Alina Zagitova

[MasaruIriska]

I think they’ll play to the sweet, romantic, lyrical features of POTO then contrast that with the fierce, sassy, features of Carmen. So she’ll get to show two different performance abilities.

Wow, that's cool. the judges will be able to see how versatile Alina is. if both programs work (depending on how good they are), Alina's PCS will certainly increase. I think the reason behind they’re going with Carmen and POTO, when they KNOW they are warhorses, is because warhorses just work. It was a strategic choice to increase Alina's PCs and help her show a more mature side, in my opnion. i think they will focus on PCS this season, since the layout will be pretty much the same. Anyway, 5 more days until we see some info about POTO. I know that we have to wait until September for the videos, but the we will see a lot of pictures of the dress, I hope. Japan TV, I’m counting on you.

 

[lesnar001]

She’ll be performing POTO at The Ice, staring July 28th, só hopefully we’ll get confirmation on this via tweets and audience reports (fingers crossed for some video snipers too since broadcast is only Sept 1st).

I’m so curious to see both programs.

Where is that really nice person from Japan who posted here a lot when Alina appeared on the Japanese talk show while she was doing SOI during April.

Maybe they will attend one of the shows and be able to give us some first hand reports.

 

[caballe]

Just to move off the topic.

Do you guys think Alina could learn a quad? I've been thinking about it. It can't be easy of course, but it's hard to think, considering all the Eteri girls going for one, that it never crossed her and her coaches' mind. If anything, age 16 is hardly too late to add one new jump to her arsenal.

If she wants to try, I think a quad toe loop is certainly not out of the realms of possibility. Triple toe loop is a solid jump for her; she gets nice elevation on it, with a clean landing. With the help of a harness and careful training, I think it should be possible. I can't think of any other type of quad that could work, but somehow I can kind of see the toe loop happening. Alina is someone who excels when she is challenging herself, knowing that she's doing more than anyone else - much like Sasha. Also, if Alina's known for anything, it's her athleticism and technical prowess. With the incentive for backloading gone, having a quad under her belt may motivate her even further.

What do you guys think? And who knows, maybe she's training for it already! )

 

[dante]

I think Iriska has plans to make the living room a "no-go zone" for Masaru! :handw:

Now, Iriska's historical spitefulness towards canines is what concerns me. Will she be able to give up on their hostility for the sake of peaceful coexistence and the integrity of the slippers within Zagitov's territory?

 

[colormyworld240]

Just to move off the topic.

Do you guys think Alina could learn a quad? I've been thinking about it. It can't be easy of course, but it's hard to think, considering all the Eteri girls going for one, that it never crossed her and her coaches' mind. If anything, age 16 is hardly too late to add one new jump to her arsenal.

If she wants to try, I think a quad toe loop is certainly not out of the realms of possibility. Triple toe loop is a solid jump for her; she gets nice elevation on it, with a clean landing. With the help of a harness and careful training, I think it should be possible. I can't think of any other type of quad that could work, but somehow I can kind of see the toe loop happening. Alina is someone who excels when she is challenging herself, knowing that she's doing more than anyone else - much like Sasha. Also, if Alina's known for anything, it's her athleticism and technical prowess. With the incentive for backloading gone, having a quad under her belt may motivate her even further.

What do you guys think? And who knows, maybe she's training for it already! )

She has said that Toeloop is one of her worse jumps (along with salchow) and she only does it in combination never alone. I think her best bet of a quad would be the loop, which I think is her best/highest jump. But I would imagine it'd every difficult for her to add that

 

[lesnar001]

Just to move off the topic.

Do you guys think Alina could learn a quad? I've been thinking about it. It can't be easy of course, but it's hard to think, considering all the Eteri girls going for one, that it never crossed her and her coaches' mind. If anything, age 16 is hardly too late to add one new jump to her arsenal.

If she wants to try, I think a quad toe loop is certainly not out of the realms of possibility. Triple toe loop is a solid jump for her; she gets nice elevation on it, with a clean landing. With the help of a harness and careful training, I think it should be possible. I can't think of any other type of quad that could work, but somehow I can kind of see the toe loop happening. Alina is someone who excels when she is challenging herself, knowing that she's doing more than anyone else - much like Sasha. Also, if Alina's known for anything, it's her athleticism and technical prowess. With the incentive for backloading gone, having a quad under her belt may motivate her even further.

