Russian test skates 2017: ice dance [+video]
Videos, translations of interviews after test skates and my personal opinion about some of the new dances.
Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev SD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyySiRDl0RU
video by Epic Skating
I’ve already discussed this dance here: State of Russian ice dance drama [01.09.2017] and my opinion hasn’t changed much. But thank goodness Dima has a new shirt, much better one.
Free dance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkyfTZ92_-M
video by Epic Skating
Katya and Dima told about their free program:
Nobody tries such programs, but each time these programs are a challenge for us. The story of Anna Karenina, then mad people, now a blind girl. For me, this is the most difficult task, to play the blind. Dima advised me to watch the movie “The Scent of a Woman”, especially the tango that Al Pacino performs. On the street, I began to look at people who don’t see, tried to move by touch, but whether you want or don’t, you start to blink and concentrate your eyes on a certain point. – Katya told
What Al Pacino does is incredible, you believe that he doesn’t see anything, I even wanted to play the blind in this story, because I understand how difficult this task is for Katya, because it’s one thing to play it on the floor and the other on the ice, within the existing rules. – Dima said
In our story, love does the impossible – I start to see, but in the end turns out that I’m just a dream. We immediately realized that this is our program, and every time we live this story anew, we pass it through ourselves. If we do it without mistakes, it will have the “wow effect”. – Katya said
If we remove this “acting classes for beginners” at the beginning and ending of the program, remove couple of Katya’s “playing the blind” moments it could be a lovely dance. With a nice music and beautiful elements (the rotation lift is gorgeous!). I just don’t like when everything is so obvious. Why should it be? Let the viewers decide what this dance is about.
Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov SD
video by anemon101
I also discussed this dance here: State of Russian ice dance drama [01.09.2017] and I still don’t like the lift. First I thought Nikita has some health problems which didn’t allow him to do the lift, but after watching the FD where all the lifts weke good, I start to think that the problem is in the lift itself. It doesn’t look either impressive or elegant and it’s better to change it. Oh and is this dress closed enough according to ISU rules?)
Free dance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2u_JLvGEpY
video by Epic Skating
Of course, qualifying for the Olympics is our main goal of the season. Important competitions are ahead – Grand Prix, other starts, but the Russian Nationals will be the most important, that’s where everything will be decided as much as possible. We did a good job in the off-season, there were training camps in Moscow, in Novogorsk. It’s comfortable to work with Sasha (Zhulin), we have a good team, strong specialists, comfortable skating rink. – Victoria said
They definitely became less refined and the dance lacks Marina Zueva’s taste and experience in doing classical programs. But….it seems they feel more comfortable in this “choreo by Zhulin”. Of course I feel sad that from an elegant pair they turned into typical Russian pair with typical Russian dances, but I guess they didn’t have much choice. They weren’t able to skate well the sophisticated dances by Zueva and judges didn’t appreciate them much, so they tried the other way, maybe it’s gonna work out. By now the music in the final part of the dance is stronger then they and I don’t like that BS and SK have almost the same lifts. And please give Nikita a new costume, this one is a fashion disaster.
Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin SD
video by Natalia Sechina
We want to get to the Games, and we will work and try for this. We have enough strength. But we think more about work, how it is better to make programs. Although slowly comes the awareness that the selection for the Olympics is close. – Alexandra said.
We worked very hard with the ballet masters, with acrobats. We really like the programs. There is no excitement at the beginning of the Olympic season – we prepare and think what to do to make things look even better. I do not think about the future. – Ivan said
They didn’t show the FS because Ivan got ill. As for the SD, sorry Tatiana Anatolievna, I can’t say I’m amazed))
Tiffany Zahorski and Jonathan Guerreiro SD
video by Svetapoln
Free dance:
video by Svetapoln
Tiffany is in great shape! So I hope for a short dress for latina) SD looks better prepared than the free. But I like the stylistic of the FD, I think it suit them and look quite nice on the background of Russian overdrama)
Betina Popova and Sergei Mozgov SD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icTH0D_HUWs
video by Epic Skating
Free dance:
video by Svetapoln
I’m going to say a crazy thing, but I liked Betina and Sergei more than everyone else) Both in the short and free dance. In their SD you can turn the music off and you still will understand that it’s latina. The free dance I’ve discussed here: State of Russian ice dance drama [01.09.2017]
I hope they will get a TBA at Rostelecom cup.
