OES News 22/23

[TAHbKA]

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[Sylvia]

Posted by @Miezekatze in the German news thread on March 18, 2023:

I found another article which confirmed that Aljona brings Alexandra Nazarova and Nicola Todeschini with her to Chemnitz as coaches.

I just did a search on FSU and saw that the news of Nicola Todeschini (who last competed internationally for Switzerland in November 2021 according to his ISU bio and married Nazarova in 2022) switching to the Netherlands was never posted here - he has a GFM linked in his Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/iamnicolatodeschini2.0/

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting here from the Dance Hall thread re. Sweden's Nikolaj Majorov:

Nikolaj Majorov on Instagram: "And a new chapter begins! Due to my injury I have decided to change to ice dance! I have always had a passion for ice dance but never the reason to try, after hearing that my injury would not heal for jumping I took the

1,572 likes, 82 comments - nikolaj_majorov on April 21, 2023: "And a new chapter begins! Due to my injury I have decided to change to ice dance! I have always had a passion for ice dance but never the reason to try, after hearing that my injury would not heal for jumping I took the next step and...

www.instagram.com

Majorov has switched to Ice Dance! He says he has a partner, but no mention of who that is yet.

Nov. 25, 2022 in the GP Espoo Men's SP play-by-play thread:

Majorov had a recent Instagram story of him visiting a spine(?) clinic so I assume he’s been having back issues?

This April 20th Ekaterina Kurakova article in Polish was tweeted and parts translated in the Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/sanaemilia_pol/status/1649121080596889603

Mediolan-Cortina 2026: igrzyska olimpijskie motywacją dla polskiej łyżwiarki | Poinformowani.pl

Katia Kurakowa o swoich planach w związku z zimową olimpiadą w 2026 roku i zmianą w ekipie trenerskiej

sport.poinformowani.pl

Machine translated excerpt:

Kurakowa is also planning new programs for the next season, in which she intends to try a different style than before. It is true that fans love her for her light skating with an inherent smile on her face, but Katia also wants to develop in another direction: - I really appreciate skaters who sometimes try to change something, show a different side. I would like to be a skater who does more, I would like to do more than I can do now, try to see myself from different angles, show that I am not only a smiling, cheerful girl, but I can also be serious, maybe dramatic or sad – she announces. And in another place she adds: - I feel like I should show my more mature side now.

She showed a sample of such more serious choreography in February on her Instagram account. The fragment filmed in an atmospheric way by Jérémie Flemin received positive feedback from the fans.

Her clip: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co5XHjtoV5w/

 

[Evilynn]

An article from SVT about Majorov's switch to ice dance: https://www.svt.se/sport/konstakning/nikolaj-majorov-byter-disciplin-satsar-pa-isdans

It doesn't really say much more than his IG post, but in short: Due to his back injury he's switching discipline (it was that or retire). He's always looked up to Takahashi, and his switch made Majorov realize that might be a viable option for him as well.

It does not state who his partner will be, but it does say they will represent Sweden.

 

[Finnice]

Heja Sverige! I am happy that Nikolaj will continue as an ice dancer!

 

[TAHbKA]

Takahashi was in his 30s, with amazing skating skills and I can't recall him having a back injury.... but good luck to Majorov

 

[skateblessing]

An article from SVT about Majorov's switch to ice dance: https://www.svt.se/sport/konstakning/nikolaj-majorov-byter-disciplin-satsar-pa-isdans

It doesn't really say much more than his IG post, but in short: Due to his back injury he's switching discipline (it was that or retire). He's always looked up to Takahashi, and his switch made Majorov realize that might be a viable option for him as well.

It does not state who his partner will be, but it does say they will represent Sweden.

I´m pretty sure his new partner is a Norwegian skater after doing some research. From the wording it seems to be a skater from another country since there is paper work to be done first. I´m excited about this. Hope they will tell us soon!

