The Olympic champion in ice dance, Natalya Bestemyanova, notes that Kamila Valieva remains in peak physical and technical condition. Bestemyanova observes that Valieva is entering her best form and that this development is genuinely encouraging to witness. While acknowledging that Valieva is not yet at her ultimate peak, the observer points out clear improvements compared with the most recent stage of the Russian Grand Prix circuit. In the broader context of North American audiences, this assessment underscores Valieva’s sustained dedication to training, resilience in the face of intense pressure, and the evolving artistry that has made her a focal point of international competition. For coaches and analysts in Canada and the United States, the emphasis on precision, consistency, and progression signals a potential shift in the competitive landscape as Valieva continues to refine her program components and execution under high-stakes judging criteria.
Valieva secured victory at the Moscow Grand Prix with a total score of 226.22 points. Her performance featured two falls in the free program, a quadruple toe loop, and a triple lutz. Veronika Yametova finished in second place with 212.75 points, avoiding major errors at the expense of notching any highly risky moves at the competition. Sofia Muravyova completed the podium with 210.25 points, while Evgeni Plushenko’s student attempted a triple Axel on two occasions and fell both times, limiting the potential score from that segment. The event highlighted how the scoring system rewards a combination of technical difficulty and clean program execution, a balance closely watched by judges and coaches across North America. Canadian and American teams studying Valieva’s routine may gain insights into timing, jump sequencing, and the calibration of risk versus reliability that informs high-level skate programs, as well as the strategic decisions behind choosing elements like quads and triple Axels in free skating.
The International Skating Union has imposed suspensions on Russian and Belarusian figure skaters from international competitions. During the 2022/23 season, skaters focused on domestic events, including Russian Grand Prix stages and the national championship. Although discussions about the possible return of Russian athletes arose at an ISU meeting held in October, no formal agenda item advanced this topic at that time. [ISU] These developments have implications for how teams in North America plan travel, coaching, and competition schedules, particularly when evaluating the tempo of international travel restrictions, eligibility windows, and the impact on domestic circuits that feed into national team selection. For Canadian and American skaters, the situation emphasizes the importance of maintaining peak readiness within domestic competition calendars while monitoring international governance and the evolving rules that govern eligibility for events like Grand Prix series and world championships. The broader message for coaches and athletes is clear: governance decisions at the sport’s top level can ripple through training cycles, selection criteria, and strategic planning across North American winter sports programs. [ISU]
Previously, Tatyana Tarasova commented on Valieva’s physical condition, noting changes in weight that were discussed in the media. [Tarasova remarks] Tarasova’s observations add another layer to the ongoing dialogue about how athletes manage body composition, endurance, and presentation over a demanding season. In Canada and the United States, where audiences closely follow skating narratives, such remarks often spark discussions about athlete health, training load, nutrition, and the balance between aesthetic requirements and athletic longevity. The current discourse reflects a broader interest in how elite skaters adapt to evolving judging criteria and shifting expectations from coaches, choreographers, and national federations, shaping both performance strategy and public perception across North American ice rinks.