Mikhail Kolyada

[Tutto]

Hi All! Such a disappointing weekend, can't shake a feeling of deep sadness and just could not make myself write before. Instead read everything here on the GS and on Russian forums. Won't repeat all the things but just a few thoughts:

1. Physically clearly something going on with Mika, he never was catching 'things' so easily and so often. It seems Valentina was sick and Mika might have caught the virus from her. His immune system seems to be weakened. Maybe due to all the pressure of the last season, maybe in part to dieting in order to lose weight (I hate when skaters do that!) he was able to jump 4T back in 2015/16 season and looked mush healthier then being about two of himself of now
2. Valentina seems to be unable to help him mentally before the competition anymore- I have a respect and admiration for her as a coach but I sense some disconnect from what little we can see from their interactions in the K&C. Could that other coach the man who listed as his second coach to travel with him instead?
3. There are cries for a coaching change on Russian forums, I normally against this as a remedy for all but something has to change. The trouble is there is no suitable alternative in Russia and the only one who comes to mind is Raf (and I think it could be very good as they clearly had a good rapport in the summer) but who is to pay for that? Unless the RUsFed is to send Mika sort of involuntarily and pay for it, I don't see it happening which is a pity though it might not work also.
4. IMHO the root of Mika's struggles is in his perfectionism, on the plus side it gives us, fans, the pleasure of watching these perfect jumps & spins and SS, but for Mika himself it is not a good thing. I suspect also that his coaching team actively encourages his perfectionism to grow out of all proportions without realising what psychological issues it brings with it. A perfectionist ideally should be surrounded by people who would do just the opposite - to discourage it and create a more laid-back atmosphere for a 'sufferer'
What happened in the SP I read as the first mistake on 4T was so unexpected & devastating to him (especially after his practices went so well) that he simply could not get over it fast enough to get 3lz-3T, a fair play to him that he recovered for the rest of the program. I don't want even to mention LP it was just heartbreaking to see him skate like that
5. I don't see it as the end of the world if he doesn't go to GPF - the medal there this season is a way more problematic, so going and staying out of the podium would be regarded as a step back by the Russian Fed & media anyway
6. CoR is going to be a real test of character for both Mika and us, fans, but I personally not going to give up on him no matter what. There have to be better times for Mika & us!

 

[vorravorra]

https://www.sports.ru/figure-skating/1068480776.html

It looks like he plans on keeping the 4S for CoR after all

"In the short program the 3Lz-3T jumping pass didn't work out, in the free skate the 4S and 4T didn't work out. I fought for everything else. Naturally, I'm dissatisfied with such a performance, because I can do better.
How can I jump as well in the competitions as I can in practices? I need to simply skate more, to perform in front of the public again with the 4S, which is new for me, I have to keep jumping that as well.
There's more of a technical factor here, I need to pay more attention to the technical execution and to the whole skate. It is the same conclusion as always: work harder."

I don't expect Misha to talk about his mental health in the press, but I really hope he's doing other things than simply "working harder" between now and Rostelecom. This doesn't bode well for his physical health, either.

Remind me to never read the comments on these articles. It's good practice for my Russian, but the rage isn't worth it

To be fair, he didn't say he plans to keep it for CoR. For all we know he might want to jump it at some minor competition, especially if he doesn't make the final and has time. I think they may wait till it's closer to the competition to make that decision. "I need to work harder" is that standard phrase you are supposed to say, Alina did too. I personally hope he doesn't overwork himself and takes care of his health.

 

[Tutto]

To be fair, he didn't say he plans to keep it for CoR. For all we know he might want to jump it at some minor competition, especially if he doesn't make the final and has time. I think they may wait till it's closer to the competition to make that decision. "I need to work harder" is that standard phrase you are supposed to say, Alina did too. I personally hope he doesn't overwork himself and takes care of his health.

I too won't go by anything he said in this interview it was clearly a 'script' for the media.
I don't know some posters here said that they were glad he didn't look like the usual 'beating himself up' thing but I am more alarmed at how calm & indifferent he looked like he is given up

 

[rachno2]

I too won't go by anything he said in this interview it was clearly a 'script' for the media.
I don't know some posters here said that they were glad he didn't look like the usual 'beating himself up' thing but I am more alarmed at how calm & indifferent he looked like he is given up

I actually think he might have been crying after the free. Especially here.

Even if those aren't tears, I don't think he's indifferent. He's never been one for strong K&C reactions anyway (I think Finlandia SP was the most extreme reaction I've seen from him)

 

[Tutto]

I actually think he might have been crying after the free. Especially here.

