Alena Kostornaia

[Edwin]

I just doublechecked to see Alena is still using her Edea Chorus boots... - > not too much stability, they are recommended for skaters who try double jumps - not triples, and certainly not more!

Honestly she is the only singles skater I know who uses them. Maybe that's a reason she is not even allowed to try quads/3A at the moment? To minimize risk she should start using boots with more stability (especially if she has minor injuries?!) and changing boots is really not what you want to do as a skater before important competitions... Let's see if they will change next season or keep what is working now

I think the softer boot allows for a more expressive and smooth skating in the skills part of Kostornaya's routines. Or her ankles and calf muscles are strong enough to compensate for the softer boot in the jump elements?
She did seem to wear a splint kind of thing under her tights at the outside left ankle in last weekend's free skate.

It was only yesterday, Alyona will be home by now ...
Will she need to have a good cry into her mother's shoulder over the outcome of the free skate? That FS was of such a quality that every senior skater can only admire and perhaps envy ...

 

[Mawwerg]

2018 was a year of glory for Edea Chorus.

 

[SkateSkates]

I think the softer boot allows for a more expressive and smooth skating in the skills part of Kostornaya's routines. Or her ankles and calf muscles are strong enough to compensate for the softer boot in the jump elements?
She did seem to wear a splint kind of thing under her tights at the outside left ankle in last weekend's free skate.

It was only yesterday, Alyona will be home by now ...
Will she need to have a good cry into her mother's shoulder over the outcome of the free skate? That FS was of such a quality that every senior skater can only admire and perhaps envy ...

Speaking of this, does anyone know what she was wearing in her ankle? I hope she’s not too injured and takes time to heal before Jr Worlds

 

[Fluture]

Hmmmm. You cant write that! Although some of us have thought that, Interesting thought though. But I doubt Alena will be bringing Eteri flowers anytime soon.

Because her 2a is big shouldnt Alena be able to do a quality 3a?

Huh? I don‘t think saying Alena could get help from a technical specialist such as Mishin is suggesting that she should change coach altogether. Many skaters have done that before and sought out different coaches to help them with specific problems, so it‘s not that unusual.

Mishin as Alena‘s primary coach probably wouldn‘t work; her style just doesn‘t fit his. But I wish she could attend a summer camp by his. He‘s a great technician and I think he could help her with her 3A and her lutz edge. He taught Liza her reliable 3A technique after all and he helped Sofia go from a flutz to a slight outside edge. But Team Eteri has their own summer camp where they work on choreography and programs and stuff like that so it‘s not gonna happen for Alena.

Hm... I don‘t think it‘s that easy. Many ladies have great and high quality 2A still never got the 3A. It‘s a challenging jump and something about it must be really hard, considering someone like Sasha who learns a new quad in a month or so still struggles with it. I guess it‘s the forward take off that‘s harder to control. Alena indeed has an exceptional 2A so the potential for a triple is definitely there. Trying to say it as respectfully as possible: most of the students Eteri/her team has/have been teaching for a long time have not so good axel technique. That‘s why I‘m kind of doubting she‘s the best one to teach this specific jump.

I‘m not suggesting she should change coach. Just maybe like Rika did/does and get help from a jump coach that is known to teach exceptional technique and exceed at teaching the technique used for this jump - the 3A.

 

[Fluture]

Me, whenever I see the brilliance that is Alena‘s skating.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtbA3-SHSVm/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=p7vbp8jn6f39

 

[Edwin]

What are the roles in Khrustalniy? It is a complete and comprehensive sports training and education complex, with all kinds of specialists in many disciplines of sport. So OFP, ordinary physical preparation, stretching and conditioning, ballet and dance are taught by other trainers not necessarily exclusive to figure skating?

Tutberidze: taskmaster, head of training staff and ultimately held responsible for either success or failure?
Dudakov: skating coach and technical specialist?
Gleikhengauz: choreographer and artistic specialist?

No matter what you may think of certain scenes or clips pulled out of context, this rink is working at the highest level. A competitive atmosphere, tough and demanding trainings, these are to be found in any other sport too.
There must be a good working relationship and strong bond between trainers and skaters. These people spend so much time together they get to know each other very well.
The trainers know every strength and weakness in their charges, the skaters know every good or bad character trait in their trainers. Both parties play to each other in order to achieve the best result while having a reasonably good time 'at work'.

