Figure Skating News

Mukhortova and Trankov lead pairs at Russian Nationals

Maria Mukhortova and Maxim Trankov were very confident and powerful in their routine, reeling off very good side-by-side triple toeloops, a good double twist, a solid throw triple loop, and an excellent lift. The current national bronze medalists were awarded 63.50 points for a first place finish after the short.

“We were very suprised to find ourselves in the lead,” said Trankov. “Before Nationals, we have changed the ending of our program and exchanged the places of death spiral and spin. It was a purely pratical desicion. it just looks better this way, but we still have a room for improving the program. We are also working on our choreography.”

Elena Efaieva and Alexei Menshikov displayed very smart choreography in their routine, complete with all the little touches to set a lyrical mood. The team produced side-by-side triple Salchows, a very good double twist, and a solid throw triple loop, but Efaieva slipped out of the exit of a lift and the team lost synch during the side-by-side flying camel combination spin. Nevertheless, they place second with 53.96 points.

Julia Obertas and Sergei Slavnov showed excellent flow and attack in their routine, but there were many mistakes. Obertas stepped out of her jump on the side-by-side triple toeloops, and then fell (no deduction). The team produced a throw triple loop and a very good lift, but the triple twist had a tight catch and their side-by-side flying camel combination spins were out of synch. The reigning national silver medalists also did not complete their change of hold during the backward-outside death spiral and it was cut short. They stood in third with 53.47 points.

Arina Ushakova and Sergei Karev had a good start, opening with a very good double twist and a throw triple loop, but then Ushakova underrotated her jump on the side-by-side triple toeloops. The team also lost unison during their side-by-side flying camel combination spins and were only given a level three on their lift. They stood in fourth with 51.80 points after the short.

Lubov Bakirova and Artem Patlasov had a good skate which included a very good lift, a throw triple Salchow, and side-by-side double flips. They lost unison during their side-by-side flying camel combination spin, however, they recovered to produce a good spiral sequence and a very good level four double twist. The team finished in fifth place with 49.46 points.

Tatiana Esich and Vitali Babkin displayed good attack and power in their routine which included solid side-by-side double flips, a throw triple Salchow, and good unison in their side-by-side flying camel combination spins. The were awarded 48.96 points and stood in sixth after the short.

Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov opened their routine with a double twist out of a dance lift and a very good throw triple loop, but then Bazarova fell on the side-by-side double Axels. Nevertheless, the young team also produced a good level four lift and spiral sequence, placing seventh with 48.92 points.

Ekaterina Sheremetieva and Mikhail Kuznetsov displayed excellent character and expression in their jazzy routine which included a throw triple Salchow, a difficult lift, and a level four spiral sequence. They finished in eight place with 47.64 points.

Daria Kazuchiz and Sergei Rosliakov and Anastasia Khodkova and Pavel Slusarenko placed ninth and 10th, respectively.

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