2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

DenissVFan · Nov 18, 2018

Lightstar said:
At this point I‘m just hoping that alina can win worlds this year and happily retire after! *

Why should she retire? She's only 16...
Alena Leonova is 28 and still got a very good score last week. Besides, Alina says she looks up to Kostner.

TripleAxelQueens3 said:
Just gotta say:

Polya’s GOEs for her double axel are atrocious. Her double axel is easily one of the best (if not the best) in the world and merits a +5 (height/distance, good body position, difficult entrance, good takeoff, effortless). Her GOE at Skate America was 0.85 and she got 5 +2s and 4 +3s. What are you thinking judges?! And at Rostelecom (home ground may I remind you) she got 0.90 or 3 +2s, 3 +3s, 2 +4s and 1 +1 (how does one even give a +1 to a double axel like that?)

Yes, Polya may struggle with rotations, but her 2A is beautiful and deserves so much better! She was also heavily underscored at both events but that’s another argument.

The GOE on her axel is baffling. Or maybe she is at +3 but others shouldn't get more than that in comparison (the same with Liza and her 3Lz). Due to her height and distance this jump really has a "wow" effect, while most others are just "ok".

Speaking of Polina, is there any non-championship competition in the spring where one can get a SB? Right now it's highly unlikely that she'll get a GP next year... (I know that there are more Russians than GP spots but I've just been wondering.)

Also, congratulations to Sofia on her second GP medal! Mishin's students are on this season

Azikin · Nov 18, 2018

DougDorsey said:
but will there be a more competitive, talent-laden tournament this year than next month's Russian Championships?

Yes, Junior Nationals..

katymay · Nov 18, 2018

Why should Alina retire? (after this year)

1) Because I do not think she can be dominate for the next three years.
2) If she wins worlds, she has accomplished pretty much everything it is possible to win. Why subject yourself to the daily grind of training for three more years? Why not reap the rewards of what your hard work has accomplished?
3) Because she is beautiful and can make a fortune in endorsements, word is she has already been offered a substantial contract with Circe Soleil on Ice.

silverfoxes · Nov 18, 2018

katymay said:
1) Because I do not think she can be dominate for the next three years.
2) If she wins worlds, she has accomplished pretty much everything it is possible to win. Why subject yourself to the daily grind of training for three more years? Why not reap the rewards of what your hard work has accomplished?
3) Because she is beautiful and can make a fortune in endorsements, word is she has already been offered a substantial contract with Circe Soleil on Ice.

Maybe she likes to train and compete? She is an athlete. Maybe she would be bored doing endorsements and not having the adrenaline rush of competing any more. Cirque du Soleil on Ice...come on. I'm not even a fan of Alina, but she's better than that. It's entirely up to her - and to Polina, Alena, Evgenia, and all the rest - when they choose to retire.

bewitched · Nov 18, 2018

katymay said:
1) Because I do not think she can be dominate for the next three years.
2) If she wins worlds, she has accomplished pretty much everything it is possible to win. Why subject yourself to the daily grind of training for three more years? Why not reap the rewards of what your hard work has accomplished?
3) Because she is beautiful and can make a fortune in endorsements, word is she has already been offered a substantial contract with Circe Soleil on Ice.

I seriously hope you are joking...

1) Nothing in this life is 100% sure and we don't know what will happen for the next three years. We see even now skaters who are late bloomers and have acheived a lot in their late career (Javier Fernandez was consistendly bad for many years, even landed on last places in major competitions. What if he just retired at the age of 19 because he 'couldn't be dominating' for the next years?

2) Are you the one to decide if she has accomplished pretty much everything? Maybe she wants to be a two-time Olympic champion like Witt. Maybe she wants to be on top for more years and enjoys the atmosphere of competitions. Maybe she likes the trainings. She doesn't look like the lazy kind of person who just lays on the couch after one small accomplishment.

