You know, Kazakova's eventual success makes me think of Cindy Landry's. Kazakova does not look like a champion here AT ALL (nor did Landry w/ Sylvain Lalonde), but, Dmitriev was such a good partner for her--and he and Kazakova were an excellent match--that it all worked out so well, so quickly. With Dmitriev, she immediately began to skate like a champion, although perhaps her skating hadn't necessarily improved all that much. Landry, too, was a wonderful match w/ Johnston, which perhaps explains their immediate success in 1989 during their first year together (although it was short lived).

Kasakova, really struggled with her first partner. But when she paired up with Dmitriev, she had to rise to the occasion and skate to his level. Artur could have chosen any body, because if your remember Sergi had just passed he could have paired up this Katia. Wouldn't that have been a match.