Mikhail Kolyada

[rachno2]

I've got a terrible feeling that he even might withdraw...

My restless brain meanwhile has found a 'perfect' solution for Mika: Urmanov in Sochi, a fresh start, change of scenery, away from the Rus Fed + a much better climate to help his recovery from that sinusitis!

I seriously doubt he would withdraw. That's not like him.

I don't see Misha ever leaving Valentina, much less Saint Petersburg, but I mean....something has to change, right? Right? He's never been consistent, but this kind of downward spiral is unprecedented. Unfortunately with his loyalty and devotion to his family I see him retiring and becoming a coach w/Valentina sooner than making any drastic training decisions.

I know we need to stop speculating on his mental health and having these circular conversations and just support him, but I'm so impatient to see him happy again. :dev2:

 

[coldblueeyes]

Yeah, I am on the not moving away camp, but Urmanov could be an interesting solution. I nthe end I just think he needs a time away to think about how he wants to move forward, and heal, because he's not in the right place now.

 

[QueenOfTheRoad]

I don't expect the Russian Federation to do something to help Mika. They have now more skaters with similar potential at points, MIka just a bit over them, why bother? They didn't for Arthur G, who was also very talented. They have now Aliev, Erokhov, Samarin all younger than Mika. None is very stable, none is the sure bet, so the federation does nothing. From the moment someone stable will come, Mika will get the Voronov treatment. We see now Voronov stable, but after how many years? He was six times at worlds and only once in top 10. Now when he is stable he is not supported by federation.

I don't think Urmanov is a good coach for Mika, how many top stable skaters did Urmanov had? I see only Raf and Orser helping him to get more stable, but i don't think the Federation would put money on the table for it and Mika doesn't have these resources. It would have been better for him to be kept away from the Russian media and federation and certain kind of Russian FS fans. Such a pity that Tutberidze doesn't work well with men, perhaps her team could push Mika in the right direction ( i know she has Morisi, but i don't like at all his programs and his packaging, Erokhov also had a boring packaging.... ).

 

[Tutto]

I seriously doubt he would withdraw. That's not like him.

I don't see Misha ever leaving Valentina, much less Saint Petersburg, but I mean....something has to change, right? Right? He's never been consistent, but this kind of downward spiral is unprecedented. Unfortunately with his loyalty and devotion to his family I see him retiring and becoming a coach w/Valentina sooner than making any drastic training decisions.

I know we need to stop speculating on his mental health and having these circular conversations and just support him, but I'm so impatient to see him happy again :dev2:

Nothing what has been happening lately is like him. I am not sure anymore about anything

I think you might be exaggerating his attachment to his family, he's been living separately for years now, they are close of course, but he is 23 after all and totally independent. Valentina and his club is a different matter ...sigh...

 

[Tutto]

Yeah, I am on the not moving away camp, but Urmanov could be an interesting solution. I nthe end I just think he needs a time away to think about how he wants to move forward, and heal, because he's not in the right place now.

The whole situation reminds me of how Yulia competed in post-Oly season when she probably should have taken a break

 

[coldblueeyes]

The whole situation reminds me of how Yulia competed in post-Oly season when she probably should have taken a break

And the problem is that then she developed chronic problems, mentally and phisically. Urmanov managed to give her a semblance of competitiveness by COR 2016, but we all saw what happened during the FS. She needed even more time to come back stronger, but she also had technical problems to her skating, which Misha doesn't really have in comparison. He has his jumps just fine in training, he has all the technical ability to skate his programs, but something is just not translating right to the competition, and it's better they figure this out before he keeps on going and having disaster skate after disaster skate.

 

[Tutto]

And the problem is that then she developed chronic problems, mentally and phisically. Urmanov managed to give her a semblance of competitiveness by COR 2016, but we all saw what happened during the FS. She needed even more time to come back stronger, but she also had technical problems to her skating, which Misha doesn't really have in comparison. He has his jumps just fine in training, he has all the technical ability to skate his programs, but something is just not translating right to the competition, and it's better they figure this out before he keeps on going and having disaster skate after disaster skate.

