Alena Kostornaia

[DizzyFrenchie]

Aliona now has a chance to win back public favour if she works hard and climbs back to the top. In fact, this would be a great narrative if she makes it to the Olympics next year.

It must be a great narrative, as it looks much like what happened with Maria Bulanova at Vaganova Academy.

Maria Bulanova

Maria Bulanova

www.mariinsky.ru

She's from the class of 2018 (along with Maria Khoreva) and though she had been kicked off and not the reverse, she did great when she came back, she's now a second soloist at Mariinsky and has great parts, and I understand she is quite popular.
Alina Zagitova has been on the verge of going away before becoming the champion we know, too.
Alena Kostornaia might have been prevented from going away too, had she not been in that "bubble" of Novogorsk summer camp, but she would maybe have gone a few months later, and if the best environment for her is in TeamTutberidze, it must be better for her to have experienced another environment in the pre-Olympic year, and what a pre-Olympic year (only one real international championship, and her own health and off-ice periods) rather than in the Olympic year itself! I think she also got weapons to help her next time she feels in panic during or after practice. And if she wouldn't be that emotional, she wouldn't be the skater she is; and no skater without a very strong will can strive anywhere, this her coaches know it very well.

@Scott512
I don't think she's finding it hard, I don't think either she's treated as a juvenile delinquent (except on some fora but everybody know how excessive they are), just asked to tell publicly what she said privately and what she very certainly thinks, and for an open, sincere, talkative person like her it is probably much less of a problem than for others. As long as she had set her mind, action was not so difficult. Later she may have hard moments, I hope they won't break her, but not this one.

 

[patee]

The press conference went much better than I'd expected.

Aliona now has a chance to win back public favour if she works hard and climbs back to the top. In fact, this would be a great narrative if she makes it to the Olympics next year. She may be impulsive but no one can deny she has guts.

I think the probation period is reasonable if a little worrying (impressive? How can she be so good while skipping training? ) that requirement 1 even needed to be stated. Requirement 2 where she's must get back the 3A in two months is the stickler though. I hope they just mean landing a clean one in practice and not within a program because otherwise that just sounds like an excuse to kick her out.

On Eteri preventing Aliona from going to another coach, I think Aliona probably wanted to be in an environment she knows for the Olympic year. It would be one last shot for 2022. Perhaps Davydov would be willing to take her in if she fails to get the 3A during probation.

Regarding her health, I really hope AoP has exaggerated the seriousness of those problems. Having now seen more of the footage where she was helped up, it could actually have been a panic attack since it came on quite suddenly. I really hope she gets enough psychological support regardless because the drama has been very public and the is a lot of pressure on Aliona. This is also a good opportunity for Eteri to show that she can work with older and injured skaters so I hope SHE also makes the most of it as it's beneficial for both.

Sorry, but what press conference?

 

[Lzbee]

Sorry, but what press conference?

Sorry I guess it wasn't really a press conference, it was an interview but I meant when Eteri and Aliona talked to 1tv about the transfer.

Эксклюзивные интервью дали Первому каналу Алена Косторная и Этери Тутберидзе. Новости. Первый канал

Громкое возвращение. Интрига, за которой внимательно следили все поклонники едва ли не самого красивого вида спорта — фигурного катания.

www.1tv.ru

 

[macy]

Honestly I take what Plushenko has said about her with a grain of salt. I think some of it absolutely could have been exaggerated and like she is worse off than she actually is. She is after all going back to a team he despises.

I dont think there is a better spot for aliona to be in for motivation. She can see her direct competition train again and know exactly what she needs to be at the top with them. She has all the push in the world and I think she can only go up from here.

I'm really excited to see where she will be by the start of the season. The narrative of a comeback story really is there, especially if she makes the team. If she doesnt she will still have so much to be proud of. It takes a big person to show up in person, apologize face to face and agree to start over, there are a lot of people who can't do that.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Honestly I take what Plushenko has said about her with a grain of salt. I think some of it absolutely could have been exaggerated and like she is worse off than she actually is. She is after all going back to a team he despises.

I dont think there is a better spot for aliona to be in for motivation. She can see her direct competition train again and know exactly what she needs to be at the top with them. She has all the push in the world and I think she can only go up from here.

I'm really excited to see where she will be by the start of the season. The narrative of a comeback story really is there, especially if she makes the team. If she doesnt she will still have so much to be proud of. It takes a big person to show up in person, apologize face to face and agree to start over, there are a lot of people who can't do that.

Also, Alena Kostornaia is often "credited" of what Evgeni Plushenko pretended she had said about her former programs choreography, but there again there must have been a good deal of wishful thinking, while Alena Kostornaia herself just said she didn't feel comfortable with the short program. Which she will have to skate as an exhibition, but I think she can, it's different.

