Novogorsk Junior Skating Overview Before 2022/23 Season

Junior skating of the Russian national team took place in Novogorsk before the 2022/23 season. The athletes dipped their toes into the new free program, giving spectators a glimpse of what the season might hold. Eteri Tutberidze’s pupil, Arseniy Fedotov, presented a free skate set to jazz themes from West Side Story. He delivered two quadruple jumps, the first being a difficult sheepskin coat, followed by a solid salchow, and the overall routine carried his signature blend of speed, risk, and musical interpretation. Evgeni Plushenko’s student Kirill Sarnovsky took a clean lap through his program without attempting a quadruple jump, showing precise edge control and consistent flow across the ice. Another Plushenko student, Maxim Avtushenko, attempted a quad salchow, displaying the ambition to push technical boundaries, but the finale did not go as planned. He stumbled near the exit of the ice and, breaking his fall, released the blade grip and ended the run with a careful step off the boards. The coaching staff and skaters used the session to test transitions, timing, and expression under the pressure of upcoming competitions, emphasizing preparation, endurance, and the interplay between technical difficulty and artistic intent. The atmosphere was focused, with coaches analyzing lines, blade control, and the synchronization of music with each element of the routines. The range of programs highlighted different stylistic approaches within the same junior team, reflecting the broader philosophy of the sport where athletic prowess must harmonize with performance storytelling. The team’s work in Novogorsk served as a practical bench test for refining takeoffs, landings, and the consistency of the jumps, as well as for reinforcing the athletes’ mental resilience during a demanding season ahead. Reviews from observers noted clean footwork sequences, solid spins, and a growing sense of individuality in each skater’s expression on the ice, aspects that often translate into strong competitive showings later in the year. The athletes’ commitment to polishing every detail—from the cadence of their moves to the placement of their arms—was evident in the careful attention paid by coaches during cooldown discussions and video reviews. As training continued, the focus remained on building robust fundamentals that could support more complex combinations and higher-difficulty elements when the opportunity arose. The overall takeaway from the Novogorsk session was that the group was steadily advancing, with clear signs of maturity in both technique and stage presence, and a readiness to take on the challenges of the upcoming season. The event coverage provided by socialbites.ca captured the day’s highlights, capturing the nuances of each performance and the reactions of the coaching staff to the skaters’ progress as the team prepared for the road ahead.