#yuko kavaguti

[dozydawn]

[nanoka12]

Continues~with Wings~ Treasured Edition Book: Right now, the things they want to ask Yuzuru Hanyu about

Questions:

Evgeni Plushenko: “23 years old is still very young. I think you can go for the (next) Olympics when you are 27. I read in an article that you want to land the 4A. Although I think it is difficult and requires a lot of hard work, if you succeed you will set a new record again. And since some time ago I have been wanting him to perform as the black swan from Swan Lake. Because the movements of his arms and wrists are very beautiful and soft. Don’t you think it would be a great programme?”

Jeffrey Buttle: “Though I know he likes classical music, I think perhaps it would also be great to do something that is slightly of a new world, something abstract. Because he has won two Olympics, it feels like “Hasn’t he already achieved everything career-wise!” (laughs) Therefore he has already reached a position where he can do all the things he really wants to do. It is ok not to pick music oriented towards the judges (in order to win competitions) or perhaps I should say...the time is ripe to be adventurous. If he skates to what he wants to, maybe we will get to see yet another different side of him, something that is even more like him, and I look forward to it.”

Takahito Mura: “With regard to skating, how do you want to be involved in it hereafter? I also look forward to see how he will make the most of the things he has pursued in skating thus far in future.”

Johnny Weir: “First of all I want him to be healthy. And then, he will have everything to continue standing at the top of this sport--artistry, jumps, mental strength, he has them all. And to be able to decide on his own terms how long he wants his competitive career to be. After that the thing that is difficult to do is to continue to maintain the love towards figure skating while being apart from competition. I think it is exactly because we have worked so hard to such a degree that we do not want to lose that love. From my personal experience, I felt that as figure skating is tough, after the end of my competitive career, I could not really find something to propel me to continue maintaining my intent to just continue skating. I would think maybe I should train today, and then end up going for dinner with wine. (laughs) Then, what is the thing that would rekindle it? It is difficult. The childhood dream of being a figure skater, and the dream of happiness in life in a new career, as a normal person in real life, it is difficult to pursue both of them thoroughly. In a normal life lived wisely, one must aim for something that is the best but of a different type from what was previously aimed for. I want Yuzuru to be happy, to enjoy, love and sing the praises of his life. I think a normal life as a person, family, friends, and truly being happy are the most important things. And lastly, I also want to see the 4A. (laughs)

Alexander Smirnov: “Do you have an image of yourself competing in the next Olympics?”

Yuko Kavaguti: “There are always jump fests at the end of the ice shows that Yuzuru-kun and I perform at, and I have always wanted to be a part of them. No one joins the jump fest as a pairs team. Next time, I really want to jump together.”

Shae Lynn Bourne: “I have never asked him this, but it is something I have always wanted to ask. Why did he choose me as his choreographer? I want to ask about the things from the beginning. (laughs) And then, someday I want to try making a show number for him. Because for a competition programme one has to take into consideration the elements, stamina, breathers, judges and various things, while at a show it is enjoyable without any restrictions. Whatever we want to do can be done. As to whether it would generate very interesting ideas, it would be great if that would happen eventually.”

Minoru Sano: “Because I am impatient, I immediately become curious about what happens next. Now, what’s the next stage?” 

Answer:

Yuzuru Hanyu: “Somehow, it seems that everyone prayed for my health. (laughs) Yuko Kavaguti-san is amazing, she can still do throw quads. This time I also saw her do them. As there are various pieces of music I want to skate to right now, I also look forward to what kind of programme I will do next. Eventually, more than becoming a coach, I want to reach a position where I am able to pass on my experience and knowledge. In order to be able to go anywhere in the world and not just in Japan, I must practice English more, and I also want to study Russian a little. Also because I want to converse with Plu-san. (laughs) Including these there are also many things I want to study.

(While looking at the collection of messages and autographs) The logo of “Continues~with Wings~” is like my name, to have these great skaters gathered here in this way, to begin with that in itself made me happy, and furthermore I even received their messages in this way. From the skaters who came and also Javi and Stephane, I really feel I am very much loved and supported by these skaters. I have received more blessings than I deserve as a skater.”

