Return to Zagitova’s training and “attack” of fans

In the interval between major competitions in figure skating, a traditional lull occurred, but this does not mean that nothing happens in this sport. Many athletes take part in ice shows, and also learn new elements, which gives additional reasons for discussion.

The statement of the Olympic champion Alina Zagitova about the temporary termination of her sports career greatly upset her fans, although she herself assured that she did not intend to completely hang skates on a nail. That is why the positive news for them was the message of the organizers of the play Tatyana Navka, in which the skater plays the main role. It talks about the athlete’s plans for the near future.

“After January 7, Alina Zagitova will resume intensive training twice a day with her team. She previously noted the difference between rehearsing a show and preparing for a sporting event. According to her, in the ice show it is necessary to coordinate your skating with partners, while maintaining the artistry and ease, for which millions of fans around the world love Alina so much, ”the statement said.

Nevertheless, not only fans, but also experts complained about the absence of Zagitova at the main starts of the season. Some of them doubt that the younger students of Eteri Tutberidze - Anna Shcherbakova, Alena Kostornaya and Alexandra Trusova, who captured the podiums of the Grand Prix finals and the Russian championship - will be able to continue to perform at such a high level.

So, according to the famous trainer Rafael Harutyunyan, it is necessary to introduce an age qualification in figure skating, as otherwise it will be left without mature performances.

“As a spectator and as a coach, I don’t want her (Zagitova. - RT ) to finish. I don’t know what needs to be done for this. The only thing I know is that you don’t have to bring an 11-year-old or 12-year-old girl who jumps two or three quadruples and removes the beautiful Zagitova. Or can you say that you have already removed? Why am I sad? Because Zagitova’s completely different presentation, ”RIA Novosti quoted Harutyunyan as saying.

The statement of the 2019 world champion provoked a major scandal, in which several prominent representatives of Russian figure skating were immediately involved. The Tutberidze team did not like the statements of a number of experts that her ward could change the coach, which the mentor said in a harsh form. Many assumed that the conflict would finally spoil the relationship between the Zagitova team and the honored trainer of the USSR Tatyana Tarasova, but now we can confidently say that the specialist does not hold evil at the athlete.

Tarasova was present at one of the ice shows with the participation of Zagitova and even gave her a bouquet. She shared her impressions on social networks.

View this Instagram post

Bouquet for Princess Leia - Alina Zagitova. #sleeping beauty #shoutatiannavka #alinazagitova

Posted by Tatiana Tarasova (@tatarasova) Jan 4, 2020 @ 9:32 am PST

An ice show with the participation of a famous athlete attracted a huge number of figure skating fans. The autograph session caused a special stir at which everyone could get a memorable photo with an idol. It is reported that fans literally attacked Zagitova, but she reacted with great professionalism to her duties.

The silver medalist of the 2018 Junior World Cup, Arthur Danielyan, explained the popularity of the skater to her success in Pyeongchang.

“I think she deserves this, and it is not surprising that people accepted her statement about the suspension of her career with such excitement, because all the fans wanted to see her further at the competitions, because this year she has such cool programs,” Danielyan is sure.

A new role of Medvedeva and the ambiguous statement of Averbukh

Another disappointment of the current season was the cessation of the fight at the Russian Championship Evgenia Medvedeva due to problems with skates. In fact, for her this means missing the continental and world championships. At the same time, fans of the two-time world champion can enjoy her performances in ice shows, staged by the famous choreographer Ilya Averbukh.

In addition, it became known that soon she would return to Moscow for a master class. In the meantime, the skater tries herself in a new role: together with the Estonian champion Valdis Mintals, she learns the elements of pair skating.

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While you were sleeping, since the morning with @jmedvedevaj we studied new elements 🙃⛸

Posted by Valdis Mintals (@valmintals) Jan 4, 2020 @ 6:56 am PST

The performance of Averbukh is also very popular, however, the choreographer himself admitted that the organization of such events is associated with large financial costs, which do not always pay off. So, according to him, at the dawn of ice shows in Russia, he had to take a loan and even sell his own car.

“I trained for a long time in the regions, which did not bring income. But I studied, gained experience, understood how everything should be, starting from the advertising layout and ending with the search for sponsors. We have been working in the ruble zone for a long time. They ceased to count in the currency after the crisis, as it became sadder. The average athlete's fee is somewhere around 150-200 thousand rubles. in one go, ”Sport24 quotes Averbukh.

The director’s words about payments to athletes were puzzled by the two-time Olympic champion Maxim Trankov, who also previously participated in his performances.

“Wow, why don’t we know?” Wrote the ex-skater on Twitter.

Surprise Tuktamysheva and Ignatov’s determination

In the role of director, the 2015 world champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva decided to try herself. In early March, an ice show will take place in St. Petersburg, called "The Impossible Is Possible!"

“World and European champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and her friends invite you to a fun, bright, stylish and bold show with the participation of figure skating stars. There will be no second chance! ”The event’s press release says.

Anna Pogorilaya, the bronze medalist of the 2016 World Cup, was pleased with her fans, who has not participated in the competitions since the 2017/18 season, but has not officially announced the end of her career. On her Instagram page, she shared a video from a workout during which she performed the triple lutz cleanly.

“Well, I like it. I haven’t collected Lutz for two years already, ”the figure skater wrote.

This year’s adult debutant Makar Ignatov, who took fourth place in the Russian championship, said he intends to qualify for the upcoming world championships, and is also thinking about participating in the 2022 Olympics. In addition, he said that he plans to strengthen his program by increasing the number of quadruple jumps. Currently, he has salchow and sheepskin coat in four turns.

“For me, failure is a plan to work on. Improve programs, rotations, become more complicated technically. Work to ensure that there is not a big gap between technology and components. So that everything is on the same level, preferably good, and ideal - so that the level is constantly increasing, ”Ignatov quotes“ Match TV ”.