Elena Radionova

[Batsuchan]

I think her biggest problem is her body continues to change. Until she stops having to constantly deal with a different body when she hits the ice it will be hard for her to stabilize the jumps. I remember Mishin saying about Liza during her period of growth that the body will have its way, but once it's done the jumps will come back. Elena is about to be 18. She has to be pretty much done with her growth so I still have confidence in her.

Yes, I completely agree with you, winky97. I think all Lena needs is time... :yes:

Lena gets some sucky start orders lately. First to go in the last group. Did not work out to well in the GPF, plus I fell like the Russian Fed does not want to give it to her.

Yes, I think the Russian Fed has pretty much telegraphed who they want to go to Euros/Worlds with the scoring in the SP...I also think they will score Lena pretty conservatively even if she nails the FS.

If that is the case, I hope Lena doesn't become discouraged and instead channels her disappointment into working really, really hard. :yes:

BUT I'm getting ahead of myself here. The FS hasn't happened yet, and the ice is slippery. Anything can happen.

So GOOOO LENA!!!

 

[RadioFan]

Lena gets some sucky start orders lately. First to go in the last group. Did not work out to well in the GPF, plus I fell like the Russian Fed does not want to give it to her.

Oh God, please, give me a break! You really serious about that? I think you guys are pretty blind of reality.

 

[nox1]

Even if her score wasn't what she wanted, one thing I have to say is that her spins seem to improved - especially the illusion spin, I was very impressed!

GOOD LUCK IN THE FREE :luv17:

 

[kaiba1986]

I am so sad :sad4: no Ostrava then, such a chance to see her live
What does this result mean for olympics?

 

[volk]

I am so sad :sad4: no Ostrava then, such a chance to see her live
What does this result mean for olympics?

It means that even if she gets back to her form, it would be hard to make a team. Every year there's at least one new skater breaking through.

 

[Meoima]

It means that even if she gets back to her form, it would be hard to make a team. Every year there's at least one new skater breaking through.

Maybe she should have changed coach when they offered her that option years ago. Look at how a powerful coach can do. They pushed Anna down so easily.

 

[Seruleane]

Maybe she should have changed coach when they offered her that option years ago. Look at how a powerful coach can do. They pushed Anna down so easily.

I thought about that too, but I'm glad she didn't switch coaches, esp if it means she would be winning over others for political reasons and not on her own merit. I just want Elena to improve and skate to the best of her ability, and be happy doing so. Sure, I'd love to see her at the Olympics but if it's not meant to be b/c there are so many other stronger ladies skaters in Russia, then so be it. It doesn't mean I will stop enjoying her performances or stop rooting for her.

 

[Batsuchan]

I thought about that too, but I'm glad she didn't switch coaches, esp if it means she would be winning over others for political reasons and not on her own merit. I just want Elena to improve and skate to the best of her ability, and be happy doing so. Sure, I'd love to see her at the Olympics but if it's not meant to be b/c there are so many other stronger ladies skaters in Russia, then so be it. It doesn't mean I will stop enjoying her performances or stop rooting for her.

I totally, totally agree with you Seruleane!! :agree: :yes:

But, for the record, I'm *sure* that Buyanova would happily take Lena anytime, even though she already has Masha. I still think Lena would want to stay with Inna Goncharenko, but who knows.

I know Lena looked disappointed with her FS score, but it was so nice to see her crying those tears of relief (yes, they were tears of joy, not sadness) at the end of her program. Her jumps are still not stable; she had bad practices, and yet she basically skated clean once again. I really don't know how she does it.

Do we know yet if Lena gets to skate in the gala? I REALLY hope so, because I am DYING to see her new EX that Misha choreographed!

I think that for Lena to have any chance of making the Olympic team, she needs to regain her jump stability and her speed, of course, but more importantly, I think she needs iconic programs. She needs to have programs that the judges and the audience look forward to seeing.

But that's something Lena can think about a little bit later. Right now, I want Lena to have a really nice and enjoyable New Year's holiday with her family, and then a totally kick-@ss 18th birthday party. Yes, skating and the Olympics is important, but you only turn 18 once!

ETA Lena IS skating in the gala!!! HOORAY!!! She's 11th, after the other Elena.

 

[winky97]

I totally, totally agree with you Seruleane!! :agree: :yes:

But, for the record, I'm *sure* that Buyanova would happily take Lena anytime, even though she already has Masha. I still think Lena would want to stay with Inna Goncharenko, but who knows.

I know Lena looked disappointed with her FS score, but it was so nice to see her crying those tears of relief (yes, they were tears of joy, not sadness) at the end of her program. Her jumps are still not stable; she had bad practices, and yet she basically skated clean once again. I really don't know how she does it.

Do we know yet if Lena gets to skate in the gala? I REALLY hope so, because I am DYING to see her new EX that Misha choreographed!

I think that for Lena to have any chance of making the Olympic team, she needs to regain her jump stability and her speed, of course, but more importantly, I think she needs iconic programs. She needs to have programs that the judges and the audience look forward to seeing.

But that's something Lena can think about a little bit later. Right now, I want Lena to have a really nice and enjoyable New Year's holiday with her family, and then a totally kick-@ss 18th birthday party. Yes, skating and the Olympics is important, but you only turn 18 once!

