Alexander Petrov

[silverfoxes]

Isn't it ultimately the Fed who will decide what to do with him? I'm sure Mishin can make suggestions, but he isn't the one holding the purse strings, so to speak...

There's prize money for medalists even at the junior level, I'd assume. So that could be one benefit of him sticking around the JGP circuit for another season. But I can see both sides of it.

 

[LRK]

It seems to me that Russian skaters often move up quicker than often happens in other countries - so I'd guess that must be with the fed's blessing/their policy. And the senior men aren't as crowded as the ladies' - but, I suppose we will find out eventually what is decided. If he isn't moved up, I, personally, will be disappointed, I confess - but I'll try to see the good in that as well.

 

[paulusfr]

To be honest, I'm not sure in which way Alexander need to move.
During the current season he became better in a presentation, of course. But technically he stands for two years already.
If he wants go for the "next level", it is necessary to change something in his mind. Today he went to the ice, and it was clear he would lose. It was evident on his face. And he lost. He lost to himself, but not to the opponents. And Mishin said it to him.

 

[Sandpiper]

If he wants go for the "next level", it is necessary to change something in his mind. Today he went to the ice, and it was clear he would lose. It was evident on his face. And he lost. He lost to himself, but not to the opponents. And Mishin said it to him.

This is the sad part. After Adian's mistakes, I thought Sasha had that medal in the bag. Then... Well, what Mishin said is true. You only lose to yourself. All the stuff about "won't medal if all skate clean." Well, people didn't skate clean. Sasha just needed to go clean himself. And he didn't.

Tomorrow's another day, of course. I remain his fan and have high hopes for him. But I gotta call this particular performance what it is.

 

[Meoima]

This is the sad part. After Adian's mistakes, I thought Sasha had that medal in the bag. Then... Well, what Mishin said is true. You only lose to yourself. All the stuff about "won't medal if all skate clean." Well, people didn't skate clean. Sasha just needed to go clean himself. And he didn't.
Tomorrow's another day, of course. I remain his fan and have high hopes for him. But I gotta call this particular performance what it is.

But to be honest, after yesterday's SP We all know it's impossible for any of the Russian to win. They're young so they don't have enough experience yet. They don't have any PCS cushion and they might feel they're in vain. It's normal for young skaters to feel that way. I guess they will gpget better after this.

 

[Sandpiper]

But to be honest, after yesterday's SP We all know it's impossible for any of the Russian to win. They're young so they don't have enough experience yet. They don't have any PCS cushion and they might feel they're in vain. It's normal for young skaters to feel that way. I guess they will gpget better after this.

I understand that for Adian (and use this to comfort myself, as I noted in his thread). But Sasha hasn't medalled at Jr. Worlds before. I think a medal of any colour would've been great for him.

Maybe it's the pressure, maybe it's his illness... Anyway, the season's over, and it wasn't bad overall. He made JGPF and medalled, won his first senior event, gave us some good performances. Hopefully he's come back even stronger once he's grown a few inches.

 

[adelia]

Mishin's comments:

"All three of our skater did not show the level that would compete with Asian athletes - said Alexei Mishin. - This also applies to my student. Petrov failed last start. Neither the adult championship of Russia in Sochi, not now in Tallinn he could not skate as in steps and the Grand Prix finals.


- What prevented?
- Illnesses that haunted guy lately. It is very difficult to force training after treatment.


- Maybe it was worth to miss the Junior World Championships?
- How can the strongest junior Russia, who won the title of national champion, afford it? You need to perform and produce maximum quota for the country for the next World Cup."

http://www.team-russia2014.ru/article/figur/20958.html

After Junior Nats, Mishin mentioned that it was Acute Respiratory Infection that Sasha has been plagued by.

 

[adelia]

It seems to me that Russian skaters often move up quicker than often happens in other countries - so I'd guess that must be with the fed's blessing/their policy. And the senior men aren't as crowded as the ladies' - but, I suppose we will find out eventually what is decided. If he isn't moved up, I, personally, will be disappointed, I confess - but I'll try to see the good in that as well.

If Samarin and Lazukin get to move up and Sasha is held back, I'm going to be extremely pissed off, to say the least.

 

[Sandpiper]

If Samarin and Lazukin get to move up and Sasha is held back, I'm going to be extremely pissed off, to say the least.

I don't think the Russian Fed cares too much what Samarin/Lazukin do, since they're not big hopes for the future. (I mean, maybe they'll surprise us, but...) Whereas Sasha can still bring medals, placements, and prize money on the junior circuit. He's got a good shot of winning JGPF, even. It just depends on how he copes with growth over the summer, and whether he'll increase his technical skills.

 

[adelia]

Kogan's comments on the Russian men:

"Below their [the ladies] capabilities were our boys. The only thing that can be noted is the preservation of the full quota for the following year. The following season in men's figure skating from our country will perform three athletes.

It is necessary to analyze what happened to our athletes. Boys were good for the season, showed good results. In this championship, they were worthy of the short program, but did not show it in the free. Their skating we have not seen any complex elements, no fighting qualities. And this level of athletes have to fight and fight until the end. Do not have something, we must not throw, but to continue, because the program does not consist of a single element."

http://fsrussia.ru/news/884-aleksandr-kogan-ni-odin-iz-sopernikov-ne-pochivaet-na-lavrakh.html

Lakernik:

"And the boys, of course we were hoping for a different result. The level, which, in principle, have our athletes, let them fight, if not for the first two places, then for the third. And if you take into account Adyan Pitkeev, then maybe higher. Why not work out? So just do not understand. It is necessary to understand. But what we see in the men's competition, which is an adult, that at the junior level, is the ability to fight. What exactly is lacking Russians. We have to fight, do not give up. Without making a single element, it is necessary to fight for the next one. Honestly, our boys, we did not see it. And it's not about age. They are about the same age and rivals. You just have to understand clearly what should be done not only the elements themselves, but also to fight for rental to the last. That the athlete is able to, then must perform. If a skater does not show it in competition, everything else is meaningless."

http://fsrussia.ru/intervyu/883-ale...vnovaniyakh-to-vse-ostalnoe-bessmyslenno.html


Edit:
Here's a thought... maybe, just maybe if Rus Fed officials didn't keep harping on "no quad and you're not a serious contender", their young Russian male skaters wouldn't feel so much pressure.

