2025 World Championships Pairs Free Skate

[withwings]

Thanks for that link, the interview was very interesting. I don't actually see any conflict between what the story says and the quote from Alisa that I mentioned.



It seems to me that this story doesn't address or contradict the quote that I recall. It's possible she just decided not to mention it going forward, which I wouldn't blame her for. But definitely, people shouldn't take my word for it; I have a good memory but I could be mistaken.

It was several years ago and I didn't save the reference.

(Maybe I should delete the above part of my post)

I think you are not mistaken. I also remember reading the interview you mentioned earlier.

Russians also didn't believe in Lubov Ilyusheckina abilities/potential as a pair skater, respectively Lubov's jumping abilities.

I hope Alysa eventually will overcome her jumping issues; they might be purely psychological.

 

[skylark]

I think you are not mistaken. I also remember reading the interview you mentioned earlier.

thank goodness! thank you for telling me you remember it too!

Russians also didn't believe in Lubov Ilyusheckina abilities/potential as a pair skater, respectively Lubov's jumping abilities.

I hope Alysa eventually will overcome her jumping issues; they might be purely psychological.

Right you are. In fact, somewhere I heard or read in the past couple of weeks that both Alisa's current partner and her past partner (I assume Ruben B.) said that Alisa lands the jumps in practice. So I have faith that with time and diligence and faith in herself that she can move past this. It's a great step forward when she stands up on the jumps, as she did here.

 

[Tutto]

Right you are. In fact, somewhere I heard or read in the past couple of weeks that both Alisa's current partner and her past partner (I assume Ruben B.) said that Alisa lands the jumps in practice. So I have faith that with time and diligence and faith in herself that she can move past this. It's a great step forward when she stands up on the jumps, as she did here.

From what I read on Russian forums it seems that initially the problem was a poor jump technique she was taught by her first coach. When she moved on to Moskvina & Vasiliev they tried to change the technique and there were some improvements. However, the competition inside Russia was fierce and the rate of improvement was just not fast enough. I believe Alisa simply was not given a chance and time to work on her technique at her own pace without everyone pecking at her and labelling her a hopeless jumper. So I guess the problem then became a psychological. Will she ever be able to overcome it? I do not know, only the time will tell. I picked this piece from the old interview with her current coaches:
“We changed her technique a little bit,” Ganicheva said of Efimova’s jumps. “She strongly believed in her technique [at first]. We convinced her to trust us. We are successful singles coaches, too, so we can help with technique.”

“I’m really proud of Alisa and the amount of work and effort that she’s put into honing her jumps,” Mitrofanov said. “She takes extra time in the morning and after practice to do jumps. Olga and Aleksey were like, ‘This is the hardest-working student we’ve ever had.’”
https://adivinesport.com/2024/03/05/efimova-mitrofanov-finding-the-right-fit/

 

[aroundtheworld778]

I think you are not mistaken. I also remember reading the interview you mentioned earlier.

Russians also didn't believe in Lubov Ilyusheckina abilities/potential as a pair skater, respectively Lubov's jumping abilities.

I hope Alysa eventually will overcome her jumping issues; they might be purely psychological.

Alisa and Lubov basically had the same problem: consistently placing low in Russian nationals and so not getting assigned to Europeans or Worlds. Their season ended every December. Efimova/Korovin competed five times in Russian Nationals: their best placement was 6th with a score of 199, all of their other placements were 8th and 9th. Alisa believed she could still make it to the World team but chances were low...the fed had plenty of younger and stronger teams to invest in for the next Olympic quad. Anyway, it's fortunate the pair broke up in 2019 and Alisa left Russia to test her luck elsewhere. It turned out for the best with the Russian ban coming into effect in 2022.

I assume Russia will continue to be a steady "provider" of pair skaters for other nations, as pairs seems to be the least popular discipline. There just isn't the interest or the support structure like there is in Russia IMO. I love fairytales like Volodin, Efimova, and others, who get a "second chance" skating for another federation.

 

[withwings]

To skate with inner freedom means that all psychological issues disappears in instance... Alysa Liu has that inner freedom.

Alisa and Lubov basically had the same problem: consistently placing low in Russian nationals and so not getting assigned to Europeans or Worlds. Their season ended every December. Efimova/Korovin competed five times in Russian Nationals: their best placement was 6th with a score of 199, all of their other placements were 8th and 9th. Alisa believed she could still make it to the World team but chances were low...the fed had plenty of younger and stronger teams to invest in for the next Olympic quad. Anyway, it's fortunate the pair broke up in 2019 and Alisa left Russia to test her luck elsewhere. It turned out for the best with the Russian ban coming into effect in 2022.

I assume Russia will continue to be a steady "provider" of pair skaters for other nations, as pairs seems to be the least popular discipline. There just isn't the interest or the support structure like there is in Russia IMO. I love fairytales like Volodin, Efimova, and others, who get a "second chance" skating for another federation.

In my opinion Lubov actually never managed to overcome her jumping issues. Psychological obstacles is not easy to overcome... then one needs to be in inner freedom like Alysa Liu; when one is in inner freedom then all obstacles disappear, fade away in a split of second!

Certainly Russian Pair Skating School is strong, founded on solid and tested principles. Tamara Moskvina...all respect and adoration to her for what and how she has done during these many years.
And you are right, Pair Skating seems not to be so popular in other countries and it is why all my love to all of the pairs and all the countries for persisting what they are doing. Japan having two pairs...amazing.

On a personal note, I do love Canadian pair skating school.