This story was originally published on RT Russian state media. [1]
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Russian skater Alena Zhilina, 11, easily lands the most difficult jumping combo of Olympic and world champ Alina Zagitova (VIDEO)
By:   ['Russia Today']
Date: None

Russian figure skating prodigy Alena Zhilina has amazed fans and pundits by effortlessly landing one of the most difficult jumping combos – a triple lutz-triple loop, which is the signature element of ex-champ Alina Zagitova.

The 11-year-old rising star, who has been training in Evgeni Plushenko’s figure skating academy, nailed the combination during a training session, drawing praise from figure skating experts who hailed her remarkable technique.

The video of Zhilina’s successful attempt was shared by Plushenko, who said the talented skater is “polishing a difficult combination of jumps.”

The lutz-loop combo is widely regarded as one of the most technically complicated elements – one that even experienced skaters don’t dare include in their programs.

Combination Triple Lutz Triple Loop Alina Zagitova pic.twitter.com/spVKajBg7P — Техника Тройных (@troinoitechno) August 17, 2017

Reigning Olympic champion Zagitova is one of the few to master the risky feat, which she has successfully executed at major international events.

Newly-crowned world champion Anna Shcherbakova also performs the combination during her programs, along with quads to substantially increase her technical score.

Zhilina is the younger sister of Veronika Zhilina, a promising athlete who has already established herself as one of the strongest skaters of her generation, having acquired quads and a triple axel despite her age.

Two weeks ago, Plushenko posted a video showing 12-year-old Veronika Zhilina landing a quad Salchow together with a triple toe loop.

Earlier, the skater stunned fans with her incredible technical skills, performing four triple axels in 30 seconds.

[1] Url: https://www.rt.com/sport/522369-alena-zhilina-lutz-loop-alina-zagitova/