2019-2020 Russian Nationals travel notes

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You must be kidding, no way! – These were my first thoughts when I learned that Krasnoyarsk would host the next Nationals. Everything ends at a certain time including my annual visits to Rusnats that started in 2015. Giving it more thought, though, I asked myself: “Why not? What is the big difference between 2 and 5 hour flights?” And the only answer was that the difference is 3 more hours on the plane which is not such a big deal. Then I made up my mind: I am going. “You must be kidding, no way!” – that’s what my wife Anna told me when I suggested her to go to Krasnoyarsk at the end of December.

Well, I bought 2 tickets just in case and as the time approached the date the case materialized. “Why not?” – said my wife with one difference – she would come separately the day after me.

The red-eye flight was not taxing but I could not sleep. The plane arrived to Krasnoyarsk at 9 a.m. local time which is 5 a.m. Moscow time. “The weather is good. The temperature in Krasnoyarsk is -32 Celcius”. After those encouraging words I stepped out of the aircraft to feel myself that the US president may be right and the global warming may be a fictitious thing.

I showed up at the reception of Hilton at 9:30 begging for early check-in. They are nice people: not only did they check me in – they upgraded my standard room to a junior suite. As I was going to my room I realized that Hilton was selected as the base for skaters, coaches, and officials. There were Gorshkov and Lakernik in the elevator as it went up. When I went down for breakfast I shared the elevator with Chebotareva. Then we together grabbed some zapekanka. Overall the breakfast in Hilton Krasnoyarsk is superb although the selection of food is very different from, say, Hilton Universal Studios where we stayed last summer.

As I was waiting for the taxi skaters and other personnel rushed by to the bus. Eteri did not rush – she passed by me looking straight ahead with some accompanying guys going 3 meters behind her: the queen and her escort. Some lady came to me: “quick, quick, the bus is leaving”. I thought quickly if I should take the bus but decided not to play an impostor. 30 minute taxi ride and I got to Platinum arena.

To be continued…

 

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Platinum arena is quite far from the center. On the other hand, it commands the territory in which it is situated. I understand that getting the same presence in the main part of the city could be an impossible task. The difference from Megasport in Moscow is striking in every possible aspect. No one ever greets you at Megasport. What you always have is tight security who would almost strip you to the bone. Here there were 2 groups of cheerful volunteers before and right after the entrance. Despite the minus 30 degree temperature, they danced, sang “Katyusha” and gave you “high five”. Security was there but not as fastidious as in Moscow.

The seats at the stands are much better as well. There is much more space between the seats and much better leg space. I had a comfortable sitting experience even with my oversize permafrost ready winter jacket. The cost of it would be smaller capacity. Having more or less similar building size, Platinum arena has only 7000 capacity vs. 12000 in Megasport. Yes, there are more rows at Megasport but different seat plans also play the role.

A clear area for development was food and drink service. On our floor, there was a single point with 2 incapable folks. The lines were atrocious but even if you were lucky, the choice was not there. During the first day, the only food left was sweet popcorn and suspiciously looking pirogis that they for some reason called “pizza”. On the second day during the intermission before the last ladies’ group there was a traditional long line. I got to the guys to get some coffee just to hear that the only thing left in the whole bar was the black tea sachets. Megasport is way more advanced in that area. But the best cafeteria ever was in Saransk.

I think that the sound guy is in his 50s. That’s the only explanation of the music choice – classic rock. There was a lot of Deep Purple. Also spotted were Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Bon Jovi, The Kiss, and Smokie. Quite a difference from usual David Guetta routine.

As for the sound, I saw on the stands Peter from Slovenia, the guy with outstanding sound producing skills. Well, first I saw him at the lobby. He went pass me looking somewhat perplexed. I understand that he was in search of excellence, I mean, WC. Then I heard him. This time it was my turn to laugh because he was 3 rows above me. His “ooooogh” did not bother me at all. And I also played a fortune teller telling a girl next to me that she would hear a very loud sound within 10 seconds. I knew that Peter had special feelings towards Stasya and that was her turn. So that it was an easy guess and Peter did not let me down…

What about skating? I came for men’s free program. The highlight of it was Artur Danielyan. Not only did he skate clean, I liked his posture. It reminded me the skaters from the distant past. His choice of vivid classical music was very appropriate for this posture. As he was in the first group, I thought that it could be a very good event. It was not.