 

[AndrewK22]

Huh? I don‘t think saying Alena could get help from a technical specialist such as Mishin is suggesting that she should change coach altogether. Many skaters have done that before and sought out different coaches to help them with specific problems, so it‘s not that unusual.

Mishin as Alena‘s primary coach probably wouldn‘t work; her style just doesn‘t fit his. But I wish she could attend a summer camp by his. He‘s a great technician and I think he could help her with her 3A and her lutz edge. He taught Liza her reliable 3A technique after all and he helped Sofia go from a flutz to a slight outside edge. But Team Eteri has their own summer camp where they work on choreography and programs and stuff like that so it‘s not gonna happen for Alena.

Hm... I don‘t think it‘s that easy. Many ladies have great and high quality 2A still never got the 3A. It‘s a challenging jump and something about it must be really hard, considering someone like Sasha who learns a new quad in a month or so still struggles with it. I guess it‘s the forward take off that‘s harder to control. Alena indeed has an exceptional 2A so the potential for a triple is definitely there. Trying to say it as respectfully as possible: most of the students Eteri/her team has/have been teaching for a long time have not so good axel technique. That‘s why I‘m kind of doubting she‘s the best one to teach this specific jump.

I‘m not suggesting she should change coach. Just maybe like Rika did/does and get help from a jump coach that is known to teach exceptional technique and exceed at teaching the technique used for this jump - the 3A.

Hypothetically, it's an interesting proposal. However, I think you're overestimating Mishin's generosity.

I still remember the Jags/Plushy clash and have that image of a highly ambitious, tough and somewhat self-centered coach. Yes, people tend to get softer with age, but I doubt it's the case with Mishin. He is still in the business and wouldn't want to make his skaters' life more difficult by sharing pro secrets with Eteri's girls.

 

[Fluture]

What are the roles in Khrustalniy? It is a complete and comprehensive sports training and education complex, with all kinds of specialists in many disciplines of sport. So OFP, ordinary physical preparation, stretching and conditioning, ballet and dance are taught by other trainers not necessarily exclusive to figure skating?

Tutberidze: taskmaster, head of training staff and ultimately held responsible for either success or failure?
Dudakov: skating coach and technical specialist?
Gleikhengauz: choreographer and artistic specialist?

No matter what you may think of certain scenes or clips pulled out of context of this rink working at the highest level, there must be a good working relationship and strong bond between trainers and skaters.
These people spend so much time together they get to know each other very well.
The trainers know every strength and weakness in their charges, the skaters know every good or bad character trait in their trainers. Both parties play to each other to achieve the best result while having a reasonably good time 'at work'.

They are undoubtedly very successful. However, it‘s not uncommon practice to spend time with a technical specialist or to do summer camps somewhere else to get some work done on your jumps. Rika Kihira for example has done it frequently and still does it and I don‘t doubt that her coaching team is very successful as well. I think it‘s a shame that in Russia there seems to be such a big rivalry between coaching teams. Skaters that get to know both the best of Mishin’s and Eteri‘s school would literally be unbeatable. His technique, her programs and transitions. Just think about it. I know a lot is about funding as well (because the funding system in Russia is different and skaters don’t pay the coaches/specialists themselves like they do in some other countries) and a different mentality and it will likely never happen but still... it definitely sounds interesting. Eteri is surely working for Alena right now and I‘m not saying I want for her to change coach. That‘s her decision alone. I‘m not delusional to think that I know best. She‘s the skater after all. The argument with Mishin and him helping her with her lutz and 3A was just brought up by someone in here and it‘s kind of one of my figure skating fan dreams. Because Alena with a outside edge (even if slightly outside only) and a 3A would mean she wouldn’t have any significant flaws whatsoever. And that‘s something to dream about. But in the end, it‘s entirely her decision and I‘m sure SHE alone will make the best one for herself. I just know that I‘ll always cheer her on no matter what she wants to do in the sport.

 

[Fluture]

Hypothetically, it's an interesting proposal. However, I think you're overestimating Mishin's generosity.

I still remember the Jags/Plushy clash and have that image of a highly ambitious, tough and somewhat self-centered coach. Yes, people tend to get softer with age, but I doubt it's the case with Mishin. He is still in the business and wouldn't want to make his skaters' life more difficult by sharing pro secrets with Eteri's girls.

