- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
Russian Test Skates 2014
- Thread starter Sam-Skwantch
- Start date
I was watching videos from yesterday’s Open Test Skate and I must say that almost all skaters showed a great performances, if I would choose the best two for me, it would be Kawaguchi & Smirnov and Alena Leonova. Konstantin Menshov’s quad-triple combo looks to be the highest on the world, he looks to fly almost.
Let’s jump to Ice Dance, we saw Monko & Khaliavin and Stepanova & Bukin.
Alexandra Stepanova & Ivan Bukin:
From technical side – the couple has nice edges in Key Points, decent edges in step sequence, they are fast.
But few warnings:
1) The couple is bent forwards during almost whole dance -
– this far to elegant (remember Katya Bobrova), but it also goes against new rules – because when you skate face to face in such bent pose, you can have close hold, but your body and skates have big spaces between those – so in reality you really don’t skate close to each other.
In Performance/Execution Component – judges must take into account skating close to each other, also judges should give GOE reduced by one point thanks to “Pattern poses not aestetically pleasing“.
2) Twizzles – Sasha & Ivan have very difficult sit pose, but unfortunately the couple is not able to make it properly. I would like to see any Technical Specialist who would be able to vindicate that this is a twizzle, not spin. I would say that maybe the couple spent first two turns in slow moves forward, but next three turns are done on one place, so it it a piruette - this means two levels down. Another thing is that last half turn in first set of Twizzles is done on two feet (so they are not able to get from sit position without help of free leg) and only then Sasha & Ivan enters second set of Twizzles -
. I am not sure, but this could be taken like an interruption in set of Twizzles – so another points down.
3) I didn’t see Ivan’s Key Point 3 in Partial Step Sequence, only Sasha did, but the step is compulsory for man as well – cross roll and skating forward on the right leg in outside edge with swing movement of the free leg – it must be done in place of previous Key Point 3 – Ivan didn’t do this – so another point down for missing one of Key Points.
As to presentation I keep saying that you must be mature skater to be able to skate Paso Doble or Flamenco properly. In my eyes this couple tries to show all elements and Sasha’s splits in every dance, but I didn’t see any attempt to create a Spanish feeling in the program, and to my big dissapointment I didn’t see any attempt to dance at all.
What I don’t like from an esthetic point of view is the entry to the lift, it also takes quite long time to let everyone to realise that this entry is really not elegant. I expect that this entry will be replaced for something better looking. I would prefer to see less splits by Sasha, this is not skating element. I am fully for propaganda of her long legs, but in skating elements, not in such splits done many times during program.
Ksenia Monko & Kirill Khaliavin:
Very good edges, better edges then previous couple, especially in step sequence, they are fast.
While last season Ksenia looked to be bent forward like Katya Bobrova, I can say with satisfaction, that in this SD poses of upper body are OK, no benting (I read at Russian Forum that some people think that bent position is not able to correct while it is done for years – well, so Ksenia is probably an alien – she corrected it).
Ksenia & Kirill were always taken like the couple who can express Spanish dances perfectly – their Frida FD in juniors, their Spanish FD in 2012/13 season – it were great dances. Once again this Spanish music fits them.
From my personal opinion – I would like to see more passionate movements from time to time, sometimes couple looked to be quite shy in presentation. More majesty in movements would improve the feeling of the dance. They were slower at the end of the dance.
From technical side:
1) Twizzles – mirror rotation and change of sides looked very well, but Ksenia didn’t keep her balance in the last turn of Twizzles in the first set. What is another mistake is the fact that to get Level 4 they must keep 4 rotations with Additional Features from Group A (position of upper body and hands) and Group B (position of legs) and Group C – Kirill was OK in all, Ksenia fulfilled feature from Group A a C, but in second set of Twizzles, she held free leg for only 3 turns.
What I would like to point to is the choreography of these two couples and compare them.
I know that Sasha & Ivan were not top 5 couples in Russia looking at both results and skating last season, but I expected that thanks to a split of three couples, they can be one of contenders for a medal at Russian Nationals this season. So I expected that their programs would be high level starting with choreography, but I don’t think that this happened at least in terms of choreo (technique and presentation can be improved during the season, I think).
On the contrary Zhulin’s choreo team once again proved that they want to see real dances, no pairs cathegory. Just compare – if you put all required elements out, you will have only between the elements part – transitions. While Sasha & Ivan spent all time between the elements in hand-in-hand holds with different variations (and thanks to their backs bent forwards they were not really close to each other more times), Ksenia & Kirill spent majority of time in much close positions and in close holds – Waltz or Killian holds, hand-in-hand holds were included also, but only from time to time. We don’t need to repeat which hold – open/close - is more difficult. Sasha & Ivan are doing many lunge positions, I saw many cross-overs… transition steps were more difficult in Ksenia & Kirill‘s choreo. The athmosphere of Spanish dance was better showed in Ksenia & Kirill’s SD.
Let’s jump to Ice Dance, we saw Monko & Khaliavin and Stepanova & Bukin.
