- Joined
- Mar 8, 2015
It’s super impressive for sure! And you never know how Kamila’s first ever axel attempt will go. I wonder if Aliona will try a 3A at nationals? (I know it’s her goal to though)
Alena Kostornaia
- Thread starter vesperalvioletta
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2018
Well, I feel like they‘d score a Kamila with a fall on a 3A over a clean Aliona without one. Just my thoughts after the past scoring...
I do think she needs it at Nationals if she wants to podium. Without it, she‘ll probably be beaten comfortably by Sasha, Anna and Kamila. She could maybe beat Liza and make the team but it would be better to make a case for herself with the 3A.. based on the last attempt (the one from the training video before the cup stage), it didn‘t look too promising (downgraded by a lot and I presume they chose the best one, since it was a promotional video) but she has some time left, so who knows. I‘ll be rooting for her, of course!
They changed the transition between the two songs and it works so much better now. Today's performance was much better than last week, she's made a lot of progress. In fact, the amount she's improved by in a week actually gives me a lot of hope that she'll be completely back by nationals.
I understand what you are saying ... and she needs 3A no question but she still have a month to nationals and I think she isn't running for getting everything now .. I think she is planning perfection for next year .. like last year everybody was saying that sasha was going to win and them kostornaia show a 3A
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2015
Yeah, they probably would score Kamila higher even with a fall now that I think about it. I think she has enough time until nationals to hopefully get that snap back for the 3A. Even though it wasn’t close in the video, it felt nice to have video proof that she was working on it. And since she tweaked her back a while ago, I was pleasantly surprised with how ok the axel was, at this point in time. I can’t wait to see her free skate tomorrow!
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2018
Yes, for sure. I wouldn‘t want her to risk anything this year, it‘s not worth it! Especially considering she already hurt her back once with that 3A... it might be me but I‘m a bit traumatized from back injuries in Russian ladies skaters, I want Aliona to be healthy.
So, I do hope she gets the 3A back for Nats but she shouldn‘t rush it. Next season perfection will be needed, this season she has some room to breathe and take it slowly.
What I do hope for, is that they improved the choreo in the FS. It was quite empty last time. But maybe, if it wasn‘t enough time, we‘ll see a fuller program by Nats. I have a feeling I‘ll end up loving the program (even though it gets almost as much hate as her SP lol).
Oh is there only 1 month until nationals? I thought there was 2
that's a lot of competitions very close together for Alena...And agreed that Kamila with a fall will score higher than Alena with no 3A. She got 82+ with no 3A (not counting bonuses). I don't think Alena's ever scored that high without the 3A?
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2018
Aliona said she screamed with joy when she found out she got the opportunity to do a program with Shae-Lynn because she‘d dreamed of collaborating with her for a long time. This makes me so happy. I just hope that one day, they can work together in person, not only online!
I don't miss the triple axel in this particular program, bc what she does afterwards is so glorious that it doesn't look lacking at all. Her love for skating and performing shows even more now that she's not aiming at the gold at all costs. She's clearly having a bit of an hard time in the last weeks as she must be also worried of all her present and future competitors, but nontheless she's giving a lot of herself to the audience in these hard times. With such personality it couldn't be otherwise.
I'm particularly smitten by the sensuality she exudes because she's not even trying to be sensual. This is something new to me. She's simply one of the most charismatic skaters ever.
She has chosen the high way by using songs that she's fond of but that judges and audiences may not necessarily appreciate. It would be much easier to bring in the usual melo piece from a famous movie that doesn't offend anyone and pull out some lyrical arm moves and tear-jerking facial expressions.
Not that she wouldn't be criticized in that case too.
When you're really good you'll always get criticized no matter what you do, and if you show absolute indifference to the criticisms you'll end up disliked to the biggest extent
so I'm impressed by how womanly and mature she looks in this SP. I forget I'm watching a teen-ager as I'm captured by every move. I'm no fan of the songs but I happen to adore hip-hop so I was happy of her hip-hop from the beginning.
To me Alena is blooming, despite all the hardships that are clouding her competitive skates these days.
It's fascinating to see young girls becoming women in the space of months. It happened with Yuna when she showed up with Danse Macabre in Oct. 2008. That transformation shocked many of her Korean fans overnight
Alena is so cool in her search for 'her way', totally out of the comfort yet opressive zone in which (I assume) Eteri Tutberidze kept her.
It's clear that she doesn't skate under someone's orders. She may be doing what her coaches teach her to do, but when she's on the ice she's the only (and brightest) star. You don't visualize the stern face of a blond woman during her performance
And she doesn't owe a thing to the people who comment on the internet. I so hope she'll keep going on this direction - hers-, without any compromise.
I'm particularly smitten by the sensuality she exudes because she's not even trying to be sensual. This is something new to me. She's simply one of the most charismatic skaters ever.
She has chosen the high way by using songs that she's fond of but that judges and audiences may not necessarily appreciate. It would be much easier to bring in the usual melo piece from a famous movie that doesn't offend anyone and pull out some lyrical arm moves and tear-jerking facial expressions.
Not that she wouldn't be criticized in that case too.
When you're really good you'll always get criticized no matter what you do, and if you show absolute indifference to the criticisms you'll end up disliked to the biggest extent
so I'm impressed by how womanly and mature she looks in this SP. I forget I'm watching a teen-ager as I'm captured by every move. I'm no fan of the songs but I happen to adore hip-hop so I was happy of her hip-hop from the beginning.
To me Alena is blooming, despite all the hardships that are clouding her competitive skates these days.