Yeah to keep competing in this state will only worsen the problem. I can imagine how frantic Valentina must be at this point... i wonder if any of the officials offering any help at all or it will just suit a lot of people (in TSKA for sure) to see him fading
I wish I could send a card or something
Looking back at the way he skated today I realised I've never seen him telegraph the jumps before. There was no attack no confidence at all but still that gorgeous lutz. I still maintain my opinion as before that his 3lz should be his first element in any program. I hope to God they will take 4sal from LP
BTW we here jinxed him again, remember we were saying how well he was doing with axels this season - here we go :dev2:

 

[coldblueeyes]

Yeah to keep competing in this state will only worsen the problem. I can imagine how frantic Valentina must be at this point... i wonder if any of the officials offering any help at all or it will just suit a lot of people (in TSKA for sure) to see him fading
I wish I could send a card or something
Looking back at the way he skated today I realised I've never seen him telegraph the jumps before. There was no attack no confidence at all but still that gorgeous lutz. I still maintain my opinion as before that his 3lz should be his first element in any program. I hope to God they will take 4sal from LP
BTW we here jinxed him again, remember we were saying how well he was doing with axels this season - here we go :dev2:

Averbukh seemed surprisingly understandable in his interview after the SP regarding the Fed stepping up - as much as he can be understandable, I guess. It seems like someone has to do something, and maybe that someone is Valentina. I get the feeling that after this competition they are going to have to draw some new plans for Misha.

 

[rachno2]

The telegraphing and the URs on the quads are what concern me most of all (other than his general well-being, of course). Both so unlike him. I hope he roots those out as soon as possible.

 

[coldblueeyes]

The telegraphing and the URs on the quads are what concern me most of all (other than his general well-being, of course). Both so unlike him. I hope he roots those out as soon as possible.

I mean, unless he's undergoing something serious about his health, those jumping problems are completely in his head. At this point, though, I don't know what to think about his state to be honest.

 

[heyheyhey]

Don’t post here often but have taken a liking to Misha since the Olympics. Imo I think he’s better off pulling a Evgenia and moving away from Russia completely. I don’t know if he needs to change coaches or not but I think mainly he needs to change his environment. If the Fed can still pay for him to train outside of Russia, that’ll be beneficial to him imo. If I’m being honest, I think Raf would be the perfect coach and Lakewood a great environment for a skater like him, especially since Nathan doesn’t take up as much time of his time anymore. The guy can achieve some incredible things with skaters that people tend to “count out” so to speak. I hope he considers it seriously.

Anyways Good Luck to Misha, regardless of the outcome.

 

[rachno2]

Don’t post here often but have taken a liking to Misha since the Olympics. Imo I think he’s better off pulling a Evgenia and moving away from Russia completely. I don’t know if he needs to change coaches or not but I think mainly he needs to change his environment. If the Fed can still pay for him to train outside of Russia, that’ll be beneficial to him imo. If I’m being honest, I think Raf would be the perfect coach and Lakewood a great environment for a skater like him, especially since Nathan doesn’t take up as much time of his time anymore. The guy can achieve some incredible things with skaters that people tend to “count out” so to speak. I hope he considers it seriously.

Anyways Good Luck to Misha, regardless of the outcome.

The problem is that Misha isn’t Evgenia. He hasn’t shown the results that she has, nor does he have the prize money, endorsements and star power that she does to offset the costs. If RusFed were to send one of their male skaters abroad (doubtful enough as it is), they would turn to an up-and-coming skater, not inconsistent 23 year-old Misha. Besides, training abroad on RusFed’s dime would probably only exert more pressure on him to get good results fast.

But I agree that a change of scenery is needed. I was on the fence, but after Helsinki and now this total disaster I am more inclined to agree that any change is a good change, even if things get worse before they get better. Valentina looked hopeless. I think the fed is going to have a very, very stern discussion with her. Good for her that Stanislava is delivering so far.