3) She is very beautiful AND talanted and she could do whatever she wants, again, you are not the one to decide what happens with her. She is already making a fortune in endorsements, without damaging her skating career, many skaters have successfully combined both things and I don't really understand your point.

I am really becoming fed up with negative comments on 16-year-olds with more accomplishments that many of those 'skating fans' will have for their entire lives...

bewitched · Nov 18, 2018

So if a skater is not doing well, they should retire (no chance to dominate in the future).
But if a skater is doing very well, they also should retire (no chance to dominate longer in the future).

But if the skater wants to dominate longer in the future, they learn 3A and quads - they will surely also retire (they will break a bone and then no chance to dominate in the future).
And if the skater decides to rely on safe jumping layout, they should also retire (they have no chance against 3A and quads)

Seriously, people, if your logic is like this, how do you even follow this sport? We better just call it a day and cancel all competitions because all of the skaters have their issues and must retire...

:noshake:

Fluture · Nov 18, 2018

Alina is 16 and she has every right to choose what she wants to do in her life. She has won a lot of things, including the most prestigious title a figure skater can possibly win. If she wins Worlds this year (which I think she will) she has a full arsenal, including another Olympic Medal besides her gold. If she wants to retire after that and focus on other things life has to offer, I‘d totally support that decision. It would be more than understandable.

But despite all her victories and titles, she seems eager to keep going. She is a major perfectionist and while I generally think she should take some time to be proud of her accomplishments even if she isn‘t perfect 100% of the time, a trait like this can help you a lot in elite level sports. She wants to grow as a skater, she wants to become better. Thus, she doesn‘t seem likely to retire any time soon. On the contrary, now we have her coaching team talking about quads. And we know from experience that they do not tend to talk about something they aren‘t likely to achieve in the future. I think Alina is here to stay. Maybe she won‘t have it as easy next season with the uber juniors fighting with her for their spots on the World Team but does this mean she has no chance whatsoever to ever land on any podiums again? Hell, no. I think people are generally giving too much importance to the juniors dominating completely next season. Likely? Pretty much. But look at Liza. How she came back when literally nobody expected it. So what if Alina won‘t be on the top of the podium next season. She‘ll work and she‘ll come back. It would be foolish to assume skaters quit their career just because of some talented juniors. Yes, they are good but it‘s in every skater‘s case primarily about their personal career. They want to work? Then they‘ll do it.

Right now, Alina seems the one to beat. She hasn’t delivered two perfect programs in a row on the GP circuit yet. Does that mean she‘s done? Apparently. Like she was done last season after two shaky GP events? Lol. Her Olympic Gold Medal is laughing quietly at everyone who thinks that right now.

Alina will peak at Worlds, just like she did last season with the Olympics. Then it will depend what happens next season. We don‘t know that because we can‘t know what Alina wants. But if she wants to continue skating, she will. And she‘ll be successful.

Ophelia · Nov 18, 2018

Tsurkaya is really the complete package, and a strong one at that. It's a shame she cannot put it together, because the girl has it all.

chopinskate · Nov 18, 2018

lilahozi said:
Tsurkaya is really the complete package, and a strong one at that. It's a shame she cannot put it together, because the girl has it all.

I've found her spins to be lacking, her presence nothing special, and her musicality ordinary (although she has her moments here).

Talking about her jumps though: it now sometimes looks like she isn't even trying to close.

Ophelia · Nov 18, 2018

^Whattt? I find her very musical and elegant. She suits more melancholic and abstract type of music.

Spins are the easiest thing to work on. Her lines are beautiful and her JUMPS are magnificent.

chopinskate · Nov 18, 2018

lilahozi said:
^Whattt? I find her very musical and elegant.

I think she's OK, nothing special. There's an immaturity to the way she responds to the music. She does have some good moments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29owawVh3sE but notice the utter lack of lightness and ease during the first part of her footwork when the music kind of needs it. She does do a nice turning attitude leap to the music, though.