Alexandra Stepanova & Ivan Bukin:
From technical side – the couple has nice edges in Key Points, decent edges in step sequence, they are fast.
But few warnings:
1) The couple is bent forwards during almost whole dance -
In Performance/Execution Component – judges must take into account skating close to each other, also judges should give GOE reduced by one point thanks to “Pattern poses not aestetically pleasing“.
2) Twizzles – Sasha & Ivan have very difficult sit pose, but unfortunately the couple is not able to make it properly. I would like to see any Technical Specialist who would be able to vindicate that this is a twizzle, not spin. I would say that maybe the couple spent first two turns in slow moves forward, but next three turns are done on one place, so it it a piruette - this means two levels down. Another thing is that last half turn in first set of Twizzles is done on two feet (so they are not able to get from sit position without help of free leg) and only then Sasha & Ivan enters second set of Twizzles -
3) I didn’t see Ivan’s Key Point 3 in Partial Step Sequence, only Sasha did, but the step is compulsory for man as well – cross roll and skating forward on the right leg in outside edge with swing movement of the free leg – it must be done in place of previous Key Point 3 – Ivan didn’t do this – so another point down for missing one of Key Points.
As to presentation I keep saying that you must be mature skater to be able to skate Paso Doble or Flamenco properly. In my eyes this couple tries to show all elements and Sasha’s splits in every dance, but I didn’t see any attempt to create a Spanish feeling in the program, and to my big dissapointment I didn’t see any attempt to dance at all.
What I don’t like from an esthetic point of view is the entry to the lift, it also takes quite long time to let everyone to realise that this entry is really not elegant. I expect that this entry will be replaced for something better looking. I would prefer to see less splits by Sasha, this is not skating element. I am fully for propaganda of her long legs, but in skating elements, not in such splits done many times during program.
Ksenia Monko & Kirill Khaliavin:
Very good edges, better edges then previous couple, especially in step sequence, they are fast.
While last season Ksenia looked to be bent forward like Katya Bobrova, I can say with satisfaction, that in this SD poses of upper body are OK, no benting (I read at Russian Forum that some people think that bent position is not able to correct while it is done for years – well, so Ksenia is probably an alien – she corrected it).
Ksenia & Kirill were always taken like the couple who can express Spanish dances perfectly – their Frida FD in juniors, their Spanish FD in 2012/13 season – it were great dances. Once again this Spanish music fits them.
From my personal opinion – I would like to see more passionate movements from time to time, sometimes couple looked to be quite shy in presentation. More majesty in movements would improve the feeling of the dance. They were slower at the end of the dance.
From technical side:
1) Twizzles – mirror rotation and change of sides looked very well, but Ksenia didn’t keep her balance in the last turn of Twizzles in the first set. What is another mistake is the fact that to get Level 4 they must keep 4 rotations with Additional Features from Group A (position of upper body and hands) and Group B (position of legs) and Group C – Kirill was OK in all, Ksenia fulfilled feature from Group A a C, but in second set of Twizzles, she held free leg for only 3 turns.
What I would like to point to is the choreography of these two couples and compare them.
I know that Sasha & Ivan were not top 5 couples in Russia looking at both results and skating last season, but I expected that thanks to a split of three couples, they can be one of contenders for a medal at Russian Nationals this season. So I expected that their programs would be high level starting with choreography, but I don’t think that this happened at least in terms of choreo (technique and presentation can be improved during the season, I think).
On the contrary Zhulin’s choreo team once again proved that they want to see real dances, no pairs cathegory. Just compare – if you put all required elements out, you will have only between the elements part – transitions. While Sasha & Ivan spent all time between the elements in hand-in-hand holds with different variations (and thanks to their backs bent forwards they were not really close to each other more times), Ksenia & Kirill spent majority of time in much close positions and in close holds – Waltz or Killian holds, hand-in-hand holds were included also, but only from time to time. We don’t need to repeat which hold – open/close - is more difficult. Sasha & Ivan are doing many lunge positions, I saw many cross-overs… transition steps were more difficult in Ksenia & Kirill‘s choreo. The athmosphere of Spanish dance was better showed in Ksenia & Kirill’s SD.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2014
@Vasilisa1202 tweeted that for dance, Monko-Khaliavin, Stepanova-Bukin, and Yanovskaya-Mozgov showed up to today's test skate. Mozgov was later seen limping. I guess that knee injury is still a problem.
For men: same as yesterday it seems plus Voronov
For men: same as yesterday it seems plus Voronov
Not any comment ?
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
Thank you for pointing out that it's J Lo, I knew that I know the song but I just couldn't figure out what it was
Well... I'm not into vocals anymore either. I haven't seen one program where I thought "Oh yeah, that's actually better with lyrics!," only the opposite.
I never was into vocals. When I began thinking about them prior, I first was dubious, and the more I thought of it, the less I liked the idea. So, now, if something is not absolutely atrocious, I'm actually pleasantly surprised.
But, no, I've seen nothing where I would have said that the vocals added anything.