Yes, it’s certainly only hypothetical and I have absolutely no hope that it will happen. I explained it in my most recent post: It‘s just something I daydreamed about.

Of course Mishin is all business and rivalry between coaches is a bit different in Russia in general. That‘s why I‘m fairly sure that he won‘t invite other coaches‘ students to his summer camps. What use would it be to train the competition to be even better versions of themselves if he can instead prep his own students to win? Especially if their schools and skaters are fighting for spots and funding. I‘m not overestimating Mishin‘s generosity, I was just thinking about this since someone‘s brought it up. I thought it sounded interesting.

 

[Edwin]

I think Kostornaya is a bright as they come and together with her parents knows about all the options available to her and the barriers that might be in her way to success.

If she really is clever and studious, she will be looking forward to finishing her school year with the best results possible after JWC and her skating season comes to a close. I suppose she is a 11th or 12th grade student by now?
So she will apply herself to her classes, clear the backlog of lessons and tests and prepare for her end of year exam. I know ordinary school takes second stage to skating, but ambitious and bright kids still are able to keep up with both, doing homework instead of social media or television after dinner.

As others have written in this thread and elsewhere, when despite her magnificent figure skating and ambitions to become World Champion, when still being overclassed by other skaters, Alyona herself might step down from the highest level of figure skating and enrol herself in medical university when she has finished her school's final year with the required results, perhaps taking an extra prep year.
She will still be able to skate in national championships or for her own pleasure, or even maintain some endorsements.

And wouldn't it be nice if there was a NCAA style of student competition program in Russia, where good students that are good athletes can study and compete on a bursary?

 

[Artemisa]

I think maybe alena will be one of the few that will get better scores internationally than at home ... because in russia TES = PCS ... internationally that isn't the case ... with their consistency and the way she skates + 5 will be in her way ... like a jason in men's skating... trusova even with quads won't get this kind of PCs

And I think it's smart from her ... with her PCs... if she can get the jump perfect 100 % of the time why loose PCS in trying ... but with her jumps .. I think it's a matter of time the 3A or 4

 

[alpaca]

I think Kostornaya is a bright as they come and together with her parents knows about all the options available to her and the barriers that might be in her way to success.

If she really is clever and studious, she will be looking forward to finishing her school year with the best results possible after JWC and her skating season comes to a close. I suppose she is a 11th or 12th grade student by now?
So she will apply herself to her classes, clear the backlog of lessons and tests and prepare for her end of year exam. I know ordinary school takes second stage to skating, but ambitious and bright kids still are able to keep up with both, doing homework instead of social media or television after dinner.

As others have written in this thread and elsewhere, when despite her magnificent figure skating and ambitions to become World Champion, when still being overclassed by other skaters, Alyona herself might step down from the highest level of figure skating and enrol herself in medical university when she has finished her school's final year with the required results, perhaps taking an extra prep year.
She will still be able to skate in national championships or for her own pleasure, or even maintain some endorsements.

And wouldn't it be nice if there was a NCAA style of student competition program in Russia, where good students that are good athletes can study and compete on a bursary?

As much as I'd love her to continue her education and seems already like a very bright young lady, I hope that she does not step down from figure skating simply due to the competition in Russia. Sure, there are plenty of girls with higher base values, working on quads, etc., yet many do not even come close to her in actual competition. Quads and triple axels aren't everything. Her execution of what she does is pristine, even miles ahead of girls with supposedly higher technical skill, and artistry light years ahead. One of my main worries is that figure skating will just become about quads, triple axels, jumps, jumps, who can do most quads kind of environment. Of course, jumps are amazing feats but I'd like to not sacrifice artistry and execution in turn for more rotations. Alena's skating is the type of skating the senior/figure skating world in general needs right now, and I hope she keeps the amazing work up for the coming years internationally.

 

[Fluture]

As much as I'd love her to continue her education and seems already like a very bright young lady, I hope that she does not step down from figure skating simply due to the competition in Russia. Sure, there are plenty of girls with higher base values, working on quads, etc., yet many do not even come close to her in actual competition. Quads and triple axels aren't everything. Her execution of what she does is pristine, even miles ahead of girls with supposedly higher technical skill, and artistry light years ahead. One of my main worries is that figure skating will just become about quads, triple axels, jumps, jumps, who can do most quads kind of environment. Of course, jumps are amazing feats but I'd like to not sacrifice artistry and execution in turn for more rotations. Alena's skating is the type of skating the senior/figure skating world in general needs right now, and I hope she keeps the amazing work up for the coming years internationally.