She looks natural enough when she's doing movements. Not contrived. But not great either, sometimes looking too competition dancer-y, with not enough involvement.

ancientpeas · Nov 18, 2018

I have to say it is strange to me that so many of us want longevity in our favourite skaters so we can see them evolve, improve, and grow as artists and humans and yet some want them to exit stage left quickly so a new, potentially brighter star, can take the spotlight. I am hopeful that Alina stays in until 2022 so that we can see more from her.

Russia is blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to their ladies (especially their young ladies) that it is going to be sad to see many talented and worthy competitors not get their opportunity. I do wonder if, like with so many American ladies, the opportunity to skate for other countries is available to some of these young ladies (I seem to remember having a conversation with some of you about dual citizenships and if Russia allows it but now I don't remember what the answer was).

Also, having skaters around with name recognition for casual fans increases interest at Olympic time. People will remember defending champion Alina Zagitova and, however they feel about her, will be more likely to tune in because they know her.

melgirl25 · Nov 18, 2018

DougDorsey said:
I'll be heading to the Grand Prix Final in Vancouver, and I'm really looking forward, but will there be a more competitive, talent-laden tournament this year than next month's Russian Championships?

True, the Grand Prix Final will have more talent overall, but split between two levels, whereas the Russian Championships will have all but a few of the best skaters in the world going head-to-head. Alina, Zhenya, Liza, Sasha, Anna, Alena, Sofia, Masha, Polina. (Too bad Kamila is still a year and a half away from the cutoff!)

Could it get more exciting? Anyone know if will be streamed live and accessible to folks in the States?

I am going too! So much talent under one roof. Added bonus to see the Juniors. Not Russian Nationals but good enough for me!

neusw · Nov 18, 2018

Fluture said:
Alina is 16 and she has every right to choose what she wants to do in her life. She has won a lot of things, including the most prestigious title a figure skater can possibly win. If she wins Worlds this year (which I think she will) she has a full arsenal, including another Olympic Medal besides her gold. If she wants to retire after that and focus on other things life has to offer, I‘d totally support that decision. It would be more than understandable.

But despite all her victories and titles, she seems eager to keep going. She is a major perfectionist and while I generally think she should take some time to be proud of her accomplishments even if she isn‘t perfect 100% of the time, a trait like this can help you a lot in elite level sports. She wants to grow as a skater, she wants to become better. Thus, she doesn‘t seem likely to retire any time soon. On the contrary, now we have her coaching team talking about quads. And we know from experience that they do not tend to talk about something they aren‘t likely to achieve in the future. I think Alina is here to stay. Maybe she won‘t have it as easy next season with the uber juniors fighting with her for their spots on the World Team but does this mean she has no chance whatsoever to ever land on any podiums again? Hell, no. I think people are generally giving too much importance to the juniors dominating completely next season. Likely? Pretty much. But look at Liza. How she came back when literally nobody expected it. So what if Alina won‘t be on the top of the podium next season. She‘ll work and she‘ll come back. It would be foolish to assume skaters quit their career just because of some talented juniors. Yes, they are good but it‘s in every skater‘s case primarily about their personal career. They want to work? Then they‘ll do it.

Right now, Alina seems the one to beat. She hasn’t delivered two perfect programs in a row on the GP circuit yet. Does that mean she‘s done? Apparently. Like she was done last season after two shaky GP events? Lol. Her Olympic Gold Medal is laughing quietly at everyone who thinks that right now.

Alina will peak at Worlds, just like she did last season with the Olympics. Then it will depend what happens next season. We don‘t know that because we can‘t know what Alina wants. But if she wants to continue skating, she will. And she‘ll be successful.

This is literally the exact same handwringing everyone was having about zhenya a couple months ago. Both ladies can dominate, or they can not and just enjoy the process of skating, with the very realistic goal of still landing on podiums and getting international assignments. I commend both of them for their past and future accomplishments whatever path they choose to take. They’ve both earned the right to do whatever makes them happy.

