#Mamchenkova Volkov

[figureskatingcostumes]

Olga Mamchenkova and Mark Volkov competing in the free dance at the 2021 Junior Russian Championships.

(Photos by Mikhail Sharov)

[figurelifeflirt]

2022 Rostelecom finals entry #16

I didn’t remember that this was the competition where Petr had to withdraw halfway through because he got covid☹

Shcherbakova/Goncharov

Thoughts: Anna is still lovely. But Egor, what the hell are you wearing?!

Mamchenkova/Volkov

Thoughts: Mark’s facial expressions are flat. Olga, I didn’t like her dress. But it wasn’t ugly at least.

Kaganovskaya/Angelpol

Thoughts: the lift strength from Valery. Especially for someone of his size. His outfits aren’t the greatest though.

Senior men short program

Roman Atoyar

Thoughts: the curls. They need to be styled differently. But I know for me it was hard to embrace my curls so I’m going to bet it’s even more difficult for young men.

[sywtwfs]

2021 CS Autumn Classic International, US International Skating Classic, & JGP Russia: Info & Streaming

It's another busy week with three competitions - subscribe to our calendar to get event times in your own time zone!

AUTUMN CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL

Results | Schedule | Entries | Website | ISU

Type: Challenger Series When: Sept. 16-18 Where: Pierrefonds, QC, Canada Level & disciplines: senior women, ice dance, pairs, men (non-Challenger)

Schedule (UTC-4)

9/16: Pairs’ SP 14:10; Women’s SP 16:20

9/17: Men’s SP 13:00; Rhythm Dance 14:00; Pairs’ FS 15:45; Women’s FS 18:15

9/18: Men’s FS 11:00; Free Dance 12:30

Notable entries: Emily Bausback, Gabrielle Daleman, Alison Schumacher, Seoyeon Ji, Young You, Starr Andrews, Karen Chen, Vanessa James/Eric Radford, Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara, Ashley Cain-Gribble/Timothy Leduc, Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier, Marjorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha, Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus, Olivia Smart/Adrian Diaz, Caroline Green/Michael Parsons, Nam Nguyen, Conrad Orzel

How to watch: Free livestreams on Skate Canada’s Dailymotion channel

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US INTERNATIONAL SKATING CLASSIC

Results | Schedule | Website & entries | ISU

Type: International B competition When: Sept. 16-18 Where: Norwood, MA, USA Level & disciplines: senior women, men, ice dance

Schedule (UTC-4)

9/16: Men’s SP 8:20PM

9/17: Rhythm Dance 4:00PM; Women’s SP 6:00PM; Men’s FS 7:40PM

9/18: Free Dance 6:00PM; Women’s FS 7:55PM

Notable entries: Michal Brezina, Daniel Samohin, Donovan Carrillo, Jimmy Ma, Maxim Naumov, Camden Pulkinen, Yeonjeong Park, Alexandra Trusova, Paige Rydberg, Yura Min/Daniel Eaton, Diana Davis/Gleb Smolkin, Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue, Lorraine McNamara/Anton Spiridonov, Eva Pate/Logan Bye

How to watch: Paid livestreaming on Peacock Premium ($4.99 USD/month, available only in the USA)

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JGP KRASNOYARSK

Results | Schedule | Entries | ISU

Type: Junior Grand Prix When: Sept. 16-18 Where: Krasnoyarsk, Russia Level & disciplines: junior women, men, ice dance, pairs

Schedule (UTC+7)

