That won't be easy. She has been coaching her daughters all along with astonishing results (I mean jumping) and she would not allow other second-rate coaches (second rate in her eyes) to touch them, if she has a choice. I guess she would agree to not interfere with her daughters' training only if, for example, Eteri promises to coach them personally? Strong-willed moms are the hardest to deal with.
2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating
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Well, I think it is her mom who should go and see a psychologist. All Zhilina needs are a caring mom and her comforting arms.
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- Jan 12, 2014
I think she'd rather tell him to mind his damn business.
If you want to look smart, do something stupid, then undo it.
Well.... if you un-burn a bridge you burned, wouldn't you put that on your resume?
Well.... if you un-burn a bridge you burned, wouldn't you put that on your resume?
and burn another? Kostornaia has not appeared to handle the Plushenko separation that well either, based on what's been said they had no idea she was doing this.
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- Feb 19, 2014
I agree with you that Aliona is desperate. To take this step while burning the bridge behind her says everything we need to know.
Aliona didn't necessarily have to listen to Plushenko. If Eteri takes her back (after everything that has been said) it will be on her terms. Either do exactly as she says or go find another coach and training facility.
I have no idea what kind of injuries or lingering medical problems she might have. She may just need a few weeks of rest and be good as new. I'm just afraid of the possibility that it might be more serious and might require more time away from training. If that is the case then I hope Eteri does the right thing and insists that she not train (or at least trains on a reduced schedule) until she is cleared by a doctor. I'm not saying she will do that, but she should.
If this turns out to be a long term problem it would sabotage Aliona's plans to make the Olympic team. That may be the only reason she is returning to Eteri at all. I wish the best for her.
Next season is going to be a roller coaster ride.
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I'm a little baffled when folks still say things like "Aliona's plans to make the Olympic team" with a straight face. (@Finley, I don't mean that's what you're doing here, so please don't take this personally.)
I mean, I'm sure those are her aspirations, but does anyone still think that's realistic?
I think we can all agree that it will be an uphill battle for anyone without ultra-c elements to make the Russian Olympic team. Not only because of the competition within Russia, but because RusFed knows that's what will be necessary to sweep the podium.
With that in mind, I don't get why people are *still* acting like it's a given that Aliona gets her 3A back. It's been over a year now since we last saw Aliona jump a clean 3A. And while her fans are going to point to COVID, that wasn't a factor until quite recently.
And now, on top of everything else, we hear from Plushenko that Aliona has serious undisclosed health issues? And folks are still gonna act like it's just a matter of time before her 3A is back?
I'm just trying to be realistic. I think people need to accept that it's now quite possible and perhaps even likely that Aliona won't regain her 3A, at least not in time for the Olympics. And without the 3A, her chances of making the Olympic team are next to nil, given the reality of the competition in Russia.
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- Nov 2, 2013
Veronika Zhilina's situation is a little challenging. Her mom might be quite a formidable coach, actually I'm sure she's played a great part in getting Veronika where she is when it comes to jumping ability, spins and whatnot. And it also is understandable that if she's not happy with the way her daughter's being coached, she'd look for an alternative solution.
But still, I think that it goes beyond just her abilities as a coach. It can end up being quite a stressful environment if Veronika can't relax at home and detach herself from her training during those times. For that reason I think it'd be best to just keep home and coaching separate, having the coaches concentrate on working with her when it's time for that, while her family would just be supportive of her without meddling with the coaching. But I'm not sure how possible that is at this point...
But still, I think that it goes beyond just her abilities as a coach. It can end up being quite a stressful environment if Veronika can't relax at home and detach herself from her training during those times. For that reason I think it'd be best to just keep home and coaching separate, having the coaches concentrate on working with her when it's time for that, while her family would just be supportive of her without meddling with the coaching. But I'm not sure how possible that is at this point...
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- Feb 17, 2010
Alena still holds the world record SP and combined total score. If she regains that form, she's in the mix. Unless they get a solid 3A, Anna and Sasha will have to skate pretty well over both programs to beat that level.