NAOTMAA · Nov 18, 2018

Alina is like the first Olympic champion we've had in god knows how long who is trying to stick around the next full quad and Olympics without making people question what she'll do next.

I think you have to go all the way back to Katerina Witt to find a champion who didn't quickly jump ship to turn pro, get injured, or run hot and cold. So I really really hope it all works out despite so many people seemingly wanting her gone while at the same time moaning about skaters with no longevity.

Tyranid · Nov 18, 2018

So with 68 TES and 2 URs at a home GP, Zagitova shows that she isn't unbeatable this season and could lose to Kihira. I'm already very excited for the GPF because of Zagitova vs Kihira. Tuktamysheva could make the podium and Med is in the mix as well.

Ok, Kihira could bomb in France but will make the final most likely.

Tolstoj · Nov 18, 2018

About Polina, depending on her wishes she may not have many choices, that's why people think she could retire if this doesn't work out.

- Leaving CSKA is hard cause you're leaving the most influential club in Russia, the only one that really gets pushed by the federation no matter what, so you can't bad mouth them and it's possible they might do it to you if you leave.

- Then going to other clubs inevitably mean less funding and less help from the federation.

- Planning to leave Moscow is also hard, muscovites generally don't want to do that even to move to SPB which means no Mishin, Turenko, Urmanov, Rukavicin for her.

So in Moscow the only two big clubs are CSKA and Eteri's group, if you go to minor coaches based in Moscow like Panova or Volchova or even Plushenko, while it may work, you have to deal with less of everything (scores, funding, specialists,...).

lavoix · Nov 18, 2018

What's the point in switching coaches again? Again I don't get how some people think in such an immature way.

She's been having these issues under Eteri as well, but Eteri knew how to discipline her and make her work hard. Buyanova seems lenient.

Polina just needs to take an entire year and just focus on skating. If she wants it.

Otherwise, Gubanova displayed some impressive skating last weekend. Buyanova should focus on her. She's probably the only competitive skater in the group now.

IceBallerina · Nov 18, 2018

lavoix said:
What's the point in switching coaches again? Again I don't get how some people think in such an immature way.

She's been having these issues under Eteri as well, but Eteri knew how to discipline her and make her work hard. Buyanova seems lenient.

Polina just needs to take an entire year and just focus on skating. If she wants it.

Otherwise, Gubanova displayed some impressive skating last weekend. Buyanova should focus on her. She's probably the only competitive skater in the group now.

Polina had an interview where she just said the environment wasn't for her anymore. She didn't say anything negative.

Tolstoj · Nov 18, 2018

lavoix said:
What's the point in switching coaches again? Again I don't get how some people think in such an immature way.

She's been having these issues under Eteri as well, but Eteri knew how to discipline her and make her work hard. Buyanova seems lenient.

Polina just needs to take an entire year and just focus on skating. If she wants it.

Otherwise, Gubanova displayed some impressive skating last weekend. Buyanova should focus on her. She's probably the only competitive skater in the group now.

Polina didn't have rotation issues with Eteri, she only botched one competition internationally (JW 2017 and she was coming from an injury), and she was considered one of the top russian ladies.

Right now after this disastrous GP season, she has a lot to prove at nationals to keep the two spots for the next season (sure CSKA will help her but right now she can't even skate a clean program)

I wonder how she was before, cause even before Eteri she was at CSKA and apparently something went wrong there if they let her go, i don't know if they were the jumps or the injuries.

Your last sentence is soo funny cause they have Gubanova, Tsurskaya, Sotskova, and Radionova, all top tier skaters, but only Gubanova is competitive now.

2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

DenissVFan

Azikin

katymay

silverfoxes

bewitched

bewitched

Fluture

Ophelia

chopinskate

Ophelia

chopinskate

ancientpeas

The Notorious SEW

melgirl25

neusw

NAOTMAA

Tyranid

Tolstoj

lavoix

Match Penalty

IceBallerina

Tolstoj

Similar threads

Connect with us