Even if those aren't tears, I don't think he's indifferent. He's never been one for strong K&C reactions anyway (I think Finlandia SP was the most extreme reaction I've seen from him)

You might be right alas
Just could not help noticing that Valentina looked aged 10 years - God I hope there is not going on something really serious

 

[Tutto]

Hi guys, you all expressed so well everything that I felt after Misha’s first gp performance this season, , so my additional thoughts will pretty much be repetitive of what’s already been said (my apologies in advance!). I was so frustrated and sad for Misha after his FS, but after taking a little time to reflect on his performances, I’ve put it more into perspective. This was the first competition this season in which he upped his quad content in the FS by adding the 4S, in addition to the quad toe and two triple axels. The fact that he went for all of them must mean he’s been relatively successful/confident w the 4S and other jumps in practice (as evidenced by the practice reports/videos). But he probably needs more mileage in practice to get more confidence/comfortable w the increased content layout, not to mention the shortened program time, which makes everything harder. Also, I can imagine that adding the 4S might take some of the energy and focus away from his more dependable jumps in practice, which could partially explain his problems in the short. All of this said, I agree w everyone that his main issue appears not to be his technical abilities but learning to manage his competition nerves. He does appear to be making incremental strides in that department (e.g., he had some beautiful elements in both short and free and didn’t give up on the performances despite the big mistakes). He’ll probably never be as consistent of a skater as we all would like him to be, but that’s ok. I think he’s too brilliant of a talent not to eventually shine through/have his breakout moment(s) on a big stage.

Agree with all you say but one I don't believe he needs more mileage on 4S in practice after all this is a jump he had even before 4T (reportedly) but more mileage in competition yes maybe he can even do some domestic events and some CS still left Tallinn Trophy & Golden Spin
To your last thought - unfortunately we've seen a many of brilliant talent to fade without ever realising their full potential... considering how cruel the Russian media led by TAT to him I am scared that he might simply decide to retire

 

[vorravorra]

I actually think he might have been crying after the free. Especially here.

Even if those aren't tears, I don't think he's indifferent. He's never been one for strong K&C reactions anyway (I think Finlandia SP was the most extreme reaction I've seen from him)

Euros 2017 where he was in fact crying in the K&C, trying to hold back tears but not being able to. It was heartbreaking, I think it was the first time when he had got his expectations up, with the added responsibility of the now Russian #1 (in his own interpretation) which was clear from interviews, and then had those hopes crushed. He was still psychologically down by Worlds, I can't remember such bitter interviews before or since, including about the undermining effect of constant criticism. He came back from it. I honestly don't think Helsinki is worse than those Euros and Olympics for him to decide to give up now. He learned to give interviews with a straight face and watch what he says better since then.

 

[vorravorra]

You might be right alas
Just could not help noticing that Valentina looked aged 10 years - God I hope there is not going on something really serious

Valentina is sick.

 

[Tutto]

Euros 2017 where he was in fact crying in the K&C, trying to hold back tears but not being able to. It was heartbreaking, I think it was the first time when he had got his expectations up, with the added responsibility of the now Russian #1 (in his own interpretation) which was clear from interviews, and then had those hopes crushed. He was still psychologically down by Worlds, I can't remember such bitter interviews before or since, including about the undermining effect of constant criticism. He came back from it. I honestly don't think Helsinki is worse than those Euros and Olympics for him to decide to give up now. He learned to give interviews with a straight face and watch what he says better since then.

I was even thinking that he could turn his horrific Oly experience into something positive by reminding himself every time he approaches a competition that in all the likelihood the worst thing which could possibly happen, had already happen to him in Team SP and find some measure of strength & solace in the thought.

Nina Mozer's interview:
http://www.sport-express.ru/figure-...figurnomu-kataniyu-raspisanie-bilety-1475043/

She again talks about the Team Event how she had to console Valentina who cried all day long (poor woman but how Mika could hope to find any support from the only person who he was to look up to !?)

 

[vorravorra]

Agree with all you say but one I don't believe he needs more mileage on 4S in practice after all this is a jump he had even before 4T (reportedly) but more mileage in competition yes maybe he can even do some domestic events and some CS still left Tallinn Trophy & Golden Spin
To your last thought - unfortunately we've seen a many of brilliant talent to fade without ever realising their full potential... considering how cruel the Russian media led by TAT to him I am scared that he might simply decide to retire

Why retire now? It's never going to be easy for Misha because of his psychological makeup but he has shown he is resilient enough to bounce back. And it's not like he wasted his three senior years for everyone else to give up on him, including the fans.

