Premiere with a personal record: how Tarasova and Morozov won the first tournament under the leadership of Tutberidze

The modest Cranberry Cup International tournament in the American Norwood has attracted the attention of Russian fans this year. The reason is the participation in it of the winners of the Olympic Games and World Championships Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov. In the spring, the couple began collaborating with Eteri Tutberidze, who specializes in singles, and it was the suburb of Boston that was chosen as the location for the premiere. Including, because it is convenient for the specialist himself to get here - Eteri Georgievna regularly visits her daughter training in the USA in the offseason.

A small competition was also perfect because the Russians could play here calmly, without looking back at their competitors.

Only reigning US champions Alex Knirim and Brandon Fraser could throw the glove at them.

Therefore, athletes had the opportunity to demonstrate new programs to fans without unnecessary nerves in the training mode of increased responsibility.

In general, the impression from their rentals was positive.

Short Tarasova and Morozov skated to the composition "Moonlight" by Claude Debussy.

It was staged for figure skaters by Alexander Zhulin.

In the first part, the domestic duo made the only serious mistake - Evgenia fell on a triple sheepskin coat.

It is alarming that the couple missed their jumps again, which caused them to suffer several times in the past.

Also, attention was drawn to the change in the color of the partner's dress in the middle of the program from blue to yellow-blue.

This trick was previously repeatedly used by Tutberidze's students - Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova.

Of course, it hardly affected the final assessment, but even with the unfortunate fall, the domestic duo was more than six points ahead of the closest pursuers.

In the free program, Tarasova and Morozov again competed with themselves.

They performed the program to the track "The Lighthouse" by Patrick Watson.

And this time their performance was almost perfect.

The Russians did without gross flaws.

Perhaps the support was somewhat exciting.

In general, it was felt that the athletes did not always have enough synchronicity, but in the absence of competitive practice, this was understandable.

This time the judges did not skimp on the marks and gave Evgenia and Vladimir 151.66.

Thus, they managed to immediately update their personal record in the free program by 4.4 points.

In total, the pair scored 227.63.

It is curious that this is 0.04 points more than Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov earned at the gold championship of the planet in Stockholm.

The rivals were unable to make the Russians even a semblance of competition.

Knirim and Fraser only scored 205.87 points.

Third place was taken by another American duo - Jessica Kalalang and Brian Johnson with a modest 195.28 points.

After the first success, the coaching staff of the Russians did not hide their optimism.

So, Tutberidze posted a photo with her wards on her Instagram page and was glad at the beginning of the season.

In turn, in the account of the coach's team, they congratulated Tarasova and Morozov on their victory and thanked the organizers of the competition, who, despite the current restrictions at the awards ceremony, raised the Russian flag and played the national anthem.

But Maxim Trankov, who was previously the head coach of the duet, has not yet reacted in any way to what happened.

In the United States, he did not fly with the skaters.

According to Tutberidze, this is due solely to the lack of a visa.

Experts were also delighted with the performance of the winners of the Games.

Zhulin, who gave them a short program, did not skimp on praise for the couple.

“It is clear that when there is a torn element, the program sags a little, but on the whole I liked everything very much - both short and free.

The free program was just excellent, they performed it reliably and boldly.

I think that this first start and a mistake in the short program, on the contrary, will mobilize the guys and give an impetus.

So they are great fellows.

So to be ready for August 16 is an excellent indicator ”, - quotes the words of the Sport24 specialist.

In turn, the famous coach Tatyana Tarasova did not hide her joy for the guys, but she chose not to look far ahead.

“This is a great start on the path of Eteri Tutberidze in pair skating.

Congratulations to the whole group, all great fellows.

Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov are a wonderful couple, I will be very happy for them if they fully recover, ”Tarasova emphasized. 

“Are the chances of Olympic gold getting better? I am not a fortune-teller and cannot tell. As for Evgenia's fall from the sheepskin coat, the coaches themselves know what to fix and how to fix it. I can only give advice to such outstanding specialists when they themselves ask, ”Tarasova said.