Anastasia Mishina & Aleksandr Galliamov

[flanker]

Free skate:



Once again one more step up.

 

[coldblueeyes]

I'm really happy they changed coaches but kept on skating regularly as they did before. These two have never been known to implode on the ice, and it's so refreshing to watch a team and know that they will most likely nail their program. It wasn't perfect, but if you think about it, it's four times in a row they've competed almost clean in both programs--a few mistakes here and there since the Test Skates, but it's always an incredible effort from them every time.

 

[flanker]

M/G's pictures from the last event:

SP: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIbhyghJuGg/

FS: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIigxWOpnrN/

 

[vorravorra]

Agreed on both points. The best lift they have is their Reverse Lasso, the exit is on the smoother side. Their new lift in the SP is also a bit better, but the other two from the FS all have some heavy exits, and I don't know if that's something they have been working on and want to change, I did notice some improvements from the past, tho.

But it's clear to me that both of them have a lot of personality, you just have to give them the right programs. Master and Margarita worked well with them, but last year's SP was a bust. Also, their first season's FS was also a mess, while "Party Like a Russian" brought the best in them too. I like their programs this year because both of them are good vehicles for them. And hopefully they'll work on these things that are still holding them back. The judges in Russia showered them with GOEs, but I doubt it's going to be like that outside, so they need to get better to have a good fighting chance.

What I found interesting from their interview is that they did not receive acrobatic training for their lifts under Velikova. And they are definitely not a pair that could be just left to figure it out on their own. Moskvina clearly has a better approach as she managed to get BK with not exactly tiny Boikova to a good level. So now that Nastya and Sasha are getting acrobatic training we can expect them to continue to improve.

 

[coldblueeyes]

What I found interesting from their interview is that they did not receive acrobatic training for their lifts under Velikova. And they are definitely not a pair that could be just left to figure it out on their own. Moskvina clearly has a better approach as she managed to get BK with not exactly tiny Boikova to a good level. So now that Nastya and Sasha are getting acrobatic training we can expect them to continue to improve.

I mean, Velikova doesn't give her other teams any acrobatic training either? That's my question, because some of her teams have better lifts, but M/G were never really known for being amazing at that. They were passable. Now it seems like they are actively working to get better, and in the latest showing of the FS they changed some stuff, like the exit to their group 4 lift and how improved the exit to the Backward lift too. It's a lot smoother now.

 

[vorravorra]

I mean, Velikova doesn't give her other teams any acrobatic training either? That's my question, because some of her teams have better lifts, but M/G were never really known for being amazing at that. They were passable. Now it seems like they are actively working to get better, and in the latest showing of the FS they changed some stuff, like the exit to their group 4 lift and how improved the exit to the Backward lift too. It's a lot smoother now.

I would imagine everyone is in the same situation re: specialised acrobatic training in Velikova's group. Pairs with better lifts may simply have female partners who are easier to lift and/or better natural ability in that area.

 

[gsk8]

Hi all!

I sent a PM out a few days ago regarding the Video Project. If you are interested in doing this team (or anyone else), shoot me a PM!

 

[gsk8]

I just wanted to give @Weathergal a big thank you for adding links to their Media profile!

 

[vorravorra]

If Sasha wasn't sick I am sure they would have done better but it is still worrying. I think if it had been just that one popped sal per two programs (like the throw last season) they would have made it since they didn't fall anywhere near as far behind after the SP and they have better domestic support now. But it's still cutting it far too close. The problem is that you can't practice Nationals and of other competitions even GPF didn't seem to bother them enough to count as suitable mental preparation. Let's see what Moskvina does.

 

[coldblueeyes]

I think they need some help to better overcome these mistakes. They have been good in all their competitions, and then this one mistake happens, and they kind of lose focus a bit, or overfocus--during the warmup of the FS Sasha was too serious and I felt like Nastia in contrast was trying to lighten up the mood. It's good that they still have chances to make the Worlds team, if that happens. They have the goods, they know how to deliver. It's just that there's so much riding on Nationals, and their recent competitions showed that they were there to win. I think being this close to the title got to them, which is a pity.

