“One of my favorite programs in men’s skating is Javier Fernandez’s short “Malagueña”. The way he skates, you can’t learn it, you need to be born with such a talent.” Tuktamysheva about her favorite skaters and programs
Translation of Elizaveta Tuktamysheva’s comments about her favorite skaters and programs.
original source: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva’s blog on sports.ru
In her resent post Liza talks about her favorite athletes and programs that impressed her.
“Hello everyone!
Choosing favorites is always interesting, but not easy.
Throughout the history of figure skating, there have been so many unusual performances, unique athletes, and unforgettable performances! How to choose?
I tell who forever left a mark in my heart.
● It turned out that I got acquainted with figure skating right on the ice: first I started skating and only then watching it on TV. Therefore, I did not have any figure skater idols in my childhood. But I remember well that I was inspired not by an athlete, but by a specific element. It’s Julia Sebestyen’s triple lutz.
When I was a child, I learned triple jumps, and this Hungarian figure skater then was one of the few who performed this jump. I really liked how she jumped it, so I rooted for her.
● I had a chance to train together with one of the figure skaters I admire. It’s Carolina Kostner. Can’t say that I managed to pick up something from her during training. When you come to the system of Alexei Mishin, you train in this system, not introducing some exercises of your own.
But I saw how she prepares for training, how calm she is before them. Carolina was very thoughtful about the training, and I paid attention to this. She took small details very seriously: always brought nuts or honey with her, to restore her strength immediately in case of fatigue. And so in everything.
Of course, I fell in love with her skating long before training together. I really liked her Olympic programs for the 2013/14 season – “Bolero” and “Ave Maria”. I think she was at her peak then.
● Among our figure skaters, I really liked Alena Kostornaya in her first senior season. Many people fell in love with her short program “Angel” – I also really liked it. In the free program she did two triple axels – it was really cool. Generally, such a combination is very rare – she had incredible skating and great jumps.
This season she returned to “Angel” – now with Gosha Kunitsa. It was good. Yes, you can see that they are not a fully formed pair yet, but the program itself turned out well. If Alena feels the music, she shows it in all its glory. You can see that she likes it, that it gives her pleasure. When a figure skater is enjoying the ice, it affects the judges.
● I love the powerful skating of Kaori Sakamoto, her skating skills,in her jumps she flies half of the rink. I know she is learning the quadruple loop now. But even without it, I will be happy to watch her performances. When she is in good shape, you can see how she ends with the last jump in the free program and confirms that there is simply no one better than her at international competitions. And it’s hard to argue with that. She has everything: skating, power, jumps, spins. As far as I know, she is also a very cool person – nice, positive, open.
● From the Japanese, I also like Satoko Miyahara – she had exquisite skating, especially in recent years. She has always been able to interpret music, she was incredibly skilled with her skates. Now she performs in a show and in the new programs it is impossible to take your eyes of her.
● In men’s skating, the first name that comes to mind is Patrick Chan. It is always nice to look at him to any music, he has an incredibly professional skating skills. His skating is a song. Just recently, he performed in the exhibition at the World Championships in Canada – it was very pleasant to see him again. I missed his performances.
● One of my favorite programs in men’s skating is Javier Fernandez’s short “Malagueña”.
Javi and I have known each other for a long time – we went to a training camp together in 2010. Even then, I realized that he was a very cool person. Then we often crossed paths at various shows, sometimes we saw each other at competitions. The way he skates, you can’t learn it, you need to be born with such a talent. He was able to do interesting steps and elements – such that only he could do.
He has had an astonishing career – winning two world championships in the era of Yuzuru Hanyu! This also speaks of a truly strong character, I respect him very much.
● Yuzuru Hanyu has a special energy, he knows how to present himself on the ice better than anyone else. And now this is clearly seen in his solo show. Of course, the best of his programs – “Seimei”. Not only did he conquer the world of figure skating, but I think he also made it beyond.
● I like some programs of Shoma Uno and Yuma Kagiyama. For example, Yuma’s Olympic “Gladiator” or Shoma’s performances in the last seasons. Uno has mastered Stephane Lambiel’s choreography and now can fully show it. I won’t say that Uno and Kagiyama are my favorites, but the skating of Lambiel himself was undoubtedly brilliant.
● I very much remember Florent Amodio’s program in the 2010/11 season when he became the European champion. He fired the ice to The Black Eyed Peas. It was very brave and new. This program was my favorite for another 5 years.
● Adam Siao Him Fa has done unreal work over the past two seasons. Having moved from a skater who took 10th place at Worlds and European Championships, he has come a long way! He has an unconventional choreography, new and interesting elements. I am very interested to see how he develops. They have a great tandem with Benoit Richaud – he feels the athlete and creates unusual programs for him. I think he is putting his whole soul into it. And they turn out to be great for Adam. I like this style. I want him to continue to succeed further.
I remember he came to us for a training camp – then his technique was shaken. But together with the coaches, they managed to cope with this, adjust the technical part to perform more or less consistent. A lot of work has been done. Of course, mistakes come out when there is strong tension, but now he is one of the brightest representatives in men’s skating.
● From the ice dance, I will highlight Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. Their tango at the 2018 Olympics is one of my favorite programs throughout the history of figure skating. Vogue by Papadakis and Cizeron at the 2022 Games is also a gold standard. I like the way they perform.
But in 2018, I still rooted for Tessa and Scott – I’ve known them longer, they were more understandable to me. Although it was difficult to choose, the French had a “Moonlight Sonata” in the free dance and it also looked great, the program captured from the first movements.
● I also want to mention the current world champions – Madison Chock and Evan Bates. A very interesting pair, they always have great ideas for programs: from interpretation to lifts. This season they brought together Pink Floyd and “The Persistence of Memory” by Dali – it was interesting. I like the way they look – you can’t take your eyes off Madison.
● From the pair, the Chinese Wenjing Sui and Han Cong always stood out. I liked them throughout the last Olympic cycle. But the programs of Zhenya Tarasova and Vova Morozov in the Beijing-2022 season were also beautiful.
Tanya Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov are a wonderful pair. I still sometimes review their Sochi-2014 programs – “Masquerade” and “Jesus Christ – Superstar”, I don’t get tired of looking at this pair.”
Related topics: Adam Siao Him Fa, Alena Kostornaia, Carolina Kostner, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Gabriella Papadakis Guillaume Cizeron, Javier Fernandez, Julia Sebestyen, Madison Chock Evan Bates, Patrick Chan, Shoma Uno, Tessa Virtue Scott Moir, Yuma Kagiyama, Yuzuru Hanyu
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