Looking at Valieva in the Almaty show the 3Lz is a huge problem now. She's avoided it for the most part in the shows.
Ever since the GP final where she had a bruise on that knee and was falling over on the lutz in the warm up (she basically hadn't made an error on a triple all season apart from with ultra-c until that point), she has struggled with mostly the lutz, and to a degree the flip. She'll land the flip but often struggle to finish a clean combo or it won't be a clean landing by her high standard.
The way her knee is taped I think maybe she's got something like jumper's knee, maybe she has pain so can't get enough power from her right leg when jumping the lutz or flip. Funnily enough can land the 4T consistently and looks as magnificent as it has ever been.
I think she needs to be careful over the summer to not lose any more conditioning. I don't think her experiment with the Tuktk approach to diet and conditioning is working. Tuktik is a lot shorter and genetically predisposed to staying slim and petite even with some indulgences. It's probably normal growth as well, but Kamila admits she indulged over the summer and wasn't even sure if she would continue. She called the Russian Nationals performance a 'competitive miracle'. It was heroic what she achieved with the burden she was carrying.
Her skating skills have really gone downhill since early in the year (it's imperceptible if you're not paying close attention or not comparing to performances like in the GP group stages). The GP final compared to the GP stages is like a different skater, and somewhat apparent in the shows. I don't know if it's a lack of practice, injury, pain, effect of medication, maybe just burned out. But I've watched her closely enough to know something is not right. Her programs were much sharper at test skates than at the end of the season.
I think she might struggle next season. Maybe coming away with one bronze from the Russian Nationals and GP final will be a big achievement (nothing wrong with that when you're against the best skaters in history). It's been a long season and she has been involved in shows going back to July last year (I think she's starting shows in July this year as well). Ironically an extended break forced upon her might be just what she needs -- assuming she can maintain close to peak fitness and weight during that break. I imagine she is mentally and physically exhausted.
Akatieva looks so strong in the shows. I think she jumped a 4T+3T in her program. It's becoming so easy for her now.
Ever since the GP final where she had a bruise on that knee and was falling over on the lutz in the warm up (she basically hadn't made an error on a triple all season apart from with ultra-c until that point), she has struggled with mostly the lutz, and to a degree the flip. She'll land the flip but often struggle to finish a clean combo or it won't be a clean landing by her high standard.
The way her knee is taped I think maybe she's got something like jumper's knee, maybe she has pain so can't get enough power from her right leg when jumping the lutz or flip. Funnily enough can land the 4T consistently and looks as magnificent as it has ever been.
I think she needs to be careful over the summer to not lose any more conditioning. I don't think her experiment with the Tuktk approach to diet and conditioning is working. Tuktik is a lot shorter and genetically predisposed to staying slim and petite even with some indulgences. It's probably normal growth as well, but Kamila admits she indulged over the summer and wasn't even sure if she would continue. She called the Russian Nationals performance a 'competitive miracle'. It was heroic what she achieved with the burden she was carrying.
Her skating skills have really gone downhill since early in the year (it's imperceptible if you're not paying close attention or not comparing to performances like in the GP group stages). The GP final compared to the GP stages is like a different skater, and somewhat apparent in the shows. I don't know if it's a lack of practice, injury, pain, effect of medication, maybe just burned out. But I've watched her closely enough to know something is not right. Her programs were much sharper at test skates than at the end of the season.
I think she might struggle next season. Maybe coming away with one bronze from the Russian Nationals and GP final will be a big achievement (nothing wrong with that when you're against the best skaters in history). It's been a long season and she has been involved in shows going back to July last year (I think she's starting shows in July this year as well). Ironically an extended break forced upon her might be just what she needs -- assuming she can maintain close to peak fitness and weight during that break. I imagine she is mentally and physically exhausted.
Akatieva looks so strong in the shows. I think she jumped a 4T+3T in her program. It's becoming so easy for her now.
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Skaters of the reserve teams are often added later. There may be changes.