What do I remember? Daniil Samsonov can become a big name. His basics are superb together with his spins. But he is not just tiny – he is super tiny. What will happen when/if he starts to grow? His jumps were more stable a year ago than now. Without jumps he will be “yet another Russian man” same as Petr Gumenik who was named to be the new face of Russian men’s skating but who is surely not “the savior” after he grew 20 cm or more.

Lord Samarin had an average outing, which is the norm for him recently. Not only he did not deliver on 4F – he success rate with it is no better than Kolyada had with 4Lz. He ran out of steam in the second half. He has never been the embodiment of elegant skating. But he used to be fast, very fast. First time I saw issues with his stamina at CoR. Here it was even more pronounced. He was quite slow towards the end of the program. I think that judges were very forgiving with him. With such Samarin’s skating Ignatov’s task looked quite easy, well, not may be to win but at least to get a podium. He just had to repeat his CoR skating. And he could not – it was not a good performance.

Dima Aliev is not my hope because he is hit or miss for the last several seasons. This time it was enough to win. But I think that he was lucky to land a quad lutz, not only to land it but do it with ease and grace. He did it just to immediately fall on supposedly easier 4T. And then there was an awkward fall during the steps. Yes, he is a deserved winner. But his 260 would be likely 250-255 internationally. And with such a score you cannot get a high place during the worlds. I don’t know if 2 world spots are in danger but 3 are not visible.

An underwhelming event that manifests that dire straits in Russian men’s skating continue.

To be continued…

 

[PaulE]

Thanks for your descriptions. At those temperatures it is nice that you have a big thick jacket. Maybe zanadude is right and Russia should include Anna in their men's contingent for worlds.

 

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Ladies short program

The first group already had big guns starting with Sasha Trusova. She did not go for 3A and, may be, because of that she was much more natural and with the music than I remember from CoR. She was very fast as well covering big distance. I was impressed. She is getting to become a full package especially when she does not go for big jumps. Without 3Lz-3Lo 75 looked more or less OK although I would give her 2-3 points more.

The same is true with Sima – I would score her much closer to 70. Her combo was wonky but the rest of her skating had good quality including her nemesis: axel.

Anna was fantastic, mesmerizing. I was spellbound. Here I in general would agree with the score but again 2-3 more points would not hurt.

Liza had to deliver a 3A. She can – she did it many times this season. And she delivered it… almost. The rest of her skating was not at the level of Sasha and Anna. However, it was the best I saw from her since quite a while. If she only could land 3A the way she can she could have been ahead of Trusova. But 73 and the line-up became clear. No questions to judges so far – may be a bit conservative but it’s OK to be conservative after what happened during GP series.

I cannot remember when I saw Nastya Gulyakova last time and I was pleasantly surprised. Power, expression. Once again conservative scoring – why is she below 70?

Alyona…that 3A was massive. It was the best ever that I have seen. Her skating was flawless. The only but. I was not watching figure skating during Yuna’s times. Among the critic she had I remember people saying that she “was cold”. I felt this cold watching Alyona this time. She was like a snow queen – absolutely perfect but cold. A sharp contrast with Sasha, Anna, and Liza. And this is good. No one but the most stubborn the forbidden word can say that all Eteri’s wonder girls are the same jumping machines. They are all unique skaters with unique personalities. The score, though, after the previous conservatism. I did not look at the protocols – I understand the GOE and pcs are gigantic.

Valeria Shulskaya. I never heard that name and I was surprised to see how good she was. Her lightness reminded me of good old Zhenya. Skating after perfect Alyona she did not look like “also ran” to me. Apparently she did to the judges. I have no other explanation to why she was scored below 70.

Sofia Samodurova was lowballed. Nothing new. URs that no one saw the last season. And I don’t think that anything has changed since then. Her landings are borderline. But it has been decided that they are URed. Russia agreed not to fight. I think the choice has been made to fiercely support only those who will strive for podiums. That’s why no lutz calls for Anna in Russia after the infamous “5 edge calls” situation. It was the only time when the audience was clearly displeased with judges whistling and booing.

Another negative surprise was low Gubanova’s score. Yes, she missed 3-3, the landings were not that good but even then she is still a beautiful skater. I don’t know – the judges were too ruthless with some skaters, IMO. The same is true with another former prodigy – Liza Nugumanova. Yes, there was one 2 foot landing but the rest looked just fine. I did not get her score at all.

In the last group, the girls started to fall, especially the young guns. I was sad about Ksenia Sinitsina. I never watched her live and I have to say that she has amazing smooth gliding. It just cannot be better. Too bad she missed that combo. Even without big jumps she is a big talent. I was a bit surprised by her occasionally high scores during JGPF. I can understand them – she is superb!

Stasya did her best and looked pleased with herself before the score was announced. It is obvious that she will not get preferential treatment any more. I feel a bit sad about that may be because she seems to be a very nice person same as Chebotareva whom I got to know sharing zapekanka at Hilton’s canteen.

And finally Zhenya Medvedeva. She was good, she was solid. No she was not as jaw dropping as she used to be with Eteri. But we have been through it many times: growth that’s why new technique, etc. Once again, from the stands she was no worse than she was at CoR. With the domestic inflation, I expected something like 78-80. And when I heard 71 I together with the rest of the audience were stunned. It was a very clear message. What does it mean? What wild explanations of that score can one devise? Like, has Zhenya started the arrangements to settle outside Russia to prolong her career and the Fed gave up on her? I think that something will follow – we just have to wait and see.

To be continued…

 

[Casual]

With the domestic inflation, I expected something like 78-80. And when I heard 71 I together with the rest of the audience were stunned. It was a very clear message. What does it mean? What wild explanations of that score can one devise? Like, has Zhenya started the arrangements to settle outside Russia to prolong her career and the Fed gave up on her?

^^^This is everything that's wrong with figure skating today. The Fed giveth ("the country bonus" score padding) and the Fed taketh away.

Disgusting, when one thinks about it.

 

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^^^This is everything that's wrong with figure skating today. The Fed giveth ("the country bonus" score padding) and the Fed taketh away.

Disgusting, when one thinks about it.

This is what many countries have been doing for ages. Russia, USA, Canada. May be among the big guns Japan is the exception to the rules although Rika's score of 229 without lutzes and a stepout on 3A may not be repeated internationally.

But then for yet another time no one forces no one to follow this "disgusting sport"

 

[Casual]

This is what many countries have been doing for ages. Russia, USA, Canada. May be among the big guns Japan is the exception to the rules although Rika's score of 229 without lutzes and a stepout on 3A may not be repeated internationally.

But then for yet another time no one forces no one to follow this "disgusting sport"

So your choice is either follow the sport and silently accept cheating (score padding is cheating), or stop watching? Okay. That's your opinion.

 

[YuBluByMe]

I’ve read all the notes, but I’m unable to quote directly so I’ll just post without quoting:

- What did you think of Mozalev? I thought he was very good. Musical and lovely body movements, especially in the short. I thought he should have won the SP, even with the small mistake on the combo. Mozalev is the one with the awful mashup of In This Shirt in his free skate.

- I think I agree with you on Kostornaia’s “coldness.” I have the exact same issue with Hanyu, but her beautiful skating makes up for that, I think. This time I did prefer Trusova’s short to hers. And Scherbakova’s. That wasn’t true at GPF.

- Aliev and Samarin should be able to keep two spots. But three is a no. Neither of them are top 5 skaters and Kolyada gained three spots only for it to be lost the year after.

- I’m no fan of Medvedeva, but even I was surprised at her score. She would’ve scored about three points higher internationally. So if you account for national inflation, her score would’ve been even higher. I was expecting for her to place above Tuktamysheva. There were also actually quite a few girls I felt should have scored above 70.

- Kihira scored 230.33 at Skate Canada with no lutz and a step-out on a 3A. So her score at JNats was realistic and lower than what she got internationally. JNats’ reputation is very much intact.

