{"id":26207,"date":"2021-08-08T21:27:16","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T01:27:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ice-dance.com\/site\/?p=26207"},"modified":"2021-08-08T21:27:16","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T01:27:16","slug":"neset-markelov-aim-for-the-jgp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ice-dance.com\/site\/neset-markelov-aim-for-the-jgp\/","title":{"rendered":"Neset & Markelov aim for the JGP"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Anne Calder<\/em><\/p>\n

Leah Neset and Artem Markelov began their separate figure skating journeys over 6,000 miles apart, she in Minot, North Dakota and he in Volgograd, Russia. After partnering for less than a year, they placed sixth at the 2021 U.S. National Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.<\/p>\n

Neset was born December 7, 2005, the daughter of a figure skater and hockey player. She and her younger sister, Kylie, began skating at an early age on the frozen lake at her grandparents\u2019 cabin. When she was four, she joined the Magic City Figure Skating Club and eventually tested in both freestyle and pattern dance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always loved learning and practicing the patterns,\u201d Neset said. \u201cOne time during the warm up at a test session, I started doing one of the dances I had already passed because the music for that dance came on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"In 2018, Neset relocated to Colorado Springs to train in ice dance full time with her current coach, Elena Dostatni, and former partner Dmitry Tsarevski. The team won silver on the Intermediate level at the 2019 U.S. National Championships in Detroit, Michigan before dissolving their partnership.<\/p>\n

Markelov was born in Volgograd, Russia July 10, 2003, where his parents and two younger sisters, Milana and Diana, currently reside.\u00a0 <\/span>He began skating at age nine in a group of 30, before taking private lessons. For four years, he struggled trying to catch up with his teammates.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I started doing figure skating very late, I didn\u2019t have very good results,\u201d Markelov explained. \u201cAfter I passed my junior level double axel and triple loop, I decided to try another discipline. I moved to Moscow alone and started a new figure skating life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although he initially began in pairs, he also tried ice dance. After four weeks doing both, he opted to concentrate on the dancing. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI believed it would be easier because there are no jumps or other hard elements,\u201d Markelov stated. \u201cI now know that ice dance is probably the hardest discipline because every move, every step and every free leg in our programs have to be perfect,\u201d noted the seventeen year old.<\/p>\n

Markelov and first partner, Kristina Makeeva represented Russia in ID Advanced Novice at the 13th\u00a0Santa Claus Cup.\u00a0 <\/span>The partnership ended after the December 2019 event, which is held annually in Bucharest, Hungary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was excited to do my first International experience in ice dance, which was also the first international experience in my figure skating career. It was fun.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

After ending her first partnership, Neset did not compete for a year before Markelov found her profile on a Russian ice dance partner search website. Coach Elena Dostatni was instrumental in convincing him to come to Colorado Springs for the try-out.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a few weeks of organizing flights, hotel and other stuff, I came to America,\u201d Markelov explained. \u201cIt was really stressful, but also a very exciting week. Lack of language, new training atmosphere, different culture \u2013 was very difficult. However, the idea of training with Leah and Elena was incredible. We started talking about a partnership on the second day.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a very hard decision to move to a new country absolutely alone,\u201d Markelov continued. \u201cI knew I was ready to do that after I met Leah, her family and Elena. I was confident I was under their protection when I was with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the tryout, Markelov returned to Russia to gather his things and say goodbye to his family and friends. Neset relayed details about the close call he had returning to the US.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Covid hit and the world started shutting down, Artem took a last-minute flight and just made it to the U.S. the day before the borders closed.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the spring and summer of 2020, Neset & Markelov like others in the skating community, faced the challenges of Covid-19, including the World Arena closure, off-ice classes and virtual\/zoom instruction. In addition, the young team was adjusting to each other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Probably the biggest challenge was learning their different cultures and training systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe the difference in culture was the biggest adjustment,\u201d Markelov admitted. \u201cIn Russia there are different systems not only of training, but also living. I am really glad to have a Russian coach. She was helping me a lot when I was not able to speak with my partner because of the language.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe helped us to go through it together,\u201d Markelov continued. \u201cShe was explaining to me American rules and ideas, while also explaining to Leah the Russian principles. We really appreciated that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coach Dostatni reflected on how the team has blended the two cultures and diverse training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt first Artem had a hard time. He couldn\u2019t understand why things were done a certain way. We had conversations about skating for the US, being in this country all the time, and that he needed to adjust. There were a few bumps in the road at the beginning, but I\u2019m very impressed with them both.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new team worked hard training the Christopher Dean choreographed programs during the months leading up to the U.S. Championships in January 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNationals was our first major competition together as a team,\u201d Neset said. \u201cI had never skated in such a big arena before, and I never fully got used to its size and brightness. It was nice to at least have cardboard cutouts and chaperones cheering for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore we came, we had watched senior nationals online so we were kind of used to the cardboard cutouts instead of a live audience,\u201d Markelov added. \u201cIt was definitely unusual, but better than just empty seats. The cardboard cutouts made it a bit easier to perform.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a sixth place Nationals placement on their resume, the duo was anxious to get started preparing for the new season. They searched for almost a month for a combination of music selections for the 2021-2022 Junior Rhythm Dance – the Blues Pattern and a choice of two Street Dance Rhythms.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce we found the Blues music, we couldn\u2019t mix it with the Street Dance music, which we had, and the other way around,\u201d Markelov said. \u201cWe finally have two songs, which we think fit pretty well:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFeeling Good\u201d by Michael Bubl\u00e9<\/span> and \u201cDJ Turn It Up\u201d by Yellow Claw.<\/p>\n

