘s right in the middle of growth, has been off the ice for a long time this summer and is still adjusting to a rather abrupt coaching change and completely new environment. Frankly, it would be borderline inhuman if she didn‘t struggle. Not that I want her to, of course, I‘m just setting my expectations straight and know that I‘ll keep supporting her no matter what. She‘s a strong young woman and she‘ll get through these difficulties - others have before her. She just needs some time. (luckily, her cup events are the last ones so she‘ll have just that after test skates) Like you, I‘m just happy to see her skate and will keep my fingers crossed for her.

I don't think Aliona has really grown over the off-season... Here's a photo from yesterday:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEwAS_5okmC/

I think she may be done growing taller and will always be pretty short--which may be inconvenient for her as a person, but good for skating! :agree:

But, otherwise, Fluture, I totally agree with you. :yes: I do expect this season to be a struggle for her, given the long time spent off the ice as well as the abrupt coaching change. And in general, Aliona has always seemed to be prone to minor injuries after breaks off the ice (remember when her knees were taped for the SP at the test skates last year?).

I think it's very good for Aliona that she's assigned to the last Russian Cup events--that means she has plenty of time to get into competitive shape.

But I also wonder if Aliona will end up missing the test skates, perhaps by claiming to be injured... As much as I am dying to see her back on the ice, I feel like she should wait until she is 100% ready to compete. If she goes out next weekend and is anything less than perfect, then the critics will surely tear her apart.

Since she already has her Russia Cup assignments, I'm not sure if it'll really matter if she misses the test skates. Perhaps that would mean that she'd miss the GP event in Russia, but again, I'm not really sure that will matter in the grand scheme of things..

Of course, if she is ready to go, then great! Can't wait to see her!

I'm just tired of seeing the barrage of spiteful comments...

On a slightly unrelated note, Alexei Erokhov's new coach pointed out that he switched coaches outside of the transfer window as well. So he is still officially representing Sambo-70 as well. But no one made a fuss when he switched... SIGH!
https://www.sport-express.ru/figure...yuschenko-intervyu-viktorii-bucaevoy-1707584/

 

[Batsuchan]

On a much happier note, someone recently posted a thread of Alena&Alena (Kostornaia & Kanysheva) photos, and these always make me smile, so I thought I'd share!
https://twitter.com/birtuemoir/status/1301492124202995712?s=09


Also, I had noticed that our Aliona is following Andrey Pylin (Kanysheva's partner) on Instagram, which I thought was sweet. Looks like she is supporting Kanysheva and Andrey in their ice dance career! :agree:

 

[Azikin]

On a slightly unrelated note, Alexei Erokhov's new coach pointed out that he switched coaches outside of the transfer window as well. So he is still officially representing Sambo-70 as well. But no one made a fuss when he switched... SIGH!

Wait, so he also went to Plushenko? That could mean another round of rumours about these two..

 

[nussnacker]

Wait, so he also went to Plushenko? That could mean another round of rumours about these two..

Haha, noo. He trains with Butsaeva now. So hopefully no ridiculous rumors!

 

[nussnacker]

I don't think Aliona has really grown over the off-season... Here's a photo from yesterday:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEwAS_5okmC/

I think she may be done growing taller and will always be pretty short--which may be inconvenient for her as a person, but good for skating! :agree:

But, otherwise, Fluture, I totally agree with you. :yes: I do expect this season to be a struggle for her, given the long time spent off the ice as well as the abrupt coaching change. And in general, Aliona has always seemed to be prone to minor injuries after breaks off the ice (remember when her knees were taped for the SP at the test skates last year?).

I think it's very good for Aliona that she's assigned to the last Russian Cup events--that means she has plenty of time to get into competitive shape.

But I also wonder if Aliona will end up missing the test skates, perhaps by claiming to be injured... As much as I am dying to see her back on the ice, I feel like she should wait until she is 100% ready to compete. If she goes out next weekend and is anything less than perfect, then the critics will surely tear her apart.

Since she already has her Russia Cup assignments, I'm not sure if it'll really matter if she misses the test skates. Perhaps that would mean that she'd miss the GP event in Russia, but again, I'm not really sure that will matter in the grand scheme of things..

Of course, if she is ready to go, then great! Can't wait to see her!

I'm just tired of seeing the barrage of spiteful comments...

On a slightly unrelated note, Alexei Erokhov's new coach pointed out that he switched coaches outside of the transfer window as well. So he is still officially representing Sambo-70 as well. But no one made a fuss when he switched... SIGH!
https://www.sport-express.ru/figure...yuschenko-intervyu-viktorii-bucaevoy-1707584/

Agree about the growth part, I don't think she grew all too much. I think Aliona might grow a little more during this season, but I feel like most of her growing is probably behind her by now. If she didn't have a sudden growth spurt during quarantine, which is often the case for teens during longer breaks, I doubt there would be too much growth coming.
Aliona is naturally petite, and she looks athletic and healthy, so I personally think she would remain petite as well.

I think this season should go under 'better done than perfect' rule for her. As long as she gets to Rusnats and has a decent skate, it would mean it's already a stellar season. Europeans would probably be cancelled, realistically, because Winter Undersiade in Switzerland, scheduled for January, got cancelled already.
So there's realistically no rush, it's wiser to take time, fully recover all her elements and aim for OG. The main thing is probably aim to stay in top 6 at RusNats for funding purposes (which seems like something completely doable for Aliona).

 

[McBibus]

I think she may be done growing taller and will always be pretty short--which may be inconvenient for her as a person, but good for skating! :agree:

I get what you say, but I don't think it would be so easy for someone to diminish Aliona because of her stature.
She can definitely bite back or mock the offender to shame in front of everybody else.

 

[nussnacker]

I get what you say, but I don't think it would be so easy for someone to diminish Aliona because of her stature.
She can definitely bite back or mock the offender to shame in front of everybody else.

Batsuchan might've meant something else, more lighthearted... like reaching higher shelves