 

[vorravorra]

RusFed doesn't have that sort of money, in fact it has no money of its own, it just distributes it. There is no secret stash they can spend on financing Misha training and living in terribly expensive California on a two-year contract.

 

[heyheyhey]

Ahh I thought RusFed had more money but regardless many skaters have been able to pay for their training/career through crowdfunding so it’s possible if he really wants it. I know a Japanese skaters just recently was able to get her whole season funded in one day and she’s not as high profile as Misha so if he really wants to, he could raise the money. It’s really all about if he wants and is willing to and if his coaches are also willing to let him go.

I will say for Raf in particular, he’s been known to help out many of his top prospects before in terms of finances. I know with Adam, when he was first starting with him Raf gave him a place to stay and take a loan out on his name for a car. All that he’s doing for Nathan right now is above and beyond what most coaches would allow also. Not saying Misha needs to rely on him or anything but that of many top top coaches, he’s more likely to be lenient and help out his students outside of normal standards for top coaches so he might be understanding of Misha’s situation the most.

But it doesn’t have to be in Cali. He can train wherever, just not where he is now because it’s obviously not helping. Just my two cents.

 

[demarinis5]

My heart breaks for Mikhail again. We have seen him in practice, he has all the talent and skill that one needs to be on the podium.

I won't speculate on why there is a disconnect when it comes time for him to compete simply because I don't know.

Wishing the best of luck to him in the FS!

 

[QueenOfTheRoad]

I think he might benefit by moving to another coach, if the coach is chosen wisely. 1. A coach with other elite skaters: it might prepare him to be between the best and not only see them at competitions. 2. A coach with more experience might help him how to approach the stress of competitions. A coach doesn't works for all his students, so here must be chosen very very wisely. We see now that as good a technician Valentina is, as hard is for her to prepare her students mentally. Stanislava did well just because everybody else did worse than her GP, stable she is not.
Raf build up the confidence in Brezina, i would so like for Mika to go to him!
If Plushenko would have been more committed to his school, i would have said that he could even try to go to him, perhaps some confidence can go from Plushenko to Mika. But a this moment Plushenko is involved in too many things to be a 100% coach to an elite skater. Mishin....sigh......is Mishin, perhaps he can improve Mika's jumps, but mentally i don't know. He couldn't help Arthur G too much... I don't see Urmanov as a great coach at the moment. Tutberidze is not so great with adult males either. Buyanova - just nope. The coach of Aliev has his hands full with Aliev. Sigh.... anyone left in Russia?

 

[Ophelia]

RusFed doesn't have that sort of money, in fact it has no money of its own, it just distributes it. There is no secret stash they can spend on financing Misha training and living in terribly expensive California on a two-year contract.

Even the KFed has money to send skaters to the most elite coaches abroad. Surely RusFed has more funding than KFed?

 

[cathlen]

I haven't watched today's performance, but I will root for Misha tomorrow! I think I'm not as bothered by Misha's weak performances as some other fans, mainly because I was trained by Michal to get used to it. I'm just going to cherish the competitions he did well

ETA: I just hope he doesn't let it get o to him. I really don't want to hear at the end of the season some bad news of retiring or something...

 

[Silver Blade]

Just back from the rink.
Being there and being unable to help him, just watching how he gives everything up, was too hard. Hope it would be better tomorrow. But smth must change. Either coach either i doubt he will continue competing. Sorry for pessimistic thoughts.

 

[vorravorra]

Even the KFed has money to send skaters to the most elite coaches abroad. Surely RusFed has more funding than KFed?

I don't know how financing works in Korea but they have a dearth of good coaches in the country so may feel compelled to send their best skaters abroad. That's not the case in Russia. The previous attempts have been financed primarily by sponsors. The Fed (rather the Sports Ministry I think) helped Sin/Kats but they had to start off on their own and I am pretty sure that was the first and last time for the Fed considering what happened with those. Now if you want to go abroad, you'll only get the financing that is due to you as a team member. Zhenya had sponsors, show and prize money.