Surprising coaching change news + some other news/events from Russia

[Elizabeth]

It is being discussed and confirmed via multiple sources that Evgenia Medvedeva has opted to move back to coach Eteri Tutberidze at the Sambo 70 School and has had a first training session there.

She was already scheduled to compete in the first stage of the Russian Cup this weekend. The Russian Federation requires their team members to compete in two of the five stages, I believe, leading up to the Russian Nationals. This requirement had already been identified as the reason why Evgenia would not be able to compete in the scheduled Skate Canada International as she would have had to undergo a 2-week quarantine, with no on-ice training if she returned to Canada after doing the required competitions in Russia.

This change was even covered on TV in Russia with some footage from the training session


From someone who watched:

Evgenia thanked Brian Orser for everything and, most importantly, for his understanding and agreeing on her decision. They keep great relationship and all is good.

Given the negativity from Eteri after Evgenia moved to Toronto to train with Brian, this is a bit of a surprise, but obviously there has been a lot of pressure related to travel restrictions, etc.

[Elizabeth]

Official confirmation from the Russian Federation website:

Medvedeva will train under the guidance of Eteri Tutberidze
16 September 2020

From September 16, figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva will continue her preparation for the season in Sambo 70 at the Khrustalny ice rink under the guidance of coach Eteri Tutberidze.

The coach and the athlete met and discussed further joint work aimed at preparing for this season. Between the athlete and the coach, there is complete mutual understanding. Brian Orser also understood the situation.

- I am very grateful to Brian for his understanding and the work done. We start training with Eteri Georgievna today. We will work and try to show the maximum possible result, - said Evgenia Medvedeva.

[happyheini]

That is very surprising.it seemed to me that Evgenia had had to change her entire approach to skating once she came to Brian and Tracy and that Eteri's school had not the best reputation among skaters. Hopefully she will do well and perhaps return should our world normalize one day.

[Elizabeth]

Quotes from Brian translated from a Russian article/interview (translation done by Evgenia's twitter team):

We had a conversation on this topic a few days ago. As usual, we contacted via FaceTime, as we did throughout the entire time that Zhenya was in Moscow. Our conversation was the training process. We understood how important it was to be able to work with a coach in real time.

The need to train online was a serious challenge for both of us. We did everything in our power to ensure that the training was carried out with maximum efficiency. But the work, of course, could not be considered complete.

Evgenia told me she had four options. The going to Eteri one was totally out of the blue. I don’t think anyone saw that coming.

I’m definitely not angry, and there is absolutely no bitterness. I don’t believe this was a case of a political move or a strategy. It just happened.

From what I know for certain, Zhenya is periodically worried about a chronic back injury, which happened not today or yesterday, but much earlier. I think the current aggravation has occurred due too active work on the Biellmann position.

Zhenya came to my group already having a back problem, and from her stories I realized that she had to fight with pain throughout the Olympic season. When an exacerbation occurs, you have to take a break from training, perform different procedures, and then start working.

Keeping motivated when you are cut off from your daily routine is difficult.That's why I have absolutely no right to argue about what Zhenya is doing now & what will come of it. I'm on her side and really want her to be healthy. This is the most important thing now.

We didn't really see Zhenya's free program. With the performance that happened at test skates, I am afraid it was difficult to make an impression of the program. In my opinion, this is an outstanding production, a masterpiece. The process of work itself was unique.

The idea of ​​the program and the music [Alegria] was suggested by Medvedeva herself, and Bourne somehow immediately felt her character very well, understood how to use and show the inner strength of the athlete.

By the way, absolutely stunning costumes were made for this program, so when the program is properly performed, it should be unforgettable.
Speaking for myself: I would definitely like to see Zhenya in this program.

[Elizabeth]

Phil Hersh's article after talking to Brian by phone: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/09/ ... utberidze/

[Elizabeth]

There is now a report that Evgenia will not, in fact, participate in the first stage of the Russian Cup this weekend.

Also missing the first stage will be Vladimir Morozov & Evgenia Tarasova - he is reportedly sick with the coronavirus. Apollinariia Panfilova and Dmitry Rylov have also withdrawn from the first stage, according to her Instagram post. Alexander Samarin has also withdrawn from the first stage.

[Elizabeth]

There are unconfirmed rumours that the lady on the right was influential in getting Evgenia into the coaching situation with the lady on the left at this time. I would suspect that the rumours are true as TAT was definitely providing advice to Evgenia during her "locked down" time in Russia.




