Alina Gorbacheva’s 2025 Russian Grand Prix Final performance highlighted something I emphasize in coaching: continually optimize, even when things are going well. She recently suffered an injury, which may have affected her performance. But here’s the real question—how can she land a clean triple in the Short Program and then fall in the Free Skate?
I see a pattern in her movement. She relies too much on her upper body instead of balancing her weight transfer between her upper and lower body. This imbalance creates instability, especially under pressure. The key is to recognize and correct these issues before they become habits. I developed my online advanced analysis services—to help skaters refine their technique to the smallest detail.
"Details Matter" is more than a motto; it’s a mindset. In figure skating, efficiency is everything. The less energy wasted, the better the performance. A well-optimized movement allows skaters to focus on artistry without sacrificing technique. While technique directly supports artistry, the reverse isn’t true—you can’t compensate for technical flaws with artistic expression alone.
One skater who embodies this principle is Ilia Malinin. His rock-solid jump technique has given him the foundation to grow artistically. His success proves that mastery of technical elements creates space for artistic expression—not the other way around.
What do you think? Should skaters focus on artistry first, or should technique always come first? Let me know in the comments!
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