2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[nussnacker]

Because he does say stuff about Don Quixote there

Tbh, Daniil mentions Alina a lot just randomly, hahaha
He was answering questions about the upcoming jump fest, and said something along the lines of “yeah, they would have to do a combo of 5 jumps, just like Alina did at Olympics, remember?”
She really is his favorite student

 

[Novalis]

Reading of the internet that they plan two quads for Maya for the team event. A toeloop and a Salchow. I say bring it on!

 

[Lzbee]

Oh no. I don't really see Bolero growing on me. It's too warhorse and tbh I'm not such a fan of the music anyway. The difference with Alina's Don Quixote is that Alina was portraying a young girl and the music was showy and dynamic. Bolero... is more of a mature energy and the music is slow (and potentially boring ).

I didn't know Storm is already 2 years old. It's a shame they won't keep it because I think it's the best program of the season by far.

 

[Fluture]

Apparently Sasha is still having problems with her injury.

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Tbh it really worries me that she‘ll take part in a jumping fest, where she’ll have to do all kinds of quads and other jumps, including a five jump combination. I know she loves it and that‘s exactly her kind of competition but this seems really risky to me. Why risk your health for a fun competition that ultimately doesn‘t matter, if there‘s Worlds (and later on OG) on the line?

 

[Lzbee]

Apparently Sasha is still having problems with her injury.

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Tbh it really worries me that she‘ll take part in a jumping fest, where she’ll have to do all kinds of quads and other jumps, including a five jump combination. I know she loves it and that‘s exactly her kind of competition but this seems really risky to me. Why risk your health for a fun competition that ultimately doesn‘t matter, if there‘s Worlds (and later on OG) on the line?

Noooooooo Sasha please, I really want you to make it to the Olympics.

 

[Dawn825]

It's a shame that Kamila would take such a controversial piece to the Olympics. Everyone loved her short program, thought it suited her and was well choreographed, so it was easy to root for her when she skated to it. All the people who hate the Bolero aren't going to want the program to win, regardless of how they feel about Kamila.

 

[Novalis]

I didn't know Storm is already 2 years old. It's a shame they won't keep it because I think it's the best program of the season by far.

Depends how you count. I would say it isn't two years old. The SP is a new program.

On another matter, I've been dreaming of a continued collaboration between Eric Radford and Kamila. A new program or two. Why not?

 

[Shayuki]

Oh no. I don't really see Bolero growing on me. It's too warhorse and tbh I'm not such a fan of the music anyway. The difference with Alina's Don Quixote is that Alina was portraying a young girl and the music was showy and dynamic. Bolero... is more of a mature energy and the music is slow (and potentially boring ).

I don't think Alina performed DQ especially well, but that program was built to be entertaining. It didn't require much nuance to understand. A lot of the jumps were on clear musical cues and it was easy to follow along. I think her SP was a far better program that she performed much better but it's easy to understand why DQ was better received by the casual audience. Bolero's the opposite, there's no cues at all, it's just a "mature" program but I can't see it being a fan favorite. It to me is also not exactly a program that would move one to tears.

Bolero in my opinion doesn't work for figure skating very much at all. The original song actually is quite good I think, but the whole point of it is a slow build up over some 15 minutes, with gradual development. In figure skating you need to crop and paste the song to fit within a program's time limits, and I think that that just completely ruins the song.

 

[Supernovaimplosion]

Depends how you count. I would say it isn't two years old. The SP is a new program.

On another matter, I've been dreaming of a continued collaboration between Eric Radford and Kamila. A new program or two. Why not?

Didn't he compose Patrick Chan's fs music a few years ago? Maybe he can compose something specifically for Kamila

 

[sclloyd]

My main issue with Bolero isn't even the music or the choreo or the packed transitions - it's that the program doesn't show off Kamila's strengths.

For Olympic season the packaging of skaters' programs is very important. You want programs that can hide your weaknesses, show your strengths and be memorable. I honestly don't think Bolero does any of those three things for Kamila.

Take Don Quixote for example, it showed off Alina's technical prowess by building up to the second half. It hid her weaker skating skills by giving her a slower step sequence that allowed her to make sure to hit all edges and turns. And it was certainly very memorable. But Bolero... it doesn't show off Kamila's extensions nor her elegance, it doesn't hide her weaker edge depth nor her rushed movements, and it is honestly only memorable to be because I dislike it. There's not one moment I remember (except for the beginning) with a lot of detail.

I agree here. And because us really huge fans tend to be a little biased in our favorites I’d like to pull in my mother’s opinion. She’s a casual fan, so we watch events together sometimes, and she’s always watched the ladies singles for the Olympic for as long as I can remember.

She watched Kamila’s programs last year and loved them. She only like Aliona’s departure better. This season she was so bored with them. “The music is too frantic” “this doesn’t look very cohesive”. It bored her. And I think it bored me too for all the same reasons. Post modernism on such graceful and flexible skaters as Kamila doesn’t make sense. The music is too choppy, it does not highlight how smooth she can actually skate. Nor do I think the music does a good job at accentuating her spins.

Not an Olympic program, IMO. Fans aren’t the judges, but I think it’s a confusing choice to go with something like Bolero for performances given to much wider audiences.

And there is no way it will be near as iconic as Don Quixote. That is simply wishful thinking on Daniil’s part.

 

[Vandevska]

I would prefer the repeat of the SP too.

