Anjelika Krylova: “What significance do comments and opinions have when Valeriy came and said, “I don’t want to skate with Vasilisa!”? Contracts, mutual accusations had no importance after that statement
Anjelika Krylova about the split of Kaganovskaia/Angelopol pair and plans for the upcoming season.
source: RSport dd. 7th August 2023 by Bogdan Khodorkovskii
The dance duo of Vasilisa Kaganovskaia and Valeriy Angelopol competed at the senior level in Russia for only one season and, in reality, didn’t win anything significant. Surprisingly, the breakup of their partnership caused such a resonance as if they were the favorites for the upcoming Olympics. Coach Anjelika Krylova shared some details and plans for the upcoming season.
Everyone, from current figure skaters to veterans, has expressed their opinions about the breakup of the duo. Was all this necessary?
Anjelika Krylova: I think it’s time to stop it. What significance do comments and opinions have when Valeriy came and said, “I don’t want to skate with Vasilisa!” That could have been the end of it. Contracts, mutual accusations, and grievances had no importance after that statement. I don’t know who influenced Valeriy Angelopol’s decision, but a day before it happened, the two of them were training as usual. Then Valeriy came with a contract and issued an ultimatum: “I will continue our joint career only under these conditions.”
Can Valeriy’s behavior be compared to the drama with Oksana Grishuk that took place before your eyes over many years?
Anjelika Krylova: I didn’t delve into the details of Grishuk’s drama. She trained with us on the same ice in Natalia Linichuk’s group. Valeriy’s situation was perhaps milder. Oksana had a clear goal she pursued without choosing means. Grishuk wanted to become an Olympic champion, and she achieved it. Angelopol, on the other hand, seemed to be constantly shifting from one direction to another. In the summer, he engaged in activities far from figure skating. I’m not against that, but priorities need to be set. If you want to achieve something in sports, it should come first. Valeriy started losing focus at some point. Even though he attended practices, he worked without the necessary concentration. And separating his name from his partner’s, I believe, wasn’t the right move. Only together did they represent something in figure skating. Vasilisa reacted to everything quite calmly.
Has the situation with the “divorce” of Kaganovskaia/Angelopol somehow affected Annabelle Morozov and Igor Eremenko, who joined your group this summer?
Anjelika Krylova: I don’t think so. Annabelle and Igor are adults who know what they want and how to achieve it. I am focused on the work. It’s a pity that Angelopol and Kaganovskaia missed a season that could have been a breakthrough. The dances they created in the spring and were actively working on were undoubtedly the best in their short partnership. I wouldn’t rule out that at the end of this season, Vasilisa will perform them with a new partner. Fortunately, Valeriy came forward with his statements now and not just before some Grand Prix stage.
Did Morozova and Eremenko come to you with already prepared programs for the new season?
Anjelika Krylova: They came with dances that are so ready that I won’t be changing anything. And there’s no need to do so now, especially with the test skates coming up. We’re polishing all the elements and constantly in touch with Nikolai Morozov. This is my only senior pair. The rest are juniors and even novices.
Will you be looking for a Russian partner for Kaganovskaia who remains in your group?
Anjelika Krylova: Only a Russian partner. It’s not an easy process; you need to find a guy who matches in terms of height, style, and character. I hope that by the end of the season, Vasilisa will already be competing with a new partner. There’s no time to waste.
There have been rumors about inviting Dario Cirisano. Is this true?
Anjelika Krylova: It would be illogical if we didn’t consider Dario as a potential partner for Vasilisa. Physically and in terms of skating level, they could be a good match. Cirisano competed in Russia last season and didn’t fall out of the competitive rhythm. Right now, Dario is skating with a Czech partner and plans to compete for that country. We’re still thinking and not rushing.
What needs to align for a dance duo to be successful?
Anjelika Krylova: First and foremost, the choice of partners must be conscious. Physical and technical attributes must align, but the similarity in temperament, communication style, and even personal liking plays a crucial role. That’s why forming a duo hastily is not advisable.
Will you advise Vasilisa to limit her activity on social media, at least for a while?
Anjelika Krylova: Controlling that process is impossible. We just want to end all discussions related to the breakup and start working. I understand that scandals are very interesting to journalists, but it’s important to remember that we’re talking about real people, especially young ones.
You created programs for pairs Anastasiia Mishina / Aleksandr Galliamov and Aleksandra Boikova / Dmitrii Kozlovskii for the new season. Are you continuing to work with them?
Anjelika Krylova: No requests have been received from either the figure skaters or the coaches. Although we worked together for just a few days, now it’s the choreographers’ turn, who are working with Tamara Moskvina and Eteri Tutberidze. I’m also looking forward to seeing what changes have been made during the test skates.
Have you choreographed programs for anyone else?
Anjelika Krylova: There was an offer from Svetlana Sokolovskaya to do programs for Sofia Samodelkina, but it required leaving my group and flying to her training camp. I had to decline. However, together with Sokolovskaya, we encouraged Mark Kondratiuk to perform an exhibition number in an unusual style for him. I choreographed him a program to the hit “Chinggis Khan,” for the shows in Mongolia. It was very successful.
Related topics: Anjelika Krylova
Yes thats exactly what I think too.
I dont think that he really ment to separate from Vasilisa as a team. Both of them have something which nobody of the other skating team have.
We should let both the time to reflect and still support them as much as we can.
Everybody deserves a second chance. With the support of all the actors, their might be a possibility of reunion.
I think that only now they realize the immense support and care they have from all over the world.
Hoever, as a coach, i would think that she could have been more careful. They are still very young.
I think Valeryi need more time to reach his balance after the break UP with Vasilisa. It seems Mrs Krylova did not considered his love pains and didn’t support him enough. She has simply refused him. Perhaps he Made mistakes, but he is so painful and depressed and need more support. Everything in his behavior sounds like a reaction to his deep sorrow. How hard would have been for him skating with the girl has broken his heart. The situation need time