(Clockwise from top left)

“Wishing you good luck and health! You are Number 1!”—Evgeni Plushenko

“Yuzu you are loved. ❤️”—Johnny Weir

“Dearest Yuzu, You are a wonderful person, inside and out! Thank you for being an inspiration to so many.” —xoxo, Jeffrey Buttle

“Dear Yuzu, You are a gift to us all.” —Much love, Shae Lynn Bourne 

“Let’s quad together!”—Yuko Kavaguti

“Do your best. I am praying for good health for you!” —Alexander Smirnov

“Now, what’s the next stage?”—Minoru Sano

“I am thankful to have competed together!!”—Takahito Mura

Correction: I translated Alexander Smirnov’s message based on the Russian to Japanese translation in the book, but have been informed by a Russian speaker that his message should be more accurately understood as “(Wish you) Luck, health, kindness.” 

Much thanks to @leelona for the information!

[notebookfilledwithscrabbles]

Continues ~with Wings~ (5)

Translation post 10

Original language: Japanese

Translator's note: This is not a word-for-word translation. I paraphrased some of the things said in the broadcast to clarify the main point.

01:05:49-01:07:02

Introduction of Kavaguti/Smirnov

Hanyu: Let me introduce next guest skaters. They always entertain us with a performance full of elegance and nuances, which is characteristic for a Russian pair. Kawaguchi san and Smirnov san.

Hanyu: I have never trained with Ms. Kawaguchi, but she also was a student of my former coach Mr. Tsuzuki. To improve as a skater she wrote a letter herself… a letter in Russian and left for Russia. This episode left a huge impact on me and encouraged me a lot when I moved from Sendai to Canada, when I had to deal with so many feelings, such as the pain of leaving Japan.

Hanyu: Now ladies and gentlemen, the skaters who gave me the courage, Ms. Yuko Kavaguti, and Mr. Alexander Smirnov.

01:07:02-01:12:27

Commentary on Kavaguti/Smirnov’s performance on day 3

Commentator: Nobunari Oda

Announcer: Teruji Kakuzawa (TV Asahi)

Kakuzawa: Ms. Yuko Kavaguti and Mr. Alexander Smirnov are on the ice.

Kakuzawa: Their program music is "Manfred Symphony". They said that for them, this program is the most impressive work of theirs. They skated this program for 3 seasons since 2013-2014 season and decided to perform it here as they wanted to congratulate Hanyu senshu on his winning the (t/n: Olympic) gold medal with a piece which contains many feelings of those involved in the creation of it.

Oda: Wow, they attempted a throw quad! As Hanyu kun said, the way they've been staying strong and taking on challenges for figure skating... such as Ms. Kawaguchi going to Russia, Mr. Smirnov overcoming injuries must have made a huge impact on skaters not only in Japan but also in all over the world.

Kakuzawa: They've faced many difficulties, yet they won two Worlds bronze medals.

(After their performance)

Oda: As you could see, when they did the final lift, they went into it without losing speed and he lifted her very quickly to the top position.  They are such a fascinating pair, so I hope they'll continue... well, I don't know their future plan, but I hope that I'll be able to see their skating for years to come.

Kakuzawa: According to them, they haven't skated in Japan for more than 2 years. Ms. Yuko Kawaguchi said that she was very excited for this occasion.

Oda: After all, it was a very difficult program to perform in a show.

Reference: Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV - 2015 European Championships - LP

02:11:42-02:16:25

Commentary on Kavaguti/Smirnov’s performance in the 2nd half on day 3

Kakuzawa: Next up are the 2009 and 2010 Worlds bronze medalists, Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov. Their program music is "Bubbly Dance". They chose this music because it is the best music to light up the mood and lift the crowd.

Oda: This choreography is taken from the dance by Tomioka Highschool Dance Club. (t/n: See the “References”)

Kakuzawa: Yes it is!

Kakuzawa: We can hear loud cheers from the audience. They said that all of them, including their coach Ms. Tamara got surprised when they first saw the video of the dance in Russia. However, they took courage and determined to perform it here.

Oda: Does Mr. Smirnov know Ms. Yoko Oginome? (t/n: whose song "Dancing Hero" (a cover of Angie Gold's "Eat You Up") is featured in "Bubbly Dance")

Kakuzawa: I am not sure about that. I could not get into such details... anyway, this program has a very different vibe from the one their previous program had.

Oda: It's really nice of them to select their music to entertain the audience.

Oda: And they are doing difficult tricks like nothing...

