Russian Junior Test Skates 2023

[JimR]

Was that quad salchow, quad flip, quad toe?

Edit. The second one was quad toe and a double axel I think. This is why I miss Youtube and being able to go back.

 

[katymay]

I don't mind the war horse music, but a skater this talented needs much better choreography.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Loved the first half, and then there was "I Dreamed a Dream" (and the Lea Michele version, at that?)... Please, can we just stop

 

[Mariiiiskate]

Little bit struggle with the quad landings but she stayed up and was otherwise perfect

 

[katymay]

Does Veronika have new skates?

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Are they prepping for a quad Lutz? Unusual to put a solo triple Lutz as the first jump otherwise.

 

[Mariiiiskate]

I just cant at all get into this, it feels so half assed like she is forced to go up and skate to this Music like this really needs someone who can preform it.

 

[JimR]

Great program. What an athlete. Has to skate in seniors this season. She's only just arrived from China it will all be ironed out for senior test skates.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Look, and here I like the second half more than the first. Nika is not a natural performer, but giving her low energy music with a lot of empty stretches to accomodate the quads is not making it better.

Her better programs (in my opinion) have always been to more energetic music choices - Samson and Delilah and the Harley Quinn programs, for example.

 

[icewhite]

I have an inexplicable weakness for that type of girl skater.

First of all I love her clothes and whatever the plan for the real outfit is I wish they would just go with this.
Second the music cuts are awful and I don't think keep it in the closet is very... adequate, but just from a fun perspective it's a nice collection of snippets...
Third... not her day...
Fourth... she's not a natural performer, but... I liked it. I just did.

 

[squishyfishy]

I quite liked the second half, I feel like she performed more than usual. Hopefully she will grow into it performance wise during the season.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Quad Loop attempt And a great (if also overused) choice of music and style.

 

[katymay]

This program is spectacular. Well constructed, interesting, and she inhabits it.

 

[Mariiiiskate]

4lo attempt from Vika
I like this program a lot definetly one of my top 3 today!

 

[katymay]

4lo attempt from Vika
I like this program a lot definetly one of my top 3 today!

For me, the best program of the day. Kudos to the choreographer, and Vika's ability to execute the intricate choreography.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Ok this might be an unpopular opinion, but to be honest, I'm a bit underwhelmed currently. Nothing against the girls, but few of the Free skates stood out to me, and even those that did are not ground-breaking but just very well-choreographed and delivered by great performers.

Well, the proper start of the season is still two months off, so there's still time for improvement, and who knows, things might look very different then.

 

[katymay]

Veronika is probably the best jumper in the world. But a Michael Jackson program needs the ability to have personality on the ice, and Veronika has none. I think this entire program is a really bad choice for her, highlights her shortcomings.

 

[katymay]

Ok this might be an unpopular opinion, but to be honest, I'm a bit underwhelmed currently. Nothing against the girls, but few of the Free skates stood out to me, and even those that did are not ground-breaking but just very well-choreographed and delivered by great performers.

Well, the proper start of the season is still two months off, so there's still time for improvement, and who knows, things might look very different then.

Plushy's students are behind the curve a bit-more than likely because of the show schedule. For the most part I love the musical selections, some wonderful choreography, and Russian girls have such great speed they are always enjoyable to watch, even if they are not fully cooked yet. The only big miss for me is Veronika's Michael Jackson program-which requires personality on the ice, something Veronika struggles with.

 

[JimR]

Veronika is probably the best jumper in the world. But a Michael Jackson program needs the ability to have personality on the ice, and Veronika has none. I think this entire program is a really bad choice for her, highlights her shortcomings.

She has to develop it and showed more than skating Roxanne. She is on the right path.

 

[lariko]

I caught Bazylyuk, Zhilina and Morozova live, waiting for the stream to get archived for the rest. Bazylyuk was definitely outstanding! For once, I think Zhilina can actually maybe enjoy the program, though it was still not in evidence. 4Lo from Morozova would really help her this season, so fingers crossed!