Alena Kostornaia

[Lzbee]

Just two years ago aliona was the best lady skater in the world with the best skating skills by far and the most beautiful skater as well. But releasing her to compete for another country is highly unlikely this is not like the nastya situation who did not skate internationally for 3 years and releasing her was the right thing to do after screwing her career for years. Nastya can maybe score 215 points tops next season aliona can score 240 points if she ever gets her triple axle back and her skating skills scores back in the 9s. But because she's missed two national championships in a row maybe she can start the process of leaving especially call it emergency situation and since Russia is not competing at Worlds and maybe not next season it could be considered an emergency situation and she could transfer to a country like Georgia which would be perfect for her because she knows everybody there and would become #1 there easily. Unlikely to happen but why not give it a shot? I mean if KV was really given medicines by a doctor that caused this positive test that ruined her olympics and probably her career wouldn't she have and emergency situation to transfer countries? These girls have to learn to watch out for themselves and their parents have to help them with that and not let the coaches and doctors do everything. The coaches at TT are great at coaching but that's it.

I think it would be difficult for skaters to just give it a shot though because they'd have to refrain from international competition for a whole year. If Russia is banned from all competitions next season though then yeah they may as well try.

In fact, I'd prefer it if it was easier for skaters to change countries rather than harder. It would make figure skating closer to having no countries and we would be able to see high level skaters for longer. The only thing is, I'd want a rule that the skater must live and train in the new country for at least one year (maybe 2?) to develop the program there. See Shabotova is in Ukraine, Talailaikina is in Italy, Kurakova is doing great in Poland, even Paganini has moved to Switzerland. (Not sure if Gubanova is in Georgia though?)

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

I have watched where the CSKA rink is in Moscow. If they still train at CSKA Ice Palace, then it's much nearer from her parents' home, at least in raw distance, than Khrystalny. She got a try at living alone, with an arm in a cast on top of it, maybe she wouldn't mind going back home?
That's only a side aspect but I do think living circumstances have a strong influence on anybody's performance.
Of course, she will have to do all the removal...

 

[Ganya]

I think it would be difficult for skaters to just give it a shot though because they'd have to refrain from international competition for a whole year. If Russia is banned from all competitions next season though then yeah they may as well try.

In fact, I'd prefer it if it was easier for skaters to change countries rather than harder. It would make figure skating closer to having no countries and we would be able to see high level skaters for longer. The only thing is, I'd want a rule that the skater must live and train in the new country for at least one year (maybe 2?) to develop the program there. See Shabotova is in Ukraine, Talailaikina is in Italy, Kurakova is doing great in Poland, even Paganini has moved to Switzerland. (Not sure if Gubanova is in Georgia though?)

Shabotova's mum was born in Ukraine. Also for Paganini, it's more than just a flag of convenience story. Her dad is from Switzerland and her Dutch mum resided in Switzerland for quite some time - so it was a much more natural move for Alexia than for the numerous Russian ladies.
As far as I remember, Nastya Gubanova still lives and trains in Saint Petersburg, which is in Russia not in Georgia))). Most new Georgian top skaters(Moris K., two pairs, ice dancers) still live, study and train in the country where they were born.
I remember someone here mentioning Aliona could represent Georgia - not so sure Georgia itself will be particularly interested.

 

[Scott512]

I think it would be difficult for skaters to just give it a shot though because they'd have to refrain from international competition for a whole year. If Russia is banned from all competitions next season though then yeah they may as well try.

In fact, I'd prefer it if it was easier for skaters to change countries rather than harder. It would make figure skating closer to having no countries and we would be able to see high level skaters for longer. The only thing is, I'd want a rule that the skater must live and train in the new country for at least one year (maybe 2?) to develop the program there. See Shabotova is in Ukraine, Talailaikina is in Italy, Kurakova is doing great in Poland, even Paganini has moved to Switzerland. (Not sure if Gubanova is in Georgia though?)

Very interesting post. I like it a lot. This would expand figure skating and the talent base. Just not sure about having to and train in the country you're transferring to for one full year. As far as I know Anastasia has not been to Georgia yet most likely because of the pandemic. I think she has younger siblings and may want to be around Saint Petersburg to see them grow up instead of living in another country. I think I also read that Nastya has dual citizenship with Russia and Georgia. Georgia didn't even have their own nationals last year and I think everyone on their Olympic team lives in trains in Russia. I'm sure the Russian federation would like your proposed rule of living and training in the country you're transferring to for one full year before doing so. Because I think Russia is going to see a few skaters try to leave this summer especially now the Russian sports and figure skating events Are being canceled around the world. Ana and sasha have had incredible careers the last 3 or 4 years I want them to continue on but if their careers are over they can probably live with it. Not so for aleona or KV and many other girls representing Russia.