One thing for sure, Evgenia 2020 is not the same person who was being coached by Eteri before the Olympics - she has matured, learned how to take care of herself (inside and out), and she is not quite 21 yet! I wish her well!

[Elizabeth]

An update on upcoming competitions/events in Russia:

September:
Sep, 18-22. Russian Cup event I (Syzran) -
YouTube streams [All commentary and on-screen information is in Russian]:

• Day 1- Jr. rhythm dance: https://t.co/dcV8kWnZiJ?amp=1; Sr. rhythm dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbbaGP5BaCQ;
• Day 2 - Sr. free dance: https://t.co/zjNblDb4ZD?amp=1; Sr. ladies SP: https://t.co/Qqy5eyEIqJ?amp=1; Jr. free dance: https://t.co/q8wT1ODJnP?amp=1; Sr. men SP: https://t.co/RZawXATuI9?amp=1;
• Day 3 - Sr. men FS: https://t.co/SpFK0pLUUF?amp=1; Sr. ladies FS: https://t.co/4D0xIoTIBw?amp=1; Jr. pairs SP: https://t.co/VYP6WtUL8J?amp=1; Sr. pairs SP: https://t.co/b90oEtL3pv?amp=1;
• Day 4 - Jr. pairs FS: https://t.co/9PRdODjhwk?amp=1; Sr. pairs FS: https://t.co/WimlfxnmG7?amp=1; Jr. ladies SP: https://t.co/mfExygOsE6?amp=1; Jr. mens SP: https://t.co/iUYmraDc1z?amp=1;
• Day 5 - Jr. ladies FS: https://t.co/SfCXcon6C2?amp=1; Jr. men FS: https://t.co/XlABO2fuqR?amp=1

October:
Oct, 10-13. Russian Cup event II (Moscow) -
YouTube streams [All commentary and on-screen information is in Russian):

• Day 1 - Beginning at 1315 h (local time) - Sr. RD, Sr. Men SP, Sr. Ladies SP, Sr. Pairs SP, Jr. Pairs SP: https://t.co/cfpgSYOOtG?amp=1
• Day 2 - Beginning at 1430 h (local time) - Sr. FD, Sr. Men FS, Sr. Ladies FS, Sr. Pairs FS, Jr. Pairs FS: https://t.co/tQn8IV0zyL?amp=1
• Day 3 - Beginning at 1345 h (local time) - Jr. Men SP: https://t.co/SyrRolavdA?amp=1; Jr. Ladies SP: https://t.co/2WenVVlPp9?amp=1; Jr. RD: https://t.co/ORs6RTzdhc?amp=1
• Day 4 - Beginning at 1300 h (local time) - Jr. Men FS: https://t.co/32rRtz2keM?amp=1; Jr. Ladies FS: https://t.co/Ws4eoYcZfP?amp=1; Junior FD: https://t.co/3WcacLfued?amp=1

Oct, 13-16. "Panin Kolomenkin Memorial" (St Petersburg)
Oct, 20-22. "Yuzhny Briese" (Sochi)
Oct, 23-27. Russian Cup event III (Sochi) - see details in a separate post further down in this thread.

November:
Nov, 4-7. "Dedicated to 100th anniversary of Udmurtiya" (Izhevsk) - only juniors
Nov, 8-12. Russian Cup event IV (Kazen) [Links for Sr. events only provided below]

• Day 1 - Sr Ladies SP, Sr Men SP - https://t.co/4dKT94iEvB?amp=1
• Day 2 - Sr Men FS, Sr Rhythm Dance, Sr Ladies FS - https://t.co/wYEyUs61Jj?amp=1
• Day 3 - Sr FD - https://t.co/QNbXryuzIC?amp=1 and Sr Pairs SP - https://t.co/mCYRjvWUKb?amp=1
• Day 4 - Sr Pairs FS - https://t.co/Wu5gf2nAXJ?amp=1

Nov, 9-11. "S. Volkov Memorial" (Moscow) - only singles
Nov, 15-17. "Alexei Mishin Cup" (Belgorod)
Nov, 18-21. "Mordovian Ornament" (Saransk)
Nov, 18-22. "Rostelecom Cup" (Moscow) - GP event
Nov, 24-26. "Meridien of Tyumen" (Tyumen)
Nov, 27-29. "Zhiguli" (Togliatti) - without pairs

December:
Dec, 5-8. Russian Cup event V (Moscow)
Dec, 22-27. 2021 Russian Nationals (Chelyabinsk)

Skaters are assigned to the Russian Cup events based on results at 2020 Russian Nationals, excluding Evgenia Medvedeva and Mikhail Kolyada who were given "byes" (one due to a broken skate causing withdrawal; one due to illness). Only athletes who take part in two stages of the 2020 Russian Cup (under the Master of Sports program) will be eligible to compete for a place at the 2021 Russian Championships, and those places will be determined by the highest scores. Numbers are restricted at the senior level for each stage: 12 men, 12 ladies, eight pairs and 10 dance teams. For the junior competitions: up to 18 men and ladies, no more than 8 pairs and 15 dance teams.

