Alena Kostornaia

[Batsuchan]

A few more odds and ends from IdF...

The rare instance when Aliona is taller than everyone else!! (Because she's still wearing her skates and everyone else is wearing sneakers?)
Also, of course our devil put rabbit ears on Anna.


Those eyes!

 

[Batsuchan]

More A+A

 

[Batsuchan]

And A+A adorableness at the gala

 

[elbkup]

Aliona seems to be paving the way for her future (with the help of Team ET of course!). Whatever happens at these Olympics, there is room for her special gifts thereafter. Regarding the 3A, correct me if I am wrong but I think Liza lost hers for a while then gloriously regained it under Mishen and has not stopped since. If Aliona does not regain her 3A during this cycle she may, if she is inclined and gets the appropriate support, continue to pursue it moving forward especially since Liza has provided history and has demonstrated it can be done in great style. IMV there are parellels here. That said, it is my great wish and hope Aliona pulls it off this season… that would be something to remember!!

 

[McBibus]

I'm wondering how she's doing on and off the ice, with the prospect of GPF cancelation after all the fight to qualify

 

[McBibus]

And A+A adorableness at the gala

I absolutely adore how Anya seems free and uninhibited around Aliona

 

[TA91]

Honestly, I think Aliona only needs two 3A's to beat Liza. Her other technical content is more difficult and she has higher PCS ability as well as spins. But she needs to hit both of those 3A's well to stand a chance.

 

[bouncy]

Honestly, I think Aliona only needs two 3A's to beat Liza. Her other technical content is more difficult and she has higher PCS ability as well as spins. But she needs to hit both of those 3A's well to stand a chance.

I think Aliona's short has higher PCS potential, but I doubt if judges are willing to reward her what she deserves, since PCS is all about reputation and power ranking. It's hard to swallow as a Kosto fan, but I'm slowly accepting that even if she manages to hit 2 trixels at GPF, her chances are slim to make the team.

 

[silveruskate]

I think Aliona's short has higher PCS potential, but I doubt if judges are willing to reward her what she deserves, since PCS is all about reputation and power ranking. It's hard to swallow as a Kosto fan, but I'm slowly accepting that even if she manages to hit 2 trixels at GPF, her chances are slim to make the team.

Compared to IdF, her SP 3A would get her 5 points at least, and FS 7 points (including the -1 fall) so that's 233. She needs 2 clean 3As, but she can put loads of pressure on Liza.

 

[Minz]

Compared to IdF, her SP 3A would get her 5 points at least, and FS 7 points (including the -1 fall)

Where are you getting this from?

A 3A is worth 8 points. If you fall it's 4 points. With the -1 deduction, that would be 3 points for a solo fully rotated 3A with a fall.

Though considering a 2A will get you like 4 - 4.5 points max with good GOE, the point difference would be small. Falling on a 3A wouldn't put you at much of a disadvantage compared to those who only did a clean 2A. So it's a high reward, not terrible risk.

 

[Batsuchan]

Where are you getting this from?

A 3A is worth 8 points. If you fall it's 4 points. With the -1 deduction, that would be 3 points for a solo fully rotated 3A with a fall.

Though considering a 2A will get you like 4 - 4.5 points max with good GOE, the point difference would be small. Falling on a 3A wouldn't put you at much of a disadvantage compared to those who only did a clean 2A. So it's a high reward, not terrible risk.

I think silverskate means that if Aliona had done a clean 3A in the SP (instead of a 2A), she could have earned 5 additional points (i.e., ~81 instead of 76), and two clean 3As in the FS (instead of 3A(fall) and 3Lz) could've added 7 additional points, so that would put her total score around 233 instead of 221.

I think Aliona's short has higher PCS potential, but I doubt if judges are willing to reward her what she deserves, since PCS is all about reputation and power ranking. It's hard to swallow as a Kosto fan, but I'm slowly accepting that even if she manages to hit 2 trixels at GPF, her chances are slim to make the team.

Yes, I agree. Realistically speaking, I think she needs 3 clean trixels at GPF to have a chance to make the team. She needs to prove that she can be consistent with the 3A. And she needs to beat Liza, especially in the SP.

Even then, I think Aliona could make the team only if Sasha doesn't recover from her injury in time, or if either Kamila/Anna are injured, ill, or are disqualified due to COVID-19 protocols.

But I would love to be wrong!

 

[Batsuchan]

For what it's worth, here's some comments from Sergey Shakhrai, a former pairs skater (1980 Olympic silver medalist) on Aliona. I would love for him to be right!

