Victoria Sinitsina & Nikita Katsalapov | Page 13 | Golden Skate

Victoria Sinitsina & Nikita Katsalapov

Here is an interview with Nikita. Even in the badly cobbled together google translate version (:laugh:) it sounds interesting. :cool:

http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/862979

As stereotypical as it sounds, failure, if you learn from what went wrong, can be a useful experience sometimes. It really seems as if the team as a whole took a good hard look at themselves after last season and decided where they wanted to go, what they needed to do to get there, what their biggest problems were etc. In hindsight the Fed did S/K a huge favour by leaving them off the team and basically telling them "you're not ready yet" last season (they could have squeezed them past M/K into third, I guess, but would it have been deserved? And with S/K not even having the SD tech minimum at that point...). So S/K had time to practice hard without distractions of competitions where they wouldn't have gotten good results anyway (and which might have discouraged and destabilized them further at a fragile and crucial time in their development) and that's why they are where they are now.

I agree... they were not doing well. In such cases it is crucial to step back and re-evaluate your priorities, re-organize your thoughts and work hard. I agree, I think the Fed did them a huge favor. After all, the Fed should know what to do. They cut them loose to focus and train, even Karponosov mentioned how he was right and the new pairs needed a year to really start showing results. It is paying off. They have improved significantly since last year. Zueva said they are a long-term project, in that sense I agree with her. Rushing things never produces desired results. We'll see how they do from now on. Good luck to them all at Russian Nationals, they'll need it.
 
Eh, it's not a soap opera as long as the skaters don't turn every interview, every social media post etc. into mush. Then it is indeed a marketing tool and becomes obnoxious. But I would also propose that a lot of pairs who weren't ever dating have used those tacticts and "showmanced" to make a favourable impression on judges and fans. It seems to be part of the competition for some? As for S/K...don't know, not my business, as long as they're happy etc.
 
& ANOTHER Marina interview (not only about S/K but also Yulia, Shibs, digs at I/Z))), V/M )

http://rsport.ru/interview/20151130/882747479.html

I tried to tweak a translation a bit to make it more or less understandable

'Victoria, maybe worried, and maybe not "

- With her Russian duo you, Marina O. began with proven classics - "Swan Lake" ...

- Not began but finished with it. There were a lot of different options and ideas, but their current programs - this is the best for them today.

- Tchaikovsky was the fifth tested music/image?

- We had tried even more before SL. Waltz has a long history. We had to try on a lot of waltz styles. Even at the Grand Prix in Moscow, you can see how many variations of this dance is used in figure skating - from ancient superclassic to a rock waltz.

- You wanted it to fit Victoria?

- I was looking for something to better emphasize the individuality of my athletes.

- It has been, or there is a stereotype that Katsalapov - a professional who will do anything and Sinitsina is to some extent catching up.

- Both Victoria, and Nikita have to carry a heavy workload, she - in 1 direction, he - in the other. Nikita has not yet reached the ceiling of perfection. We can not say that it is particularly difficult for her, but is easy for him.

- But Vick was very worried about this?

- Why should I be responsible for feelings of Victoria? Maybe she was going through tough times, and maybe not. I am responsible only for my feelings.

- But you know about it.

- I know from experience that no one understands his maximum. Maybe they, Victoria and Nikita, thinking that something is their maximum, but there's a lot til perefction. There are a lot of aspects that require improving.

- What is the most important of these aspects for Victoria?

- Basic - artistic impression of the interpretation of music that Victoria shouldnt not just move across the ice but actually feel the music and show these feelings through movement. This is very important because ice dancing - this is not skating to the melody. The movement should transmit mood of the music, and this is possible thanks to the accuracy of performance, proper posture. The music itself Vick understands as an actor, but the expression of music - for her it was new. We are in the process.


Dancing on Ice in need of the libretto

- At Julia Lipnitskaya also initially had problems with the knowledge of music of Elvis Presley, on which you installed the program it?

- Presley This music - this is my perception of the performance. To tell the story for three or four minutes of musical time is not possible, but it is possible to convey the mood, feeling, or character that you're playing, or simply feeling the music. That's what we can do, and Julia - definitely.

- Its impossible to tell the story? really?

- Only if the ISU (International Skating Union) does not oblige to release the libretto. I've never seen a new story created by someone realized. Always in such cases, the questions: "Who is it?", "What is it?", "Why?". But the mood - if you put a number in harmony if skaters do the elements of the rhythms and really execute the program - transfer is possible and necessary.

- About any program Elena Ilinykh / Ruslan Zhiganshin "Frida" I asked not only skaters, to understand whats it about.

- And if you didnt talk to anybody, and you wouldnt know what the story is just looking at ice. & next time watch any program without asking what it is, and tell me what you understood. And then we'll come to the coach and check the answers.

- Have you even manage to understand the side story, only looking at the skating?

- No never. Let us not to go into this, ok? I just wish all the programs to show something that should be shown. But figure skating doesnt feature librettos as in ballet, the space for the programm - a maximum of four minutes, and the ballet lasts three hours. And those three hours is all on paper. In general, I believe that the libretto in ice dancing - is right.