ETA Lena IS skating in the gala!!! HOORAY!!! She's 11th, after the other Elena.

I hope Elena does not go to Buianova. That woman bugs me. No way is she being left out of exhibition.

 

[Batsuchan]

I hope Elena does not go to Buianova. That woman bugs me.

She bugs me too. Lena has said in the past that Inna Goncharenko is like her second mom; I think she would be very reluctant to leave her. But if Buyanova were to promise her a spot on the Olympic team (which doesn't seem impossible given the scoring at Nationals this year), maybe Inna would make her go. I feel like Inna would want Lena to succeed at all costs, even if it means leaving her.

But I'm getting wayyyy ahead of myself. I haven't seen a post-FS interview with Lena yet, so I have no idea what she's thinking.

I'm slightly worried about Lena's mental state. This is the first time she's been off the podium since the 2012 Nationals (at the end of December 2011), and most likely she won't go to Euros or Worlds (though she is the only listed alternate). She has always been in the fight for the world podium, so being left off the team is going to be a bit of a shock.

That being said, Lena's tears at the end of her FS seemed to indicate that she did everything she could do at this point. So maybe she knows that there are still a lot of things she needs to work on, so she's not too upset.

At any rate, I'm still rooting for Lena and I believe she can come back even better!!

Pretty Lena in practice:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOZWW4ch1UF/?tagged=elenaradionova

 

[Khoai]

She simply hasn't fixed her jumps while others keep trying to fix theirs. I can't be helped. They need a better jump coach for her.

 

[Batsuchan]

She simply hasn't fixed her jumps while others keep trying to fix theirs. I can't be helped. They need a better jump coach for her.

I'm sure Lena has been working on fixing her jumps. It's just difficult for her to fix them while she's still growing and her body's constantly changing. I don't think a better jump coach will necessarily help; she just needs more time.

Just look at Liza T. She has textbook-perfect technique and one of the best jump coaches in the world, and she *still* struggled for two seasons when she was going through puberty.

Lena just needs to get through this growing phase and I think things will get easier. :yes:

The ESPN commentators (both of whom know Lena personally) were really moved by her FS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFqbRxgDijU

Maybe Ari will get Lena to skate in some of his shows; I think Lena would like that.

 

[Batsuchan]

(This is what happens when I'm on vacation--I post all the time!!)

Well I guess Lena must be okay, because she organized a group selfie with the other top girls at the gala practice today:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BObixVEj0Rk/?taken-by=mihail_sharov :luv17:
So I'm glad. :agree:

I forgot to mention this earlier, but it looks like Anna Bilibina (a choreographer who works with Goncharenko's group) also got teary-eyed after Lena's FS. :sad4:
I missed that the first time around because I was distracted by Lena's bouquet. Who gave her a big bouquet of red roses???? Perhaps one of her admirers?

 

[winky97]

(This is what happens when I'm on vacation--I post all the time!!)

Well I guess Lena must be okay, because she organized a group selfie with the other top girls at the gala practice today:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BObixVEj0Rk/?taken-by=mihail_sharov :luv17:
So I'm glad. :agree:

I forgot to mention this earlier, but it looks like Anna Bilibina (a choreographer who works with Goncharenko's group) also got teary-eyed after Lena's FS. :sad4:
I missed that the first time around because I was distracted by Lena's bouquet. Who gave her a big bouquet of red roses???? Perhaps one of her admirers?

On some level she was probably prepared for this. Reports are that she is going to Universiade. Hopefully a better next season for her.

 

[shiroKJ]

Heartbreaking for Elena but her gala was so beautiful...its a shame we don't see much of that during competition.

You put up a good fight Lena, good job. eace:

 

[umeko_yur1tasukee]

I'm still catching up from all the competitions during the holidays XD

I got teary eyes after her FS :sad4: but is it offiicial that she wont be at Worlds?

 

[Plumededragon]

I'm still catching up from all the competitions during the holidays XD

I got teary eyes after her FS :sad4: but is it offiicial that she wont be at Worlds?

Only Euro teams were announced, right? So it will depend on the Euros results, I think. For example, if Maria or Anna fail somehow, chances are that Elena will replace one of them.

 

[winky97]

Only Euro teams were announced, right? So it will depend on the Euros results, I think. For example, if Maria or Anna fail somehow, chances are that Elena will replace one of them.

They announced both Euro and Worlds. It's the same team. I doubt that anyone at Euros can really challenge. For Elena to have a shot at Worlds one of the other ladies would have to be hurt or sick would be my guess.


Lena and the Russian Nat mascots
https://instagram.com/p/BOhKBPND_op/

Lena is and Lina
https://instagram.com/p/BOhHEGYjwan/

 

[Plumededragon]

The announced both Euro and Worlds. It's the same team. I doubt that anyone at Euros can really challenge. For Elena to have a shot at Worlds one of the other ladies would have to be hurt or sick would be my guess.


Lena and the Russian Nat mascots
https://instagram.com/p/BOhKBPND_op/

Lena is and Lina
https://instagram.com/p/BOhHEGYjwan/

Crap, I thought it was only for Euros. Too bad for Elena. Hopefully she'll deliver at the Uni competition to end well the season (if she doesn't plan to go to other minor competitions).

 

[Meoima]

Well it's good that Elena has longer time to prepare for the next season then. I hope her coach will find some better programs for her.