Vasiliev believes that the absence of dominant figures in pair skating could lead to an overall increase in performance quality as other skaters strive to fill the gap left by top competitors.
He pointed out that the level of artistry and gliding in women's figure skating has declined compared to past years, indicating a need for better foundational training for young skaters.
The discussion highlighted a generational shift in coaching and training methodologies, with a call for a return to basics in gliding and balance to develop more well-rounded skaters.
If current training practices do not change, the gap between Russian skaters and their international peers may widen, impacting Russia's dominance in figure skating.
As younger athletes are trained with a focus on artistry and gliding, there may be a resurgence of competitive balance in women's figure skating, leading to more exciting competitions in the future.
In a recent interview, figure skating expert and coach Vasiliev discussed the current state of figure skating, particularly in Russia and its international standing. He noted that while there is a lack of standout athletes in pair skating currently, the overall quality of performances is improving. Vasiliev emphasized the importance of gliding and artistry in skating, suggesting that many young skaters are not being trained adequately in these fundamental skills, which could be affecting their performance on the international stage.
Vasiliev highlighted the challenges faced by Belarusian skaters wanting to compete in Russia due to restrictions imposed by the International Skating Union (ISU). He suggested that changing the rules under which competitions are held could be a way to allow more international participation without violating ISU regulations.
The coach also commented on the rivalry between top Russian pairs, Mishina and Gallyamov versus Boikova and Kozlovskiy, indicating that the competition is beneficial for their development. He expressed concern about the low evaluation of difficult elements by the ISU, which could be discouraging skaters from attempting more complex jumps and throws, ultimately stunting the growth of the sport.