 

[tony]

Takahashi was in his 30s, with amazing skating skills and I can't recall him having a back injury.... but good luck to Majorov

Saulius Ambrulevicius started out in last place in his ISU Championship singles’ appearances and he’s moved his way into the top 10 in the World; Julia Turkkila also was a mid-tier skater and now is in the top 10 as well. Takahashi may have great sweeping skating skills but they….. haven’t really shown up in his ice dancing career yet so you never know what can happen.

 

[Andrea82]

Saulius Ambrulevicius started out in last place in his ISU Championship singles’ appearances and he’s moved his way into the top 10 in the World; Julia Turkkila also was a mid-tier skater and now is in the top 10 as well. Takahashi may have great sweeping skating skills but they….. haven’t really shown up in his ice dancing career yet so you never know what can happen.

Also, Macro Fabbri finished 24th, 27th and 18th in his Junior Worlds appearances as a single skater. The 18th place was in the year of one of Saulius' last places

 

[Marta24]

Also, Macro Fabbri finished 24th, 27th and 18th in his Junior Worlds appearances as a single skater. The 18th place was in the year of one of Saulius' last places

Daniel Mrazek finished 13th and 15th at his two JGPs as single skater and didn't even make it to Junior Worlds. I wonder who will coach Majorov + partner? Maybe someone who works a lot with younger teams would be a good choice, at least at the start of their career.

 

[Seerek]

Alper Ucar switched to ice dance from singles in his mid 20s.

 

[skateblessing]

I´m pretty sure his new partner is a Norwegian skater after doing some research. From the wording it seems to be a skater from another country since there is paper work to be done first. I´m excited about this. Hope they will tell us soon!

A few days ago since it was announced, but Nikolaj Majorov has in fact teamed up with the Norwegian skater Milla Ruud Reitan:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Milla is a former single skater and competed until Novice level. After that she switched to Ice Dance in 2020 - 2021 and teamed up with Nikita Remeshevskiy and represented Germany. Milla and Nikita qualified to JGP 2021 Kosice after a test skate in Oberstdorf, but WD before the competition. They only competed once in Open Andorra 2021 as juniors.

If I remember correctly, Nikita and Milla was listed at NK1 in the German Team in the 2021-22 season, but last season they were listed at NK2. I´m not sure if that is the reason they didn´t compete at all last season, or if there has been injuries involved.

Milla will be 18 years this year, so she is old enough for seniors.

I think Milla and Nikolaj has kind of same kind of style, so I think they will be an interesting couple to watch.

Also, knowing the history of the Swedish Olympic Committee and their unrealistic demands of results, pairing up with a Norwegian skater could be a smart move in case they won´t get a ticket to the next OG. A transfer to Norway could be a possible and strategic plan B for 2030 in case they get screwed over by the SOC in 2026. Norway has a ID team now, but they are a bit older then Milla and Nikolaj, and I think it´s more likely that the Swedish team will stay for two olympic cycles.
Hopefully it won´t be an issue, but Nikolaj of all people knows very well what happen to his brother Alexander Majorov, and since Nikolaj hasn´t experience with Ice Dance and Milla only a little, placing among the top placement is not likely so they might not get the result that SOC requires (hopefully they can get a free pass for other reasons).

 

[Sylvia]

A few days ago since it was announced, but Nikolaj Majorov has in fact teamed up with the Norwegian skater Milla Ruud Reitan:

Thanks for the extra info - their partnership news was also posted in the Dance Hall thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...in-on-up-2023-2024.110662/page-4#post-6432676

Re-posting (from the Japanese news thread) this recent article on Switzerland's Naoki Rossi, 16, here:

[ICE TIME] Talented Skater Naoki Rossi Inspired by Visit to His Ancestral Homeland | SportsLook

Teenager Naoki Rossi talks about the challenges of becoming an elite skater, his skating inspiration, his bicultural upbringing and much more.

featured.japan-forward.com

Excerpts:

World junior silver medalist Naoki Rossi is in Japan for the next few weeks for a bit of vacation and to work on his free skate for the coming season. The 16-year-old Rossi is the product of a Japanese mother and Swiss father and has an Italian grandmother. [...] Rossi was born in Zollikon, Switzerland, a suburb of Zurich in 2007. He is a gifted young man who speaks five languages (Japanese, English, German, French, Italian) and also plays the violin at a high level. But that only scratches the surface of his interesting life story.