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
Leonova was a huge surprise - what a charming, fairly intricate, difficult and well performed program. She really sells it and it is artistic and Kurt Browning way - you don't need Carmen or Swan Lake to do awesome. Well done; I think if judges are fair she might challenge the Russian babies and the "experienced" Sotnikova, Lipnskaya not to mention Pog, Rad, Sak and the rest. Poor Makarova, no room for her.
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2013
YES. That is how you sell a program! (Lose the biker gloves though hun.)
Her posture has improved and she's looking confident. Watch out.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2014
Thank you very much! I have to say I was expecting more, but I'm sure the program will get better when competition begins. I really liked her first jump, too bad the second one wasn't clean
I really really like the music, she's moved her axel to the second half now, looks pretty good, I can't wait to see it in competition
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2009
Thank you very much! I have to say I was expecting more, but I'm sure the program will get better when competition begins. I really liked her first jump, too bad the second one wasn't clean
Wasn't that first jump obvius flutz? Nice music, though, and first time it didn't feel she is rushing through the program. That axel... it's weird technique but somehow she manages it every time.
She looked a bit unsure at the beginning but towards the second half she was really selling it and looked like she was having fun, I hope this season will be injury free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8wPaZZ04fg
Adelina's looks dramatic and powerful but I really hate that thing she does with her leg at 2:35, looks really awkward, much more impactful if she just does a really nice spiral
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2003
The beginning of the Elena's FS gave me chills! So poignant and expressive, and I love this lyrical side of her that we haven't seen before. The first half sounds basically like Michelle Kwan's 1998 cuts though, and the circular steps definitely need more mileage and polish.
How sad that the most satisfying of all the dancers was anna and sergei and he is injured, ugh But I don't quite get the music maybe they will change this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k02uVDqYHlk&list=UUjaUiznBS9O3SeqwqlIc4UQ
All the other dance teams are on this channel.
But I don't quite get the music maybe they will change this?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k02uVDqYHlk&list=UUjaUiznBS9O3SeqwqlIc4UQ
All the other dance teams are on this channel.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2014
Stepanova and Bukin's FD is very interesting. Great transition between elements.
Yanovskaya and Mozgov-Mozgov looked like he was in pain at the end. I hope he didn't reinjure his knee. That said, they look prepared and hopefully he is fine for their assignments.
Yanovskaya and Mozgov-Mozgov looked like he was in pain at the end. I hope he didn't reinjure his knee. That said, they look prepared and hopefully he is fine for their assignments.
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2014
FINALLY !!
Elena She's just as beautiful as her skating! I totally agree with shine on this, the idea of the program, her expression, the gestures BEAUTIFUL. She really made progress and she's going to be the one to watch imo.
Yulia I love the music but I was totally underwhelmed with the skating. I would enjoy anything if she skated it since I'm a fan but:
Yes the first jump was a clear flutz, yes there was no combo and it all looked a bit so so to me. BUT this is just a test skate, she will definitely skate differently at a competition, so I won't judge and just wait what's gonna happen.
Liza I'm quiet indifferent about her programs, her jumps still look very wobbly, like she can barely hold them, but her presentation, the way she moves her arms and the musicality in the FS are incredible. You can still/again see the fire in her. :thumbsup:
Adelina Although this is just a small part of her FS... I think it was skated beautifully and she TOTALLY sells it.
You can really see that there's a woman on the ice now imo. The spiral is unusual, but definitely not easy to do. I think the judges will completely go with her if she can skate this program cleanly. IF. If she can do so, I think, while Elena is the one to watch, she will be the one to beat.
Again I know this is all just a test and it all might be different in a month.
Elena She's just as beautiful as her skating! I totally agree with shine on this, the idea of the program, her expression, the gestures BEAUTIFUL. She really made progress and she's going to be the one to watch imo.
Yulia I love the music but I was totally underwhelmed with the skating. I would enjoy anything if she skated it since I'm a fan but:
Yes the first jump was a clear flutz, yes there was no combo and it all looked a bit so so to me. BUT this is just a test skate, she will definitely skate differently at a competition, so I won't judge and just wait what's gonna happen.
Liza I'm quiet indifferent about her programs, her jumps still look very wobbly, like she can barely hold them, but her presentation, the way she moves her arms and the musicality in the FS are incredible. You can still/again see the fire in her. :thumbsup:
Adelina Although this is just a small part of her FS... I think it was skated beautifully and she TOTALLY sells it.
You can really see that there's a woman on the ice now imo. The spiral is unusual, but definitely not easy to do. I think the judges will completely go with her if she can skate this program cleanly. IF. If she can do so, I think, while Elena is the one to watch, she will be the one to beat.
Again I know this is all just a test and it all might be different in a month.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
I agree! He was toppling over a bit. it hurt me to watch because I really love them. I hope that knee injury heals up properly and isn't a problem for seasons to come.
hwell:That being said, I liked their SD! They haven't been working on it that long, so I think they did an impressive job all things considered. :yes:
