2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[LoopCombo]

Thank you, Edwin! The interview with Ted Barton was so interesting to read. I am hopeful to see the technical side of figure skating judged increasingly with the help of technology.

 

[halulupu]

The last time (and only time I think...) Aliona and Liza competed against each other was the 2017-18 Nationals and they basically tied in PCS, with Liza coming out slightly ahead. https://www.fsrussia.ru/results/1718/rusnat1718_RUS/SEG004.HTM

Aliona was a first year junior at that point.

Not directly against each other, but at the GPF/JGPF Aliona outscored Liza in PCS by about a point.

Although I think Aliona should win PCS head to head (by a mile, across all categories), I’m not counting on it as the judges seem to rate new seniors a bit lower than they were rated as juniors. That being said, Aliona looks very senior, not only in her skating, but also in her musculature. Not to talk about young girls bodies, I think Anna is at a disadvantage vs. Sasha and Aliona who are more muscular and look physically more mature. It shouldn’t be like this and I hate even bringing this up, but I think this plays a role subconsciously in the judges minds.

This will probably get deleted.

If liza gets two clean programms with 3 3a aljona shoudnt have a chance with her current tech arsenal.pcs or not

 

[Jontor]

Congratulations to Tarakanova (68.14) and Vasilieva (67.52) who had clean skates today at JGP Poland. It will be a fierce battle between these two ladies in the long. At the moment they have an advantage over Liu (64.11).

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

If liza gets two clean programms with 3 3a aljona shoudnt have a chance with her current tech arsenal.pcs or not

This is probably the case. Technical skaters who take extraordinary risk and succeed should finish ahead. When they fail, they should finish behind cleaner skates from athletes with superior artistry and skating skill. It doesn't always happen that way, but it should.

 

[andromache]

This is probably the case. Technical skaters who take extraordinary risk and succeed should finish ahead. When they fail, they should finish behind cleaner skates from athletes with superior artistry and skating skill. It doesn't always happen that way, but it should.

It depends on how big the technical difference is. If Liza was only 1 or 2 3A, Alena would have a much better shot. If Liza has 3 great 3As, that's a huge technical advantage and I would say she would deserve to win.

But I think Liza should not actually compete at this event, given how close it is to Skate America.

 

[JazzUp]

Congratulations to Tarakanova (68.14) and Vasilieva (67.52) who had clean skates today at JGP Poland. It will be a fierce battle between these two ladies in the long.

Nastya Tarakanova will have a fierce battle with the judge from Iceland as well, who placed her just 0.20 points ahead in her PCS score above Lucrezia Beccari that finished 20th (with a fall, 2 URs, and lower level everything). Judging this season gets curiouser and curiouser with every event.

 

[nussnacker]

Im happy for Nastia‘s clean skate, although I feel like she’s really underscored in pcs again, 7,2 is not the score for SS she deserves... :-/
I think both Nastia and Tomoe could’ve been scored above 70, imo.

Overall though, I’m satisfied with the judging at Gdańsk actually. The panel didn’t go full berserk, but even with careful calls, it came to a satisfactory result. Let’s just say, a few calls I’ve been talking about during earlier competitions finally being made, made a huge difference in scores lol. Given those athletes competed with the relatively same quality of performances. Oh wow, how proper judging can drop some scores! Ehm... good job, judges in Poland, some other judges should be taking notes. Now give Nastia higher pcs for SS, and reward Tomoe more please

 

[nussnacker]

I think Liza might take a second challenger because she understands there’s a possibility of her not making it to worlds, and then her rating and sb become more crucial.
She’s done 2 because if she doesn’t, her chances of getting 2 gps might drop.
With Tarakanova, Sinitsina and Kanysheva possibly going senior next year, the chances of getting 2 gps might be getting slimmer. Possibly, a last year when a lot of skaters are getting a shot at GP.
But a risky decision in any way, let’s wait and see what they decide.

 

[halulupu]

I think Liza might take a second challenger because she understands there’s a possibility of her not making it to worlds, and then her rating and sb become more crucial.
She’s done 2 because if she doesn’t, her chances of getting 2 gps might drop.
With Tarakanova, Sinitsina and Kanysheva possibly going senior next year, the chances of getting 2 gps might be getting slimmer. Possibly, a last year when a lot of skaters are getting a shot at GP.
But a risky decision in any way, let’s wait and see what they decide.

