Leonove had better up her game next season if she wants to make the Olympic team. Besides Tuk and Adelina who seem to be sure things she will have to fight off Julie, Gosviani and perhaps even Korobeynikova if she can get it together. Even Pogorilaya will be eligible for the Olympics though she's a long shot and will probably stay on the JGP for another year.
Alena has had her turn as #1 Russian lady and it seems her turn is over. She's unlikely to make it to Sochi when there's a slew of younger ladies who can outjump and outperform her.
Leonova was the #1 Senior Russian lady for 4 years. Props to her.
She shouldn't be going to Worlds this year according to the rules, though, because Russia should only have 2 spots this year.
I will always think of this performance when I want to recall Leonova fondly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLWyDoEryUg
Wrong, wrong, wrong. Poor Menshov. He did everything he was asked, he had a good season and beat Kovtun at Nationals as well as scoring higher than Kovtun on three occasions (NRW, CoR and Russian Cup)...and he still gets screwed.
What are you talking about? The combined placements of her and Makarova at last year's worlds was less than 13. They earned 3 spots for this year's worlds without question.
I will always think of this performance when I want to recall Leonova fondly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLWyDoEryUg
Menshov's chances of competing in Sochi might be better though with Kovtun competing. Kovtun is more likely to place top 10 honestly, so if he gets 2 spots, if Plushenko doesn't compete, then Menshov may have Kovtun to THANK for his getting to compete at the Olympics. Idk. With one spot it's a crap shoot anyways, I see why they want to back the tall handsome 17 year old with killer jumps over the 30 year old with a history of being inconsistent.
Boy I can only imagine if Kovtum does not come through with those two spots...
I doubt it, because Menshov has posted higher scores than Kovtun ALL SEASON. Menshov's history is irrelevant. It is his form THIS SEASON that matters. And this season he has been extremely consistent and very good, in great form, posting good scores, the judges seem to like him.
I see why they want to back Kovtun over Menshov too...it's called an extremely political woman in a fur coat.
Boy I can only imagine if Kovtum does not come through with those two spots...