 

[flanker]

Them being out of the team for the second year in a row would make me truly sad. But it's similar to ladies field. Here the Russians have four top pairs (maybe even more in the near future with P/R, K/B and maybe some others) and one has to be left out

 

[gordana]

Them being out of the team for the second year in a row would make me truly sad.

It's early to say they are out of the team. So far only the champions secured their spots for the Worlds, if they of course happen. The rest spots are still on Coaching Board / Counsel decision. The fed will look the team tournament and Russian Cup final.

 

[flanker]

It's early to say they are out of the team. So far only the champions secured their spots for the Worlds, if they of course happen. The rest spots are still on Coaching Board / Counsel decision. The fed will look the team tournament and Russian Cup final.

I know, it was just my little "what if" complaint.

 

[vorravorra]

Ok, this competition was important. Nastya and Sasha needed to show unravelling at Nationals was a fluke (or, rather, due to Sasha being sick). Now all they need is to outskate P/K at the Russian Cup Final. No pressure

 

[coldblueeyes]

They really were the technical pair this time. Of course they have lots to improve, but it was great compared to Nats. Also, the new music cut is a much better now.

 

[vorravorra]

They moved the combo to the first element, which increases their chances of hitting it (I presume otherwise why do it). That's really the most nerve-wracking element. I am so happy at least their throws are incredibly solid compared to B/K and P/K (actually compared to any pair, I can't think of one with more consistent throws).

On another note, there seems to be some sort of competition for the top dog position going on between Sasha and Dima Kozlovski. Not sure this is a good thing. I hope Moskvina manages this well. At least the girls do not seem to be involved, although it could just be more low-key.

 

[vorravorra]

They really were the technical pair this time. Of course they have lots to improve, but it was great compared to Nats. Also, the new music cut is a much better now.

I am thinking of how long T/M took to improve... And they are still not consistent. M/G turned senior at such an unforgiving time in terms of depth of pairs. One mistake can cost you everything. T/M will presumably leave after the Olympics but Kadyrova/Balchenko may become a threat, hard to say since she is still quite young. It's clear that Panfilova/Rylov are not going anywhere much unless they get a triple. The current junior pairs don't worry me as much as I am not seeing either difficult jumps or P/R level of pair elements there.

 

[coldblueeyes]

I am thinking of how long T/M took to improve... And they are still not consistent. M/G turned senior at such an unforgiving time in terms of depth of pairs. One mistake can cost you everything. T/M will presumably leave after the Olympics but Kadyrova/Balchenko may become a threat, hard to say since she is still quite young. It's clear that Panfilova/Rylov are not going anywhere much unless they get a triple. The current junior pairs don't worry me as much as I am not seeing either difficult jumps or P/R level of pair elements there.

The thing is that, M/G already had fantastic basics before they moved to Moskvina, and she gave them so much more in terms of presentation, I wonder how far they can get under her thumb. But it's definitely a longevity game, for sure. I think they could last two more quads if they want to compete, and you're right when you say that no other Russian junior pair is really pushing the envelope so far. It's also hard to make predictions about the junior at this point, as you said, we're still waiting to see P/R jumping triples. Until then, they're not going anywhere.
At the moment, M/G are the technical pair in Russia. I'm not sure if they are still working to get the triple lutz, or maybe a quad throw, because they have the room.

 

[flanker]

Nastya gave thanks for the 1TV Cup experience:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLEcvrMp0zC/

 

[rollerblade]

On another note, there seems to be some sort of competition for the top dog position going on between Sasha and Dima Kozlovski. Not sure this is a good thing. I hope Moskvina manages this well.

No worries. This is not Moskvina's first rodeo having multiple teams at the World+Olympic stage. She has done it since the 80's!