Foreign media too quick - the issue is not solved yet
Apologies - can one of the moderators change the title to something like: Uncertainty over who will be in Russian ladies team for Worlds (or some other appropriate title). I have also PM'd the moderators requesting the change.
Yes Russia and Japan have three spots this year. I m sure they will send Leonova for sure, she is more consistent even if she had a worse Euros outcome than Ksenia. The latter has a great sp this season, but Leonova has a fun sp that audience likes, and honestly besides all her other issues Makarova's Lp is so ugly live that surpasses Leonovas requiem for a dream/adagio by Morosov if that's possible.
A while back I asked if ksenia might rue her decision to skate for mother Russia. I think she is now, if she is not sick. I loved her skating in Vancouver but she has not improved. I guess they must do what thye must and they have 5 skaters who seem like they could be superstars, at least before they mature totally.
Why? Ksensia got to go to 2 worlds and the Olympics skating for Russia; given her jump content I don't think the same could have been said in the US-maybe but not completely likely. She's gotten something out of skating for Russia.
However, even if their records were equal, unlike Ksenia, while Leonova's programs can certainly use some work and she certainly is not immune to mistakes, she has both a lutz and a flip and she rarely makes major jumping mistakes- there is the occasional fall but ....
Right before the Europeans one of the Russian tabloids (eg.ru) published the article where some conflict between RFSF and Makarova's team were described. The reason of which was the invitation of Zagainov, who is also known as the Black Magician, to work with Ksenia. It was reported that Piseev tried to convince her father, a well-known fskater, to change Ksenia's coach, not to invite some controversial magician. Whatever was going on behind the curtains, the fact is Zagainov was not invited to the Russian Nationals. He also didn't get the accreditation for the Europeans in Sheffield. At that time the article could sound just some tabloid stuff. But now, after Makarova will possibly be kicked out from both the Wolds and Worlds Trophy, I tend to believe there can be some truth in that backstage story. The relationship between Makarova and RFSF doesn't seem like at its best.I don't know what's going on anymore either. Sigh.