Сергей Шахрай: «Я бы не сбрасывал Косторную со счетов. Она яркая фигуристка, настоящая индивидуальность»

Серебряный призер Игр-1980 года Сергей Шахрай поделился мнением о шансах чемпионки Европы Алены Косторной в текущем сезоне. «Я бы ее не сбрасывал со счетов.

www.sports.ru

GoogleTranslate:

“I would not discount her. She is a bright skater, a real personality. And this individuality in her is manifested in everything.
Let it not be such an arsenal of jumps as others have, but what it does is very beautiful. You just need to solve the problems with the triple axel. I believe in her, she is flint.
Everything accumulates inside it, like in a small volcano. And the eruption can wait at the Russian championship. So we can quite expect surprises from her.
In addition, before the Olympics, an extended squad with substitutes will go to Krasnoyarsk. And if someone gets sick or injured at the last moment, then replacements are possible at the very last moment. The suspended state will be up until the flight to China, ”Shakhrai said.

To be fair, I must point out that Sergey might be a bit biased because his pairs partner was Marina Cherkasova, Aliona's first coach, so I feel like he's always been a fan of our girl...

**
Since we're on the topic of people saying nice things about Aliona -- here's what Elena Radionova said after IdF:

Радионова: «Аня Щербакова боец, но у нее странная компоновка музыки в произвольной программе»

Российская фигуристка Елена Радионова в разговоре с «СЭ» прокомментировала выступления Анны Щербаковой и Алены Косторной на этапе «Гран-при» в французском Гренобле.

www.sport-express.ru

GoogleTranslate:

It can be seen that Alena Kostornaya is struggling with herself. In general, I like that she is such a rebel with her own style. A unique athlete, she has a protest. This is very interesting, I have not seen such skaters for a long time. It's cool that Alena has her own “I,” added Radionova.

I totally agree with Lena! I very much like that Aliona has her own opinions about what kinds of programs she wants to skate.

Lena once mentioned (back in the 2019-20 season, I think) that one of the skaters she'd like to choreograph for would be Aliona. I'm not sure I would like Lena to choreograph competitive programs for Aliona, but I would LOVE to see what they could come up with for an EX. I think it could be totally bonkers in the best possible way!
Titanic x Twilight, imagine the possibilities!!

 

[silveruskate]

Where are you getting this from?

A 3A is worth 8 points. If you fall it's 4 points. With the -1 deduction, that would be 3 points for a solo fully rotated 3A with a fall.

Though considering a 2A will get you like 4 - 4.5 points max with good GOE, the point difference would be small. Falling on a 3A wouldn't put you at much of a disadvantage compared to those who only did a clean 2A. So it's a high reward, not terrible risk.

Looking at IdF. The solo 2A from the SP if replaced with a 3A would be around 5 more points at least. And then for FS she had a 3A fall so 3 points, Aliona can get around 10 for a clean 3A so that's the extra 7. Just added them to the IdF total score and got 233. 221.85 so 234 why not.

 

[Scott512]

Yes.. that’s what makes me very worried. Everything’s on the line. The stakes grew higher every time she didn’t land her 3A.

The stakes grow higher which means the pressure grows higher. Let's see what she can do. Not making the Olympic team is not the end of the world especially in a season where it looks like one girl is going to win everything although it's still early in the season.

 

[patee]

 

[patee]

 

[patee]

 

[patee]

 

[sclloyd]

A YouTube channel is an interesting endeavor for her to commit to right now…

I’d normally be against it since it feels like a distraction.

But since Aliona loves performing for people, do you guys think that it might help her training process if every day feels like a performance for the camera?

I suppose it depends on what content is posted.

 

[Batsuchan]

Beauty queen!
At first I was on the fence about Aliona's new, darker hair color (I like her natural color best), but now it's really growing on me. Aliona looks lovely with the long extensions!
Though I won't be surprised if we see a brand-new hairstyle next week!

A YouTube channel is an interesting endeavor for her to commit to right now…

I’d normally be against it since it feels like a distraction.

But since Aliona loves performing for people, do you guys think that it might help her training process if every day feels like a performance for the camera?

I suppose it depends on what content is posted.

A lot of other skaters have or have/had video channels, so I think it doesn't necessarily have to be a bad distraction that takes away from her time/focus for training... If it helps her to de-stress, or gives her something else (positive and fun) to focus on when things aren't going well in practice, then I think it may even be a good thing.

And if Aliona's channel becomes wildly successful, and she starts getting a ton of sponsorships and makeup ads, etc. then I will be BEYOND THRILLED. I said it before, but I selfishly hope that Aliona stays in the public eye. I know she wants to go to medical school eventually, but with her beauty and charisma, I think she belongs in entertainment!

Looks like it's time for me to learn Russian!