 

[elena23]

Also, Alena Kostornaia is often "credited" of what Evgeni Plushenko pretended she had said about her former programs choreography, but there again there must have been a good deal of wishful thinking, while Alena Kostornaia herself just said she didn't feel comfortable with the short program. Which she will have to skate as an exhibition, but I think she can, it's different.

Wait, is this about the original Eteri SP and FS?

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Wait, is this about the original Eteri SP and FS?

Yes, the 2020-2021 ones.

 

[Skatefan15]

I hope these next two months aren’t too hard on Aliona (mentally and physically). Evgeni could’ve exaggerated a little bit about her condition, but after seeing videos of her struggling to breathe after a skate (not in an out of shape way but in a I just can’t breathe way) and needing assistance to get up, it’s clear that she is not in the best condition health wise. I know she is really determined but I hope she doesn’t place her health above skating because that could affect her life beyond skating (I just pray she is able to somehow recover from illness/injuries to the best of her ability despite the very busy schedule she has now).


Super random thought but I’m really sad that there isn’t a practice video of Aliona going all out with her Vivaldi step sequence. There is one for the free (which I loved) but I can’t find one for the short

 

[Artemisa]

My thoughts:
# To be honest I think it was the most smart thing Aliona could do....Aliona wants to win and go to the Olympics... and I think russFed would never give two spots to Plushy in the olympic team..
# Aliona isn't Anna or Trusova.. she needs to be push if not she will be in her confort zone
# I don't think Plush was the main problem .. I think it was a combination covid-19, health problems and probably Plushy thinking that he should be a modern coach and didn't want to pressure her .. and if she didn't lost the 3A probably that wouldn't have been a problem
# I think a lot of coaches would want her ( lambiel for example) .. the problem is that if she wants to be in the next olympic it was the only option

The problem is that I think she will risk her health to be in the Olympic team ....

 

[Scott512]

My thoughts:
# To be honest I think it was the most smart thing Aliona could do....Aliona wants to win and go to the Olympics... and I think russFed would never give two spots to Plushy in the olympic team..
# Aliona isn't Anna or Trusova.. she needs to be push if not she will be in her confort zone
# I don't think Plush was the main problem .. I think it was a combination covid-19, health problems and probably Plushy thinking that he should be a modern coach and didn't want to pressure her .. and if she didn't lost the 3A probably that wouldn't have been a problem
# I think a lot of coaches would want her ( lambiel for example) .. the problem is that if she wants to be in the next olympic it was the only option

The problem is that I think she will risk her health to be in the Olympic team ....

I totally agree. Definitely a combination of things that was most importantly AKs health with covid 19 and other issues.

And nothing should be put before this girl's health. If she is hurting and doesn't have it one day at practice she needs to take practice off and if EG doesn't like it to damn bad. No way will Eteri get rid of Aliona in an Olympic season there are too many coaches she can go to.

 

[Scott512]

They mentioned 3A probably because it was a tv interview. A regular viewer has no idea about the training process and nuances of it, but they understand that 3A is something “wow”, so that’s probably why it was mentioned in the first place. Perhaps also to lit a fire under Aliona, so that she has motivation to show up every day and do all what’s asked of her.

Also, regarding injuries, Aliona has not said a word so far, it was only Plushenko+Rudkovskaya+“insider info” repeating it over and over again, and I have a feeling it can potentially be exaggerated in order to shift accountability for Aliona’s results.

That info isn’t even consistent: at one point Plushenko tells her to skip the season, but she was eager to compete, then it says he told her to try 3A and she just didn’t want to. Quite contradictory, imo, which means it might just be more of an excuse on her ex-coaching Team part.

She probably had some injuries, but if Aliona really thought that she isn’t doing well because of injuries, she wouldn’t have made a move this soon. Besides, even at the beginning of the season she mentioned how if she doesn’t want to do a program with jumps, Plushenko doesn’t make her. So looks like the overall approach was pretty relaxed for a skater like Aliona.
Looks to me she thinks that she wasn’t doing well because of her coaching as a primary reason.

Yes the pressure of doing the triple axel garnered some media attention and I hope she can do it but at this point I don't think she strong enough. Aliona needs to be built up over the next 6 months she doesn't need to have to do everything in 2 months. This girl is in a very fragile state mentally and physically. She needs some TLC.

I dare Eteri to get rid of Aliona in an Olympic season. That would come back to bite the great coach on the a** like nothing else. Lol.

 

[patee]

Sorry I guess it wasn't really a press conference, it was an interview but I meant when Eteri and Aliona talked to 1tv about the transfer.

Эксклюзивные интервью дали Первому каналу Алена Косторная и Этери Тутберидзе. Новости. Первый канал

Громкое возвращение. Интрига, за которой внимательно следили все поклонники едва ли не самого красивого вида спорта — фигурного катания.

www.1tv.ru

Oh, OK! I thought I'd missed something important...

 

[Skatefan15]

The problem is that I think she will risk her health to be in the Olympic team ....