 

[vorravorra]

I was even thinking that he could turn his horrific Oly experience into something positive by reminding himself every time he approaches a competition that in all the likelihood the worst thing which could possibly happen, had already happen to him in Team SP and find some measure of strength & solace in the thought.

Nina Mozer's interview:
http://www.sport-express.ru/figure-...figurnomu-kataniyu-raspisanie-bilety-1475043/

She again talks about the Team Event how she had to console Valentina who cried all day long (poor woman but how Mika could hope to find any support from the only person who he was to look up to !?)

Misha needed support the most before the Olympics, really. He should never have been left alone with his thoughts under such enormous pressure. Everything afterwards was emergency measures, dousing the fire.

And in terms of taking measures before rather than after Mozer failed her own students, which she even admitted to except of course she blamed the students.

 

[coldblueeyes]

I feel like people in here need to take a time off from high expectations, or any expectations regarding him. Misha had little to no downtime in the break between seasons, I don't see how he would just come back stronger than before. Actually, for much less other skaters have taken the season off, and he's pushing on. Probably because he feels like this is the way to go, so I support him on that.

 

[vorravorra]

I feel like people in here need to take a time off from high expectations, or any expectations regarding him. Misha had little to no downtime in the break between seasons, I don't see how he would just come back stronger than before. Actually, for much less other skaters have taken the season off, and he's pushing on. Probably because he feels like this is the way to go, so I support him on that.

Now people's expectations seem to be that we are about to lose him to retirement and/or mental breakdown. Some fans go as far as suggesting that he should retire before really bad things happen.

The main thing is not fans or anti-fans but Misha and his own expectations of himself which I think were too high going into the season (again!). I wish he could learn to prevent that crushing of hopes from happening rather that deal with the aftermath.

 

[Tutto]

Imho luck plays such a role in sport, e.g. I think he burnt himself out waiting for skating last in the SP, in the warm-up he looked serious but composed & focused but in 40 min or so time he looked so tense. Who knows if he skated earlier maybe he wouldn't
have time to wind himself up with the different outcome? The whole GP is just not going his way - Yuzuru in both of his events, even Cha was not supposed to be at Finlandia - a substitute, Voronov got a bronze at SA with a lesser score and so on and on.
I just wish the next event was held anywhere in the world but Moscow - the pressure will be crushing on the plus side the support in the arena also will be huge, so let hope for the best !

 

[rachno2]

GPF was always going to be hard this season given his assignments and characteristic inconsistency. I admit I did let myself get carried away with expectations after Ondrej Nepela, but realistically it was always going to be difficult for him to make the final. I’m approaching CoR without any expectations about him qualifying, but with a hope to see him skate a little bit cleaner. On the bright side, I am now in love with the programs and look forward to seeing them again.

 

[vorravorra]

On the other hand he can't always have perfect conditions for skating, like if you have made it to the top few in the rankings you are quite likely to skate last, so success sets you up for failure and to feel comfortable you shouldn't win?.. It's gets a bit silly. I think with enough confidence in himself it won't matter, but as he has admitted self-confidence is an issue, and I think this is more basic than nerves.

 

[vorravorra]

GPF was always going to be hard this season given his assignments and characteristic inconsistency. I admit I did let myself get carried away with expectations after Ondrej Nepela.

Expecting him to not get 238 was perfectly reasonable, when did he get such a low score last? (Two years ago, actually.)

 

[rachno2]

Expecting him to not get 238 was perfectly reasonable, when did he get such a low score last? (Two years ago, actually.)

To be fair, that free skate was a bit of a mess. I was shocked when he botched the step sequence; I know the twizzles have been an issue all season, but it was pretty sloppy all around. Jumping-wise it wasn’t so bad, and he fought hard for his triples, but the landings were not up to his usual standards.

I wouldn’t get worried about PCS yet. The judges rewarded him well in the short.

 

[Tutto]

on totally different subject I just noted that the post count seems to be stuck?

 

[Tutto]

To be fair, that free skate was a bit of a mess. I was shocked when he botched the step sequence; I know the twizzles have been an issue all season, but it was pretty sloppy all around. Jumping-wise it wasn’t so bad, and he fought hard for his triples, but the landings were not up to his usual standards

I also wish he would do something about landing on his doubles I don't know why they always look a bit sloppy which for such a magnificent jumper is a bit odd his combo with 2Ts would never get good GOEs, well it would be better all around if he had no doubles at all