..and papa mishin knows all the judges himself up there in finnlandia. She will get decent pcs, what she clearly needs for reputation. Its close to st.petersburg anyway

 

[Jontor]

Liza always enters at least two Challengers each season. And she usually competes in other competitions as well. I think for Liza, competing a lot is the best training.

 

[NAOTMAA]

And the way team Mishin keep tweeking the programs she'll need every competition she can get so they can figure it out. Otherwise by Nationals she still won't have a program set in stone

 

[SkySkater]

Im happy for Nastia‘s clean skate, although I feel like she’s really underscored in pcs again, 7,2 is not the score for SS she deserves... :-/
I think both Nastia and Tomoe could’ve been scored above 70, imo.

Overall though, I’m satisfied with the judging at Gdańsk actually. The panel didn’t go full berserk, but even with careful calls, it came to a satisfactory result. Let’s just say, a few calls I’ve been talking about during earlier competitions finally being made, made a huge difference in scores lol. Given those athletes competed with the relatively same quality of performances. Oh wow, how proper judging can drop some scores! Ehm... good job, judges in Poland, some other judges should be taking notes. Now give Nastia higher pcs for SS, and reward Tomoe more please

I agree with this but I worry. If JGPF was merely defined by placements I wouldn't mind so much but it is going to come down to points. These skates last week could have gotten 72+ with the way the scoring was looking and those are four valuable points for Nastya and Tomoe. Moreover, Nastya has already been victim to harsh scoring at Lake Placid compared to other assignments leading to her score being quite so low which means that whilst the scoring here might be fair and the best scoring on the jgp this year it still is going to mess up the skaters here and negatively affect them.

 

[linkintank]

Inna Goncharenko: Does Medvyedeva skate her old content? What does this mean?

Anatoliy Samokhvalov The figure skating season is gaining momentum, the 2018 Olympic champion Alina Zagitova is impressive, but hasn't started yet, the two-time world champion Yevgeniya Medvyedeva gets criticism, but already posted some results. Inna Goncharenko, Merited Coach of Russia, discusses the latest news with Anatoliy Samokhvalov, and the conversation began with the results of the recent junior Grand Prix in Chelyabinsk.

Danielyan is stronger than Gumennik

“The Grand Prix in Chelyabinsk went great when it comes to women's single skating,” Goncharenko said. "Well done everybody! Usually, we are talking in enthusiastic terms about the same skaters, but the Chelyabinsk stage showed that others also exist and they are also good. Kseniya Sinitsyna showed a completely new direction. Yes, she is without quads so far, but has very chic programs, especially her short one, which I have already praised for very successful staging for this specific athlete.

Sinitsyna’s free program was also successful, I’ll note the very accurate match with the dress. I remember when Mariya Sotskova skated, she also had interesting programs, beautiful dresses and various other finds, which were clearly chosen for her. A similar process is observed in the development of Sinitsyna. In these programs, the skater has become even better in sliding and jumping.
I also really want to talk about Arthur Danielyan.

Q: Arthur was in the lead with a good margin after his short program at the Grand Prix in Chelyabinsk, but lost the first place in the fight against Peter Gumennik. Danielyan replaced the quad Salchow with a triple and made mistakes in his program.
A: Nevertheless, I was very surprised by his mature skating, particularly in his short program, which was very well developed. In my opinion, Gumennik won only due to the fact that Danielyan made a mistake in his free. In skating, in his delivery, in the staged programs, he is stronger. For me, he was the undisputed leader of this stage. I remember Gumennik in children's competitions, I know him as a very artistic boy. When he skated with (Alexei) Mishin, he had very interesting finds in the rotations, he himself was a very 'dancing' skater, hearing music, but now I haven't seen anytfrom this. Where did it all go?
Now here is Danielyan, who was not particularly emotionally involved last season, beginning to smile in his routines. Ear to ear in his short, which is amazing. I understand a strong team exists in CSKA and there is someone to work with, the result is obvious. Respect for the coaches and respect for the boy himself. I am absolutely not a fan of Danielyan, but this season he is a completely different skater.

Q: His free program, to the powerful sounds of "Gladiator."
A: After (Alexey) Yagudin, this topic is not interesting to me regarding the performance of others. I am very critical of the boys, because it is time for them to star in the good sense, it's not only for the girls to shine. Therefore, when I see talented boys, I want them to progress, rather than stagnate or even worse, regress. Here Danielyan fired off in the short, and most importantly, so that later we would not talk about his routines in the spirit of "well, yes, well, nothing like that." Because this "well, yes, well, nothing" happens to us in men's single skating every year.

