Changing the topic, but in my opinion this event has put boikova/kozlovski in a precarious situation. Does moskvina have enough political power to keep them in the top 3 teams or will they be dropped by Rusfed for p/k or p/r (if they get their SBS together). I can’t see vova and zhenya getting dropped, despite their poor showing here
I'm not sure what you mean by 'precarious situation' for B/K. They faltered under pressure of having to match or better what M/G were able to do with very high scores. That was a lot of pressure, and B/K didn't withstand it. But that doesn't mean B/K are now suddenly inconsistent. It means they have to get their heads together and work on learning what it takes to compete under tremendous pressure.
I was just looking at the opening of TSL's recap of 2021 Worlds. I haven't seen all of it yet, but it opens with Elena Bechke as their guest. Bechke talks about revering Moskvina and thinking of her as a mother. Bechke is still very close to Moskvina, who apparently will soon be turing 80! Bechke laughed as she recalled that Moskvina thought about retiring after guiding two teams to 1 and 2 at the Olympics, but of course she didn't retire. She continued on with a number of other teams, and amazingly she now has two more teams that she has guided to the 2021 Worlds podium.
Bechke went on to discuss the petulant behavior by Boikova immediately after their free skate. I don't recall seeing anything of this interaction on camera. Did anyone here witness Boikova disrespecting Moskvina, and throwing something at Koslovskii?? Apparently, Boikova (after making uncharacteristic mistakes in the fp) was upset in her remarks to Moskvina, saying in a hurtful tone after the fp, "Well now you have your World champions" (meaning M/G). Wow. Bechke said that this will follow Boikova for the rest of her career.
Bechke also said that the words and actions by Boikova were cut from the Russian broadcast. Bechke feels that B/K are a strong team who have displayed a lot of confidence, but she also feels that their confidence has extended to being 'cocky.'
It's sad to hear this. I wondered whether B/K were a bit upset about Moskvina taking on MG, their direct rivals, and helping them to improve. What Boikova should remember is that Moskvina helped her & Koslovskii to break through to the top as well. Boikova should self-reflect and take a longer view. It is better to be magnanimous and sportsmanlike in these situations. If Boikova feels that Moskvina favors M/G, the better response is to be humble and to show Moskvina that you are eager and willing to work harder and to gain her help in being the best you can be.
It will be interesting to see whether Boikova's fit of pique leads to B/K parting from Moskvina, or whether Boikova will apologize and things will be smoothed over. I can't see B/K being dropped by Rusfed unless they allow this defeat to completely affect their training and competitive confidence. Once again, it will be interesting to see if Boikova will self-reflect and understand that battling back with sportsmanship and hard work is the better avenue. Leaving Moskvina would be a mistake I think. I wonder how Moskvina will privately handle Boikova's negative reaction.
I'm afraid they have completely lost their chances of winning a big title in their career.