 

[Azikin]

So... Buyanova? That's the end, sorry.

 

[Scott512]

Shabotova's mum was born in Ukraine. Also for Paganini, it's more than just a flag of convenience story. Her dad is from Switzerland and her Dutch mum resided in Switzerland for quite some time - so it was a much more natural move for Alexia than for the numerous Russian ladies.
As far as I remember, Nastya Gubanova still lives and trains in Saint Petersburg, which is in Russia not in Georgia))). Most new Georgian top skaters(Moris K., two pairs, ice dancers) still live, study and train in the country where they were born.
I remember someone here mentioning Aliona could represent Georgia - not so sure Georgia itself will be particularly interested.

Poor Shabotova.

Yes Gubanova still lives in trains in Saint Petersburg. That is a great situation for her and I hope it continues just on the basis of quality of life issues for her.

I would think Georgia would be very interested in Aliona even if they had to wait until the following season 2023/2024. Her high end is much higher than any skater Georgia has ever had. Anastasia is usually between 185 and 205 points. She should be scored higher but that's the way it is. Alyona on the other hand would probably on the low end be 215 points and on the high end around 240 points. Now AK will be training at CSKA and the current Georgian number 2 lady Alina trains at CSKA.

I also think there is a reasonably good chance for a variety of reasons including the conflict that aliona will not get any International starts next season. If that's the case she should sit out nationals again and transfer the following season when she's turning 20. Russian sports are being ruined and canceled around the world and it's none of the athletes doing so in my opinion Alena doesn't owe them anything.

I also think there is a chance that training at CSKA as the number one lady AK gets her confidence back because it has to be hard looking over at the supernova Sasha everyday the unbelievably composed and complete Anya everyday the phenom KV everyday Sofia coming on and Pipsqueak Petro spinning faster than anyone ever has.

Now aleona gets to take her time and rebuild her career and her skills. I just hope she gets the coaching help she needs that can lead her in the right direction because she has the talent to score 230 to 240 points if she gets her 3A back.

 

[Scott512]

So... Buyanova? That's the end, sorry.

Why because of Maria Elena and Polina retiring under her watch and Anastasia not getting the CSKA bounce we expected?

If aleona can get fit get over these injuries and get to training and get some nice programs she's at a different level than the other ladies I just mentioned.

If it's a shot in the dark for AK she's got to take it.

 

[Scott512]

Aliona commented on her last post (the one where she congratulated Eteri….):

"It wasn't my initiative, Eteri Georgevna decided so"

Google translate doesn't work that well on the story but it seems to be unrelated.

I have mixed feelings. I mean embarrassed for aliona that her coach just brushed her aside like she was a scrub and I'm hopeful that after Coming back to TT and doing the apology tour that she can emotionally recover from the ups and downs the last 2 years and show some greatness again even if she doesn't have the ultra jump. We just saw Kairi score over 230 points at the Olympics without an ultra jump. And that was a legitimate 233 points and Aliona can do that too if she stays healthy. That's a big if.

I don't know what the federation thinks about AK now. But they probably don't trust her to skate great like they did 2 years ago.

I am hopeful being the number one lady at CSKA will benefit her a lot more than being the number 6 or 7 lady at TT would have. I want to see some better programs for her.

 

[Scott512]

Mishin never kicked Sofia after her meltdown
TT already kicked Anna and Alina. Well it’s the kicked ass team, win or be kicked

TT kicked Anna? She has been there the longest and is like EGs 3rd daughter I gather.

I don't know how Anna has survived there so well over the last decade or so she really is remarkable. Aleona on the other hand has had some great ups at TT and some big time downs. I think aleona will never be anything less than a world class figure skater and I think she can be a lot better than that under the right circumstances and I hope she gets that at CSKA. But her personality is so strong she's just not going to do whatever coach Eteri says without questioning it. What can you do? Eteri is not used to her students challenging her in any way.

 

[Ella339]

I remember someone here mentioning Aliona could represent Georgia - not so sure Georgia itself will be particularly interested.

Spoiler: depressing thought

Georgia seems like a bad calculation; what if they become Russia in the future? I'd advise moving further away...

 

[patee]

I can't believe it's happened again! But this time it's the coaching staff that have left her... I really hope Aliona will find the motivation, strength and determination to rise again! The international situation is exteremly volatile, nobody knows when we'll get to see the Russians skate again internationally, but who knows, it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for her...