On Medvyedeva's Axel, I flinched

Q: How did you like Yevgeniya Medvyedeva at the Autumn Classics in Canada, where she only lost to Rika Kihira's triple Axels?
A: I am very glad Zhenya is fighting, performing and showing interesting new programs. I really like the staging of her short program, this is my favourite staging by Ilya Averbukh due to sophisticated choreography. Lightness, ease, unobtrusiveness.
I would like to wish Zhenya to achieve more speedy and airy skating, because with such light music I want her to fly.
I would like to add speed and complexity to her rotations, continue to work on her Lutz' edge to make the edge more confident and clear.
She made me shudder on her Axel in the long program, because I had a feeling that Axel was on the verge (of failure). I want a confident execution of that jump.

Q: Let's say Medvyedeva adds lightness, speeds up. Will she be competitive with Aleksandra Trusova, Anna Shcherbakova, Kihira?
A: I think so, because there is no need to be afraid of Kihira or any other competitor. Clearly she already has different skating and from the outside, our perception of her is also different. Zhenya needs to look forward.

Q: Different skating, what about this? Someone notices it, and someone say she performs her old content anyway.
A: Well, everyone is skating their old content, how to put it, their stock of knowledge?

Q: What did Brian Orser add to the skating of this two-time world champion?
A: More balanced skating. Because she doesn't have her previous power and sharpness, her skating at this stage is not always embraced. At the same time her skating has become more balanced and feminine. If there are fewer jumps, faster rotations and more diverse positions, everything will be fine.

Q: How did you like Yelizaveta Tuktamysheva at the tournament in Lombardy?
A: In my opinion, she skated worse than even in the Open Test Skates. But her triple Axel is light and good. What can I say, well done, she fights, just best forget this “troika” of hers, which she often does after the Axel. Because she can exit cleanly from the jump.

Q: The champion of Russia Shcherbakova beat her in Bergamo.
A: It was one thing when Shcherbakova competed amongst the young girls, and now amongst seniors, each time the question arises: "How will the judges perceive her?" And this issue will be relevant in the near future.
In the short program, for obvious reasons, she does not have quads, and the judges, in fact, did not react to her skating. In her free program, "ultra-si" appeared, and the judges were affected, they awarded "higher" and "better". She jumped, did everything, and won. Anna may wish to fight with what she can - jumping. She cannot compete for extreme skating and femininity yet, because she is still a little girl with elastic arms, but underneath all this footwork, she works and works.

Q: In general, at season's start, Zagitova, still untried, looks better than everybody?
A: She looks more experienced and professional.

Q: Even against the background of Medvyedeva and Tuktamysheva?
A: Against the background of everyone - more professional and more confident. Zhenya is looking less confident in her skating due to loss of speed and “prowess”.
-----
https://rsport.ria.ru/20190919/1558830212.html

I take what Inna says with a grain of salt considering how horrible Elena Radionova was in the artistic department. I find it interesting that Petr leaves Mishin and now she has criticism for him and nothing but good things to say about Artur. Artur who happens to train at CSKA where I believe Inna has connections. It's always about politics and she has so many things to say now when she hardly ever spoke before. This is her second big interview this season.

 

[JazzUp]

I find it interesting that Petr leaves Mishin and now she has criticism for him and nothing but good things to say about Artur. Artur who happens to train at CSKA where I believe Inna has connections.

And how is this observation relevant to the Russian Ladies Figure Skating thread?

 

[nussnacker]

I agree with this but I worry. If JGPF was merely defined by placements I wouldn't mind so much but it is going to come down to points. These skates last week could have gotten 72+ with the way the scoring was looking and those are four valuable points for Nastya and Tomoe. Moreover, Nastya has already been victim to harsh scoring at Lake Placid compared to other assignments leading to her score being quite so low which means that whilst the scoring here might be fair and the best scoring on the jgp this year it still is going to mess up the skaters here and negatively affect them.

I worry too... although I like a lot of current junior girls, including Ksenia and Kamila, Maiia, I would really want Nastia to make it to junior worlds and medal there, she deserves it so much! Her skills and overall skating quality are out of this world, her passion and fire she brings are such distinct differentiating qualities, that are not appreciated enough. (In other words, I like that she’s not a typical lyrical princess skater, but such a fierce and passionate one, she’s so different). I hope she won’t get wronged by the fed and judges too much, they are risking to lose a very special skater.
She’s scored so harshly lately, I hope she’ll manage to break this vicious trend that has been set up. A clean Tarakanova deserves more than 120, much more... imo.

