- Joined
- Feb 25, 2014
Maybe I should post some pictures from a park then![]()
I couldn't think of more convenient timing with all of the drama serving as a distraction!
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Maybe I should post some pictures from a park then![]()
Maybe I should post some pictures from a park then![]()
I have had for at least a season an inner voice telling me that when Anna turns 18, she will announce a newfound relationship with Daniil.
Finley, haven't you heard? Their Zamboni has also left the Khrustalniy rink and joined Plyushenko.
LOL You should also post some pictures of yourself with a bouquet of roses for Eteri

Especially coming from the same people that labeled her "a robot", "jumping bean bag", etc, etc - that's really funny
The claim TeamTut didn't pay enough attention to Sasha is ridiculous. Yeah, while not paying enough attention, they somehow managed to teach her 4 quads and 3A, and improved choreo skills too.![]()
Maybe I should post some pictures from a park then![]()
Does anyone have any idea where the Usacheva/Samsonov (and apparently Dudakov?) rumors are coming from? I can't really discredit any rumors because the Sasha thing has been sort of a rumor for months, and the Zhilina thing originated as a rumor (heck, a lot of things have first come out as rumors), but I'm just so curious if these are true.

Who knows. My guess is that Sasha will mainly work with Rozanov and Volkov.Is Plushenko actually going to coach Sasha? Or is Rozanov going to be her primary coach? Or is their system going to be similar to Eteri’s system? I am confused on how they are going to do this
Who knows. My guess is that Sasha will mainly work with Rozanov and Volkov.
I doubt that Plushenko will suddenly work full time with the skaters and be at every competition
Well going abroad to another coach be it raf, orser or someone else is at the moment not really possible so that leaves them out of the eqotationfor the moment who knows what happens in the futureI needed some time to let these news sink in after I‘ve first heard them lol. Because even though something like this seemed likely to happen I still didn‘t really expect it. So, yes, I‘m both surprised and not surprised.
First of: I‘m happy for Sasha. Not necessarily because she left Eteri but because this move will let her distinguish herself from the other - what are they called by fans “three aces“? I know the idea of the 3A (4A with Alina) is cute and it shows team spirit and all that but reality is that it doesn’t work that way. “everyone for the team first and foremost“ sounds good in principle but in the end we‘re talking about a professional sport, elite athletes, individuals with individual careers. There will come a point - and it has already come - where medals and prize money and future careers are at stake. And once it comes, being one of the 4A, 3A, amazing aces, or whatever, will not be enough. For someone like Alina this is irrelevant because this 4A thing is mostly a fan term anyway and everyone knows her first and foremost as “Alina Zagitova - Olympic Champion“. But Anna, Aliona and Alexandra? They‘ve actually been called 3A by the media this season. After having worked so hard for so long I can imagine that being lumped together as one entity will feel bitter! Both Anna and Aliona have expressed their dislike of this nickname already and Sasha, who always wanted to be the first, to stand out, likely wants to establish herself as well. So, I‘d say, in light of this - yes, this was a good move for her and a smart one at that when it comes to future career prospects.
Now, however, on the other hand we have the fact that Plushenko is a rather unproven coach and his last tries with Sima Sakhanovich and Nastya Tarakanova didn‘t end well. I didn‘t like what he said about those two back then, it was plain mean and unprofessional. I would have preferred Raf for Sasha, I think the two would have gotten along well and he would have been able to help her more. But since he’s abroad, that probably would have been too much of a change and just too expensive.
Then there‘s the programs I‘m worried about. No offence to Ryabova but her programs were just totally bad this season. Tarakanova had some interesting programs when she was with Plush, though, so let‘s hope Sasha will get a good choreographer. She’s the top athlete now, obviously, so I hope she will. I will admit I‘m actually quite excited to see her work with someone that‘s not Daniil, to see what this change of perspective can bring to her artistry.
So yes, if Plushenko‘s commited to this, then I‘d say, let’s give him a chance. Also, since Rozanov is moving, too, I‘m not as worried. He seems like a good coach for the juniors, taught them quads and skating skills and he already knows Sasha, so that will help. It‘s always good to have a familiar face. And those who were worried about Sasha‘s competitive spirit - well, I do presume that‘s exactly the reason she left and she‘ll also have Zhilina with her at Plushenko‘s rink, so it‘s not like she doesn‘t have someone to have small “quad battles“ with. With Konstantinova, Ryabova and Zhilina there is a pretty good group of skaters already.
Overall, I think this could be a good move for everyone. Eteri was getting quite crowded anyway and imo, the quality of some of the programs this season suffered because of that. It’s only natural to run out of ideas and creativity after so many programs for so many students. And ever since RusNats something didn’t seem to be working for Sasha in Eteri’s team. I don’t know what it was - lack of attention, too much pressure in general, or something else - but I‘m glad Sasha and her parents realised this and made the change soon enough. For some this insane competition works, for others it doesn’t. Some need individual attention and more focus being put on them as individuals to really succeed. I hope the move pays off for Sasha.
As for Team Tutberidze themselves... well, losing Rozanov is quite the blow but I imagine there will be no shortage of coaches who‘d want to work with them so... they‘ll survive. And as for athletes themselves... they still have Alina, Anna, Aliona, Kamila, Daria, Maiia, Daniil (Samsonov), Adelia etc. Still enough athletes to fill the Olympic team, three of them the “prime“ age of 15.![]()
For Russian ladies in general: I agree that it‘s never good to have only one rink that has all the talent. A healthy mix is better. I would have thought CSKA would step up to the challenge (or Snow Leopards) but if it will be Plushenko‘s... well, if he actually shows up to the competitions and does his job and the skaters are offered the best conditions possible, I will not complain.
I want to wish Sasha all the best because she deserves it.
(And lastly, I didn‘t comment on the whole Medvedeva-Japan debacle solely because I missed it (not that I’m sorry about it lol) but I do wish we could stop all the not so subtle snark in here. We had more than enough of all that last week, didn‘t we?)
(And lastly, I didn‘t comment on the whole Medvedeva-Japan debacle solely because I missed it (not that I’m sorry about it lol) but I do wish we could stop all the not so subtle snark in here. We had more than enough of all that last week, didn‘t we?)
I kind of agree with this but given what a huge chance this is to establish himself, I do assume Plushenko will actually put in the work. Meaning - spending more time at the rink, going to the competitions... probably, the main work will still be done by Rozanov and Volkov. Will be interesting whether we‘re actually going to see Plushenko in the K&C sometimes.
I wonder what would've happened had social media been around when Yagudin left Mishin for Tarasova.

Who knows. My guess is that Sasha will mainly work with Rozanov and Volkov.
I doubt that Plushenko will suddenly work full time with the skaters and be at every competition