Mikhail Kolyada

[Winnie_20]

I really do not need to see Kolyada win Euros, but a medal would be lovely. I only really, really, really need him to stay healthy and show up in Helsinki. Seeing him on the ice in real life is one of my greatest figure skating wishes. Bit sad I won't see his Nightmare Before Christmas program, but I'll take what I can get.
He's such a great personality on the ice, he manages to grab my attention like very few other skaters can (especially men's skating has become rather boring to me at times, all this focus on quads is not my thing).

 

[vorravorra]

It's very funny she says that when Misha has every and all qualities about skating more developed than both Kovtun and Samarin. I really don't know what we should expect from Kovtun's fairy Godmother. Maybe Kovtun can churn out more quads, but what about the rest? And the quality? Samarin is still years away from the top. But I guess the message that the Fed sent at RNs is not enough for her: Kolyada won by a landslide, and he wasn't even perfect.

Maxim can land two clean quads, Misha hasn't managed it yet. This is one thing Maxim has on him. Other than that, I am not sure. As for the other - I happened to watch Samarin's and Lazukin's EX back-to-back, and that's... really not recommended - the contrast is too stark. One of them actually can skate. I like Samarin but there is so much work to be put in before he actually looks good on the ice. Being chained to the barre seems to have helped Kovtun - I don't know why it had taken all that time and a new coach to realise that he needed it. With Samarin chaining may not actually be necessary as he is a hard worker by all accounts. I hope whatever they are doing helps. Now, if Lazukin suddenly got his jumps together once and for all (that's my secret dream) than maybe we'd have something to discuss in terms of quality comparison. Aliev, if he fixes his head and continues to progress. Pitkeev, if he ever returns. But Kovtun and Samarin are just not in the same league in this respect.

 

[vorravorra]

Misha flew to Ostrava this morning:

https://pp.vk.me/c626222/v626222865/4ade6/GWOlpGBA0sc.jpg

 

[Tolstoj]

I really do not need to see Kolyada win Euros, but a medal would be lovely. I only really, really, really need him to stay healthy and show up in Helsinki. Seeing him on the ice in real life is one of my greatest figure skating wishes. Bit sad I won't see his Nightmare Before Christmas program, but I'll take what I can get.
He's such a great personality on the ice, he manages to grab my attention like very few other skaters can (especially men's skating has become rather boring to me at times, all this focus on quads is not my thing).

I do agree that Mikhail Kolyada is the total package: he has a very unique style, his jumping technique is the best ever we've seen, as some many people already said (including Brian Orser recently) and he's also a very good spinner.

Though i would like to see Kovtun skating well at Euros because i like his packaging this season: his two new programs are better than last season and he's finally getting the level for the spins. Samarin could be the most consistent skater but his programs are so tacky.

Best podium for me:

1. Fernandez / Kolyada
2. Kolyada / Fernandez
3. Kovtun

 

[Sugarpova]

A rather controversial short interview with TAT.

https://vk.com/video-24618099_456239199

The video is about the men's Europeans team, namely Kovtun, Kolyada and Samarin, introduced in that order. TAT appears and says that any of the three can be second, but if any of them manages to beat Fernandez she'll be only too happy. So far so good. Then she continues, describing how she's been to see how Kovtun and Samarin are training, Kovtun is hoping for a come back, Samarin working especially hard to fix his problems [namely PCS according to him and his coach which is to be applauded - vorravorra], and Kolyada... is just a talented guy. A bit of a non sequitur. It's hardly Misha's fault he doesn't train at CSKA so she can't easily come and see him practice. Then she goes on saying that Misha is not quite a professional yet, but that's his charm. She said exactly the same thing last season, so I am not sure what Misha would need to do to qualify as a professional and when that's going to happen. It sounded condescending at best. As someone in the VK group said, maybe you can talk about him being still rough around the edges or somesuch, but saying he is not a real professional is borderline insulting.

he will be a professional in her eyes when he trains with CSKA

 

[Tutto]

A rather controversial short interview with TAT.

https://vk.com/video-24618099_456239199

The video is about the men's Europeans team, namely Kovtun, Kolyada and Samarin, introduced in that order. TAT appears and says that any of the three can be second, but if any of them manages to beat Fernandez she'll be only too happy. So far so good. Then she continues, describing how she's been to see how Kovtun and Samarin are training, Kovtun is hoping for a come back, Samarin working especially hard to fix his problems [namely PCS according to him and his coach which is to be applauded - vorravorra], and Kolyada... is just a talented guy. A bit of a non sequitur. It's hardly Misha's fault he doesn't train at CSKA so she can't easily come and see him practice. Then she goes on saying that Misha is not quite a professional yet, but that's his charm. She said exactly the same thing last season, so I am not sure what Misha would need to do to qualify as a professional and when that's going to happen. It sounded condescending at best. As someone in the VK group said, maybe you can talk about him being still rough around the edges or somesuch, but saying he is not a real professional is borderline insulting.

The age is only excuse I can think of for TAT, though she is only 69 and for instance John Nicks coached well into his 80s retaining all his faculties (even if he did prefer a sea fishing in the end but that's another story). I'd say there is only one who is not professional here and I know it is not Mika...

TBH I much prefer less hype for Mika. Lets results speak themselves.