Well said. I could not agree more!

 

[My FS]

Alena is beautiful skating and beautiful girl.

 

[Scott512]

Yes, it’s certainly only hypothetical and I have absolutely no hope that it will happen. I explained it in my most recent post: It‘s just something I daydreamed about.

Of course Mishin is all business and rivalry between coaches is a bit different in Russia in general. That‘s why I‘m fairly sure that he won‘t invite other coaches‘ students to his summer camps. What use would it be to train the competition to be even better versions of themselves if he can instead prep his own students to win? Especially if their schools and skaters are fighting for spots and funding. I‘m not overestimating Mishin‘s generosity, I was just thinking about this since someone‘s brought it up. I thought it sounded interesting.

Huh? I don‘t think saying Alena could get help from a technical specialist such as Mishin is suggesting that she should change coach altogether. Many skaters have done that before and sought out different coaches to help them with specific problems, so it‘s not that unusual.

Mishin as Alena‘s primary coach probably wouldn‘t work; her style just doesn‘t fit his. But I wish she could attend a summer camp by his. He‘s a great technician and I think he could help her with her 3A and her lutz edge. He taught Liza her reliable 3A technique after all and he helped Sofia go from a flutz to a slight outside edge. But Team Eteri has their own summer camp where they work on choreography and programs and stuff like that so it‘s not gonna happen for Alena.

Hm... I don‘t think it‘s that easy. Many ladies have great and high quality 2A still never got the 3A. It‘s a challenging jump and something about it must be really hard, considering someone like Sasha who learns a new quad in a month or so still struggles with it. I guess it‘s the forward take off that‘s harder to control. Alena indeed has an exceptional 2A so the potential for a triple is definitely there. Trying to say it as respectfully as possible: most of the students Eteri/her team has/have been teaching for a long time have not so good axel technique. That‘s why I‘m kind of doubting she‘s the best one to teach this specific jump.

I‘m not suggesting she should change coach. Just maybe like Rika did/does and get help from a jump coach that is known to teach exceptional technique and exceed at teaching the technique used for this jump - the 3A.

Part of me would like to see Alena work with Mishin for the 3a on a limited basis but I can't see it happening anytime soon.

 

[Batsuchan]

Part of me would like to see Alena work with Mishin for the 3a on a limited basis but I can't see it happening anytime soon.

Personally, I don't think Alena needs help with her technique for the 3A at all. That video of her 3A from steps from March 2018 was phenomenal I don't want her to develop a long, telegraphed entrance like how Liza does her 3A.

I think the reason she's struggling right now is because she's still growing. The same thing happened to Mao (and Liza) when they were growing--for awhile the 3A became very unstable, and then after they stopped growing they were able to stabilize it. :yes:

I'm also skeptical that Mishin could completely fix Alena's flat edge on the lutz in just a few weeks. Right now, her team has put the 3Lz in a place that makes it hard for the tech caller to see, AND the judges tend to overlook edge issues for the top skaters (like Medvedeva and Osmond), so I think it's okay. I understand why us fans want to see her do everything perfectly, so no one can criticize her for anything, but as a Mao fan, it was sooo painful to see Mao try to fix her flutz and freeze up every time she had to do a 3Lz. :sad21: She fixated on it, and it totally ruined her confidence whenever she had to do that jump. I don't want the same thing to happen to Alena... :noshake:

Regarding her Edea boots--I don't think it's a problem at all. Those stiffness guidelines are only guidelines, and if Alena were the same size as Konstantinova, I would be very concerned, but since she's TINY and probably weighs <90 pounds, I doubt that she needs very stiff boots at this point... Just my two cents..

 

[Batsuchan]

Well, I'm a little bit late to the Jr Nats party, but I think most of you have already said what I think--Alena was gorgeous, graceful, light, airy, WONDERFUL, and I think she should've won.... :yes: But, I was ok with Sasha winning because I *most* want Alena to win Jr Worlds! The three big competitions (JGPF, Rus Sr Nats, Rus Jr Nats) have gone Alena - Anna - Sasha, so that means it's Alena's turn to win right?