Re. Junior Worlds in Calgary:

"I was very filled with pride and emotions," Rossi stated. "That was a very special moment for me. I could not really show any of my results this past year. At the start of the season, it didn't really work out for me. My first JGP didn't go well, and my second I could not be on the podium." [...]
"I never expected to be on the podium in Calgary," Rossi confessed before adding, "I thought it was an impossible mission. I just wanted to qualify for the free skate. That was my goal. Somehow, I got almost 80 points in the short program.
"Even after that I was not thinking I could make the podium because the other skaters had a lot of experience," Rossi added. "I just tried to stay positive and focus on myself. I think some of the skaters were tired in Calgary after the long season. It is up and down for everybody. That is normal. We are not robots."

"My plan is I will do juniors again this season," Rossi remarked. "My goal is to qualify for the Junior Grand Prix Final, since I could not qualify last year. It is also a dream of mine to go to the Youth Olympics [in January in South Korea].

 

[Sylvia]

Golden Skate's 30-minute video interview with the 2023 Junior World ice dance champs and CZE siblings Katerina Mrazkova/Daniel Mrazek, uploaded today (May 22): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8_iF39SFyw

Mrazkova and Mrazek eye Grand Prix

Katerina Mrazkova and Daniel Mrazek The Czech Republic's brother-and-sister team of Katerina Mrazkova and Daniel Mrazek have rapidly progressed as an ice

www.goldenskate.com

... Both started as single skaters, and after an ankle injury, Daniel and his sister teamed up. They eventually relocated to Egna, Italy, to train under Matteo Zanni, Barbora Reznickova and Denis Lodola.
In this interview, they reflect on their unfortunate falls at the 2022-23 Junior Grand Prix Final, where they took bronze. They also talk about their programs and how they would like to try different styles, as well as their goals were coming into this season. Listen in as they share their hopes for getting Grand Prix assignments for the upcoming season and much more!

 

[Sylvia]

Cross-posting from the Dance Hall thread... IDC article on the new ice dance team of Reitan/Majorov for Sweden by Anne Calder (May 30):

Reiten & Majorov: A New Beginning – Ice-dance.com

www.ice-dance.com

Golden Skate's video interview with Estonia's Arlet Levandi, 17 (May 29):

Arlet Levandi ready for double duty

Arlet Levandi Estonia's Arlet Levandi is ready to pull double duty for the upcoming 2023-24 figure skating season. If not selected for Grand Prix

www.goldenskate.com

Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ug5W35eqFw

In this interview we get to know Levandi better as he talks about his path into skating, being coached by his mother, his music from the past season, and his idols in the sport. He also shares his plans and process moving ahead into the next season. We also learn about his hobbies, long-term prospects, how his jumps are coming, what he would like to study, and where he got his excellent English skills.

 

[Sylvia]

Golden Skate's off season updates from Oberstdorf-based skaters continue with Switzerland's ... (also posted on Instagram)

Lukas Britschgi: https://twitter.com/goldenskate/status/1665027550471507970
Excerpt:

Now he is back on training ice in Oberstdorf after getting his new Free Skate choreographed by Adam Solya in Belgium in May.
“I will announce my music at some point during the summer!”, he told us with a smile. “I want to show a new side of myself this season, of course still aiming to have modern and inovative programs, but I want to go slightly into a new and different direction!”
He is currently in Milan , working on the new SP with Andrea Vaturi.

Alexia Paganini: https://twitter.com/goldenskate/status/1665035958540988416
Excerpt:

“I think the break was good for me because despite the health-issues that I was having, I was pretty exhausted. I needed to take a step back. Also with all the coaching changes I had, it was really good to have a few month working on my technique, to just work without the stress of competition.”
She got both of her new programs choreographed by Adam Solya in Belgium :
“I went in the direction I wanted to go, I followed my own vision with these two programs, not necessarily my coaches or other peoples’ visions. Working with Adam was great. We found something that fits to me, that is a bit different than normal but not a huge step out of my comfort zone.
I dream of showing up at a competition without revealing the music before. ”

ETA this February 2023 video interview in which Alexia speaks German (or is it Swiss German?):

Alexia Paganini: «Nächste Saison komme ich mit voller Kraft zurück.»