[happyheini]

Oh dear, oh dear, we will probably never find out what really happened but she will still be up against the jumping stars and the pandemic might shorten her overall career.

[Elizabeth]

Unfortunately, Evgenia will not be participating in the 2nd stage of the Russian Cup series due to a "resurgence of a chronic back injury".

From her Instagram:


There are comments to the effect that she was being urged to go back to training a Biellmann spin and this likely triggered the problem.

According to a Russian article in Tass:

“The timing of Zhenya’s recovery will only be clear next week - she will be examined in one of Moscow's clinics of spinal neurosurgery. On Friday she will have a full examination, and then we'll see what the doctors think about this."

[Elizabeth]

Not very encouraging news about Evgenia's health: https://www.rt.com/sport/502938-evgenia ... ed-injury/

[Elizabeth]

Not very encouraging news about Evgenia's health: https://www.rt.com/sport/502938-evgenia ... ed-injury/

An update with quotes from a TASS article:

According to TASS Evgenia Medvedeva was diagnosed with a pinched nerve between two vertebrae in the back, at the moment it is possible to do without surgery.

TASS: Medvedeva has a problem with her spine, she has a pinched nerve, so far she managed to do without surgery. Doctors are doing everything possible to fully restore the functions of the back. She does exercise therapy, swims in the pool, undergoes physiotherapy, strengths her back. Doctors hope that all these measures will lead to a full recovery, if not, more serious non-surgical measures will be taken.

TASS: The exact terms of recovery are still unknown, she is still undergoing treatment. But today she will have the first training session. Medvedeva is preparing for the upcoming competitions.

[Elizabeth]

The third stage of the Russian Cup will be without one of the pairs - Aleksandra Boikova / Dmitrii Kozlovskii have withdrawn due to a positive coronavirus test (his); their training mates Mishina/Galliamov withdrew from the second stage for the same condition in the male partner. Both pairs train with Tamara Moskvina who is in a high-risk category, age-wise. Here's hoping she stays well!!

[Elizabeth]

The third stage of the Russian Cup is Oct. 23-27 in Sochi.

• Day 1 (Oct. 23rd)- Jr. RD: https://t.co/NxAAbVyfmX?amp=1
  Day 1 - Sr. RD" Sr. Men SP: [url]https://t.co/W4jFxBrR3D?amp=1
• Day 2 (Oct. 24th) - Jr. FD: https://t.co/ttfmX9oYa1?amp=1
  Day 2 - Sr. Ladies SP; Sr. FD; Sr. Men FS: https://t.co/ylhrlNlMgu?amp=1
• Day 3 (Oct. 25th) - Jr Men SP: https://t.co/B6Oxhkhjsl?amp=1
  Day 3 - Sr Pair SP, Sr Ladies FS: https://t.co/9A1lK3IcZj?amp=1
  Day 3 - Jr Pair SP: https://t.co/ud3vBOT4Tt?amp=1
• Day 4 (Oct. 26th) - Jr. Men FS: https://t.co/f1Bkv1S0Bd?amp=1
  Day 4 - Sr. Pair FS: https://t.co/QX95VIq8H3?amp=1
  Day 4 - Jr. Pair FS: https://t.co/eROjYhTdak?amp=1
  Day 4 - Jr. ladies SP: https://t.co/0PZrKefwiq?amp=1
• Day 5 (Oct. 27th) - Jr. Ladies FS: https://t.co/dryFOMNuEi?amp=1

[Elizabeth]

The fifth and final stage of the Russian Cup is taking place this weekend - there are virtually no "known" skaters competing. There were many last minute withdrawals due to positive coronavirus test results, "pneumonia", "colds", and injuries. Given the lack of respect for public health precautions that were exhibited at the Rostelecom Cup, I am not at all surprised!!!

At this rate there may be no one healthy enough to compete in the Russian Nationals!!