2025-26 Russian Grand Prix - Stage 1 - Magnitogorsk

[zip-zip along]

So, men was a disaster, showing what blindly chasing Malinin does to the whole field. Any idiot saying that Malinin skates from jump to jump with PCS of 5 or below should see Rukhin. That's what it looks like -- and that's with all the empathy I have for Rukhin as a survivor of Tutberidze's school. Savosin and Kondratyuk provided some relief in the SP. FS was less watchable.

Senior dance was entertaining in the rhythm with mistakes that boggled the mind. After that intriguing scoring of Kaganovskaya/Nelrasov with their absence of edges and glide and losing lift completely, while Pasechnik/Cirisano dropped for a single fall on steps, I dunno if I want to watch the free all that much. Which was the first occasion when I liked Pasechnik/Cirisano, until she went down again. I mean... ??? The upside was that they were pretty watchable with better music, though I still protest L/G's going with a junior choice of Ricky Martin.

Women's SP was as boring as internationals, Frolova being one bright moment. Peeps who like international senior women will like that.

Pairs SP was great, miles better than internationals as always, with speed, flow, gorgeous lifts and very few mistakes, except for Shegai whose one redeeming quality is resilience.

The protocols show they did not have a missing lift. Apparently, they had a successful entry and had enough rotations for level 1. I think their edges were good in all the elements. They were by far the best at this stage. L/G deserved their first place in RD, and K/N deserved the gold. P/C will someday be able to keep up if they work enough which remains to be seen.

 

[lariko]

Zakharova had a dream come back in the free skate. Loved her 4T! It added a lot of interest. Also loved Kulikova's and Frolova's programs. Sad that Sinitzina is so low in standings, she might not make nationals. Khusunudinova has gorgeous 3A and spins, but not yet holding the program togther.

In free dance, I liked Shishina/Drozd's program the most. I really strongly dislike L/G's free. There were some pretty bits in K/N's programs, but for me they just not live up to the hype.

There was so many sad mistakes in pairs free even though I love seeing M/E in the lead.