Kakuzawa: Final part of this program is approaching... and on the ice... where people are screaming... looking at... Hanyu senshu appeared!

Kakuzawa: It could have been the loudest cheer from the audience. "Bubbly Dance" was joined by Hanyu senshu at the end.

(After their performance)

Kakuzawa: Wow, we had a blast!

Oda: I've never thought that I would ever see "bubbly" Hanyu as well.

Kakuzawa: We had a rare opportunity to see it.

Oda: It was bubbly.

Kakuzawa: This (Bubbly) Dance tends to attract our attention to the cheerful music, but the technique woven into the program was also...

Oda: Amazing, yes. Indeed.

Kakuzawa: They said that at first, they also considered using "Koi Dance" which Hanyu senshu also danced in the past, and decided to perform this one after wavering.

Oda: Uh-huh. It must have required much effort to learn this choreography too, but it was really fun to watch.

Kakuzawa: Indeed. Many smiles blossomed in the venue.

References:

Bubbly Dance by Tomioka Dance Club

Student dance club rises high on piece themed on ‘bubbly’ 1980s by Asahi Shimbun

[lazuliblade]

Continues with Wings - Yuzuru’s Ice Show pt2

The white Continues image was shown at the start of Yuzu’s introduction videos for each skater. Yuzuru talked about each skater he chose - their style, things that inspired him, their importance to him - essentially explaining to us how each one of them has shaped him into the skater he is today.

In addition to these videos, Stephane Lambiel and Javier Fernandez couldn’t physically make it, so they sent video messages of their own to Yuzu -- and Javi had a surprise for us on the final day in the form of a live performance from Madrid!

[figureskatingcostumes]

Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov performing in the 2008 Russian Championships gala.

(© Natasha Ponarina)

[peacocksonice]

News about a skating festival on Feb. 2-3 in Dobrograd with Plushenko, Sergei Voronov, Adelina Sotnikova, Irina Slutskaya, Kavaguti/Smirnov, Ivan Righini, Anna Pogorilaya, Serafima Sakhanovich, etc. This sounds cool...

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The figure skating festival of Evgeni Plushenko will be held on February 2-3, 2018. This is a unique show from the Olympic champions, the legendary figure skating masters, a terrific celebration that will unite the sporting spirit and colorfulness. Complex elements and support, amazing scenery, costumes, light and sound of high quality will make the Festival truly unforgettable. You will certainly be amazed by the beauty, grace and artistry of the skaters who will first come out on the ice of this reservoir. And the venue - a picturesque lake with a view of the mysterious pine forest - will be the best setting for a winter fairytale performance. In addition to the unique show of all guests of the festival, there will be a competition between the best masters of snow sculptures from all over Russia. In real time, giant figures of Russian folk tales will be erected, and everyone will be able to visit the real ice hut.

[ohtheseskaters]

Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov have retired.

[figureskatingfanblog]

I’m not surprised, but still - I liked them. I wish them both the best of luck in the future.

[madforskating]

Kavaguti and Smirnov: Farewell to Unlikely Heroes

I know we’re all still crying over Yulia Lipnitskaya’s retirement earlier this week, and believe me, I’m still sniffling along with you over a beautiful career cut short.  But I also want to talk briefly about a beautiful career that lasted for years, one that is finally coming to a close now.     I don’t think you could find two more different people than Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov.  But this tiny fairy and massive Samson created something special on the ice that caught my eye from the start.     The first time I watched them was 2014 Skate America, and right away I thought they were the most magical thing I ever saw.  I barely knew the difference between pairs and ice dance, but I was in love with what they did.  So it was very sad when inconsistency and injuries hindered the world domination I was sure they would achieve someday.  As I kept watching pairs, I fell in love with all of them.  I screamed myself hoarse when Duhamel/Radford took home their world titles and got goose-bumps from Stolbova/Klimov’s 2015 GPF free skate, but Kavaguti/Smirnov were never far from my heart.     But what was particularly special about them for me was their story.  Yuko was born in Japan, a country where singles skaters are worshipped but pair skaters are almost nonexistent.  So she moved to Russia to skate with Alexander, who came from humble roots in a Russia rebuilding after revolution.  Their career was not the most dominant in the sport, but it is one of perseverance.  After finishing fourth at the 2010 Olympics, they were forced to miss the 2014 Olympics in their home country due to Alexander’s injury.  In 2015, they roared back onto the scene with two throw quads, and it seemed they were destined for the top, but it was Yuko’s turn to be injured, and when they returned the next season, low scores dropped them off the team.     As we say goodbye, I urge you to watch their “Manfred Symphony” free program from the 2015 Cup of China.  Even if you’ve watched it before, watch it again and appreciate the true meaning of pair skating.  It’s something I won’t forget, just like the people who created it.