 

[silverfoxes]

Yes, they could have done better, but still, 5th and 6th aren't THAT bad in this field. Things could have been worse. Everyone goes on about the deep field of Japanese men and last year, they had 5th and 7th place. US guys were 4th and 10th this year. At the end of the day, it's just a junior competition and it doesn't make or break anyone. Look at some of the past medalists...quite a few made me go "who"? Some go on to great things, some don't, some who never did much as juniors turn out to be very successful seniors. You never know in this sport.

 

[LRK]

Quick gratification. People who have been long in the sport should know better.

 

[adelia]

Unrealistic expectations and overtly negative statements create even more pressure for skaters. One of the reasons why Adian apologized even though he had no need to.

 

[plushyfan]

Mishin's comments:

"All three of our skater did not show the level that would compete with Asian athletes - said Alexei Mishin. - This also applies to my student. Petrov failed last start. Neither the adult championship of Russia in Sochi, not now in Tallinn he could not skate as in steps and the Grand Prix finals.


- What prevented?
- Illnesses that haunted guy lately. It is very difficult to force training after treatment.


- Maybe it was worth to miss the Junior World Championships?
- How can the strongest junior Russia, who won the title of national champion, afford it? You need to perform and produce maximum quota for the country for the next World Cup."

http://www.team-russia2014.ru/article/figur/20958.html

After Junior Nats, Mishin mentioned that it was Acute Respiratory Infection that Sasha has been plagued by.

:hopelessness:

 

[Sweet Dream]

Unrealistic expectations and overtly negative statements create even more pressure for skaters. One of the reasons why Adian apologized even though he had no need to.

Take it easy, adelia. I think Skating officials do have their stand and points to make on these young men's key event. One or two failure at competitions is not a big deal really to Sasha or Adian who is still at the developing stage technically and artistically. They will surely rise up again in the next season. The only advantage the Japanese winner has over them is his super skating skills.

 

[adelia]

Take it easy, adelia. I think Skating officials do have their stand and points to make on these young men's key event. One or two failure at competitions is not a big deal really to Sasha or Adian who is still at the developing stage technically and artistically. They will surely rise up again in the next season. The only advantage the Japanese winner has over them is his super skating skills.

Of course they can say whatever they want. But my point is that if they are going to put the lack of medals down to cracking under pressure, then they should be aware that what they've been saying to the press all season has not helped the situation.

 

[Interspectator]

It's so sad to hear that Petrov was ill. Going to competition with only limited training time will make it very tough to skate well. I hope he gets lots of rest and recovers fully.

 

[paulusfr]

Yes, they could have done better, but still, 5th and 6th aren't THAT bad in this field. Things could have been worse. Everyone goes on about the deep field of Japanese men and last year, they had 5th and 7th place. US guys were 4th and 10th this year. At the end of the day, it's just a junior competition and it doesn't make or break anyone. Look at some of the past medalists...quite a few made me go "who"? Some go on to great things, some don't, some who never did much as juniors turn out to be very successful seniors. You never know in this sport.

You're right but they expected Adian will be on the podium and maybe try to fight for the winning. They gave him a chance, they trusted in him, but he didn't live up to their expectations. Of course, they are very disappointed. And such actions always have consequences (at least in Russia). As for Sasha, I think the next season will be decisive for him. But it is evident at the moment he doesn't clearly understand what he needs to do. This also applies to Mishin. To be honest I'm not even sure we will see Adian at Grand Prix events next season. Maybe only one time, but not two like in this season. On the other hand they haven't another choice. The Fed make the same mistakes again and again. I hope they will keep a cool head and will give to the boys an opportunity to improve. I want to wish endurance and patience for the boys. They are our everything.

 

[silverfoxes]

Oh, I think Adian will get Grand Prixs, definitely. He just got bronze at nationals. If anyone should be worried it's someone like Gachinksi (and I like him and all, but he's had several bad seasons now). I worry about Menshov too. They will try to phase out the old "dead wood" before they give up on the younger ones. True, I know the Russian Fed puts a ton of pressure on these young skaters - in fact Voronov talked about that in the interview borzaya translated the other day. But who else do they have coming up who is better than these two right now? All the men have consistency issues (and not just Russian men).

 

[Sandpiper]

Yeah, Sasha and Adian both had meltdowns, and they still easily beat Samarin (and many thought Samarin was overscored in the SP relative to Sota. And still he ends up nowhere in the standings, with the only semi-clean LP outside of Boyang). This sounds really horrible to any Samarin fans out there, but it's the truth. At the moment, Sasha and Adian remain Russia's two best youngsters.

I don't think next season is make-or-break for Sasha. He's just 15! In fact, I'm already steeling myself for a rough year, since he's going through growth and the associated injuries/illnesses. The key is patience and coming back stronger afterwards.

If there is a current "problem," I suspect that the quad isn't quite coming along as well as Sasha and Mishin hoped. They say they're working on it, but it seems like the illnesses messed up their plans and affected Sasha's current jumps too. I'm not worried though. It'll come in time.