What do you guys think? And who knows, maybe she's training for it already! )

I don't think so, at least for this upcoming season.

Not 100% sure, but her "growth spurt" may have caused some problems with her jumps and I believe that she had said she was going to be training to be more consistent in the elements she was already doing. And also to show more maturity.

As to future seasons, who knows. Maybe a lot will depend on how consistent Sasha and Alena will be with their quads or 3-axel --- and how these elements will be rewarded by the judges.

 

[lusk8]

What I am hoping for is that they use both the usual "fiery" stuff from Carmen BUT also the more lyrical music as well.

Maybe the program can start "sassy" and "flirty", the middle can be "lyrical", and then the last part of the program can be "FIERCE" --- for the difficult jump combos and the final spin sequence.

That would be lovely. Since it’s a FS they’ll need more changes of pace to accommodate all the different elements.

Since the risk/reward ratio is no longer there I don’t think she’ll do all her jumps on the second half, but I think she’ll do at least two combos in that “last 3 jumping passes get bonus” zone. Maybe she’ll be the ultimate trendsetter and use all the last 3 passes as combo placements. If she does that’ll be a wow for the ages as this is unbelievably hard.

To set the tone for all of this I think they’ll use all the range that Carmen can give, which is plenty as it turns out.

 

[lesnar001]

Now, Iriska's historical spitefulness towards canines is what concerns me. Will she be able to give up on their hostility for the sake of peaceful coexistence and the integrity of the slippers within Zagitov's territory?

Hasn't Iriska made enough concessions already????

Giving up valuable territory (Alina's lap is only available 50% now).

Plus the humliation of being portrayed as a "sour-puss" on Japanese TV --- why are cats always the villains?

 

[lusk8]

Wow, that's cool. the judges will be able to see how versatile Alina is. if both programs work (depending on how good they are), Alina's PCS will certainly increase. I think the reason behind they’re going with Carmen and POTO, when they KNOW they are warhorses, is because warhorses just work. It was a strategic choice to increase Alina's PCs and help her show a more mature side, in my opnion. i think they will focus on PCS this season, since the layout will be pretty much the same. Anyway, 5 more days until we see some info about POTO. I know that we have to wait until September for the videos, but the we will see a lot of pictures of the dress, I hope. Japan TV, I’m counting on you.

I’m counting on the lovely folks from Japan TV stations to give us lots of content too (rehearsal footage, interviews, Japan don’t let me down).

I think upping her PCS should be her goal for the season, along with consistent jumps, this is her big chance to showcase her performance abilities. They’ll try to get her into +4/+5 territory for sure, the “2 warhorse programs” was probably part of that strategy. Since she is a young skater giving her clear cut characters will help her performance and ease her into applying her own personal twists to her performances.

 

[GS Forum Staff]

No Politics. This is a fanfest. If your post disappeared and you don't receive a warning or infraction assume that you quoted or responded to a post that was moderated and that is why your post disappeared.

Consider politics to be an absolute no go topic on the board. Do not participate in these type of discussions no matter how tempting. Use the report feature and ignore them and let us deal with it. If you answer back you might end up breaking the rules yourself.

 

[lusk8]

Where is that really nice person from Japan who posted here a lot when Alina appeared on the Japanese talk show while she was doing SOI during April.

Maybe they will attend one of the shows and be able to give us some first hand reports.

Twitter will be our new best friend, plus Japanese reporters and morning show presenters. I’m hoping for the return of Japanese fans to this fan fest to give us some first hand reports.

I’m also counting on fellow skaters who are real active on social media (hey Mirai, Mariah, Nobura...I’m counting on you) to upload some videos and pictures to their Instagrams.

 

[caballe]

With Carmen, I don't think ending with a more lyrical/slower/subdued piece would be bad, either. In a kind of a Fernandez-esque style. Also like Shoma's long program last season.