[rufflesglittersequinsiceskates]

Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov, World Figure Skating Championships 2012 (Free Skate)

That is a gorgeous cerulean blue on both of them, with some spectacular flow.

And SPARKLES.

Just beautiful all around, and perfect for Clair de Lune. Also, are those NAVY BLUE TROUSERS I SPOT? 

Grade: A+

[anewbeginningagain]

What are your thoughts on skaters that represent other countries (e.g. Olivia Smart) and don't even bother to learn a little bit of their language? I'm not sure what I think about that but I find it's sooo cool that Tiffani Zagorski is fluent in russian. I'm not sure if she learned that for the move or if she already knew the language, but I really like the effort regardless =)

I think it's admirable that some skaters who switch countries take the time to get very familiar with the culture and language but I think given that most of the time country switch is mostly a business arrangement and that training to be an Olympic level athlete is so time-consuming I don't have a big issue with it. It's also worth noting that it's way easier to switch to an English-speaking country for obvious reasons.

When I watched the post-competition interview with S/D and H/K, in both it was Adria and Sara being interviewed in Spanish while Kirill and Olivia spoke English, so I would say the non-Spanish partners in both partnerships spent about the same time on it :)

If we look at other examples, I don't think Laurance spoke Danish at any point while Canadanes were representing Denmark for example (at least I never saw any indication of it), Tiffany Zahorski did learn Russian but I don't remember if it was only after the switch since her grandparents were Russians as far as I remember. Bruno Massot learned German in order to pass the citizenship test and become a German citizen but he was never fluent in it and has since gone back to the coach and live in France. Tim Koleto learned to speak and write in Japanese, plus invested a lot of time to get familiar with the Japanese culture and that's wonderful.

I think one of the most remarkable examples is Yuko Kavaguti, who was born in Japan and moved to Russia and paired with Alexander Smirnov (Moskvina was their coach). She was fluent in Russian and she had to give up her Japanese citizenship in order to obtain Russian citizenship. I don't know what she's up to since they retired but it's for sure an example of a skater who uprooted her life and integrated herself into a completely different culture than hers.

But again as I said, switching countries is for the most part a business decision so I don't think there's much need to judge skaters for how much time they put into it (especially if the citizenship process is met).

[dozydawn]

[kaleidodreams]

100 Memorable Skating Programs - 41-45

I've been working on this list for the past couple of years. It started out as my top ten favorite programs, but as a fan of over twenty-four years who has seen hundreds of skating programs over the years, ten didn't seem quite enough, so I bumped it to twenty-five. That twenty-five then expanded to fifty, then to a hundred. Um...oops?

Anyway, some rules I kept in mind while making this list:

1) Only senior-level competitive programs from the 1993-1994 season and later are eligible. Yes, there are a few amazing programs from before then that I love as well, but I wanted to stick to the years that I was actively a fan.

2) Each skater only gets mentioned once on the list, unless there's a partner switch involved. (Hey, Aljona!) I could probably fill this list alone with my favorite Wagner/P. Chan/Weaver Poje/Davis White/Asada/Takahashi/Browning/Anissina Peizerat programs, but variety is the spice of life.

3) Choice of music is also not repeated, either! Y'all don't need a list of fifty amazing "Phantom of the Opera" programs, do y'all? ... I didn't think so.

By the way, this list is mostly about the programs themselves, which is why I've tried to note the choreographers whenever possible. If there are any mistakes or you happen know the name of a choreographer I'm missing, I would love to know!

I’ll be posting five a day. Today, we have 41-45!

41. Karen Chen "On Golden Pond" (Karen Chen) 2017 Nationals - This is such a stunning short program, and it's amazing that Karen choreographed it mostly by herself as a teenager. The spins and her wonderful spiral (that she actually holds onto for more than a second) were particularly breath-taking.