9/16: Rhythm Dance 14:15; Pairs’ SP 16:55; Men’s SP 19:00

9/17: Women’s SP 12:15; Pairs’ FS 16:30; Men’s FS 18:00

9/18: Free Dance 11:30; Women’s FS 14:30

Notable entries: Wesley Chiu, Artem Kovalev, Gleb Lutfullin, Egor Rukhin, Lucas Broussard, Sofia Akateva, Elizaveta Berestovskaia, Elizaveta Kulikova, Sofia Samodelkina, Anastasia Zinina, Maryn Pierce, Kate Wang, Ekaterina Chikmareva/Matvei Ianchenkov, Natalia Khabibullina/Ilya Knyazhuk, Ekaterina Petushkova/Evgenii Malikov, Ekaterina Storublevtceva/Artem Gritsaenko, Hannah Lim/Ye Quan, Irina Khavronina/Dario Cirisano, Sofia Leonteva/Daniil Gorelkin, Olga Mamchenkova/Mark Volkov, Angela Ling/Caleb Wein

How to watch: Free livestreams on the ISU JGP Youtube channel

[figureskatingfanblog]

The first stage of the Russian Cup - their national qualifying series - started today.

Olga Mamchenkova and Mark Volkov lead the Junior Ice Dance, while Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva and Egor Bazin lead the Senior Ice Dance.

[figure-skating-watch-party]

Russian jr. test skates - ice dance

I watched only ice dance... and while ladies and men were broadcasted on the official Channel 1 with proper camera work and sound, ice dance was streamed on a semi-official channel with poor camera work... And yeah, maybe it’s one of the reasons why I generally wasn’t very excited about the RDs. But I liked most of the FDs so it’s not that bad ;)  

I’d take all the music listed with a grain of salt (or two) it’s what my phone told me after listening to the music ;)

1. Elizaveta Shichina/Gordei Khubulov – Come get in bae / Yellow moon The first “Russian” blues. I wasn’t that excited (but that’s because I would much prefer waltz or tango as the pattern dance), however they were in synch and had a good lift in the RD.  Now that we are talking about a dance! The FD has a spirit from the beginning, nice emo feel, not everything worked out but they really have interesting lifts. 

2. Taisia Linchevskaya/Timur Babaev Smirnov – Fire / Don Quijote Ok, now I can calm down. I’ll find a way to like the RD after all. This one was great, energetic beginning, some mistakes but so cool and free. I like it. YESSSS to the FD. That was so lively. Curve lift in sitting position, I love. Also, that pause in the middle of the dance which confuses half of the spectators and they think it’s the end, basically the pause ala Stepanova/Bukin? Yes, we love hehe.

3. Alisa Ovsiankina/Matvei Samokhin – Q & A / Michael Jackson My babies are growing up so fast and they are so much fun to watch! They have such nice lines, at the beginning they had some troubles with the twizzles but at the end they go full out. Also, Matvei has a costume with a hood and at one point he puts in on his head and I just love it! Really, they show so much personality, even in the FD. Again, there were some difficulties with twizzles and Alisa skating under Matvei’s legs but the Michael Jackson character sequence is everything.

4. Margarita Svistunova/Dmitrii Studenikin – I feel like drowning / Iduna This RD is kinda standard, for me doesn’t stand out so far, thought the hip hop parts are fun. And as is the usual pattern, I really liked the FD! Drama, emotional, wistful feel, expressive and great lifts.

5. Olga Mamchenkova/Mark Volkov – Broken people / Für Elise This was a good RD, fun step sequence, good rotational lift.  I also liked the FD, everything is there, even drama (maybe too much). 

6. Irina Khavronina/Dario Cirisano – Babylon Berlin / La cumparsita I like the music for the RD, it’s gradually picking up tempo to a great finish.  In the FD they are them; wild, sharp, modern, awesome. Towards the end it gets a bit weird but they’d sell anything. 

7. Sofia Kachushkina/Oleg Muratov – Royals by Lorde / Clubbed to Death Here I think that they really show two very different programs which is always a plus. They are also growing up so fast. The RD is niiice, interesting lift, good choreography. 

