2021-22 Russian Women's Figure Skating
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- Dec 31, 2019
That might be true; however, she's the one who gets to listen to the music every day and train to it consistently. She's the one who has to perform it. If she doesn't connect with it, that gets much harder. Her music should be something she herself enjoys - she'll need to find some enjoyment and motivation and drive this season (as will everyone else) - some of that can come from her music itself.
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I think it applies to some fans. But tbh, it won't to everyone. Portraying the music has a lot to do with your technique and body movement, so if people think she doesn't do a good job with this sort of music, then maybe they have a point
Her best program to me was the Yellow Moon LP last season, but the best performance usually came with her Twilight program because of her playful facial expressions. So, to me, someone gave a very good idea last season, that she should skate to something like Kaori Sakamoto's version of Amelie. It would combine the softer parts of her skating with her ability to create a playful mood, with her explosive speed and jumps.
I don't agree with Alenas music choice. I get the idea, rebellious, playful eyes, a little sexy - it fits her, yes. But she needs music which can give her 9.5-10 PCS. Figure skating judges are not into this kind of music, the crowed will also not really go nuts with it to put pressure on the judges. the seeling with this music is low 9s, if perfectly executed. she can moore. Give her a warehorse or something classic, melodic. Its olympic season
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- Sep 22, 2019
She doesn't need a warhorse, just any music that won't ablate the eardrums...
When watching the programme all my other thoughts were overriden by concern for the welfare of Beth Hart's vocal cords.
When watching the programme all my other thoughts were overriden by concern for the welfare of Beth Hart's vocal cords.
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- Jan 12, 2018
Well... I'm afraid I have to agree.. I'd rather she pretended she's an angel again.. I'd rather hear Ted saying "she's an angel" with teary eyes again... but unfortunately her SP reminded of the first Evgenia's SP right after Olympics.. she changed it very soon, we'll see how it will be in this case...
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- Mar 16, 2019
Many people were worried that now Aliona won’t have a voice and say in her programs, and will be forced to skate to whatever Eteri tells her to.
Now some people are upset that they gave her that voice and a right to choose her own music.
I think Aliona was thrown off by a 3A landing, after that her performance was off. Danny G’s motivation to allow her to choose what she wants makes sense: he said if Aliona likes the music, she’ll really perform to it. She really does seem to be more engaged in the music of her own choice. So I have a belief her performance will improve if she’s doing better technically.
Now, the whole thing is a lose-lose situation anyways. You give the skater the opportunity to choose - it’s bad, because you should direct the show as a coach. You don’t - a skater has no say in their career. If she thinks she’s ready to be making her own choices, then she’ll have to take responsibility for them. I assume no one in that camp wants to have another silly argument because of not letting her choose what she wants.
They probably compromised that she chooses her SP and they choose her FS?
Now some people are upset that they gave her that voice and a right to choose her own music.
I think Aliona was thrown off by a 3A landing, after that her performance was off. Danny G’s motivation to allow her to choose what she wants makes sense: he said if Aliona likes the music, she’ll really perform to it. She really does seem to be more engaged in the music of her own choice. So I have a belief her performance will improve if she’s doing better technically.
Now, the whole thing is a lose-lose situation anyways. You give the skater the opportunity to choose - it’s bad, because you should direct the show as a coach. You don’t - a skater has no say in their career. If she thinks she’s ready to be making her own choices, then she’ll have to take responsibility for them. I assume no one in that camp wants to have another silly argument because of not letting her choose what she wants.
They probably compromised that she chooses her SP and they choose her FS?
I think what happened last season (with her leaving because she wasn't given what she wanted to choose, IIRC) is unfortunate - but I don't believe it's as simple as this. Yes of course there will be criticism from either side, and it very much looks like a lose-lose, but do consider that there's a good middle ground, with no need to choose either extreme (either the skater's way or the coach's way). The coach can give direction to the skater, help them understand what is needed, and how they believe the skater can bring out their own qualities well - and then the skater adds their own opinion on the direction they want to take, and which music they connect to. Then they reach a middle ground where the skater showcases their best qualities and also looks like they are taking a step away from the past.Now, the whole thing is a lose-lose situation anyways. You give the skater the opportunity to choose - it’s bad, because you should direct the show as a coach. You don’t - a skater has no say in their career. If she thinks she’s ready to be making her own choices, then she’ll have to take responsibility for them. I assume no one in that camp wants to have another silly argument because of not letting her choose what she wants. They probably compromised that she chooses her SP and they choose her FS?
Maybe this is exactly what happened to Kostornaia - in that case, I simply disagree with the choice for now.
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- Mar 16, 2019
I think this was being done before. It’s probably how Twilight and Lovely happened. This time I assume they gave her full freedom, well at least based on what she said. She explained that she was making the choice, listening to a lot of music. After a certain point they all started sounding the same, but later Davis sent her this song as a suggestion, and Aliona really liked it. So it’s Diana’s fault you can say
Being honest, I don’t see anything dramatically bad about her music. I don’t know why people have such strong reactions to it. It’s a good song, it’s just she’s not performing to it yet. It’s not the same angelic Aliona everyone have gotten used to, but that I guess comes in her FS. It’s okay to have some versatility.
Alena will perfom the hell out of it, because she likes it and fits her character- maybe this way she will make it happen.