42. Anna Pogorilaya "Scent of a Woman" (Misha Ge) 2017 Europeans - I always really loved Anna's exhibition programs, but her competition programs didn't really do anything for me until this short program. I love this short! It's sexy, and fierce, and the remix section where she does her footwork is really cool!

43. Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirov "Manfred Symphony" (Peter Tchernyshev) 2014 Skate America - I love the build to this program! It just keeps getting more powerful and passionate as the music goes on, and Alexander's stomping is kind of iconic. It's also fairly unusual for a pairs' program to portray an unhappy romantic relationship, so I really enjoyed the novelty of that.

44. Alexander Abt "Songs from the Victorious City" 1998 Nations Cup - I remember watching this program and just absolutely loving it at the time, but over the years, I forgot who skated it. All I was left with was this vague memory of a really great program set to Middle Eastern-sounding music. So I was ecstatic when I found this program again on YouTube! It's just as cool as I remember, and that triple axel-triple loop! I know I said triple loop/triple loop was my favorite combo, but I think triple-axel/triple loop is my actual favorite, combining my two favorite jumps. Only Alexander Abt has done it to my recollection, though.

45. Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir "Prince medley" 2017 Worlds - I admit I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of Tessa and Scott coming back, but I suppose it was worth it if only for this program, which is incredible. The no-touch step in particular was amazing! One of the best short dances ever.

[diedraechin]

At first I was sad about Yuuri missing the Olympics, but then I was optimistic, because the JSF wanted to send him, but he didn't want to go, and all this time, people have been pushing him forward, and I hoped his attitude at the end meant that he was finally ready to walk forward himself, but now I'm worried about Alexi and the JSF, and what it's going to mean for his career. I think if the JSF are too mean, he could always marry Viktor and switch to representing Russia. :)

So I’m avoiding most of this so I don’t give anything away….

There is actually a case of a Figure Skater choosing to compete for Russia instead of Japan.  I think as a pair… hold on and let me see if I can find it… 

Yuko Kavaguti (found it!)

So “she originally competed as a singles skater for Japan, then switched to pairs after being inspired by the Russian pair skater Elena Berezhnaya at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan”

This was while she was a Junior.  She teamed up with a Russian, and they were able to compete at the ISU level for Japan, but not for the Olympics, so they broke up as a pair.  

She happened to like her coach so much that she followed her around.  To NJ then St Petersburg.

Her Wikipedia page is pretty interesting, actually.   You should all go there.

[iguana012]

Russian Nats: The Aftermath

Ho Ho Ho and Happy New Year to everyone reading this! I’m back with a (very) late recap of one of the most important national competitions and possibly that one competition where the judging panel either gets batshit crazy or they are, in fact, Santa’s reindeer in disguise and they give free PCS candy to everyone.

Because although the Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7, the Christmas tree is already lit and the atmosphere is festive. Why wouldn’t it be since Mrs Santa herself is there supporting the children with her... well... shouting, hitting the microphone, tears and so on. 

After making the Grand Prix Final in some way, Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev continued to dominate at Nationals winning their event by a comfortable margin. In the men’s event Maxim Kovtun’s trolling wasn’t on his side; he eventually came back in the FS and made Mrs Santa cry but Mikhail Kolyada ended up taking the crown. In the ladies event Evgenia Medvedeva felt comfortable enough to throw #yolo 3-3-3 combination even though she knew her third triple would be invalidated while in pairs Ksenia Stolbova showed who’s the boss (and their butler) while Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov ended their season here. DETAILS UNDER THE CUT! 

I’m mostly gonna talk about the ladies because the level of holy shitness in this event overshadows all the others. 

Former World Champion (can you believe that) Elizaveta Tuktamysheva still can’t seem to find her mojo. Not only that, but her mojo has been MIA for so long, she didn’t finish anywhere near the podium (she was 8th). Two seasons ago Liza was winning every single competition (except Skate America and Russian Nationals) with a pair of muumuus and a pair of programs that fit her like a glove. Some kind of cabaret Bolero as her SP - that inevitably made me imagine just how it would look next to a live orchestra led by an old white haired conductor - and some kind of strip club Scheherazade (without actual stripping going on in her FS) which required joint wiggling, a sport she might just be better at than figure skating. This season she came up with a Mozart remix so tacky it would probably make the creators of Moulin Rouge! jealous except she decided to switch back to last season’s SP at Nats. And uh, a bat program? Bat queen of caverns? That would explain the falls... since there are, like, hollows in there. ANYWAY Liza is at this point in her career where she became famous with an Ice Ice Baby hit a few years ago and there’s nobody left to write another hit for her. 