8. Anna Rumak/Gleb Goncharov – Stop it Johnny / Casino, Tango noir They are just so fresh and fun. The RD wasn’t perfect, Anna fell and it also felt a bit too quick but they are showmen and I think it will be such a great program.  I LOVED the FD. I know it’s totally subjective, but I do see a bit of Cappellini/Lanotte feel in them. The FD is so cute. They are the best storytellers there, for sure. 

9. Vasilisa Kaganovskaia/Valeriy Angelopol – In the end by Linkin Park / Ave Maria Yes! There was a fall but also nice extensions and they perform and show some emotions. That’s a real rhythm dance! The FD is such a good choice for them. They can do it, they can deliver a mature performance even though they are in juniors. Such a smooth and effortless skating. 

10. Sofia Tyutyunina/Alexander Shustitskiy – Do I wanna know? / Babe I’m gonna leave you They are so taaaallll, so suddenly?! Smooth skating, quite interesting moves and choreo in the RD. I don’t know, so far I have no opinion about the FD, I didn’t feel anything so far. (But I really like them so I think it will change with time!)

11. Sofia Leonteva/Daniil Gorelkin – Stay with me / Prelude to caravan They seemed a bit slower to me but I liked the blues pattern dance part. 

12. Ekaterina Rybakova/Ivan Makhnonosov – Meant / Samson and Dalila Good RD, really good. Great twizzles at the beginning, wild moves I like it! The FD is also nice. They have interesting lifts there. I like the lifts when the lady is almost standing, the man is just holding her above the ground and spinning. 

I’m looking forward to seeing as many ice dancers as possible at JGP. (Really hoping it works out somehow because Russia can’t send skaters to the first two JGPs in Courcheval in France, because France is enforcing a 10-day quarantine for people travelling from Russia...)

[figurelifeflirt]

2022 Rostelecom finals entry #13

Junior short dance

Kachushkina/Muratov

Thoughts: the choreography was not enough to fix this disaster

Maleina/Rodin

Thoughts: Neckline of Grigory’s shirt was too low

Kaganovskaya/Angelopol

Thoughts: Valery is with Arina now. I hope he knows that she is WAY out of his league. Also, the lookalike dolls. Is that only a Russian thing? Because it’s creepy.

Mamchenkova/Volkov

Thoughts: any finishing pose where the guy looks like he’s trying to climb up her leg. Automatic program killer.

Shcherbakova/Goncharov

Thoughts: Egor, your vest saved the program. Anna, what did you do to your hair?

[figureskatingcostumes]

Olga Mamchenkova and Mark Volkov's Argentine Tango rhythm dance costumes at the 2019 Junior Russian Nationals.

(Source: veravalenta)

[figureskatingcostumes]

Olga Mamchenkova and Mark Volkov's rhythm dance costumes at the 2020 Russian Junior Nationals.

(Sources: mihsersh and veravalenta)

[figureskatingcostumes]

Olga Mamchenkova and Mark Volkov's free dance costumes at the 2020 Russian Junior Nationals.

(Source: Mikhail Sharov)

[sywtwfs]

2021 Japan Open, JGP Poland & Masters de Patinage: Info & Streaming

Subscribe to our calendar to get event times in your own time zone! This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

JAPAN OPEN & CARNIVAL ON ICE

Japan Open is a team competition normally composed of Team Japan, Team Europe, and Team North America. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan Open will feature only Japanese skaters for the second year in a row. Skaters are split into two teams and perform only their free skates. The team with the highest combined score wins.

A two-day gala called Carnival on Ice is held along with Japan Open. The cast includes skaters from the competition as well as guest skaters. Skaters will perform their short programs on the second day of Carnival on Ice.

