“I want to show mastery”: how Zagitova and Samodurov skated a short program at the European Championships

"Zagitova proved to be a fighter"

The program of the European Championship in Minsk was opened by competitions in women's single skating. Russia was represented in this discipline by three athletes, including the current Olympic champion Alina Zagitova. She confirmed the status of the main favorite of the competition and ranked first after the short program. Pupil Eteri Tutberidze scored exactly 75 points and more than two points ahead of her closest competitor - compatriot Sofia Samodurova. Swiss Alexy Paganini (65.64 points) became the third with a big lag behind the leader.

“I think the championship started with a good ride of our girls. There were no errors, but everything is in order. Samodurova - well done, showed everything that is capable of. Alina had one mistake, for which she received a reduction. Paganini performed with dignity, but our girls go by a wide margin, ”quotes the TV channel“ 360 ”of the USSR Honored Coach Tatiana Tarasova.

Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin also praised the performances of Zagitova and Samodurova. He admitted that he was worried about Alina in the light of her not very high result at the national championship in Saransk, where she became only the fifth.

“I was afraid that not a very good performance in a free program at the Russian Championship could leave a mark on Alina’s performance in Minsk. I really liked what I saw today. Yes, she “pecked” away from the flip, but the triple lutz cascade — triple rittberger performed adequately, despite the under-spin. By right takes the leading position ”, - said Yagudin to RIA Novosti.

According to him, at the European Championships, Zagitova looks much more relaxed than at the Russian Championship.

“At the national championship, she was under pressure, because the young juniors with her were performing a series of fours. It is difficult to act in such conditions. Now Zagitova looks easier than in Saransk. I was very pleased with her pressure on jumping, ”concluded Yagudin.

Coach Yevgeny Rukavitsyn was also fascinated with the hire of Russian figure skaters.

“Alina and Sonya performed brilliantly, they are great. Indeed, Zagitova had a slight blot on the rittberger, the judges noticed an undercrush, so the score was lowered. But in general, the performance turned out good. Samodurova has already established herself as a stable, confident athlete, and once again confirmed this title, ”said Rukavitsyn TASS.

The first Russian world champion in the women's single skating, Maria Butyrskaya, was pleased with the mood of Zagitova, but at the same time noted that she often allowed blotting when performing a rittberger.

“She often doesn’t wind him up, this is not the first time. The judges are now attentive to this. And, of course, the triple flip was modest, ”said Sport24 in Butyrskaya.

Ilya Averbukh, Olympic silver medalist in pair skating, focused on the psychological aspect. According to him, Zagitova is trying to demonstrate a maximum, even if she experiences serious difficulties.

“Of course, Alina is now going through a difficult moment - it was clear that she was a little feverish. But she fights, fights, once again proved to be a fighter. Let there be small blots - this is a sports story. It's nice that she leads with such a margin, "said Tass Averbukh.

The renowned athlete and choreographer did not ignore Samodurov, noting the progress in the actions of ward Alexei Mishin.

“Sonya - well done, goes its own way. She has tasks for each tournament, and she solves them. One can see the professionalism of Professor Mishin, that they work in unison, in one tandem, ”said Averbukh.

At the same time, the Olympic champion in ice dancing, Dmitry Solovyov, noticed that at the European Championships Zagitova and Samodurov looked more agitated than during their performance at the Grand Prix stages.

“These are competitions of different levels. Superiority of the Old World in its status is higher. There is a Grand Prix finals, which in a sense can be equated to the European Championship. But the tournament of the continent is a very big responsibility. I want to show my skills, to occupy the highest places. Apparently, it made itself felt, "- quotes Solovyov Sport24.

It is worth noting that the result of Zagitova in the short program of the European Championship was for her the second worst of the season. Previously, she scored less only at the Grand Prix stage in Finland - 68.90 points. According to Solovyov, this cannot be considered a failure.

“This is a very high score. Zagitova herself considers it legitimate. I also think that this is a good result. She perfectly understands what blots she allowed, ”the specialist said.

He also praised Samodurov, emphasizing her dedication and incredible attitude towards achieving high results.

“She always seems charged. Literally dissolved in figure skating. At each rental Sonya goes like the last. This is understandable in her view, her mood. She clings to every moment. This is correct, the result speaks for itself, ”added Solovyov.

"Stanislav has nothing to lose"

Unlike Zagitova and Samodurova, Stanislav Konstantinov did not cope with excitement and now can hardly expect good results at the continental debut championship. Russian woman made a lot of mistakes and scored a total of 56.76 points, taking the 11th line in the short run.

According to Rukavitsyn, the reason for her failure lies in psychology.

“She has great potential, she is graceful, with excellent glide. But, apparently, morally she was not quite able to withstand the debut voltage at the European Championship. I think the coaching staff will figure out what's the matter and what needs to be done, ”said Rukavitsyn.

Tarasova also noticed excessive nervousness in Konstantinova’s actions and added that she shouldn’t attend the evening training session on Tuesday.

“There were other ice and lighting. I think she did not know why she came there. In the end, she tore off all the elements that were fine in the morning. I can testify that today we saw what was in training yesterday, ”said Tarasova.

Agreed with the honored coach of Russia and European champion in figure skating Igor Bobrin. According to him, there was an error in preparing for the short program.

“I was upset with Konstantinova’s speech, because this is a beautiful girl. Very charming, beautiful, with the highest jumps. I talked with some specialists, Stanislav didn’t really figure out the workouts, I didn’t come somewhere. Sometimes there are such inconsistent things, and then the coach had to take responsibility, because the competition is very serious, responsible. It is a pity that she did not get into the strongest workout, you will need to get out, ”said Bobrin.

According to Averbukh, the failure of Konstantin in the short program may deprive her vouchers for the World Cup in Japan, which will be held in March.

“This is not her first failure, but all is not lost - she is a strong skater. However, in the light of the upcoming World Cup in Japan, its positions are most vulnerable, ”said Averbukh.

At the same time, Butyrskaya did not rule out that in the free program, Konstantinov would be able to catch up and eventually win the medal of the continental championship.

“Is a Russian podium possible?” Opponents will fight, but let's hope. Moreover, Stanislav has nothing to lose. Here you need to skate to the maximum, as well as to slightly give away rivals. Anything can happen, ”concluded Butyrskaya.