Russian Nationals, Jan. 4-7, 2008

[piano4112000]

Don't worry, we need some drama these days. We haven't had some out-of-ice wars for a while. Just hope that it will be similarly heated on the ice as well.

I know but I think this is pretty one-sided though, haven't heard K/S say anything about M/T yet, I say yet because you will never know.

 

[oxade21]

I know but I think this is pretty one-sided though, haven't heard K/S say anything about M/T yet, I say yet because you will never know.

Well, K/S the nice ones and M/T the bitchy ones

 

[piano4112000]

Well, K/S the nice ones and M/T the bitchy ones

Well I wouldn't go that far, both seem pretty nice to me until competition comes into play.

 

[piano4112000]

Vasiliev always acts as if everybody is against him and his team. To him, there's always some sort of conspiracy in the working. The bitter rivalry between TT&MM and three Chinese teams was another example.

He always believes he's the only one who has the 'secret' sauce to make champions. It's kind of amusing to watch the unfolding drama between his team and Moskvina's.

I never knew there was a bitter rivalry with all three chinese team I thought just one at the time.

I don't want to sound shallow here but how yummy did Smirnov look in all black in the long program. I swear I was in heat for a second there

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Griazev was VERY lackluster. He started out by doubling his lutz and then stepping out of it, so there was no combo. He seemed to be going through the program by rote, without any enthusiasm, as if he didn't want to be there.

Until Voronov skated, it was one bad program after another.

I remember when TT left Weir in Connecticut to go back and train Griazev for the 2004 Worlds. I went to Dortmund expecting him to give Plushy a run for his money. No way was he up to that. I've seen him several times since and I am not impressed. The guy has a big jump! Yes! but not much else except that little cha cha number TT gave him last season. That was good choreo but he missed out on the elements.

Am I wrong to think he is held up? I don't know anything about what goes on inside the Federation.

Joe

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Whoa - I didn't realize the entire Russian Nats was here. I just noticed the results of the Men's. Urmanov must be quite proud with his man winning over Mischins and TTs.

Congrats to all the winners and hope to see them in Sweden.

What I said about Griazev above, still goes.

Joe

 

[oleada]

re: Graizev - I think he was held up in the SP in this particular competition. I can't speak for other times.

edit: Iluschenkina and Maizuradze are age-eligible for Junior Worlds.
http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00011009.htm

 

[Kasey]

re: Graizev - I think he was held up in the SP in this particular competition. I can't speak for other times.

I'm his biggest fan and I think he was held up in the SP at this event as well. I don't think it would have mattered much, he probably still would have finished third with the LP efforts of the Uspenskiys and Menshov. I think most of the time though, aside from the National competition bloat that everyone gets, he's scored about right, and a few times I think he's been underscored on some jump GOE and PCS. I think with him not being at his best much of this season, to have four events and medal at three of them is a big accomplishment. He's also starting to show the ability to shake off a mistake and not letting it affect the rest of his program. I think that shows a lot of growth on his part, because a year or two ago, the mistake on the first quad attempt would have spiraled on him and he may not have medaled here.

 

[chuckm]

Griazev would have medaled because none of the skaters close behind him skated well enough to overtake him. I wouldn't say he was overscored in the FS, but I would hardly say he was underscored either. But he does owe his Nationals medal in some part due to being very overscored in the SP.

I personally find him underwhelming, even when he skates relatively well. He has never lived up to the hype surrounding him when he won Jr Worlds over Lysacek.

 

[Kasey]

Well, I think he could have been placed as low as sixth or seventh after the short and still medaled with the LP, because as you said, none of the other skaters in that group range did anything to beat him. I agree he was overscored in the SP, but I think a bronze medal would have been his at this event anyway.

A lot of folks find him underwhelming. A lot of folks like him also. Such is the nature of figure skating. Different strokes and all.

 

[chuckm]

It is possible to like a skater and yet be underwhelmed. That is often the case with Jeremy Abbott, sad to say!

 

[life684]

Russian pairs seems to have made some sort of recovery this season. I am more impressed by Iliushechkina/Mayuradze (Hope they change their names, its harder than sikharulidze) nice cherography and freshness in their Program, plus they are junior pair with a 3 jump.

Next year both K/S and M/T may have to be at their best game otherwise thay may not even make the team. Its going to tough competition with Ushakov/ Karev, Larionov/ Bazarova, Krasilnikova/Bezmarternekh banging. Possibly Vorbieva/Blanchard and return of Obertas/Slavnov. Thought Efaieva/Rusakov was little unlucky this year

 

[piano4112000]

Cute video of Evgeni Plushenko cheering Yuko Kawaguchi on. Cute

http://rutube.ru/tracks/385608.html?v=c90db686fd1f8533b75a5cb1a5dfd0df