Some less used numbers from Carmen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHRbILIreNg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt8PNSpie5g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFckEjnZBrY

(Although looking at the clips, they might have gone with more traditional "fierce" pieces for this one.)

 

[lesnar001]

That would be lovely. Since it’s a FS they’ll need more changes of pace to accommodate all the different elements.

Since the risk/reward ratio is no longer there I don’t think she’ll do all her jumps on the second half, but I think she’ll do at least two combos in that “last 3 jumping passes get bonus” zone. Maybe she’ll be the ultimate trendsetter and use all the last 3 passes as combo placements. If she does that’ll be a wow for the ages as this is unbelievably hard.

To set the tone for all of this I think they’ll use all the range that Carmen can give, which is plenty as it turns out.

I'm picturing maybe the double axel-triple toe in the "sassy-flirty" section.

Then another solo triple towards the middle of the "lyrical" section with the triple lutz-triple loop at the end of this section (will be in the bonus)

which will lead into the "fierce" section with the 3-jump combo and the solo 2-axel.

Since quality of the elements is going to be very important, I think it might be too much of a risk to put all the combos towards the end.

Remember that even under backloading - the combos came first, and then the solo jumps (with the exception of the Olympic LP, of course)

 

[lesnar001]

With Carmen, I don't think ending with a more lyrical/slower/subdued piece would be bad, either. In a kind of a Fernandez-esque style. Also like Shoma's long program last season.

Some less used numbers from Carmen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHRbILIreNg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt8PNSpie5g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFckEjnZBrY

(Although looking at the clips, they might have gone with more traditional "fierce" pieces for this one.)

I get the feeling that the clip is showing the opening pose of her LP - so hopefully there will be opportunities for lesser used music too.

 

[lusk8]

Just to move off the topic.

Do you guys think Alina could learn a quad? I've been thinking about it. It can't be easy of course, but it's hard to think, considering all the Eteri girls going for one, that it never crossed her and her coaches' mind. If anything, age 16 is hardly too late to add one new jump to her arsenal.

If she wants to try, I think a quad toe loop is certainly not out of the realms of possibility. Triple toe loop is a solid jump for her; she gets nice elevation on it, with a clean landing. With the help of a harness and careful training, I think it should be possible. I can't think of any other type of quad that could work, but somehow I can kind of see the toe loop happening. Alina is someone who excels when she is challenging herself, knowing that she's doing more than anyone else - much like Sasha. Also, if Alina's known for anything, it's her athleticism and technical prowess. With the incentive for backloading gone, having a quad under her belt may motivate her even further.

What do you guys think? And who knows, maybe she's training for it already! )

My two cents: she probably already tried them, this being Eteri’s camp and all that. We will never see training videos of it now because Alina is a big deal (Olympic Gold Medalist and all), if they show her practicing one or doing a successful one in practice the pressure to use it in competition will be huge.

They have to be conscientious of how they show her now, and they’ll only show what they will use with a 100% certainty.

Sine this is not really a question for the actual moment, she’s been competing alongside successful 3A ladies for years now with her current layout, the risk to have her work on quads relentlessly not to actually use them will be a huge waste. Better to get her working on getting into +4/+5 territory with her current jumps and combos (and even better getting her to place two or three combos as her last jumping passes).

Quads in competition are probably not going to come easily for her, if they did she would have used them before in Juniors, but she is a great technical jumper so my guess is that if she (and her team) ever felt that getting quads was the only way to get a podium spot she would work hard to add them.

 

[lusk8]

I'm picturing maybe the double axel-triple toe in the "sassy-flirty" section.

Then another solo triple towards the middle of the "lyrical" section with the triple lutz-triple loop at the end of this section (will be in the bonus)

which will lead into the "fierce" section with the 3-jump combo and the solo 2-axel.

Since quality of the elements is going to be very important, I think it might be too much of a risk to put all the combos towards the end.

Remember that even under backloading - the combos came first, and then the solo jumps (with the exception of the Olympic LP, of course)

Your layout is super cool, I’m so curious to see if you got it right. I feel she’ll add a single 3Lz into the bonus session in case she needs to rework the performance sequence of her prized combo. Back in Juniors she once threw a 3F on the back of it to try to get a combo in (her only time doing a 3Lz+3F attempt).