Former World Bronze Medalist Elena Radionova (also known as Kate Winslet) brought an interesting SP which she’s able to sell the crap out of BUT somebody had to skate to Turandot this season. SOMEBODY had to do it, okay. She became a top skater right at the same time Liza had her breakout season, except she remained relevant for another season... and a half. Because this season also ends here for her. Her body hasn’t been nice to her at all, she became much taller while her jumps became much smaller but the determination and grit never changed and no matter the quality of her jumps (or lack thereof), she managed to pull through. She made it to the GPF but in a field this deep there’s only so far she can go with her current technique. And when her technique gets worse, you notice several flaws that have been there since the beginning: the posture, the so-so skating skills. 

Current World Bronze Medalist Anna Pogorilaya has pogoturned this season around and taken 180 degrees turn from pogosplats on pogosticks to pogonsistency, pogoconfidence all the while giving pogoboners to everyone. Her Por Una Cabeza SP gives her the opportunity to show her new acquired #sass and although she seems to be wearing a dead animal on her shoulder and the music breaks into a (unnecessary) remix, you just can’t take your eyes off her. She is blessed with a lot of beauty. Blue eyes, full lips, long limbs - truly blessed. The only critique I’d have is her telegraphing her jumps in the FS (so much that she often ends her program after the music), lack of finesse like she isn’t finishing her movements and she’s also very focused to get the job done which makes her performance fall flat in the FS. Other than that, she did get the job done, she had a magnificent Grand Prix season but politics the judges pushed her off the podium either due to not being impressed or due to having Maria Sotskova’s carrots up their butts. 

Speaking of Maria Sotskova... uhm. Well the judges clearly like her! I mean she made the GPF... and her cheer thread on FSU is called “poetry on ice” while I struggle to recall her programs so she must be good. From a powerful club I hear. That would make some sense. She’s a nice kid but it’s like she got her 5 minutes of fame here and will be a filler until Alina Zagitova and Polina Tsurskaya turn seniors... I mean this is her first senior season and yeah she can improve but for now she’s kind of average. And plain. 

And now we’re left with the girls from Eteri’s factory who are basically running the world now and at the Olympics most likely. Eteri’s newest invention is called Alina Zagitova, a 14 year old prodigy who milks the system better than her senior Medvedeva: she doesn’t raise one arm but two, she doesn’t split her jumps into first half and second half, she just skates through the first half and jumps the crap out of the second half, gets all those bonus points and ends up with a higher TES than Medvedeva. But she’s wearing one of Medvedeva’s old costumes. So she’s like. Medvedeva 2.0? Like the Windows 10 to Windows 8? The Snow Leopard 10.6.8 to the Snow Leopard 10.6.x I don’t know I don’t even use Mac but you get the gist. 

And finally the OBVIOUS winner and reigning World Champion Evgenia Medvedeva. I really admire this girl you know? No bullshit. I’m kinda envious. She brings a couple of “what the fuck is going on” programs, she gets her picture taken and she says спасибо, is able to express the horrific consequences of terrorism like “she’s only 16 and her expression is SO mature she is the best skater ever” lalala. No matter how much bitching there will be regarding her programs, her choreographer (also inventor, visionary, arteest) Ilia Averbukh knows how to milk the system as well as Eteri. Evgenia is SO self-confident she goes “well what the fuck I know I’m gonna win I might as well throw a 3-3-3 in the second half of the program just to troll my coach lolz”. I wonder if she was thinking what present to buy for Yuzuru in the middle of her tano jumps? Girl is not afraid to go after the gold. Or her crush for that matter. By the way, the third triple of the 3-3-3 was underrotated, So 0-1 for Eteri. 

And this is a rare picture of choreo genius Ilia Averbukh

AS FOR THE REST OF THE COMPETITION I’M GONNA PUT IT SHORTLY 

[figureskatingcostumes]

Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov's short program costumes at the 2016 Ondrej Nepela Memorial and 2016 Skate Canada.

(Sources: 1, 2 and 3)