Results | JO Website | CaOI Website

Type: Domestic team competition When: Oct. 2 Where: Saitama, Japan Level & disciplines: senior women, men

Schedule (UTC+9)

10/2: Japan Open 12:30; Carnival on Ice 18:30

10/3: Carnival on Ice 12:30

Participants:

Team Red: Kaori Sakamoto, Rino Matsuike, Mana Kawabe, Keiji Tanaka, Kazuki Tomono, Sena Miyake

Team Blue: Satoko Miyahara, Mai Mihara, Wakaba Higuchi, Shoma Uno, Shun Sato, Sota Yamamoto

Japan Open guest skaters: Shizuka Arakawa, Akiko Suzuki

Carnival on Ice cast: All JO skaters, Shizuka Arakawa, Miki Ando, Akiko Suzuki, Takahito Mura, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Hana Yoshida, Mao Shimada

How to watch: Paid livestream, available only in Japan

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JGP BALTIC CUP

Results | Schedule | Entries | ISU

Type: Junior Grand Prix When: Sept. 29 - Oct. 2 Where: Gdansk, Poland Level & disciplines: junior women, men, ice dance, pairs

Schedule (UTC+2)

9/30: Women’s SP 11:00; Pairs’ SP 15:45; Men’s SP 17:20

10/1: Rhythm Dance 11:45; Pairs’ FS 14:20; Women’s FS 16:00

10/2: Men’s FS 11:45; Free Dance 15:30

Notable entries: Gleb Lutfullin, Egor Rukhin, William Annis, Jacob Sanchez, Minchae Kim, Jia Shin, Sofia Akateva, Elizaveta Kulikova, Mia Kalin, Clare Seo, Ekaterina Chikmareva/Matvei Ianchenkov, Polina Kostiukovich/Aleksei Briukhanov, Ekaterina Petushkova/Evgenii Malikov, Anastasiia Smirnova/Danylo Siianytsia, Irina Khavronina/Dario Cirisano, Olga Mamchenkova/Mark Volkov, Isabella Flores/Dimitry Tsarevski

How to watch: Free livestreams on the ISU JGP Youtube channel

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MASTERS DE PATINAGE

Results | Schedule | Entries & starting order | Website

Type: Domestic competition When: Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 Where: Epinal, France Level & disciplines: senior & junior women, men, ice dance, pairs

Senior Schedule (UTC+2)

9/30: Pairs’ SP 18:25; Men’s SP 19:30; Women’s SP 21:05

10/1: Rhythm Dance 17:40

10/2: Women’s FS 13:55; Pair’s FS 15:05; Men’s FS 16:25; Free Dance 18:20; Gala 20:30

Notable entries: Maia Mazzara, Lea Serna, Kevin Aymoz, Adam Siao Him Fa, Romain Ponsart, Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron, Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud, Julia Wagret/Pierre Souquet-Basiege, Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier

How to watch: Free Youtube streams

[sywtwfs]

2021-22 Russian Cup Series (National Qualifying Competitions)

The Russian Cup Series is a series of domestic competitions where skaters can compete to qualify for the Russian National Championships. More information will be added to this post as it appears. The Russian Cup events have also been added to our calendar.

See also: 2021-22 Nationals tag

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QUALIFYING STRUCTURE

Senior and junior skaters can qualify for the senior Russian National Championships by competing at two of five events in the Russian Cup Series. As in the ISU Grand Prix series, points are allotted to final placements at each competition. Qualifiers are determined by the total number of points earned from two competitions up until the maximum number of competitors per discipline is filled. In the case of a tie, the tie is broken by combined total scores over the two competitions.

Normally, skaters are granted immediate qualification to the Senior National Championships if they have an assignment on the ISU Grand Prix or qualify to the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final.

The maximum number of skaters who can compete at the Senior National Championships is 18 men, 18 women, 12 pairs, and 15 dance teams. Skaters must be at least 14 years old to compete at the Senior National Championships.

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COMPETITIONS

Russian Cup events will be livestreamed by Russia's Channel 1. Entries are subject to change and may not be available until the event begins.