It's fascinating to see young girls becoming women in the space of months. It happened with Yuna when she showed up with Danse Macabre in Oct. 2008. That transformation shocked many of her Korean fans overnight
Alena is so cool in her search for 'her way', totally out of the comfort yet opressive zone in which (I assume) Eteri Tutberidze kept her.
It's clear that she doesn't skate under someone's orders. She may be doing what her coaches teach her to do, but when she's on the ice she's the only (and brightest) star. You don't visualize the stern face of a blond woman during her performance
And she doesn't owe a thing to the people who comment on the internet. I so hope she'll keep going on this direction - hers-, without any compromise.
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- Joined
- Mar 3, 2015
Loved her performance today... others here have expressed superlatives better than I 
The SP dress fits her much better this time.. no doubt it has been altered to fit her form like a glove and the sleeve has been shortened. The FS dress is lovely but needs similar treatment; the neckline and body should be taken in considerably... the gaps around the neck and back were huge.
The dark side panels were an unfortunate choice and made her waist look thick. Pink is not an easy color to wear; it can be very cool or warm so should be carefully matched to skin tone and hair color. In this case the shade is on the cool side and wrong for Aliona’s coloring.. still, she makes anything look good !! Lol!
The SP dress fits her much better this time.. no doubt it has been altered to fit her form like a glove and the sleeve has been shortened. The FS dress is lovely but needs similar treatment; the neckline and body should be taken in considerably... the gaps around the neck and back were huge.The dark side panels were an unfortunate choice and made her waist look thick. Pink is not an easy color to wear; it can be very cool or warm so should be carefully matched to skin tone and hair color. In this case the shade is on the cool side and wrong for Aliona’s coloring.. still, she makes anything look good !! Lol!
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2019
Aliona is extremely charismatic for her age and, even last year, she performed like a 20 years old skater.
One interesting thing observing the 3A last season was how Aliona's mood was the barometer for the group mood, ending up influencing her teammates.
Or just think about the male EU press conference when she got out of the public to pose a question and ended up mocking Morisi in what was the best day of his career
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2015
I wonder what Aliona thinks of having so many competitions close together. A part of me thinks that it doesn’t phase her as much and she’s just happy to compete. But I’m also wondering if after not competing so long, if she feels a little exhausted (I know I would with Russian stage 4 and 5, Rostelecom, and Nationals).
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2019
The official ISU video of Aliona's SP (not very useful for those of you who are geoblocked, alas):
Plus some photos from today:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH1HVWIpNOt/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH1CFHfJfTM/ (hello, Ina Bauer)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH00MRUnewy/
Plus some photos from today:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH1HVWIpNOt/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH1CFHfJfTM/ (hello, Ina Bauer)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH00MRUnewy/
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2014
I completely agree with your take, Fluture!Yay! She‘s still unbeaten in the SP. Not for long, with Kamila‘s 3A at the next stage but it‘s an impressive record for her.
The performance was much better technically. Better spins, better jumps (though they still all look off other than the 2A) and better steps. (still lost a level, though) It‘s obvious she‘s not back yet, by the way she looked overall, not that much of a presentation. She can do better than that and we all know it. But for now she did her job and that‘s all that matters.
Without the 3A (she isn‘t planning one for tomorrow) she won‘t win Gold, so her focus should be on staying completely clean so that she gets the silver. Liza is dangerous with a quad and a 3A but Aliona has the overall quality: she just needs to deliver a beautiful performance to have a chance.
It‘s a process and she‘s getting there - some things just take time and this season, it‘s acceptable to take it. She knows it too. Davai, Aliona!!!
Congrats to Aliona for continuing her SP win streak!
It wasn't a perfect performance, but it was better than in Kazan, and Aliona is well aware that she has more to work on.I hope Aliona can end the FS with a smile!
GOO ALIONA GOOOO!!
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2019
Note: I posted this in another forum, but it's about Aliona and this is my "home" on GS so I will share to hear your opinion
Aliona is growing, but still far from her best form. Forget the 3A for now, her superb quality in the elements is not there yet.
Anyway, even when not letting it go completely and despite the critics , She's something unique to see.
She exudes charisma and emotions.
She's an artist at heart.
I'm not talking of tempo, musicality, elegance or other things that can translate in skating scores: I'm talking about the innate ability to communicate without or beyond words while performing.
Aliona is growing, but still far from her best form. Forget the 3A for now, her superb quality in the elements is not there yet.
Anyway, even when not letting it go completely and despite the critics , She's something unique to see.
She exudes charisma and emotions.
She's an artist at heart.
I'm not talking of tempo, musicality, elegance or other things that can translate in skating scores: I'm talking about the innate ability to communicate without or beyond words while performing.
yes, when I watch her skating these words come to my mind 'Beauty will save the world".
I feel so lucky that in a sport for which I had lost interest a marvel like Alena appeared shining with her unique beauty. Placements don't mean a thing to me, there's something deeper that touches me on a personal level during these hard times. It happens even more with her Fs. Even if she used tough words of self-critic about the Kazan perdormance, to me the program is pure Beauty. Each time I see it I sense that her body is at one with the music even when she was skating confused, not sure of the choreography. It is indeed an innate ability, so rare and precious. I wonder if she's aware of it.
I feel so lucky that in a sport for which I had lost interest a marvel like Alena appeared shining with her unique beauty. Placements don't mean a thing to me, there's something deeper that touches me on a personal level during these hard times. It happens even more with her Fs. Even if she used tough words of self-critic about the Kazan perdormance, to me the program is pure Beauty. Each time I see it I sense that her body is at one with the music even when she was skating confused, not sure of the choreography. It is indeed an innate ability, so rare and precious. I wonder if she's aware of it.
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