Eiskunstläuferin Alexia Paganini hat keinen einfachen Winter. Die Athletin mit Wurzeln in Graubünden stand in diesem Winter nur bei wenigen Wettkämpfen am Start.

www.suedostschweiz.ch

Last week Alexia also shared a clip of her skating "work in progress" with Solya (not her program music): https://www.instagram.com/reel/Csv7dXBgZyA/

 

[Karen-W]

Diana Davis & Gleb Smolkin have switched federations and will be representing Georgia.

Gleb Smolkin on Instagram: "Мы благодарим всех болельщиков, кто поддерживал и продолжает поддерживать нас 🙏 Начинается новая глава в нашей спортивной жизни 🇬🇪 Мы очень ждём возможности выйти на соревновательный лёд! მადლიერებას გამოვხატავთ ყველა იმ

6,399 likes, 107 comments - glebsmolkin7 on June 5, 2023: "Мы благодарим всех болельщиков, кто поддерживал и продолжает поддерживать нас 🙏 Начинается новая глава в нашей спортивной жизни 🇬🇪 Мы очень ждём возможности выйти на соревновательный лёд! მადლიერებას გამოვხატავთ ყველა იმ გულშემატკივრის...

www.instagram.com

 

[Gris]

In other Georgian skating news...

Georgian Figure Skating Federation

საერთაშორისო საციგურაო კავშირის წესების თანახმად, ფიგურულ ციგურაობაში ოფიციალური საერთაშორისო ტურნირები აგვისტოს ბოლოს, იუნიორთა შორის გრან პრის ეტაპებით იწყება. ყველა ქვეყნის ეროვნული...

www.facebook.com

From the post above by Georgian Figure Skating Federation:

Kvitelashvili has retired.

Metelkina and Berulava have paired up.

Yehor Barshak will skate with Mariia Alieva (who skated with Mathieu Couyras last season) in Juniors.

And that post confirms D/S' switch once again. It also mentions that Diana is a Georgian citizen.

 

[Karen-W]

In other Georgian skating news...

Georgian Figure Skating Federation

საერთაშორისო საციგურაო კავშირის წესების თანახმად, ფიგურულ ციგურაობაში ოფიციალური საერთაშორისო ტურნირები აგვისტოს ბოლოს, იუნიორთა შორის გრან პრის ეტაპებით იწყება. ყველა ქვეყნის ეროვნული...

www.facebook.com

From the post above by Georgian Figure Skating Federation:

Kvitelashvili has retired.

Metelkina and Berulava have paired up.

Yehor Barshak will skate with Mariia Alieva (who skated with Mathieu Couyras last season) in Juniors.

And that post confirms D/S' switch once again. It also mentions that Diana is a Georgian citizen.

Shocking, I tell you. None of this surprises me (well, the Alieva/Barshak dance partnership does a little, but the rest does not). We were speculating on Metelkina/Berulava last winter.

 

[Frau Muller]

Diana Davis & Gleb Smolkin have switched federations and will be representing Georgia.

Gleb Smolkin on Instagram: "Мы благодарим всех болельщиков, кто поддерживал и продолжает поддерживать нас 🙏 Начинается новая глава в нашей спортивной жизни 🇬🇪 Мы очень ждём возможности выйти на соревновательный лёд! მადლიერებას გამოვხატავთ ყველა იმ

6,399 likes, 107 comments - glebsmolkin7 on June 5, 2023: "Мы благодарим всех болельщиков, кто поддерживал и продолжает поддерживать нас 🙏 Начинается новая глава в нашей спортивной жизни 🇬🇪 Мы очень ждём возможности выйти на соревновательный лёд! მადლიერებას გამოვხატავთ ყველა იმ გულშემატკივრის...

www.instagram.com

WOWSIE YOWZIE!