Same! I've rewatched those programs so many times. I don't know why people don't like Bolero.
I think probably my favourite programs of the season, and definitely wanna see them more.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

Kamila's SP, while not my favorite program ever, is honestly really well-crafted. All elements go with the music, it uses her extensions well (the landing on the 3Lz+3T is gorgeous). Even the spins and the step sequences work with the embellishments and overall mood of the piece. Overall, just a really well-made program that I think would work so well for Olympic season.

 

[Fluture]

According to Plushenko, Aliona is preparing for the Russian Cup Final, with the plan to qualify for Worlds. She trains every two days (?) but health doesn‘t allow her to train/compete at full strength yet.

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edit: Apparently, she doesn‘t train every two days but does two workouts a day! At least that‘s what the second translation says.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4PBP5pyYT/?igshid=1f5bln81t4fdl

 

[Baron Vladimir]

Same! I've rewatched those programs so many times. I don't know why people don't like Bolero.
I think probably my favourite programs of the season, and definitely wanna see them more.

It's one of my fav too, because it looks unique comparing to the other programmes we see today. Music goes really well with the snake theme behind it, especially sharp (almost robotic) repetitive movements involved in it. I think that may be 'too avantgarde' for some people who prefer more soft 'old school movements' (as long spirals for example).

 

[Novalis]

It's one of my fav too, because it looks unique comparing to the other programmes we see today. Music goes really well with the snake theme behind it, especially sharp (almost robotic) repetitive movements involved in it. I think it may be 'too avangarde' for some people who like more soft 'old school movements' (as long spirals for example).

It's interesting how Bolero divides opinion. I have sadly turned to the critical side myself. I think that the previous posters are correct in that it doesn't emphasize her strenghts like the SP. Though it was a fine show when she finally delivered it cleanly at Nationals (well, almost. The flip was bad.) I was hoping that they would go for something else, but expected them not to. Anyway, she'll be my favorite for the olympic season regardless.

On a completely different matter. Alina and Zhenya are supposed to be at Urgant in three hours. Any easy links to see that live?

 

[flanker]

It's one of my fav too, because it looks unique comparing to the other programmes we see today. Music goes really well with the snake theme behind it, especially sharp (almost robotic) repetitive movements involved in it. I think that may be 'too avantgarde' for some people who prefer more soft 'old school movements' (as long spirals for example).

That's precisely summarized why I like it and why I think it really shows Kamila's strong side.

 

[emmaleemochizuki]

A lot of people said Carolina Kostner's Bolero was exquisite, but I still didn't find it pleasing. I don't know if it's the music or whatever. The first part is always good the rest is not. I would say using Bolero as a SP might work better than a FS. Just my opinion. I want to see KV skating a different FS, not Bolero, just doesn't suit her. It's not a strong programme, and I don't see how that can change dramatically in a year. Some people might like it, but I really don't. Even Kostornaia's FS last season was better than this, and her music selection last season was the weakest in comparison to Shcherbakova and Trusova. I wonder what their music choice will be for the olympic season. I think Einaudi suits more for Shcherbakova.

Anyway the Russian juniors the last two days. My favourite overall was Sofia M. Beautiful programme, and quality with everything. Sofia A was good, has potential, good jumps, she will get better over the years that's for sure. Adelya's free was amazing, she deserved the silver, glad to see her so happy. Sofia M and Daria U are both very good quality skaters, but they need big elements if they want to win. But their programmes are generally more pleasing to watch, big elements when skated well is good but when mistakes happen, it damages the whole performance.

Final note, can Adelya compete for Armenia? It will be so hard for her to get onto a world team or an olympic team in Russia, and I really want to see her thrive on the world stage. She can be a surprise.

 

[[email protected]]

Agree with all points, her SP is both beautiful and unique, while her Bolero is going to be maybe 3rd best Bolero performed at the Olympics. DG is comparing it to Don Quixote, but it was a much better Olympic program than Bolero.

Third? You mean Caro among the first two? Sorry, it is a program from a different era. No offense but it would stand 0 chances now in any comparison. May be, it would if we compare gala performances. There were some creative moves during the stsq - that's it.

If you meant T/D, that one defies the times because it was and it is something different. But because it was dance and it is something different then I see no risk for Kamila to go with Bolero.

 

[Amei]

Apparently Sasha is still having problems with her injury.

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Tbh it really worries me that she‘ll take part in a jumping fest, where she’ll have to do all kinds of quads and other jumps, including a five jump combination. I know she loves it and that‘s exactly her kind of competition but this seems really risky to me. Why risk your health for a fun competition that ultimately doesn‘t matter, if there‘s Worlds (and later on OG) on the line?

Given the cautiousness with Kostornaia, I'm going to assume this decision to do the jumpfest and cup tv challenge is not Plushenko's decision but Trusova's decision to still do it. I think it's a bad decision based on what you're saying (that apparently she is still injured), but it's her career if she's willing to risk possibly damaging her body that might ruin her chances at Worlds this year or the Olympics next year then she'll have to live with the consequences of it and at least she can say she did her career her way.

 

[Fluture]

Daniil said in an interview that Maiia‘s going to try 2 quads in the FS (was already shared here, I think). But apparently he also said about Anna and Kamila that, while they will jump everything they can in the jumping fest, “there will be surprises in the SP and FS but he cannot say for now.“

So, what does this mean? Anna 3A? Three quads? Or maybe Daria with a 3A? I don‘t see Kamila doing a 4Lz but maybe a 4S?

Redirect Notice

Third? You mean Caro among the first two? Sorry, it is a program from a different era. No offense but it would stand 0 chances now in any comparison.

It probably wouldn’t stand a chance but people still remember it. Not that I think it was that good of a program either. Tbh, there‘s rarely a Bolero program that really works for me.