Sinitsina doent have a mask, she's sincere

- Lipnitskaya told in Bordeaux the story how she had a program on the theme of Presley's hit "Devil in Disguise", like you offered to play the imp on the ice to her. Is Sinitsina able to portray smth like that, and not only in the form of classical Russian beauty, that she surely is?

- You know, I didnt want to a way to show Vicki as an imp, I set out to find her a suitable image. Today I see it for what she is on the ice. This is the best that I can now create for their pair

- A smiling, sunny, shining, probably good natured Vika - except that are there any other options?

- Of course possible. She is the skater who is capable of a variety.

- When I talked to S/K for the first time, Nikita was very lively, humorously answering, and Vick agreed with him, & only smiled professionally. I wonder if she hides behind some mask?

- We are developing in dance, dramatics, but if a person is smiling, that does not mean that his face is a mask. I now smile, you can say anything about the mask, but I am very sincere. And I smile almost always. Correct?

- Yes.

- And it's not a mask but a sense of life. And Victoria certainly feels life that way, expresses herself like that.

- Probably yes. But she's not smiling now (Sinitsina passes us this moment - a comment. "R-Sport").


- So now she feels different.


Shibutani: revolution in Olympic year

- Trainer and consultant of team Russia in ice dancing Gennady Karponosov said that Russian coaches lose to Russian "American" ones in stereotypes, chasing after the elements, while the 'American' russian coaches put more harmonious programs.

- And from me, what do you want to hear? It's what Karponossov said. I have my own outlook on the sport and at work. They should bring joy and involve the viewer in the process, to make the audience complicit in creativity. To avoid this: skaters on the ice doing their job, the audience in the stands just sit and watch. People who came to the ice palace, to live in our programs, be inspired. This is credo.

- Why is that?

- Because a lot of the negative aspects of life, and even four minutes of joy that we are able to give them.

- But still you need to win. Pressured by constant increase of requirements to the elements?

- It's the rules, they always require a harmonious tie the technical side of figure skating with art. Talking about the difficulties of the rules - is like thinking about the complexity of compliance with ethics in life.

- But the rules change every year, as opposed to ethical standards.

- But I can not change them, I'm looking forward. Follow the rules.

- Many people wonder, what happened with your pair of Maia and Alex Shibutani, why they suddenly became adults and real athletes?

- The time has come. We tried a lot of styles, much gave them the program to Michael Jackson: They've worked with the participants of the Jackson show learned a lot of movements. It was a revolution in the Olympic year. And this year, they were ready for progress. That is, they are now demonstrating the quality, tried and tested over a number of years. I work with them for a decade.

- The current program they put choreographer Peter Chernyshov. To invite him - your initiative?

- They have worked with him in the show and wanted to do an EX. Did it in a new style for them, he was liked by the judges, and this season set a new program that has undergone a lot of changes. They are thrilled by it. Have chosen music and vocals that reflect their career, and it helps them to perfrorml the program with feeling.

- I'm trying to identify the role of Peter in this achievement.

- I am very grateful to Peter, with him Maia and Alex chose a new style that they really fit them. Peter himself - very passionate and interesting choreographer guys worked with him with great pleasure. The emphasis in the growth of Shibutanis I would attribute to the following: The point is not what they are doing abut HOW they are doing it. And it has come over the years, not suddenly. Just this year, it has become evident. As a result of the work of many choreographers. They have a very good programm with their short dance as well.

- So there's not 1 main influence?

- Yes, its the university. Unlikely the one to get the diploma is grateful to on;y one professor. We have physical training, classical ballet, ballroom dancing ... and it does not deal with one person.

To be original - not the most important

- You also worked with Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte, whose program for the track "Sweet Life" Nino Rota from the same movie by Federico Fellini. The Italians are playing italians. How to present this as original?

- And do we always need something superorginal?

- Not always?

- Well, here's a look at the ice (it was during the Grand Prix in Moscow), here we see someone who's superexperimentation too. And how does it look? Its is not the most important thing - to experiment. The most important thing - to make an impression. A impressive harmony.

- Is it possible to create harmony with some warhorse music?

- About music you shouldnt say something like that. About the road you can - it can be worn out, and the music - it is always the possibility of a new vision. Music every time you can listen to again and to hear - in different ways. In a different mood, for example.

- But when you hear the same thing, it affects the appearance.

- It depends on the listener. Many music fans go to concerts to listen to the same work performed by various orchestras. They like to compare.

- "Io ci saro" program Vicki and Nikita takes the Chinese pianist Lang Lang, known as Bang Bang, which he received for an aggressive style of playing. This is not a random choice?

- I offered a theme and musician Alexander Goldstein, who has worked with for many years, I offered me a version with vocals (Andrea) Bocelli, with the piano bits by Lang Lang. I heard that it suits Vick and Nikita.

Memorable is not always wins

- So you've seen your rivals many times?