FIRST EVENT

Results & entries | Schedule | Website

When: Sept. 22-26 Where: Syzran Level & disciplines: junior & senior women, men, pairs, ice dance

Schedule / Youtube Streams (UTC+4)

9/22: Jr Rhythm Dance 16:30; Sr Rhythm Dance 18:35 [Livestream]

9/23: Jr Free Dance 13:45; Sr Free Dance 16:00; Sr Women SP 16:45; Sr Men SP 19:15 [Livestream]

9/24: Sr Women FS 13:45; Sr Men FS 16:45; Jr Pairs SP 19:20; Sr Pairs SP 21:00 [Livestream]

9/25: Jr Pairs FS 14:15; Sr Pairs FS 16:05; Jr Women SP 17:05; Jr Men SP 20:00 [Livestream]

9/26: Jr Women FS 12:00; Jr Men FS 15:30

Notable entries: Sr - Petr Gumennik, Alexey Erokhov, Andrei Lazukin, Artem Lezheev, Roman Savosin, Alexander Samarin, Alexandra Trusova, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Akopova/Rakhmanin, Artemeva/Nazarychev, Tarasova/Morozov, Khudaiberdieva/Bazin. Jr - Maria Zakharova, Akhanteva/Kolesov, Mamchenkova/Volkov, Ovsiankina/Samokhin

How to watch:

1tv stream (geoblocked)

Youtube playlist

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SECOND EVENT

Results & entries | Schedule | Website

When: Oct. 10-14 Where: Yoshkar-Ola Level & disciplines: junior & senior women, men, pairs, ice dance

Schedule (UTC+3)

10/10: Jr Rhythm Dance 16:30; Sr Rhythm Dance 18:55

10/11: Jr Free Dance 13:45; Sr Free Dance 16:25; Sr Women SP 17:45; Sr Men SP 20:05

10/12: Sr Women FS 13:45; Sr Men FS 16:15; Jr Pairs SP 17:20; Sr Pairs SP 18:35

10/13: Jr Pairs FS 14:00; Sr Pairs FS 15:20; Jr Women SP 16:15; Jr Men SP 19:15

10/14: Jr Women FS 11:30; Jr Men FS 14:50

Notable entries: Sr - Artem Lezheev, Akhanteva/Kolesov, Pavliuchenko/Khodykin, Pepeleva/Pleshkov, Sinitsina/Katsalapov, Skoptcova/Aleshin

How to watch:

1tv stream (geoblocked)

Youtube playlist

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THIRD EVENT

Results & entries | Schedule | Website

When: Oct. 24-28 Where: Sochi Level & disciplines: junior & senior women, men, pairs, ice dance

Schedule / Youtube Streams (UTC+3)

10/24: Jr Rhythm Dance 17:00; Sr Rhythm Dance 19:30 [Livestream]

10/25: Jr Free Dance 13:45; Sr Free Dance 16:25; Sr Women SP 18:05; Sr Men SP 20:40 [Livestream]

10/26: Sr Women FS 13:45; Sr Men FS 16:35; Jr Pairs SP 19:10; Sr Pairs SP 20:30 [Livestream]

10/27: Jr Pairs FS 13:00; Sr Pairs FS 14:15; Jr Women SP 16:15; Jr Men SP 19:35 [Livestream]

10/28: Jr Women FS 11:30; Jr Men FS 15:05 [Livestream]

Notable entries: Sr - Alexei Erokhov, Artem Kovalev, Roman Savosin, Ilya Yablokov, Anastasia Gulyakova, Sofia Muravieva, Elizaveta Nugumanova, Sofia Samodelkina, Sofia Samodurova, Artemeva/Nazarychev, Akhanteva/Kolesov, Kostiukovich/Briukhanov, Mishina/Galliamov, Khabibullina/Knyazhuk, Khudaiberdieva/Bazin. Jr - Chikmareva/Ianchenkov, Tyutyunina/Shustitskiy

How to watch:

1tv stream (geoblocked)

Youtube playlist

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FOURTH EVENT

Results & entries | Schedule | Website

When: Nov. 8-12 Where: Kazan Level & disciplines: junior & senior women, men, pairs, ice dance

