Totally the same! I was at Megasport arena at rostelecom cup and was attracted at first sight when he performed this program at the official practice time, especially the first half! so happy that he can perform the program so well this time.I’ve thought that FS is beautiful program ever since watching a run through clip of it from CoR. So glad he was able to to perform it to its potential finally. He’s such a sensitive artist.
Count me as a new fan, I was super impressed with his skating, beautiful jumps, gorgeous lines and SS, superb musicality... and probably the best musical choice of the season. With consistency he'll get very far.
Also, Dima has been officially named to the Olympics team!!! I truly never thought it was possible until he sealed the deal here...what a dream come true!
Dima posted a cute pic from gala practice with the Italians and Deniss
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeNDJGinQ6f/?taken-by=dimaaliev
Dima and Deniss are my babies who I've loved since their early junior days...it warms my heart to see them doing so well & I'm glad they are friends!
Also, Dima has been officially named to the Olympics team!!! I truly never thought it was possible until he sealed the deal here...what a dream come true!
Wonderful to have you in the Dima fanclub, GGfan And to the other newcomers as well...so nice to finally have some more company If you haven't checked out any of his junior programs, I recommend it! Oblivion is one of my favorites. I also appreciate that his programs never look like the typical COP checking-off-the-boxes kind of program - that is to the credit of Olga Glinka and, of course, Dima, who always gives a complete performance and not just a runthrough of the elements.
I didn't really care for Dima until now, he was a nice skater but lacked charisma and personality and didn't grab my eye. I was also so sad that he beat Sergei at Russian Nats and ended his chances for Olympic spot. However, after today, I am totally sold on him. He was the most stunning skater of today, he moves so smootly across the ice, he is very musical and his jumps are good and secure. As much as I'm sad Sergei will miss the Olympics, I'm so happy Dima will probably get the chance to shine there. I hope that the future has much for him.
I don’t think Dima ever lacked charisma of personality, just quite often stamina and fitness to show it off. You have to take into account that he only started training in a real professional surrounding at age 14 or 15. In Ukhta he at times even trained on natural ice. :noshake:I didn't really care for Dima until now, he was a nice skater but lacked charisma and personality and didn't grab my eye.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story! As a new fan since CoR, I didn't even know that he started professional training at such an age, it was just unbelievable.I don’t think Dima ever lacked charisma of personality, just quite often stamina and fitness to show it off. You have to take into account that he only started training in a real professional surrounding at age 14 or 15. In Ukhta he at times even trained on natural ice. :noshake:
I remember seeing him in Graz a couple of years ago when the junior competition was combined with a senior challenger. He won the junior competition there and he was the only Junior who was invited to the gala because of the fact that he already showed so much personality. And that time he still had that non-pleasant uralic skating style (= bad skating skills). But the talent was already pretty obvious. That he could improve his SS so much at an already advanced age tells you everything about his talent. At a certain age it’s very hard to still improve in this area.
Adding a little story I already posted in Sergei’s fan thread: In Graz after his competition Dima was sitting right behind me in the audience. The challenger in Graz took place at the same time than Cup of Russia. I was following the GP with my mobile on silent mode as well. And guess who was following it as well and cheering for Sergei – Dima. But his mobile sound was still on, so a few people gave him a bad glare and with his head turning red he turned it off and used ear plugs. It was so lovely to see how he cheered for Sergei and totally forgot that the audience around was still more interested in the local event.
By the way Dima is just a loveable slob: he didn’t attend morning practice before the fee as he forgot to take his skates with him for morning practice. Maybe missing this practice has helped him just once this season to keep enough strength throughout his whole routine. [emoji23]