That’s what I think too! And that’s the scariest part of all of this. She shouldn’t overly push herself when her health is where it is right now (based on what’s been reported). What makes me sad is how last week she was talking about competing past 2022, but if she puts skating and medals above her health, she may not even have the opportunity to compete past 2022

 

[sclloyd]

I think perhaps there is a little bit of overreacting here about the probation period. We know she has to show up to practice every day and get the 3A back, but 2 months with no practices missed will certainly help the latter of the issues. Covid recovery seems to be going well. I think what we saw in practice clips showed there wasn’t a talent deficiency because her jumps are long and loose when she isn’t tired, her spins look good, she can really sell the step sequences. Rather this is a conditioning issue. We saw the same 2A at the Russian Cup that we saw before 2019 test skates— it was effortless, long, and the in air position was really lax. So I think if she was conditioned, she’d be able to even pull it out tomorrow. Which is actually great news because conditioning is the easiest thing to get back if you’re training every day. And as anyone who has played sports knows— the better conditioning you have the less your chronic injuries ail you. Also, practice every day doesn’t necessarily mean a rigorous on-ice practice. Training is comprised of all different things. Regular work-outs, dance/choreo practice, etc. I don’t think Eteri wants the image of taking back a renowned skater and immediately breaking her from harsh demands and I trust that her and Aliona know appropriate limits.

 

[McBibus]

No, it's not unnecessary, it's exactly what she needs. Discipline, hard work and not feeling like she's something special. Time when she could fool around with Rozanov on ice is over.

Another note (I'm not stalking you I promise )

It hurts so much to say it, but right now she is nothing special.
She's the sun to me, but my opinion is useless.
If I try to look at her with the eyes of the Rus Fed or of a Judge I see the next Zenya or Alina: a girl who's been a champion and surely is classy and beautiful on the ice, but is not up to the top game anymore.
She needs to change this visions and it won't be easy at all.
There will be pain, sweat and tears every day and, knowing our girl, an overpowered rollecoaster of emotions, but I know it won't scare her.
What scares her is being just another common skater in the pack.

 

[McBibus]

That’s what I think too! And that’s the scariest part of all of this. She shouldn’t overly push herself when her health is where it is right now (based on what’s been reported). What makes me sad is how last week she was talking about competing past 2022, but if she puts skating and medals above her health, she may not even have the opportunity to compete past 2022

I'm sure the girls condition (medical and physical) is constantly monitored.
It's lovely to think about Aliona in the long term but, in her own words, if her skating don't improve there is no tomorrow.

 

[Decoder]

Another note (I'm not stalking you I promise )

It hurts so much to say it, but right now she is nothing special.
She's the sun to me, but my opinion is useless.
If I try to look at her with the eyes of the Rus Fed or of a Judge I see the next Zenya or Alina: a girl who's been a champion and surely is classy and beautiful on the ice, but is not up to the top game anymore.
She needs to change this visions and it won't be easy at all.
There will be pain, sweat and tears every day and, knowing our girl, an overpowered rollecoaster of emotions, but I know it won't scare her.
What scares her is being just another common skater in the pack.

Haha.
Definitely. Are pain, sweat and tears what we would see when stars are reborn and rising again? I believe she is on the right track, as long as she does not give up. Let's wait and see what happens in 2 months, 6 months, a year, ....

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

I think perhaps there is a little bit of overreacting here about the probation period. We know she has to show up to practice every day and get the 3A back, but 2 months with no practices missed will certainly help the latter of the issues. Covid recovery seems to be going well. I think what we saw in practice clips showed there wasn’t a talent deficiency because her jumps are long and loose when she isn’t tired, her spins look good, she can really sell the step sequences. Rather this is a conditioning issue. We saw the same 2A at the Russian Cup that we saw before 2019 test skates— it was effortless, long, and the in air position was really lax. So I think if she was conditioned, she’d be able to even pull it out tomorrow. Which is actually great news because conditioning is the easiest thing to get back if you’re training every day. And as anyone who has played sports knows— the better conditioning you have the less your chronic injuries ail you. Also, practice every day doesn’t necessarily mean a rigorous on-ice practice. Training is comprised of all different things. Regular work-outs, dance/choreo practice, etc. I don’t think Eteri wants the image of taking back a renowned skater and immediately breaking her from harsh demands and I trust that her and Aliona know appropriate limits.

Thank you for this insight!
Maybe her constant stops-and-goes between forced off-ice periods and on-ice periods and illness have led to less-than-optimal training conditions for her body, and a more regularly progressive training may do her good.
I'd like her so much to be able to sleep near the rink though. Her commuting on top of training must be exhausting.

 

[Mathman]

Moderator's note: We are here to praise Alena, not to bury her. Mean and negative posts (and subsequent posts quoting and responding to them) are not appropriate in the fan fest folders and will be removed.

 

[McBibus]

From people hating her for leaving Eteri to people hating her for going back to Eteri.