Don't you think there's a reason why people have been so keen on finding another russian ice dance number one for Sochi?
Bobrova / Soloviev have been called limited in their potential for so many years now.
But you have to acknowledge why the Russian Federation was torn between supporting Bobrova/Soloviev 100% and hoping for something better.
A few years ago I believed that all decisions made by Federation are done mainly because of skaters / dancers qualities. During those years many things happened and many decisions were made. I can personally understand that Tarasova loves Kovtun, Sotnikova, Ilinykh & Katsalapov, I can personally understand that Shechovcova likes and prefers Riazanova & Tkachenko. But Federation is chosen for making the best and “right at the moment“ decisions. Once it starts to be their personal choices because they liked brown hair more then blond hair (just example) or because they feel something without looking at facts, it stops to be all right. That is why I don’t put much attention to Federation decisions in time when I am looking for who is really the best or who is better.
The definition of number 1 can be quite strict. It is the best couple at the moment. What is the best and what is appreciated in new judging system is described in Hanbook and ISU rules.
Bobrova & Soloviev were called limited in 2008 because they were limited in dancing not in technique (since they appeared at seniors their programs were full of movements, very often over filled), they were called limited in 2010, because even with strong basics Dima made mistakes in twizzles, they were called limited in 2011 and 2012 because there was still something missing plus their skating was shacky, they were called limited in 2013 (but many people started like them), they are called limited in 2013/2014 at least by some fans and for certain by some members of Federation.
Ilinykh & Katsalapov were called promising in 2010, because they looked promising, they were called promising in 2011 even with skating with mistakes, they were called promising in 2012 even when they didn’t qualify for GP Final as was expected, but at 2012 Worlds they won over Bobrova (it was the only time), they were called promising in 2013 even with last place at GPF and disaster at World’s free skate, they are called promising even now when they didn’t qualify for Euros, lost to Shibutani and with disaster at Nationals free dance.
The results is that a limited couple is reigning European Champion, two time silver European medalists, World Bronze medalists, three time GP winners.
While our promising couple is one time silver and bronze European Medalists, no World medal, no GP win. Doesn’t it sound quite funny even to you?
I see Bobrova is not like Navka or Domnina or Krylova. Maybe problem of Russian Federation starts here. They were looking for new Plushenko for so long, everybody tried to skate like him but nobody was like him. It was a nonsense. There is no other Plushenko. He was the only one. Skating is kind of sport where originality takes place. Today they start praising Kovtun, already two years saying that he is not like Plushy clone which is great. They finally understood that it is a nonsense to look for somebody similar. Maybe they should do the same in dance. But Ilinykh is not like Navka, Domnina and Krylova as well, and the distance between Lena and those great dancers of past is enormous (much bigger than in Bobrova’s case). From all current dancers Ilinykh reminds Navka, Domnina and Krylova’s facial behaviour and poses the most…but she completely forgot the most important thing in dance which is…dance. Navka, Domnina and Krylova became dancing queens because they were great dancers, they were able to express any kind of music, they were great technicians, they know to fight to the end and they rarely do some mistakes. Facial expression came the last, like the nice supplement to everything what I noticed above.
If Russian Federation stops looking for next Navka, and if they stop looking next Navka looking at facial expression first, maybe then they will start to judge couples looking at their skating / dancing quality. If they would do it in 2010, Bobrova & Soloviev would be the best Russian couple for all Olympic cycle.
Unfortunately Russian Federation is not the only one with not so understable decisions. Akiko Suzuki is a beautiful skater, she is more complex then Asada last three years, and her ability to touch people’s heart with her emotional skating is unbelievable. But for her own Federation she was always worse then Asada. Do you mean that Suzuki is called limited because Federation always support Asada more? It is just another example of decision made by some Federation which is not based on skating qualities.
), Bobrova/Soloviev would finish no higher than 5th, behind Davis/White, Virtue/Moir, Péchalat/Bourzat and Weaver/Poje. Maybe behind Capellini/Lanotte.