Its just strategicaly an odd choice or at least a risk. Her path to the olymic team aka medall is via the sp. She needs to distance herself a few points from the others (trusi, Anna) in the sp via pcs. The program won't work in Russia, because its too american, in us it won't click because its too rocky and not trashy enough. Asian prefer lyrical and ethereal anyway
Its just strategicaly an odd choice or at least a risk. Her path to the olymic team aka medall is via the sp. She needs to distance herself a few points from the others (trusi, Anna) in the sp via pcs. The program won't work in Russia, because its too american, in us it won't click because its too rocky and not trashy enough. Asian prefer lyrical and ethereal anyway
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- Feb 20, 2018
As much as I hate the song, Aliona’s music could work if she was giving us Jason Brown level of excitement and intricacy in the footwork to match the music. However, she’s giving us an uninspired (slow, labored) StSq with Ashley Wagner step-step-pose type of choreography. There’s just a lack of sophistication in the choreography, the music is just way too big for her, on top of being extremely grating.
While I think Aliona’s performance will improve tremendously throughout the season, there seems to be a laundry list of things with this program that need to be worked through. I would personally love for them to change it, but I’m not sure that’s a wise decision either because there’s just a lot to work on for Aliona.
While I think Aliona’s performance will improve tremendously throughout the season, there seems to be a laundry list of things with this program that need to be worked through. I would personally love for them to change it, but I’m not sure that’s a wise decision either because there’s just a lot to work on for Aliona.
Personnaly, especially for that camp, i don't blame the coaches. After the uproar that happened after Medvedeva revealed that she couldn't choose her musics, i think it's only fair to put the responsibility on the skater when they choose the music and it doesn't suit them.Many people were worried that now Aliona won’t have a voice and say in her programs, and will be forced to skate to whatever Eteri tells her to.
Now some people are upset that they gave her that voice and a right to choose her own music.
I think Aliona was thrown off by a 3A landing, after that her performance was off. Danny G’s motivation to allow her to choose what she wants makes sense: he said if Aliona likes the music, she’ll really perform to it. She really does seem to be more engaged in the music of her own choice. So I have a belief her performance will improve if she’s doing better technically.
Now, the whole thing is a lose-lose situation anyways. You give the skater the opportunity to choose - it’s bad, because you should direct the show as a coach. You don’t - a skater has no say in their career. If she thinks she’s ready to be making her own choices, then she’ll have to take responsibility for them. I assume no one in that camp wants to have another silly argument because of not letting her choose what she wants.
They probably compromised that she chooses her SP and they choose her FS?
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- Dec 31, 2019
I disagree that this will hinder Aliona's PCS. Her Twilight program definitely wasn't a warhorse or classical, in the slightest, and yet her PCS were astronomical. (Likewise in another discipline, P/C have definitely skated to unconventional music and their PCS/scores were not hindered.)
Also another thing to note, if she skates to a warhorse but doesn't connect to it, that also wouldn't be worthy of high PCS (necessarily, federation influence aside). We've seen Aliona struggle to find motivation and that come through in her skating before. She might as well skate to something she likes. Also, remember it's the first time we've seen it. Let's give her some time.
Remember, it's about performance.
It's also about choreography and interpretation, and Kostornaia's isn't good. Right now.
Because of this.
I do agree it won't hinder her PCS - assuming her reputation this season isn't harmed.
I don't mind Aliona's music choice, if that's what she wants to skate to. But she sleepwalks in her program from the first spin to the step sequence, and even the step sequence could use more energy and expression. If she wants this program to work for her, she needs to really engage the audience, like Yuzuru Hanyu would do.
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- Dec 31, 2019
True, but that's not limited to Aliona. Almost everyone struggled in places with their new programs - they are new after all. Remember, it's test skates. Also, I would argue in Aliona's case some of that was affected by her struggling with the 3A.
But we were talking about Aliona and her choices. Why would you say it's about her performance when it's not just that?
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- Dec 31, 2019
Because I was talking about her ability to connect with music affecting her performance - in it's entirety.
At this stage it doesn't, but at this stage she wasn't clean either. I wasn't talking about now - more giving her (and others) the benefit of the doubt and acknowledging that it's early in the season and everything isn't polished at this stage (nor should it be). That's a lot of training and time with the same music. It's a long, important, stressful season. There are plenty of areas to improve (for her and others) - her music isn't to blame for most of it. Futhermore, if she enjoys it and it gives her strength/inspiration and she connects with it then it IS good music for her. Keep in mind, her first GP isn't for a month and a half.
(The importance of a skaters connection with their music can't be overstated. Consider Anna last year. She's said that her last section of music kept her going in her FS last year and gave her energy. That definitely played a role in her winning RusNats and Worlds despite serious health obstacles.)
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- Oct 4, 2019
I'm not sure if it's suitable to discuss this here but I'm a bit concerned with possible favortism (I really hope it was me overthinking! ) going on at SP day TV broadcast. Evidence: Liza's trixel was skipped during replay (usually special attention is given to ultra-c elements); Aliona didn't receive any close-up during warmup while other skaters did in the 2nd group. I personally find these nuances quite disturbing. Does anyone share the same kind of observation/concern?
) going on at SP day TV broadcast. Evidence: Liza's trixel was skipped during replay (usually special attention is given to ultra-c elements); Aliona didn't receive any close-up during warmup while other skaters did in the 2nd group. I personally find these nuances quite disturbing. Does anyone share the same kind of observation/concern?
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- Aug 4, 2020
has a planned layout been released for today yet? or we just don't know?
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