Regardless of mother in law and family history, My main thought: Kudos to Gentleman Gleb, who showed total class protecting Diana at the backstage area in Beijing 2022, while being hounded by reporter Brennan. I honestly hope that this goes decently for them, however and with whomever they are coached.

 

[Karen-W]

So, it appears that WISA is becoming the US home base for Georgian ice dance...

Masha Alieva on Instagram: "Hey, everyone! I would like to share some exciting news with you. Yehor Barshak and I will be representing Georgia this season. 🇬🇪 We will be training under the guidance of Alexei Kiliakov and Elena Novak at the ION x WISA

170 likes, 10 comments - Masha Alieva (@mashafigureskater) on Instagram: "Hey, everyone! I would like to share some exciting news with you. Yehor Barshak and I will be rep..."

www.instagram.com

 

[Miezekatze]

ETA this February 2023 video interview in which Alexia speaks German (or is it Swiss German?):

Alexia is speaking German, the reporter is speaking "mild" Swiss German (meaning I understand it )

 

[Stephanie]

Really nice in-depth interview with Nina Pinzarrone by Goldenskate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4VfPsTnGZ8

 

[airgelaal]

In other Georgian skating news...

Metelkina and Berulava have paired up.

And they'll start as juniors

«Я не ÑоÑÑ ÐºÐ°ÑаÑÑÑÑ Ð¾ÑÐµÐ½Ñ Ð´Ð¾Ð»Ð³Ð¾. Ðо 28 Ð»ÐµÑ â поÑолок». ÐÑÑзинÑкий паÑник ÐÑка ÐеÑÑлава пÑо ÑÐ¼ÐµÐ½Ñ Ð¿Ð°ÑÑнеÑÑи, коллег и ÑÑенеÑов

20-леÑний ÑигÑÑиÑÑ ÐÑка ÐеÑÑлава ÑÑпел к ÑÐ²Ð¾ÐµÐ¼Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ð»Ð¾Ð´Ð¾Ð¼Ñ Ð²Ð¾Ð·ÑаÑÑÑ Ð¿Ð¾ÑÑаÑÑвоваÑÑ Ð² двÑÑ Ð¾Ð»Ð¸Ð¼Ð¿Ð¸Ð°Ð´Ð°Ñ, завоеваÑÑ Ð¼ÐµÐ´Ð°Ð»Ð¸ ÑниоÑÑÐºÐ¸Ñ ÐÑан-пÑи и вÑигÑаÑÑ ÑниоÑÑкий ÑÐµÐ¼Ð¿Ð¸Ð¾Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð¼Ð¸Ñа. Ðн наÑал Ñвой пÑÑÑ...

matchtv.ru

 

[Karen-W]

And they'll start as juniors

«Я не ÑоÑÑ ÐºÐ°ÑаÑÑÑÑ Ð¾ÑÐµÐ½Ñ Ð´Ð¾Ð»Ð³Ð¾. Ðо 28 Ð»ÐµÑ â поÑолок». ÐÑÑзинÑкий паÑник ÐÑка ÐеÑÑлава пÑо ÑÐ¼ÐµÐ½Ñ Ð¿Ð°ÑÑнеÑÑи, коллег и ÑÑенеÑов

20-леÑний ÑигÑÑиÑÑ ÐÑка ÐеÑÑлава ÑÑпел к ÑÐ²Ð¾ÐµÐ¼Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ð»Ð¾Ð´Ð¾Ð¼Ñ Ð²Ð¾Ð·ÑаÑÑÑ Ð¿Ð¾ÑÑаÑÑвоваÑÑ Ð² двÑÑ Ð¾Ð»Ð¸Ð¼Ð¿Ð¸Ð°Ð´Ð°Ñ, завоеваÑÑ Ð¼ÐµÐ´Ð°Ð»Ð¸ ÑниоÑÑÐºÐ¸Ñ ÐÑан-пÑи и вÑигÑаÑÑ ÑниоÑÑкий ÑÐµÐ¼Ð¿Ð¸Ð¾Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð¼Ð¸Ñа. Ðн наÑал Ñвой пÑÑÑ...

matchtv.ru

I didn't see that decision coming, since they are eligible for GP assignments. I wonder if they'll change their minds if they get a GP assignment on the initial go-round.