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- Oct 16, 2017
Downhill is too a pretty risky ride. There is always a chance that Alyona will get to take over.
As for her health, there is hope that it's not all that bad, and Plushenko mentioned it mostly as an excuse for her poor performance. Let's see what Eteri and Alyona herself have to say.
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I agree with you. Eteri probably does as well. I was thinking from Aliona's perspective. She's 17. It's her dream. Hope dies last. It's the crystal meth of emotions. Impossible to let go of when you still want to hold on.
Even taking into account that anything can happen (especially in Russian ladies skating!) Aliona's chances are slim.
But you never know. Sasha could seriously injure herself over-training in her quest to perfect 5 quads while going through puberty. I hope not, but metatarsals are fragile. Kamila could have a crazy growth spurt that throws off her technique at exactly the wrong time. (See Alysa Liu) Dasha U. may not get quads by next season.
To be clear - I don't want ANY of this to happen, but I know these possibilities exist. So does Aliona. So does Eteri.
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As far as it known only two LPs were by SLB. Certainly not all 4 programs.
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- Feb 19, 2014
True.
At any rate, paying for the programs is going to be the least complicated part of straightening out the financial situation.
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- Apr 25, 2018
Yes, injuries to other skaters are always possible.
But I think the other commenters above are overlooking my main point, which is that a skater without ultra-c elements has next to no shot at the Russian Olympic team, even with injuries to other skaters.
And I think there's little justification at this point for continuing to assume that Aliona will regain her 3A. It's been over a year now since we last saw her land a clean 3A, and we know she hasn't been landing them in practice, or else Plushenko would have posted video of it in a heartbeat, knowing how they operate.
I have much more confidence in a skater like Daria adding a 3A and/or 4S in the offseason than Aliona regaining her 3A after over a year of being unable to regain it. Which would give you...
• Sasha (4T/4S/4F/4Lz with hopefully 4Lo and 3A solidified)
• Anya (4Lz/4F and hoping she adds 3A in the offseason, too)
• Kami (4T, 3A, and possible 4S)
• Maiia (4S/4T)
• Dasha (4S and/or 3A, per the above)
• Liza (3A and seems intent on solidifying her 4T in the offseason)
• Kseniia (we've seen video of her getting close on 3A and 4T)
And who knows what other surprises await us at test skates in the fall.
And there are folks who think, even with injuries to some skaters, that Aliona without a 3A has a shot at cracking the top three here? I mean, c'mon. Even Aliona *with* 3A is far from a sure thing with this level of competition. This isn't 2019/2020 anymore; the field has gotten deeper and every skater besides her has taken steps forward.
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- Mar 16, 2019
Without one not a chance.
However, your list above includes a lot of wishful thinking, and so far I don’t even think it is that realistic, except for Kamila (since she already has those jumps, and shown she can land ) and Maiia (since she has already landed that in competition).
The assumption that the rest will solidify it seems plausible, but it isn’t real or set in stone. Just as Aliona regaining her 3A or Daria landing 3A/4S. It is all in the realm of possibilities.
I think since Aliona has been landing 3A for a whole season, there’s a strong chance she’s going to get it back eventually. Daria has yet to show that she can do that, although her 2A is really big and looks like 3A should be easy for her, we haven’t seen anything yet. It’s also the question whether Daria can get those jumps consistent quickly, like Aliona did last season.
All in all, too many unknowns. But IF Aliona can get her 3A back and be in her 19-20 shape, Liza even with 3*3A and a 4T won’t be able to beat her, Maiia with 2 quads also no, Daria with 1-2 3A (or 4S) also no.
She won’t be able to beat clean Kamila, and likely clean Sasha or Anna with 3+ quads, but she can take on them if they make mistakes, which is possible, given how hard their contents are.
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Is that Aliona? The hair is too dark.looks like the answer was "no"
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- Jul 3, 2018
That looks like Alina. She is wearing her usual Puma shoes
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I don't understand the photo?looks like the answer was "no"
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