Czech Pair Valesiová and Bidař Navigate Setback at World Championships
Despite a fall during their short program at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czech pair Anna Valesiová and Martin Bidař have advanced to the free skate competition. The duo, competing in their first full season together, secured the final qualifying spot, finishing 20th out of 21 pairs.
The Lutz Challenge and Training Consistency
The fall occurred during a triple Lutz attempt, a jump they had consistently landed in training and during the warm-up. “This week, we managed the Lutz every time in training. Then in the competition, it’s a bit different, it’s a pressure situation. It was a bit of timing, it probably didn’t have the right rhythm,” explained Bidař. The missed Lutz resulted in a loss of approximately four points.
Emotional Rollercoaster and Team Resilience
The pair experienced a range of emotions following the performance. “The emotions were like a rollercoaster,” Valesiová acknowledged. Coach Ondřej Hotárek noted the initial disappointment but highlighted the pair’s ability to support each other. “The strength of the pair is that they help each other. When one has a bad day, the other helps them.”
Building a Partnership: A Ten-Year Journey?
Hotárek, a former competitive skater himself, draws parallels to advice he received from Tamara Moskvinova, a renowned Russian coach. “She told me it takes ten years to create a quality pair.” While Valesiová and Bidař may not have a decade to refine their partnership, Hotárek believes they can accelerate the process by consistently improving and securing favorable draw positions in future competitions.
Improved Score and Looking Ahead
Despite the fall, the pair achieved a short program score nearly three points higher than their performance at the European Championships in Sheffield. They are now focused on the free skate, aiming to build on their strengths and improve their overall standing. Bidař expressed relief that his family’s tickets to the event would not be wasted and he was already looking ahead to the opportunity to perform again.
Navigating the Pressure of Competition
Hotárek emphasized the difference between training and competition. “They demand to get to the point where it works every time. Right now, when they get to that element, they think a little too much instead of doing it exactly like they do in training or the warm-up.” The team is working on maintaining consistency under pressure.
FAQ
Q: What caused Valesiová and Bidař to fall during their short program?
A: They fell during a triple Lutz attempt.
Q: Did the fall eliminate them from the competition?
A: No, they qualified for the free skate competition, securing the 20th and final qualifying spot.
Q: What is the team focusing on for the free skate?
A: They are focused on improving their consistency and building on their strengths.
Q: How long have Valesiová and Bidař been skating together?
A: Here’s their first full season skating together as a pair.
Did you know? Anna Valesiová’s partner, Martin Bidař, is a former junior world champion, returning to the senior world stage after a five-year absence.
Pro Tip: Consistent training and mental preparation are crucial for figure skating pairs to overcome the pressure of competition and execute challenging elements.
We encourage you to follow the World Figure Skating Championships and support Anna Valesiová and Martin Bidař as they compete in the free skate! Explore more articles on Sport.cz’s figure skating section for the latest updates and analysis.