Elena Ilinykh and Anton Shibnev SD
video by Natalia Sechina
Free dance:
video by Svetapoln
We have been skating together for two months. Immediately we decided to set the maximum goals. Even if they may seem ridiculous and unrealizable. But we are adults and we want to set ourselves such goals, which, perhaps, are impossible to fulfill.
We teamed up quite by accident, I think it’s some kind of fate. But we are happy that we are together now, and we have the opportunity to be here, to work.
At the moment we need to show our maximum. We got the programs together for this test skates. Not in shape which we would like yet, but everything will be improved and become more complicated. While there was a task to come to the test skates after two months and surprise.- Elena said.
I think it isn’t right to say any critics about pair who have being skating together just for a couple of months. Actually they did a great job! I’m surprised with their lifts, yes strong guy with a solid spread eagle can do miracles)
Alla Loboda and Pavel Drozd SD
video by anemon101
Free dance:
video by Svetapoln
I think the SD is better than FD, it has speed, fiery mood and lefts really good impression. The FD I still don’t like, too much music cuts for my taste, too much small moves (especially for Alla) this dance doesn’t show their strengths.
Sofia Evdokimova and Egor Bazin SD
video by anemon101
Free dance:
video by Svetapoln
Taking into account that this team doesn’t have funding and possibility to work with good specialist, they did pretty well.
Annabelle Morozov and Andrei Bagin SD
video by anemon101
Free dance:
video by Svetapoln
A comment from Nikolai Morozov:
The couple has been existing only for a month, Annabelle has been doing dances only for a year. She likes to dance, she does well. Therefore, they performed at the test skates. Of course she has the Olympic dream, you can’t do anything without it and I will help her realize this dream. I helped everyone else to do this, including those who were unworthy, of course I will help my daughter.
Annabelle’s goals are very big, she sets them herself. In my opinion, she is one of the brightest girls who perform in figure skating, she can do everything. But it’s necessary to gain a competitive experience. In Sochi she had her first performance in ice dancing.
I liked this girl, she has personality. Nikolai also did well and choreographed really nice dances for his daughter.
Related topics: Alexandra Stepanova Ivan Bukin, Alla Loboda Pavel Drozd, Annabelle Morozov Andrei Bagin, Betina Popova Sergei Mozgov, Ekaterina Bobrova Dmitri Soloviev, Elena Ilinykh Anton Shibnev, ice dance, Sofia Evdokimava Egor Bazin, Team Russia, Tiffany Zahorski Jonathan Guerreiro, Victoria Sinitsina Nikita Katsalapov
If SinKats can get their act together, they can steal the second Olympic spot. What Stepanova and Bukin showed didn’t really inspire confidence.
Annabelle Morozov needs more time in ice dance but I see great potential. She is a natural performer
Ilinykh and Shibnev weren’t horrible and actually showed quality lifts. But the problem is that
The problem is, Shibnev is nowhere near the level of Zhiganshin, who was nowhere near the level of Katsalapov even when he retired. I think I/S would have to hope for another mass split to have a chance to see a major competition.
“What Stepanova and Bukin showed didn’t really inspire confidence. ”
That’s why I’m surprised Tarasova said that their SD is stunning. Either she confused with FD or …..well if that was stunning then I’m afraid to imagine the FD)
For me the impression spoiled Alexandra’s movements- meant to be cool,but looked quite old-fashioned.And those acrobatic lifts..it’s also not a trend anymore.
What happened in the middle of the free dance of Ilinykh/Shibnev?
Sometimes it’s happens at the test skates, when skaters miss part of the program. Maybe something happened, maybe this part isn’t ready yet.
But it looked that Anton didn’t expect that…Anyway it looked strange. Of course it’s not correct to judge them harshly,but very soon they will be judged as they want to compete.
What happen