Figure skating A confusing little thing reveals why Kamila Valijeva, 15, is a completely exceptional talent – “The barely touches the ice”

“Extraordinarily mature performer at the age of 15. ”

“Technically unbeatable”

There are no limits to praise when Finnish experts comment to HS on why the Russian Kamila Valijeva is an exceptionally good figure skater.

At the European Championships in Tallinn in January, Valijeva was overwhelming.

There was indeed something exceptional about his skating and performing. One has rarely seen such an energetic, fast-paced and captivating performance.

Valijevan The European Championship gold came as no surprise to anyone. Already in her first adult competition in October 2021, she received the highest overall scores of all time in women’s ice skating.

In the fall of 2021, he skated a world record score of 265.08. The free program scores were also a world record, 180.89. In November, he further improved his results: a total score of 272.71 and a free program of 185.29.

The European Championship would be worth 259.06. In Tallinn, a couple of setbacks happened to the fast-paced free program, when quadruple jumps and difficult jump combinations came almost to the brim.

Thanks to his effort, the 160-centimeter Valijeva gets air in her jumps and has time to make the necessary turns during the flight.

At the Beijing Olympics, a Muscovite will be the number one favorite if he can withstand the big pressures. Valijeva will also compete in the team competition before the start of the individual competitions.

In the free program Valijeva skates a Frenchman Maurice Ravelin Boléron on the beat. Boléro has been one of the most used music in figure skating, but Valijea has taken its interpretation to a new level.

“Even in a few fifteen-year-olds or older, interpretation still comes from the soul, as in Valijeva. Her Boléron is iconic and hypnotic. The interpretation requires a very good skater, ”is the four-time Finnish champion and Olympic representative of the sport Mila Kajas says.

At its best, Kajas was at the twelfth Lillehammer Olympics in 1994.

For many mediocre skaters, Boléro could be a dangerous choice, but Valijeva has a strength that combines sensitivity, cleanliness and elasticity.

“Although he is a good jumper, he does not just oppose tricks on the ice, but also takes great care in choreography with every stroke, head position and hand movement. His programs are works, ”Kajas describes.

Kajas has seen Valijeva skating twice at spot races and was fascinated by what he saw.

“There’s almost no sound from his blades when he jumps. It’s a sign of a hugely good skater. He praises like a water meter on the surface of a lake, barely touching the ice. On ice, he is proud, but at the same time he has a friendly nature, it is a charming combination, ”says Kajas.

By water meter comparison, Kajas means an insect of the same name that is able to move on the surface of the water using its surface tension.

Finland Figure Skating Coaching Manager Satu Niittynen like Kajas, he spares his words when he praises Valijeva.

“Despite her young age, I think she is already a really sensitive interpreter. If figure skating is sometimes talked about combining sports and art, then this image culminates wonderfully in him, ”says Niittynen.

Niittynen is waiting with interest to see if Valijeva will be able to keep her level in Beijing and other competitions in the spring.

Finland is represented by a first-timer in the Beijing women’s ice skating Jenni Saarinen.

In 2018 women’s Olympic gold skating Alina Zagitovawho, like Valijeva, was fifteen years old. Zagitova also skated world record points in her career and won everything possible.

Surprisingly, Zagitova did not end her career until she was 17 at the end of 2019. Zagitova justified her decision by losing her motivation.

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Read more: Russian marvel Alina Zagitova took her Olympic gold with a dazzling skate and was surprised at how it feels to achieve her dream – but she glanced at the phone.

Read more: The all-winning teen star got tired

The women’s freestyle figure skating competition will be competing in Beijing on February 7th. The women’s short program is 15.2. and free program 17.2.