- If English is a second language, then your English is excellent.

 

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I’ve read all the notes, but I’m unable to quote directly so I’ll just post without quoting:

- What did you think of Mozalev? I thought he was very good. Musical and lovely body movements, especially in the short. I thought he should have won the SP, even with the small mistake on the combo. Mozalev is the one with the awful mashup of In This Shirt in his free skate.

- I think I agree with you on Kostornaia’s “coldness.” I have the exact same issue with Hanyu, but her beautiful skating makes up for that, I think. This time I did prefer Trusova’s short to hers. And Scherbakova’s. That wasn’t true at GPF.

- Aliev and Samarin should be able to keep two spots. But three is a no. Neither of them are top 5 skaters and Kolyada gained three spots only for it to be lost the year after.

- I’m no fan of Medvedeva, but even I was surprised at her score. She would’ve scored about three points higher internationally. So if you account for national inflation, her score would’ve been even higher. I was expecting for her to place above Tuktamysheva. There were also actually quite a few girls I felt should have scored above 70.

- Kihira scored 230.33 at Skate Canada with no lutz and a step-out on a 3A. So her score at JNats was realistic and lower than what she got internationally. JNats’ reputation is very much intact.

- If English is a second language, then your English is excellent.

I know Mozalev from JGP series - he won the SP during the final. Somehow, I am not with his skating. There is something in it that puts me off. May be it's the lack of elegance. Danielyan is the embodiment of elegance. For the lack of a better comparison it's like a ballet dancer vs. a rap dancer.

I am glad that we agree that some scores looked too low. I am apparently wrong about Rika's being overscored at the Nationals - I just have her 216 in mind but she made more mistakes during GPF.

Yes, English is my second language but I studied and received Master's degree in the USA. OK, it's the time to run to the venue: the gala will start in 30 minutes or so.

 

[Decoder]

Waiting for more ...

 

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Waiting for more ...

Sure, I shall finish it when I am back in Moscow. At this moment we are waiting for boarding to start. Some skaters have already gone. I am in the company with Kostornaya, Pavlyuchenko and Morozov. Gorshkov is also here - somehow I often encounter him. At some point I shall introduce myself

 

[Edwin]

How is everybody looking? Worn out, tired, or reasonably content and looking forwards to New Year?

Afternoon flight to Moscow, so everybody will sleep in their own beds tonight and have a few days of break until Jan 2 or 3.

Thanks for your personal story, observations and competition notes. Always nice to read

 

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Everyone is calm but the girls that I mentioned are cheerful. Alyona is wearing jeans and Daria is wearing a dress. They are both tiny and look like kids, well, we all know that they are fierce competitors despite that look.

 

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The troops are arriving. Zhenya Tiffany. Gotta get into the line as I shall risk not to get the space in an overhead bin

 

[Decoder]

Sure, I shall finish it when I am back in Moscow. At this moment we are waiting for boarding to start. Some skaters have already gone. I am in the company with Kostornaya, Pavlyuchenko and Morozov. Gorshkov is also here - somehow I often encounter him. At some point I shall introduce myself

Please go and introduce yourself !!!

 

[Jeanie19]

The troops are arriving. Zhenya Tiffany. Gotta get into the line as I shall risk not to get the space in an overhead bin

Maybe you will be sitting next to or near one of the skaters. That would be nice.

 

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Please go and introduce yourself !!!

Zhenya is at good terms with Tiffany and Nastya Skoptsova. They are having fun and taking selfies. I had an idea to take a picture with them but my wife told me not to be ridiculous.

 

[Decoder]

Zhenya is at good terms with Tiffany and Nastya Skoptsova. They are having fun and taking selfies. I had an idea to take a picture with them but my wife told me not to be ridiculous.

Haha! I'd agree with your wife here.

 

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Haha! I'd agree with your wife here.

Ok there could be an excuse if someone sat next to me. Alas. Anna passed by me. At least I congratulated her in person.

 

[Decoder]

Ok there could be an excuse if someone sat next to me. Alas. Anna passed by me. At least I congratulated her in person.

:thumbsup: