Saturday, February 5, 2011

A Pair On The Rise

9 comments:

  1. Not 'didn't' but 'couldn't'. Apparently there's this federation rule citizenship-wise or something that barred them from entering. Remember, Volosozhar is originally from Ukraine. They probably won't make Worlds due to the same reason either.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Their eligibility to compete as a Russian pair is supposed to become valid from this spring. For those that change their representing nation, there's a set time period where they're not allowed to compete in ISU events, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Supposedly they're fine for Worlds.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ah, didn't realize there were citizenship issues. (Figured the Russian Federation would have greased all necessary palms by now!)

    Thanks to all for the clarification.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow that was pretty. Are they skating to "I will always love you?" Awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tatiana became a Russian citizen a month or so ago. The only issue is that the ISU states she has to sit out of international competition a full year before she can skate for another country. She'll be eligible in like a week, in perfect time for worlds.

    ReplyDelete
  7. As Anon 7 pm noted, this is not a Russian Fed thing - skaters have to sit out a year when switching nationalities (pairs/dance) and two years for singles. Tatiana last competed for the Ukraine at the Olympics, so she couldn't represent Russia so far this season. She becomes eligible to do so next week and she and Trankov are on the entry list for the Mont Blanc Trophy later this month, so that they can get the ISU minimum score before Worlds.

    I don't like their programs much, but their elements are just wow, and I figure the rest will improve in time. V/T vs. the Germans could turn out to be an amazing rivalry.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tatiana's parents are from Russia and Russian is her mothertongue. This helped to switch citizenship fairly quickly too. Usually it takes longer.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Already amazing! They'll definitely medal at Worlds in March and I'll be shocked if they don't win next year. They must have the biggest, highest and cleanest triple twist in like ever!

    ReplyDelete