Plushenko's trick and Valieva's valuable gift

The main reason for the departure of both Alexandra Trusova and Alena Kostornaya from Eteri Tutberidze was the lack of attention from the coaches, in whose groups there were too many strong skaters. At the Evgeny Plushenko Academy, according to media reports, the schedule of the champion and bronze medalist of the European Championship 2020 is drawn up in such a way that they go to the rink at different times. 

After a long pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, many athletes complained that it was difficult for them to return to their usual schedule and remember the elements. However, Trusova did not have such problems.

“Naturally, I really missed the ice. I tried to replace the skates with rollers and even jumped a single axel on them. But the sensations that you experience on the rink cannot be replaced by anything. To be honest, now, during preseason, I do not feel any discomfort. It seems she just returned from vacation, ”the press service of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) quotes Trusova.

The two-time world champion among juniors lives not only in training. She recently visited the highest observation deck in Europe, located on the Moscow City skyscraper.

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Publication from Sasha Trusova (@avtrusova) Aug 9, 2020 4:20 am PDT

In addition, a pleasant meeting awaited the skater the other day. A small group of fans gave her a surprise by waiting after class. They gave her an impressive bouquet of flowers and a bunch of balloons.

"Each meeting with you is a small holiday for me!" - wrote Trusova.

The fans were pleased with the 14-year-old Kamila Valieva. The fans gave her an Apple laptop.

Self-irony of Tuktamysheva and Medvedeva's unfulfilled dream

Alina Zagitova spoke about a telegram received in May, on her 18th birthday, from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The most memorable event in this period was that we were finally able to celebrate the birthdays of our parents together ... We had not been able to celebrate all the dates together for many, many years. And now everyone was able to receive the attention and care of loved ones, it was fun and sincere. And I was also very pleased that on the day of my 18th birthday I received a telegram with congratulations from the President of the country, "Zagitova said in an interview with the World of Figure Skating.

Meanwhile, Evgenia Medvedeva spoke about her dream. Like many around the world, she has many plans that have not materialized this year. For example, a trip with friends to Italy, which she planned for the offseason. The athlete even identified several places for herself that she wanted to visit. Among them are the Lao River, Lake Garda, the Monti Sibillini National Park and the Courmayeur ski resort.

“I have long wanted to go to Italy. My friends dream of conquering mountain peaks, and I dream of breathing the sea air. I was there only once at the ice show. Long. I didn't really have time to see anything, ”Medvedeva complained.

Meanwhile, the 2015 world champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva answered on Instagram one of the most popular questions from fans: what occupation she would choose if not for figure skating.

“I think either tennis (but my hands are not so good for him, but the form is cool there), or basketball. I love the excitement and collectivity of this game. Maybe I would become the first player in the world with a height of 157 cm. Ideal for knee-level rebounds, ”Tuktamysheva joked.

Three-time medalist of the European Championships Maxim Kovtun, who after retiring from the sport began his career as a rap artist, recently shared a fragment of a new song, and also talked about his hobby, which became "love forever" for him.

“I don't like sports bikes at all, neither how they ride nor how they look. I remember that the theme didn’t interest me at all, but once they gave me a ride on a chopper ... I started, and that's it, ”Kovtun said.

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Publication from Maxim Kovtun | Maxim Kovtun (@maksim_pavlovich) Aug 6, 2020 at 1:30 PDT

Sotnikova's school and Todorenko's first injuries

Adelina Sotnikova ended her professional career in early March, and five months later she opened her own figure skating school, which will be based in the Moscow ice complex "Morozovo". Three times a week, master classes in it will be held by the Olympic champion of Sochi-2014 Fyodor Klimov.

According to the ex-skater, it took her more than a year to decide to launch such a large project.

“And recently, the inner mood and events began to take shape in such a way that I felt - the time has come, it's time! And now I want to give other children a chance, see something in them, show opportunities, help to open up, to achieve results. I want to explain what 100% of labor, effort, desire turns into, ”Sport24 quotes Sotnikova.

Another Sochi champion Elena Ilinykh decided to help Plushenko and joined the coaching staff of his academy. It is not yet known what her responsibilities will be and whether she will work directly with Trusova and Kostornaya, but the specialist himself admitted that he was glad of such cooperation.

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Publication from Evgeni Plushenko (@plushenkoofficial) 8 Aug 2020 at 7:27 PDT

Often, the closest relationships develop between mentors and students, which they manage to carry through the years. One of the brightest examples is Tatyana Tarasova and Alexei Yagudin, who still speak warmly about each other. Recently, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic champion told the coach's favorite joke.

“Alyoshenka, son, are you tired, or what? Get on the arms, I'll rock you, ”Yagudin wrote.

One of the most famous free skating programs of the ex-skater is "Gladiator". The soundtrack from the film of the same name, in which Russell Crowe played the main role, served as music for it. According to Yagudin, the 2000/01 season was the worst in his career, but it was brightened up by his memorable gift - a photo with an autograph of a popular actor.

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Posted by Alexei Yagudin (@ alexei.yagudin) Aug 4, 2020 2:41 pm PDT

Meanwhile, the 2020/21 season is gradually taking shape. It is already known that the International Skating Union (ISU) has decided to hold the adult Grand Prix at the previously approved date. Now the organization has decided on other tournaments. So, the European Championship will be held from January 25 to 31 in the Croatian Zagreb, and the planetary championship - from March 22 to 28 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Meanwhile, Channel One announced the release of a new season of the Ice Age show, in which actors, singers and presenters pair up with professional skaters.

The ex-host of "Heads and Tails" Regina Todorenko as a partner went to Roman Kostomarov, her husband, singer Vlad Topalov - Ilinykh. Tatiana Volosozhar and Ekaterina Bobrova also confirmed their participation in the project. Traditionally, the jury will be headed by Tarasova, and the show will be directed by Ilya Averbukh.