- No. If you see progress with my pairs, which means that I do not have time for other things. I am totally dedicated to their activities. When I see others, I do this without any assessment, focusing on myself. Watch me as I stand beside the board.

- I saw. But I didnt focus on your eyes.

- Then look into my eyes and see that I look only at my athletes.

- But you have terrific peripheral vision Im sure because

- I'm not a frog.:rofl:

- You once said that after Sochi ice dancing changed.

- Highly. The speed was the higher, it has more athleticism.

- In theory, presenting today's leaders at the Olympic Games in 2014, there would have been a different?

- Once again you are trying to present everything backwards. I go forward.

- If forward, then your last two Olympic champions Tessa Virtue Games and Scott Moir, Meryl Davis and Charlie White would be different today?

- Absolutely. If they skated now, we would have to show something new.

- With their old skills no way?

- No.

- Preparing for a dialogue with you, I watched "Carmen" by Virtue / Moir a 100 times. Well, I can not believe that today they would have lost it.

- But they did not win with it either. It is not always happens that memorable wins.
 
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Are they lovers in real life? Their body language on/off ice tells me so.
He wasn't Lena's lover, I doubt he'll be Vica's lover. In the huge interview I translated and posted here, he says that Vica is a pure and naive girl. Judging by everything I know, decision to skate with Vica was purely professional. After I saw them in good programs skating confidently, I must say that Nikita definitely saw the potential of the new couple. I guess he's as smart as he's good lookin' :sarcasm: :laugh:
 
He wasn't Lena's lover, I doubt he'll be Vica's lover. In the huge interview I translated and posted here, he says that Vica is a pure and naive girl. Judging by everything I know, decision to skate with Vica was purely professional. After I saw them in good programs skating confidently, I must say that Nikita definitely saw the potential of the new couple. I guess he's as smart as he's good lookin' :sarcasm: :laugh:

Through Victoria's most beautiful blue eyes you can clearly see that she is an ardent admirer of Nikita pure and simple. I am serious in saying this. :laugh:

Though great as a coach, Zueva has no right to hurt Vika's self-respect by giving such an interview. Simply outrageous!
 
what was so bad she said?:scratch3:
If it seems that was it's b/c of translation not b/c of what she said
She didnt mean anything negative
 
Yeah, as I understood it Marina just meant that there were aspects of performing that Viktoria has to improve on and they are in the process of doing that. It's no secret that she's the weaker partner in the pair, and IMO it's necessary to be realistic about that so she can develop in the right direction and catch up. Not to say that Nikita doesn't have weaknesses (they are the best of twizzles, they are the worst of twizzles...;)), and they're working on those as well.
 
yeah she meant they both need improving but in diff areas
She actually really appreciates Vika
Imo she brings a lot of balletic qualities to this pair (loook at her arms!:luv17:) She always mentions that Vika is hard working & determined, good natured

+Imo Marina wants to stay away from the tone of some prior interviews that ppl like to mock (about the beaty & blue eyes:laugh:) They think they were overly complimentary
SO now she decided to give a more grounded interview

Nick has his flaws & Vika - hers
It takes a lot of time to become a pair (evident from the the Shibs quote) & imo they're on the right track. People work on becoming a harmonious entity fot decades but SinKats are only together for 2 seasons. They have a lot of time
 
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If they are not lovers, then they are taking the role playing well off the ice into the hotel bar, where they were behaving very much like a couple. ;)

I think people sometimes read too much into things... remember how many thought Nikita and Elena were a couple at the Olympics....so not....but that's what many thought....I would prefer to stay away from those kinds of speculations.
 
It's not so much Zueva taking digs at I/Z, rather the journalist, LOL. But in all seriousness if Russians knew how to work harmoniously their teams would completely smother almost all international podiums. Look on the work Peter T. has done for the Shibs and W/P. This IMHO is their biggest flaw.
 
yeah I dont think Marina is against I/Z
It's just her vision re: creativity
 
I must say, looking at the field in Russian ice dance now? It really drives home how rapidly S/K have improved this season. I was hoping and relatively certain that they would be better at the start of this season, but it seemed that there was no way they could come even close to I/Z and B/S. Last year the gap was so big IMO. But they're up there now, they're absolutely comparable and that is such an achievement itself! :hap10:

B/S have maturity and experience going for them, which might give them a bit of an edge, but they're not miles away (they're better in the SD than S/K, the FD isn't totally working for me, perhaps a minority opinion...). I/Z are better at some things, worse at others in comparison (I won't go into the face plant, it happens...Here I'm not convinced about the SD, the FD is interesting but if they don't hit it out of the park performance-wise it runs the risk of falling flat. I like it, though IMO it's clearly inferior to the D/S interpretation of the theme, which was a masterpiece.). S/K need to work on RW and steps in the SD, so the technique doesn't let them down there (which I'm sure they're doing). The FD is exactly right for where they are in their development now and they seem so comfortable and engaged when performing it, they clearly love it. I don't know, it just struck me how extraordinary their development has been when you compare to where they were last year. :)
 
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