The Free Dance is a combination of \u201cMy Immortal\u201d by Evanescence and \u201cIn the End\u201d by Linkin Park (Tommee Profit version).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoel Dear created both programs in Colorado Springs in one week, so we spent a lot of hours each day working with him,\u201d Neset said. \u201cIn our new programs we try to make each move reflect the music. We also worked a lot on improving our power and flow during the whole program.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking with Joel was easy because he\u2019s very open,\u201d Dostatni added. \u201cIf the skaters have their own ideas, he\u2019s able to double up and turn it into something else, something good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Dear enjoyed working with Neset & Markelov and had high praise for the team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re extremely talented and great skaters. They have such great energy; they\u2019re willing to try anything. We got to explore a lot of options and possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team debuted its programs in May at the Margaret Faulkner Springtime Invitational a club competition in Ann Arbor, Michigan.<\/p>\n

Neset & Markelov have high ambitions for their sophomore season. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur goals are to medal at a Junior Grand Prix, place at the top-3 at U.S Nationals and qualify for Junior Worlds Championship,\u201d the Russian teenager said. \u201cWe are also working towards reaching a score of 65 points in our Rhythm Dance and 90 in our Free Dance plus receiving level 4 on all of our elements and a total factored component 43 score.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team loves being in Colorado Springs, both for the outdoor physical attractions and the athletic atmosphere at the World Arena and flagship U.S. Olympic Training Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the best thing about training here is being close to the mountains and all the outdoor things that come with it,\u201d Neset said. \u201cWe can go hiking, biking, walking and climbing whenever we want.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cColorado Springs is magnificent,\u201d Markelov added. \u201cWe try to do school outside every day because we have an incredible view of Pikes Peak.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neset & Markelov share their coaching staff with another junior level ice dance team. The U.S. National pewter medalists, Isabella Flores & Dimitry Tsarevsky also train at the World Arena.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are very competitive with each other, and I think that really pushes us all to give our best every day,\u201d Neset said. \u201cI really admire their skating and try to learn from the things they do so well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always try to push each other ahead,\u201d added Markelov. \u201cIf one of the teams finished a good run- through, the other team is trying to do just better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both agreed that their favorite ice dance team, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir would be the first choice for a private lesson. The partners also shared something special about each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cArtem is really smart, especially at math and computers. In fact, he\u2019s created four websites. He doesn\u2019t like peanut butter, but he does love sport cars, especially the Porsche and Lamborghini.”<\/p>\n

\u201cLeah is a very kind, friendly and honest person. She always supports me when I need her help. She\u2019s my best friend to whom I can trust my secrets and thoughts. She loves playing the piano and reading.\u201d<\/p>\n

On June 15, Markelov went back to Russia for a month to take his high school final exams. He hadn\u2019t seen his family in a year and a half, so he was very excited.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy grandparents, parents and two sisters missed me a lot,\u201d Markelov said. \u201cThe day when I met them after that long time away, was probably the happiest day for all my family and me.\u201d<\/p>\n

About the exams, he said, \u201cI wasn\u2019t super stressed out because I was preparing for them the whole time in the United States. As a result, I got my high school diploma with all excellent marks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coach Dostatni added that in addition to training, he would also be attending the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in the fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Russia, I was skating every day to keep myself in the right shape for the upcoming season. I also was doing a lot of cardio to not have such a problem with the difference in altitude when I returned to Colorado.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, his grandmother and mom fed him lots of the traditional Russian food, but his favorites by far were \u201cbliny\u201d (crepe-like pancakes) and Borscht (beet soup).<\/span><\/p>\n

Markelov celebrated his eighteen birthday in Russia on July 10 with his family at a restaurant.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were 36 family members, and I am so happy that I had a chance to meet all of them before I flew back to the USA. I also celebrated with my friends. It was fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neset & Markelov are training in Colorado Springs for the Lake Placid Ice Dance International, which will be held this year at the Skating Club of Boston August 12-15. The event has been moved to Norwood, Massachusetts due to the construction work at the Lake Placid facilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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