Schedule / Youtube Streams (UTC+3)

11/8: Jr Rhythm Dance 17:00; Sr Rhythm Dance 19:00 [Livestream]

11/9: Jr Free Dance 13:45; Sr Free Dance 16:05; Sr Women SP 17:45; Sr Men SP 20:05 [Livestream]

11/10: Sr Women FS 13:45; Sr Men FS 16:35; Jr Pairs SP 18:05; Sr Pairs SP 20:15 [Livestream]

11/11: Jr Pairs FS 13:00; Sr Pairs FS 15:25; Jr Women SP 16:45; Jr Men SP 20:00 [Livestream]

11/12: Jr Women FS 11:30; Jr Men FS 15:00 [Livestream]

Notable entries: Sr - Vladislav Dikidzhi, Andrey Lazukin, Anastasia Gulyakova, Anastasia Zinina, Elizaveta Nugumanova, Sofia Samodelkina, Akopova/Rakhmanin, Kadyrova/Balchenko, Kostiukovich/Briukhanov, Storublevtceva/Gritsaenko. Jr - Kirill Sarnovskiy, Nikolay Ugozhaev, Alina Gorbacheva, Petushkova/Malikov, Khabibullina/Knyazhuk, Leonteva/Gorelkin, Rybakova/Makhnonosov

How to watch:

1tv stream (geoblocked)

Youtube playlist

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FIFTH EVENT

Results & entries | Schedule | Website

When: Nov. 17-21 Where: Perm Level & disciplines: junior & senior women, men, pairs, ice dance

Schedule / Youtube Streams (UTC+5)

11/17: Jr Rhythm Dance 17:00; Sr Rhythm Dance 19:30 [Livestream]

11/18: Jr Free Dance 13:45; Sr Free Dance 16:25; Sr Women SP 17:40; Sr Men SP 19:45 [Livestream]

11/19: Sr Women FS 13:45; Sr Men FS 15:50; Jr Pairs SP 17:25; Sr Pairs SP 19:20 [Livestream]

11/20: Jr Pairs FS 13:00; Sr Pairs FS 15:00; Jr Women SP 16:05; Jr Men SP 19:30 [Livestream]

11/21: Jr Women FS 11:30; Jr Men FS 15:10 [Livestream]

Notable entries: Sr - Artem Kovalev, Sofia Muravieva, Adeliia Petrosian, Sofia Samodurova, Ushakova/Nekrasov. Jr - Kirill Sarnovskiy, Nikolai Ugozhaev, Sofia Zakharova, Chikmareva/Ianchenkov, Kaganovskaia/Angelopol, Khavronina/Cirisano

How to watch:

1tv stream (geoblocked)

Youtube playlist

[figureskatingfanblog]

2021 - 2022 Russian Junior/Novice Teams

* indicates Novice skater

Men

Aeksandr Golubev

Vladislav Dikidzhi

Egor Rukhin

Daniil Samsonov

Nikolay Ugozhaev

Ilya Yablokov

Andrei Kutovoi (reserve)

Gleb Lutfullin (reserve)

Kiril Sarmovskyi (reserve)

Artem Kovalev (reserve)

Andrei Anisimov*

Fyodor Zonov*

Nikolai Kolesnikov*

Ivan Popov*

Semyon Solovyov*

Ladies

Sofia Akatieva

Elizaveta Berestovskaia

Sofia Muravyova

Adeliya Petrosian

Sofia Samodelkina

Anna Frolova

Maria Zakharova (reserve)

Alina Gorbacheva*

Alisa Dvoeglazhova*

Anastasia Zinina*

Daria Sadkova*

Ulyana Shiryaeva*

Pairs

Anastasia Mukhortova/Dmitry Evgeniev

Ekaterina Petushkova/Evgeniy Malikov

Natalia Khabibulina/Ilya Knyazhuk

Kseniia Akhanteva/Valerii Kolesov

Daria Boyarintseva/Maksim Shagalov

Polina Kostiukovich/Aleksei Briukhanov

Taisia Sobinina / Sergei Bakhmat (reserve)