 

[Edwin]

I take what Inna says with a grain of salt considering how horrible Elena Radionova was in the artistic department. I find it interesting that Petr leaves Mishin and now she has criticism for him and nothing but good things to say about Artur. Artur who happens to train at CSKA where I believe Inna has connections. It's always about politics and she has so many things to say now when she hardly ever spoke before. This is her second big interview this season.

Obviously, an ex coach with such distinction has her own secret agenda of sorts, and perhaps a bone or two to pick, or some pet peeves otherwise. Still, she is a most interesting source.

From another press source I learned that Chinese fed is still interested in hiring Goncharenko for their pre-Olympic program, but the article didn't state she accepted the offer or not.
https://nevasport.ru/94895-gonchare...-podgotovki-kitajskih-figuristov-k-olimpiade/

"Russian figure skating coach Inna Goncharrenko can pursue a career in China, journalist Vasiliy Konov reports in his Telegram channel.

According to the source, the local figure skating federation is interested in Russian specialists to prepare their skaters for the home Olympics, which will be held in Beijing in 2022.

Recently, Inna Goncharenko shared her thoughts on the new short program of Yelizaveta Tuktamysheva, which was staged by the Canadian choreographer Shae-Lynn Bourne. As well as the program “Girl on the Ball” performed by 13-year-old Kamila Valiyeva, praising the skater."

There are so many interesting articles, press releases and blogs at the moment, I hardly can keep up ;-)

 

[Tolstoj]

I take what Inna says with a grain of salt considering how horrible Elena Radionova was in the artistic department. I find it interesting that Petr leaves Mishin and now she has criticism for him and nothing but good things to say about Artur. Artur who happens to train at CSKA where I believe Inna has connections. It's always about politics and she has so many things to say now when she hardly ever spoke before. This is her second big interview this season.

I think she did a pretty good job with Elena before the puberty, then there was some work to do on posture and readjusting jumps and she instead let all the things as they were. It's worth noting that Elena lost a bit of that connection she had with the coach at the beginning of her career.

You're right on the second part, there is obviously a bit of politicking in these interviews.

And how is this observation relevant to the Russian Ladies Figure Skating thread?

Well to be fair that part of the interview was posted here.

Obviously, an ex coach with such distinction has her own secret agenda of sorts, and perhaps a bone or two to pick, or some pet peeves otherwise. Still, she is a most interesting source.

From another press source I learned that Chinese fed is still interested in hiring Goncharenko for their pre-Olympic program, but the article didn't state she accepted the offer or not.
https://nevasport.ru/94895-gonchare...-podgotovki-kitajskih-figuristov-k-olimpiade/



There are so many interesting articles, press releases and blogs at the moment, I hardly can keep up ;-)

I hope she considers that offer, i'd like to see her back as a coach and Olympics 2022 with chinese skaters could be a good opportunity.

 

[starla16]

I think Liza might take a second challenger because she understands there’s a possibility of her not making it to worlds, and then her rating and sb become more crucial.
She’s done 2 because if she doesn’t, her chances of getting 2 gps might drop.
With Tarakanova, Sinitsina and Kanysheva possibly going senior next year, the chances of getting 2 gps might be getting slimmer. Possibly, a last year when a lot of skaters are getting a shot at GP.
But a risky decision in any way, let’s wait and see what they decide.

Kanysheva is injured, she wont go seniors next season as she wont have a sb high enough, she's a non threat along with Tarakanova, I doubt they'd score 215+ above
only Sinitsina might score that range from those three.

 

[Seruleane]

I take what Inna says with a grain of salt considering how horrible Elena Radionova was in the artistic department. I find it interesting that Petr leaves Mishin and now she has criticism for him and nothing but good things to say about Artur. Artur who happens to train at CSKA where I believe Inna has connections. It's always about politics and she has so many things to say now when she hardly ever spoke before. This is her second big interview this season.

I beg to differ. I thought Elena was one of the most artistic, expressive skaters. Anna Scherbakova reminds me of her in this aspect. Sure, Elena had some sloppy skating skills and posture, but that doesn't mean she wasn't artistic.

 

[Canadianskatingfan]

If liza gets two clean programms with 3 3a aljona shoudnt have a chance with her current tech arsenal.pcs or not

Haha.