 

[Lzbee]

Shabotova's mum was born in Ukraine. Also for Paganini, it's more than just a flag of convenience story. Her dad is from Switzerland and her Dutch mum resided in Switzerland for quite some time - so it was a much more natural move for Alexia than for the numerous Russian ladies.
As far as I remember, Nastya Gubanova still lives and trains in Saint Petersburg, which is in Russia not in Georgia))). Most new Georgian top skaters(Moris K., two pairs, ice dancers) still live, study and train in the country where they were born.
I remember someone here mentioning Aliona could represent Georgia - not so sure Georgia itself will be particularly interested.

I don't mean to imply that those skaters have a flag of convenience story. There are a lot of Russian skaters who also have heritage from other countries. I was rather meaning that Alexia herself didn't actually train in Switzerland until 2020.

Very interesting post. I like it a lot. This would expand figure skating and the talent base. Just not sure about having to and train in the country you're transferring to for one full year.

Thank you for the compliment. Yes it is an unusual idea but basically I wouldn't want big fed skaters squeezing out locally grown skaters without giving something back to the country they transferred to.

 

[meadow]

I don't know what will happen to her with this coaching change, since all the latest Buyanova skaters didn't end up very well, but I'm at least happy that she's free from an environment that seemed to be highly toxic.
We don't know if Alena is lazy, maybe she really doesn't like to train, maybe she has lost some of her drive after the last two terrible seasons, but even if that were true, her coaching staff has no right to talk about her that way.
Maybe you can even agree with the decision to kick her out, at least on some level, but the way Eteri & Co have gone about it is disgusting.

 

[Azikin]

Why because of Maria Elena and Polina retiring under her watch and Anastasia not getting the CSKA bounce we expected?

That's partially a reason for my pessimism, yeah.. maybe I'm wrong.. I HOPE I'm wrong..

 

[Scott512]

That's partially a reason for my pessimism, yeah.. maybe I'm wrong.. I HOPE I'm wrong..

Hope is all we have.

 

[Scott512]

I don't know what will happen to her with this coaching change, since all the latest Buyanova skaters didn't end up very well, but I'm at least happy that she's free from an environment that seemed to be highly toxic.
We don't know if Alena is lazy, maybe she really doesn't like to train, maybe she has lost some of her drive after the last two terrible seasons, but even if that were true, her coaching staff has no right to talk about her that way.
Maybe you can even agree with the decision to kick her out, at least on some level, but the way Eteri & Co have gone about it is disgusting.

What we know is that aleona has been injury prone this season and she was sick with coronavirus last season. Unbelievable things to happen to her in the prime of her career. She probably would have won worlds 2 years ago if not for the virus. Now she may never go to a worlds.

 

[meadow]

What we know is that aleona has been injury prone this season and she was sick with coronavirus last season. Unbelievable things to happen to her in the prime of her career. She probably would have won worlds 2 years ago if not for the virus. Now she may never go to a worlds.

Yeah, it's so unfortunate. If it wasn't for Covid who knows what she could have accomplished during these last seasons.
That's what makes the comments of her coaching staff even more awful to me. She was dealt a really bad hand, they could have been more understanding or at least avoided the slandering.

 

[Scott512]

Yeah, it's so unfortunate. If it wasn't for Covid who knows what she could have accomplished during these last seasons.
That's what makes the comments of her coaching staff even more awful to me. She was dealt a really bad hand, they could have been more understanding or at least avoided the slandering.

Didn't they part well this time? I mean didnt Eteri kind of move her over to CSKA?

I'm sure the skater and the coach were a little frustrated with each other. Aliona never really got her triple axle back. At this point I just want her to skats beautiful programs filled with nice triple jumps and then someday if in when Russia ever is skating internationally again she can try to bring her 3A back. But there's no point of even doing her 3A if she's just going to skate domestically.

Aliona went back to TT it didn't work out. Now she it at a well known own academy where she is the number one lady without question. Ihopefully she will blossom again.

 

[macy]

honestly i think if she went back to programs/layouts like before she had the 3A she would still do very well. this would take the pressure and mental block away and would likely improve her skating in every area without it hanging over her head.

i feel like the last couple years her focus has been so zoned in on the 3A that it made other areas of her skating suffer.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

I have mixed feelings. I mean embarrassed for aliona that her coach just brushed her aside like she was a scrub and I'm hopeful that after Coming back to TT and doing the apology tour that she can emotionally recover from the ups and downs the last 2 years and show some greatness again even if she doesn't have the ultra jump. We just saw Kairi score over 230 points at the Olympics without an ultra jump. And that was a legitimate 233 points and Aliona can do that too if she stays healthy. That's a big if.

I don't know what the federation thinks about AK now. But they probably don't trust her to skate great like they did 2 years ago.

I am hopeful being the number one lady at CSKA will benefit her a lot more than being the number 6 or 7 lady at TT would have. I want to see some better programs for her.

I rather feel embarrassed for Team Tutberidze.