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Senior Lady doing 3 combos as the last 3 jumping passes, if anyone can do it it would be Alina but I don’t think they’ll work towards that (it is risky as hell).

 

[caballe]

My two cents: she probably already tried them, this being Eteri’s camp and all that. We will never see training videos of it now because Alina is a big deal (Olympic Gold Medalist and all), if they show her practicing one or doing a successful one in practice the pressure to use it in competition will be huge.

They have to be conscientious of how they show her now, and they’ll only show what they will use with a 100% certainty.

Sine this is not really a question for the actual moment, she’s been competing alongside successful 3A ladies for years now with her current layout, the risk to have her work on quads relentlessly not to actually use them will be a huge waste. Better to get her working on getting into +4/+5 territory with her current jumps and combos (and even better getting her to place two or three combos as her last jumping passes).

Quads in competition are probably not going to come easily for her, if they did she would have used them before in Juniors, but she is a great technical jumper so my guess is that if she (and her team) ever felt that getting quads was the only way to get a podium spot she would work hard to add them.

Yeah, it's probably not worth the trouble at the moment. I'm sure she's now working mostly on getting back/ refining her 3lz-3lo, her signature combo.

For +4/+5 GOE, I think judges will most likely focus on her extension and flow on the landing, since they already seem to like her takeoff and height. I wonder arms-over-the-head feature will still add some positive impression on the judges even though it's not a bullet anymore. For example, Alina's 3F in the olympic short program probably would get +4-5 in the new system. That jump had good height + arms + flow & extension.

 

[lesnar001]

Your layout is super cool, I’m so curious to see if you got it right. I feel she’ll add a single 3Lz into the bonus session in case she needs to rework the performance sequence of her prized combo. Back in Juniors she once threw a 3F on the back of it to try to get a combo in (her only time doing a 3Lz+3F attempt).

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Senior Lady doing 3 combos as the last 3 jumping passes, if anyone can do it it would be Alina but I don’t think they’ll work towards that (it is risky as hell).

I forgot the 3rd solo triple! (I was thinking 3-3-2 combo - when it is 3-2-2)
Yes - it would have to be triple lutz towards the end - in case an "emergency" 3lz-3lo is needed!

Maybe she can do the 3 combos at the end in her exhibition - just to show it can be done

Way too risky for so many reasons (stamina, no way to "re-do" in case a combo goes awry)

 

[lesnar001]

Yeah, it's probably not worth the trouble at the moment. I'm sure she's now working mostly on getting back/ refining her 3lz-3lo, her signature combo.

For +4/+5 GOE, I think judges will most likely focus on her extension and flow on the landing, since they already seem to like her takeoff and height. I wonder arms-over-the-head feature will still add some positive impression on the judges even though it's not a bullet anymore. For example, Alina's 3F in the olympic short program probably would get +4-5 in the new system. That jump had good height + arms + flow & extension.

I would hope the "tanos" and "rippons" would still count for something.

Alina's are very well done - not just "flinging" the arm upwards haphazardly because it meant "points".

Hers are very pleasing to the eye.

 

[lusk8]

Yeah, it's probably not worth the trouble at the moment. I'm sure she's now working mostly on getting back/ refining her 3lz-3lo, her signature combo.

For +4/+5 GOE, I think judges will most likely focus on her extension and flow on the landing, since they already seem to like her takeoff and height. I wonder arms-over-the-head feature will still add some positive impression on the judges even though it's not a bullet anymore. For example, Alina's 3F in the olympic short program probably would get +4-5 in the new system. That jump had good height + arms + flow & extension.

I agree with you: landings should be her main focus to get into that +4/+5 territory. It’s what she gets deducted the most for right now, her Olympic FS would have gotten a higher mark if they hadn’t deducted her first 3Lz (where she missed the combo) and her second one (where she placed the combo).

They now have a bullet for “very good body position from takeoff to landing” and maybe her arm positions will count towards that (her tanos and rippons are beautiful and make her body position look great).