 

[RoseRed]

I didn't see that decision coming, since they are eligible for GP assignments. I wonder if they'll change their minds if they get a GP assignment on the initial go-round.

Edit: replied in the GP thread

 

[Stephanie]

The Lithuanian government has started the process to revoke Margarita Drobiazko’s citizenship due to her participation in one of Navka’s shows a year ago:

Lithuanian Lawmakers Start Motion To Revoke Citizenship Of Figure Skater Over Event In Russia

Lithuanian lawmakers have initiated a process to take away the citizenship of Moscow-born figure skater Margarita Drobiazko over her participation in an event in Russia in August 2022, Lithuania's National Radio and Television reported on June 21.

www.rferl.org

 

[Sylvia]

MatchTV.ru asked Drobiazko today (June 21): We saw today's news. Could this affect your accounts or real estate in that country?
Her reply: "No, I don’t have any accounts or real estate in Lithuania."
Just as well, since Drozbiako/Vanagas are doing Navka's "Sleeping Beauty" show in Sochi through the summer that's underway now.

Really nice in-depth interview with Nina Pinzarrone by Goldenskate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4VfPsTnGZ8

Thanks! Here's the link to Golden Skate's summary page where Nina's 31-minute video interview is embedded: https://www.goldenskate.com/belgiums-nina-pinzarrone-fearless-moving-forward/
Nina was honored in Paris last month for being one of the 5 finalists for the Winter Piotr Nurowski Prize (won by Slovakia’s young ice hockey star Nela Lopusanova) - her photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsLJ5H5olqO/

Judith Dombrowski's article on Sweden's Andreas Nordeback (June 19):

Break-through season for Sweden's Andreas Nordeback

Andreas Nordeback 2022-23 was a break-through season for Sweden's Andreas Nordeback who debuted on the senior international scene. The 19-year-old from

www.goldenskate.com

Since the start of the off-season, I have been focusing more on the off-ice and gym workouts to build up a better foundation, as well as working on my technical side with doubles and triples,” he said. “We are looking to start working on my quads more in depth late July and across August. I’m not worried about landing my quads, but more so to stay healthy and be able to do them without injuring myself.”
Nordeback will be going to Toronto to work with David Wilson next month on both new programs for the upcoming season. In general, the skater wants to show he can skate to a great variety of music styles: “classical, modern, faster-rhythm… I would like to try everything!”

Judith also conducted an in person interview in Oberstdorf with Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolaj Majorov, Sweden's new ice dance team (June 5):

Sweden's Reitan and Majorov eager for debut

Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolaj Majorov Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolaj Majorov are eager for debut as a new ice dance team representing Sweden. Two months

www.goldenskate.com

ETA - re-posting here from the Dance Hall thread:

Sweden has another new team, Kivioja and Pellnor, both former single skaters!

Link to the Instagram team profile of Emma and Erik (they announced their partnership on June 9): https://www.instagram.com/kivioja.pellnor/
Emma will be 22 later this month: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00101470.htm
Erik is 19: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00109010.htm

 

[Sylvia]

Emilia "Milly" Murdock (she was the 2023 U.S. Nationals first alternate in Senior) will represent Spain starting in 2023-24 (her post today about training in Spain for the past month): https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct36yY1LtY9/

This is confirmed on her FSO website: https://emiliamurdock.figureskatersonline.com/about/

ETA Murdock's program music (also on her website) plus clips she posted last month:

SP: Cleopatra https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs4nd1rA6dD/
FS: "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cr08tXAAE-G/
Choreographer: David Wilson (she mentioned in her post that Sara Hurtado worked with her on her new programs in Madrid)

 

[Sylvia]

FS: "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cr08tXAAE-G/
Choreographer: David Wilson (she mentioned in her post that Sara Hurtado worked with her on her new programs in Madrid)

Jordan Cowan posted a 2-minute clip today of Milly Murdock's FS that he filmed in Colorado Springs last month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUkOLA8Ji7Q