Here are some other random moments that struck me:

1) For me, the most hilarious moment was watching those little girls try to carry Alena's giant bear off the ice:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Btbdw0UnRYr/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BteJBnwnNcJ/

2) I think someone mentioned this in one of the other threads, but I was SHOCKED to see Eteri give Alena such a long hug after the FS...
https://youtu.be/Ht2hLvmmY8Y?t=278
https://youtu.be/yJ_cfaHHSZ8?t=279 (another angle)

And also at the medal ceremony, Alena got a hug and a kiss from Eteri while Anna and Sasha only got back taps:
https://youtu.be/JQg8DdoYWNg?t=380

It made me wonder if something happened behind the scenes (like a small injury or Alena not feeling well, or feeling very nervous) and so Eteri was actually pleased/surprised to see Alena skate clean... Any one else have any idea?

3) At the end of the victory ceremony, I liked that Alena gave Daniil Samsonov a hug:
https://youtu.be/JQg8DdoYWNg?t=484
Sweet big sister! :luv17:

 

[SkateSkates]

Well, I'm a little bit late to the Jr Nats party, but I think most of you have already said what I think--Alena was gorgeous, graceful, light, airy, WONDERFUL, and I think she should've won.... :yes: But, I was ok with Sasha winning because I *most* want Alena to win Jr Worlds! The three big competitions (JGPF, Rus Sr Nats, Rus Jr Nats) have gone Alena - Anna - Sasha, so that means it's Alena's turn to win right?

Here are some other random moments that struck me:

1) For me, the most hilarious moment was watching those little girls try to carry Alena's giant bear off the ice:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Btbdw0UnRYr/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BteJBnwnNcJ/

2) I think someone mentioned this in one of the other threads, but I was SHOCKED to see Eteri give Alena such a long hug after the FS...
https://youtu.be/Ht2hLvmmY8Y?t=278
https://youtu.be/yJ_cfaHHSZ8?t=279 (another angle)

And also at the medal ceremony, Alena got a hug and a kiss from Eteri while Anna and Sasha only got back taps:
https://youtu.be/JQg8DdoYWNg?t=380

It made me wonder if something happened behind the scenes (like a small injury or Alena not feeling well, or feeling very nervous) and so Eteri was actually pleased/surprised to see Alena skate clean... Any one else have any idea?

3) At the end of the victory ceremony, I liked that Alena gave Daniil Samsonov a hug:
https://youtu.be/JQg8DdoYWNg?t=484
Sweet big sister! :luv17:

I think she had some sort of an ankle injury based on the thick wrap on her left leg visible even under her tights, but of course no confirmation from her or her team.

 

[SXTN]

Hm... I don‘t think it‘s that easy. Many ladies have great and high quality 2A still never got the 3A. It‘s a challenging jump and something about it must be really hard, considering someone like Sasha who learns a new quad in a month or so still struggles with it. I guess it‘s the forward take off that‘s harder to control. Alena indeed has an exceptional 2A so the potential for a triple is definitely there. Trying to say it as respectfully as possible: most of the students Eteri/her team has/have been teaching for a long time have not so good axel technique. That‘s why I‘m kind of doubting she‘s the best one to teach this specific jump.

I‘m not suggesting she should change coach. Just maybe like Rika did/does and get help from a jump coach that is known to teach exceptional technique and exceed at teaching the technique used for this jump - the 3A.

Exactly. They teach toe quads with questionable technique (full blade take-off, prerotation, jumping with upper body force only). That is why Alena in contrast to the others has not yet achieved a quad. That is my opinion. Because she jumps more with her legs and in addition her prerotation is one quarter less than Anna or Alexandra. That is an advantage for her triples (they are better and higher), but a disadvantage if you want to learn an "Eteri quad".
The 3A however is a jump that you can't cheat like a lutz. You need proper technique. I really hope Alena will get it during the off season. With the 3A in her arsenal she can beat the other two even when they don't do mistakes. Because right now she only has a chance if A and A make big mistakes (like JGPF).

 

[flanker]

Oh, people, having seen two perfectly clean quad toes performed by Sasha just during the last weekend, could forget the first chapter of the book of "Eteri the Evil Coach" with the subtitle "The Number of the Beast Counts 70". There, the holy word stands: "No clean technique shall be credited to Chrustalnyi ice rink and thou shall spread this holy truth anytime Sasha or Anya will win anything."

But really, Alyona's fanfest is no place for this xxxx, there is a thread dedicated to Eteri's team.