Totmianina & Marinin.....wake me when it's over

[essence_of_soy]

I was just checking their scores from the Grand Prix final. Since when did they become 5.9 skaters for presentation? Sure, they're good technicians, but man, do they put me into a coma. Dull. Dull. Dull.

Here's hoping Shen and Zhao get their act together for worlds, and kick butt with their throw 4sal.

[icenut84]

Have you even seen them this season? I haven't yet, but everyone who has has said how much they've improved presentation-wise. Apparently they knocked the socks off everyone else at Europeans. They've also got the best pairs SP this season, judging by reports. Give them a chance first.

[WeBeEducated]

I have seen them live and on TV...to me they are visually unattractive, technically competent but not outstanding, and artsitically flat.
They remind me of that other Russian team a few years back that won Worlds but just faded into oblivion, and I cant even remember their names! She had dark hair...thats all I remember.

[schnood]

Eltsova & Bushkov?

[Aaron W]

How many have seen them in person *this season*??? If you've seen them in person in the past, I can understand your thinking that they're boring. However, I've seen them in the past and I've seen them this season and their is a huge difference in their musical expression this season. I expect that if they skate their short program well at Worlds, everyone else, including Shen & Zhao, will be skating for 2nd place in the short.

Besides, I'm getting tired of hearing people moan about them getting high *presentation* marks when their excuse is that they're dull. That's entirely subjective, and I find them extremely exciting to watch this season.

[legjumper]

Originally posted by Aaron W
I expect that if they skate their short program well at Worlds, everyone else, including Shen & Zhao, will be skating for 2nd place in the short. ITA. It's beautifully choreographed, and T&M's basic skating is in a league of its own. I love the section in their SP where they thunder down the length of the rink in mirror skating in a about 3 seconds, with not even a scratch of the blade. Their basic skating is silent, powerful, and effortless--really impressive to see in person.

[Aaron W]

Originally posted by legjumper
I love the section in their SP where they thunder down the length of the rink in mirror skating in a about 3 seconds, with not even a scratch of the blade. Their basic skating is silent, powerful, and effortless--really impressive to see in person.

Wheee! I definitely remember the part your talking about and it's great! It's nothing overly complex, but the ease of their movement is so great that it tends to "push" the barriers out. I also love the accent of the music that they land the throw jump on. Really awesome! :)

[WeBeEducated]

yes, Eltsova and Bushkov...that is exactly who they remind me of!!!
If they are suddenly a team with impressive artistic expression I would be interested in knowing how they went from bottom to top in that dept so quickly!
Anyone remember their version of West Side Story?????????
need I say more?:lol:

[catija]

OMGGGGG I'M GLAD...that i'm not the only one who wants to fall asleep when eltova and bushkov skates..LOL they were sooooooooooooooooo boring...and i didn't like looking at her either but that's another story.

their win at worlds was bogus...since everyone made a mistake. if meno and sand had their 3 toes then...they would have won. :( (they came in 3rd that yr)

[liljimeo]

Boy can they out jump the rest of the field.

[ChristianeDK]

They used to be boring - not just boring actually, immensely boring woukd be a better description.

But this season....! I think I like them even better than I liked any of the two top teams last year. Their programs are fantastic! Aand he's got a hair-cut :P

The SP is beautiful and the LP - wow, it's so intricate, never a dull moment. You should forget what you thought you knew about them and see them this season before you make any judgements. :D

[WeBeEducated]

Is it the choreography that is much improved or their actual skating?

[bleu]

I think it is their choreography that is much improved but their skating to me is still the same old thang. IMO, T&M are a strong single team doing pairs skating.

[Germanice]

I think they're not THAT bad; their programs this year are way better and almost entertaining, even though they still not seem to enjoy what they're doing. It's obvious. On the other hand - to me Petrova/Tikhonov are worse! :)

Anke

[sk8lvr]

I've always enjoyed T/M to some degree. Last year's SP was better than the long. My problem has always been with their stamina. Every time I saw West Side Story, there was always a drop off at the end. Their programs are so much better this year. Much more interesting and exciting. I can't believe people are judging them this year on last year's material. Its amazing what a year can do for you!!!


I remember Eltsova and Bushkov and agree that they were good pair skaters, but that nothing stood out about their skating. I also remember despising their LP music which IIRC they used for at least 2 seasons. It sounded like musak to me, reminding me of the floor exercise music the eastern European women used to use.

[Oreo]

I don't care how well they skate technically or how well their programs are choreographed; they just don't project the least bit of personality, and without that, I can't get into their programs emotionally.

[bcskater]

Originally posted by Oreo
I don't care how well they skate technically or how well their programs are choreographed; they just don't project the least bit of personality, and without that, I can't get into their programs emotionally.
I totally agree!

[Aimless]

IMHO, it would help immeasurably if Tatiana would crack a smile occasionally, if she would try to appear to be enjoying herself, whether or not it's true. That grim stony face of hers! She's even worse than Elena B., who manages a wan, half hearted smile on rare occasions. What gives with these Russian pair gals anyway?

[WeBeEducated]

I agree...she is exceptionally blank and doesnt project either a connection to the music or the audience, 2 things that are important to me, nor does she show any connection to her partner.
It is a mechanical team IMO.