Alina Raskovalova/Artyom Butaev*

Ekaterina Storublyovtseva/Artyom Gritsaenko*

Milana Trubacheva/Vladislav Smirnov*

Evgenia Tumanova/Georgiy Kunitsa*

Varvara Cheremikh/Daniil Butenko*

Ekaterina Chikmaryova/Matvei Yanchenkov*

Ice Dance

Vasilisa Kaganovskaya/Valeriy Angelopol

Olga Mamchenkova/Mark Volkov

Margarita Svistunova/Dmitry Studenkin

Irina Khavronina/Dario Chirisano

Arina Ushakova/Maksim Nekrasov

Elizaveta Shichina/Gordei Khubulov

Angelina Lazareva/Maksim Prokofiev (reserve)

Ekaterina Mironova/Evgeniy Ustenko (reserve)

Sofia Tiutiunina/Aleksandr Shustitskyi (reserve)

Sofia Leontieva/Daniil Gorenkin*

Taisia Linchevskaia/Timur Babaev-Smirnov*

Alisa Ovsyankina/Matvei Samokhin*

Anna Rumak/Gleb Goncharov*

Ekaterina Rybakova/Ivan Makhnonosov*

Sovia Kachushkina/Oleg Muratov* (reserve)

[figureskatingfanblog]

The first stage of the Russian Cup (their National qualifiers) continued today.

Olga Mamchenkova and Mark Volkov won the Junior Ice Dance event, while Elizaeta Khudaiberdieva and Egor Bazin won the Senior Ice Dance event. Alexandra Trusova lead the Senior Women’s competition, but she withdrew. Alexander Samarin leads the Senior Men’s competition. 

[figureskatingfanblog]

2021 JGP Russia Preview

The Junior Grand Prix continues this week with the JGP Russia in Krasnoyarsk.

Entries & Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season2122/jgprus2021/ Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbv3gsBXzIwotCt2JGySfJA

As a reminder, no Japanese skaters will be competing on the JGP.

Schedule (Local Time):

9/16: Rhythm Dance 14:15; Pairs Short 16:55; Men’s Short 19:00 9/17: Women’s Short 12:15; Pairs Free 16:30; Men’s Free 18:00 9/18:  Free Dance 11:30; Women’s Free 14:30

The Russians skaters dominated last week, and with even more skaters (and at home), will anyone be able to break through? It might be a complete Russian sweep in all four disciplines.

Skaters to Watch

As a reminder, these are not necessarily podium contenders, but just skaters to keep an eye on and are in no particular order.

Men - Lucas Broussard (USA), Andrei Anisimov (RUS), Artem Kovalev (RUS), Gleb Lutfullin (RUS), Egor Rukhin (RUS), Fedor Zonov (RUS), Alexander Lebedev (BLR), Wesley Chiu (CAN), Mikhail Selevko (EST)

Ladies - Sofia Akateva (RUS), Elizaveta Beretovskaia (RUS), Elizaveta Kulikova (RUS), Sofia Samodelkina (RUS), Anastasia Zinina (RUS), Kate Wang (USA), Varvara Kiesel (BLR)

I am not listing Pairs here, because... there’s only six teams. Watch all of them. (Four are Russian.)

Ice Dance - Hannah Lim / Ye Quan (KOR), Irina Kavronina / Dario Cirisano (RUS), Sofia Leonteva / Daniil Gorelkin (RUS), Olga Mamchenkova / Mark Volkov (RUS), Alisa Ovsiankina / Matvei Samokhin (RUS), Elizveta Shichina / Gordey Khublov (RUS), Nadiia Bashynska / Peter Beamont (CAN)

[figure-skating-watch-party]

Russian Test Skates (jr., sr.)