I also got an impression that while praising Stasya a lot during her RN skates, TAT sounded like she was contemplating how nice it would be actually move her to TSKA at least she sounded like something was on her mind - maybe I was reading too much into that

he will be a professional in her eyes when he trains with CSKA

:agree:

 

[Li'Kitsu]

he will be a professional in her eyes when he trains with CSKA

Isn't professional also the term for retired skaters mainly going to shows and making money with that? While the competing ones are 'amateurs', or something like that?
In that sense, thankfully, Mika would not be a professional yet

 

[Tutto]

Isn't professional also the term for retired skaters mainly going to shows and making money with that? While the competing ones are 'amateurs', or something like that?
In that sense, thankfully, Mika would not be a professional yet

Yes, but it is not what TAT meant for sure. Also her references to Mika not being as handsome as Ilia Kulik (at RN) were not nice either.

So today is the day, Mika skating 2nd in the penultimate group at around 2pm UK time.
How Samarin got into the last group?
Anyway I think Mika likes skating second. You go Mika!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Li'Kitsu]

^ I'm aware of that. It's just that I don't think it makes sense to take Tats comments too seriously when it comes to Mika. Much as I love her, we now anyway why Age thinks that way. So it was just meant as a joke.

 

[Tutto]

Oh Mika noooooooooooo your best jump how that could have happened arr
Better luck for LP!

 

[Tutto]

Okay, Mika is in 4th after the SP (really number 4 seems to stick to him since the Worlds) not without the chance of a medal. His PCS are second only to Javi. Interesting Maxim's PCS used to be higher I think (a little) - a national champion thing?

I notice that Mika does better when I don't watch live - I'll try not to tomorrow!

 

[plushyfan]

Go, Mika!!!

 

[vorravorra]

Misha's comment: "(on popping the Axel) That hasn’t happened to me in a long time, not in practice, not in competition. It is a big shame and unforgivable at this level. I expected more from myself. The program was good emotionally, but the technical part has to be done, too. I don’t know what happened, when I just watched the video replay, the jump looked right. I just didn’t rotate. I didn’t have any practice in the main rink, but I don’t think that played a role."

He is beating himself up hard over this.

 

[vorravorra]

Okay, Mika is in 4th after the SP (really number 4 seems to stick to him since the Worlds) not without the chance of a medal. His PCS are second only to Javi. Interesting Maxim's PCS used to be higher I think (a little) - a national champion thing?

I notice that Mika does better when I don't watch live - I'll try not to tomorrow!

Yes, definitely. Number three on the national team does not get a PCS boost.

 

[coldblueeyes]

Oh, man, aside from the pop that was probably the strongest he ever skated this program. A shame, really, but hopefully it will turn out alright in the FS.

 

[Tutto]

Misha's comment: "(on popping the Axel) That hasn’t happened to me in a long time, not in practice, not in competition. It is a big shame and unforgivable at this level. I expected more from myself. The program was good emotionally, but the technical part has to be done, too. I don’t know what happened, when I just watched the video replay, the jump looked right. I just didn’t rotate. I didn’t have any practice in the main rink, but I don’t think that played a role."

He is beating himself up hard over this.

His face in K&C said it all. I hope he will be able to re-group now for LP and try to turn the disappointment into extra motivation. Myself I think that the pressure of being Russia No 1 got to him a little bit. I also noticed that Valentina looked very tired, I wonder if they could have left for Ostrava earlier than they did allowing more time to settle? Who knows the reason but it was just such uncharacteristic mistake and 10 (!) points gone. Mika should be proud of himself though for not letting it ruin the rest of the program :thumbsup:
Tomorrow will be very interesting - the fight for the podium or rather for silver & bronze will be between Maxim, Mika & Alexei.

 

[vorravorra]

Oh, man, aside from the pop that was probably the strongest he ever skated this program. A shame, really, but hopefully it will turn out alright in the FS.

He lost a level on his step sequence, again. Last time it was turning a loop into a three turn, what is it now? He is perfectly capable of doing a level 4 step sequence, dammit, his LP step sequence is a thing of beauty, but in SP he is prone to losing levels.

 

[vorravorra]

His face in K&C said it all. I hope he will be able to re-group now for LP and try to turn the disappointment into extra motivation. Myself I think that the pressure of being Russia No 1 got to him a little bit. I also noticed that Valentina looked very tired, I wonder if they could have left for Ostrava earlier than they did allowing more time to settle? Who knows the reason but it was just such uncharacteristic mistake and 10 (!) points gone. Mika should be proud of himself though for not letting it ruin the rest of the program :thumbsup:
Tomorrow will be very interesting - the fight for the podium or rather for silver & bronze will be between Maxim, Mika & Alexei.

This is one thing Misha can be relied on for - he just goes on no matter what.

Maxim has a huge lead but he hasn't skated two good programs since forever. It can happen, though. Alexei has been stable so far, but here everything depends on Misha - with a good skate he can close that gap easily.

 

[Tutto]

He lost a level on his step sequence, again. Last time it was turning a loop into a three turn, what is it now? He is perfectly capable of doing a level 4 step sequence, dammit, his LP step sequence is a thing of beauty, but in SP he is prone to losing levels.

He did well considering that he probably felt like dying after that pop. And his GOEs are better than Maxim. Judges are really appreciative of his skating which is great

 

[vorravorra]

He did well considering that he probably felt like dying after that pop. And his GOEs are better than Maxim. Judges are really appreciative of his skating which is great

Yes, he said he'd had to squeeze those emotions out of him to finish the program. And his GOE are deservedly better that just about everyone at that competition. If only he'd got that axel...