Another note to self: thinking “I don’t need to note it down, of course I’ll remember later” really really  doesn’t work. So as a result I have only a very vague memory of the test skates :D 

What I do remember is how skaters were withdrawing from test skates one after another after another. Dima, Artur, Stepanova/Bukin, Tarasova/Morozov, Sinitsina/Katsalapov, Alina...  Oh, and also The Coaching Change right after the test skates. 

Senior test skates

There are my highlights and thoughts...

Sasha Samarin - SP Poliushko Polye. I just think that this song suits Sasha so much. He truly is a brave Russian boy. (And if someone comes making fun of his traditional costume I will fight them)

Sasha Trusova - I was really so surprised by her SP (Love Story, Appassionata). Her skating skills improved so much. I almost didn’t recognize her compared to last season. I’m just so happy because it really looks like her programs will be more balanced and interesting. 

Pavliuchenko/Khodykin - I love them and I’m really happy with their choice of programs. Sing, sing, sing for SP and S.O.S.  d'un terrien en détresse for FP. It was not there yet but I really think these programs will help them to become more versatile and show more emotions. To be a bit playful and carefree in the short and emotional and intense in the free. 

Boikova/Kozlovskii - They were simply amazing. They have a new short (Star of captivating happiness) and in the costumes, especially Dima in that light blue velvet jacket, look like skating royalty. (I think they really were one of the skaters most affected by the cancellation of 2020 Worlds, because in my opinion they were on their way to at least a silver). And they picked up where they left last season, they are just even more secure and mature. 

Mikhail Kolyada - He’s back. I’ve always loved Misha’s skating but I couldn’t always say this about his programs. I would even describe the majority of them as weird. Though, on the other hand, he could sell even the weirdest ones. But this year? Two amazing programs, great choreography, showing Misha’s versatility and amazing skating skills.  Let’s get loud - Fun program and I think he really feels comfortable on the ice and is ready to be a showman for a while, to trully reach out to the spectators.  The white crow - I don’t even know how to describe it. It was the most emotional moment of the test skates. There were numerous programs, numerous skaters and then THIS happened. After a season away from skating, after a coaching change, after training in conditions this crazy time brings with it and he did that. I will treasure every time we get to see this performance. 

Junior test skates 

I watched only ice dance and was happy to know that Shanaeva/Naryzhnyy are keeping their Bonnie & Clyde RD and Tyutyunina / Shustiski their La La Land RD. I just love these old classics, so Mamchenkova/Volkov and their Cheek to cheek and Lazareva/Prokofiev New York, New York are great choices in my opinion. 

For free dance, Shanaeva/Naryzhnyy came up with Cirque du soleil/Amaluna and Tyutyunina/Shustiski with Two feet and I liked it. Then I’d like to mention Kaganovskaya/Angelopol and their amazing FD to Come as you are, the lifts, the choreography (I see a bit of S/K last season FD inspiration which I love) aaand Aleksova/Vladimirov’s The devil’s violinist. I loved the classic lift and even the death spiral. 

And I can’t forget Khavronina/Chirizano and their wild La Strada Suiite FD. The performance, the intensity, the speed, the committment to the choreography is amazing. 

[figurelifeflirt]

JGP Poland Junior Free Dance #13-15

Mamchenkova/Volkov(RUS)

Thoughts: that lift mishap seem to zap so much of their confidence. On the bright side though, Mark seems to be aging well. His shoulders are filling out.

Flores/Tsarevski(USA)

Thoughts: I wasn’t sure whether the judges counted that fall from Flores at first. There was some effort to try and disguise it with the choreography at least.

Khavronina/Cirisano(RUS)

Thoughts: that ending pose where Irina had her mouth open looked awkward

French Masters Junior Ladies Short Program #11

Sophie Sprung

Thoughts: she looks wonderful. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her perform.