Russian Ladies Team for EC 2015: facts, speculations and drama

[drivingmissdaisy]

The thing is, people here propose different solutions to the problems and try to find a set of rules that would determine who is going but in reality it's impossible. Setting strict requirements could actually cause more troubles - all in all, this is the amount of rules that people complain about when it comes to COP.

I honestly think the Russian Fed will do its best to send the strongest team, the team they believe will place the highest. I don't think politics will play much into it because all the top ladies are affiliated with respected coaches. Tarasova and Elena B couldn't get Adelina into the Sochi team event, and Mishin couldn't get Liza on the Sochi team at all, and both were the right calls. Adelina will not get to go to Euros without exhibiting the form needed to place high.

 

[Amei]

The thing is, people here propose different solutions to the problems and try to find a set of rules that would determine who is going but in reality it's impossible. Setting strict requirements could actually cause more troubles - all in all, this is the amount of rules that people complain about when it comes to COP.

I think it have proposed that with the depth of the Russian ladies that the Fed should implement a top 3 at Nationals goes to Euros/Worlds; or the 3 skaters with the highest average finishes among all competitions for the current season, and any ties for for the average finishes are decided by nationals. And if a skater (or skaters) bomb at Euros, then the next highest placing finisher at Nationals can replace them at Worlds.

I think that Adelina should have a possibility of skating at Euros provided she participates in a competition or some sort of a test skate, as Plushenko in a previous year and based on this result and having in mind how other ladies skated at nationals, the decision should be taken.

Because that ended so well in Sochi for them.

 

[Cherryy]

I think it have proposed that with the depth of the Russian ladies that the Fed should implement a top 3 at Nationals goes to Euros/Worlds; or the 3 skaters with the highest average finishes among all competitions for the current season, and any ties for for the average finishes are decided by nationals. And if a skater (or skaters) bomb at Euros, then the next highest placing finisher at Nationals can replace them at Worlds.



Because that ended so well in Sochi for them.

But you see, that's exactly what I'm talking about - there are about 4 or 5 different criteria proposed in your post. I agree with drivingmissdaisy - all in all, the Russian Fed should support their best skaters, right? It's funny that in this whole politicking thing we forget about this. These people, no matter what their personal preferences are, will together try to find the best solution for their country to earn as many medals as possible.

Well, whether Plushenko should have gone to Sochi is a different issue. I just think a similar solution is very much probable. And I'm not saying it's the best one either.

 

[Snow63]

Ilya Averbukh gave his opinion. Highlights:
- journalist said in one of the question that there will be 'special skate' for Sotnikova, Averbuch hasn't corrected her (maybe he doesn't know for sure and it's fake).
- he thinks we should wish luck to Sotnikova, she needs our maximal support now. He also thinks that last season was very difficult to her, and maybe she should not push herself too hard now. Maybe she just needs to calmly prepare for the Worlds.
- he stated that if she will be ready for the Worlds, she should be in the Nationals team, since she's Russia's first Olympic Champion in Ladies FS event.
- he also replied to question about Sotnikova's possible successful skate in front of the Federation that just one skate is not the same as official competition...
- Averbukh thinks that Radionova and Tukhtamysheva are favourites, but he also believes in Lipnitskaia. He thinks she will overcome this hard period for her.
Source: http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/767927

 

[Amei]

But you see, that's exactly what I'm talking about - there are about 4 or 5 different criteria proposed in your post.

Actually there are 2 for going to Euros/Worlds

1. Top 3 at Nationals
2. The 3 skaters with the highest average finishes among all competitions for the current season - if there is a tiebreaker then the highest finishes at Nationals breaks the tie

Then - if a skater bombs at Euros - the Fed has the discretion to replace that skater for Worlds - with the same criteria above being used to determine the replacement skater.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I think it have proposed that with the depth of the Russian ladies that the Fed should implement a top 3 at Nationals goes to Euros/Worlds; or the 3 skaters with the highest average finishes among all competitions for the current season, and any ties for for the average finishes are decided by nationals. And if a skater (or skaters) bomb at Euros, then the next highest placing finisher at Nationals can replace them at Worlds.

I think you focus too much on the fairness aspect, rather than fielding the best team. Any sort of rigid formula could have a surprise 3rd place finisher going ahead of a stronger skater, or a great skater staying home because a poor international performance took their average score below a less talented athlete. As fans we like to see fairness, but a federation whose purpose is to bring home medals will sometimes take a different approach.

 

[Alba]

I'm not liking Eteri's tone about Julia deserving to go to Euros without nationals moreso than Sotnikova. Frankly Julia is lucky as hell to have competed at the GPF after CoC. If anyone can skip Russian Nationals before Euros, it's Radionova or Tukt given how consistent they have been this season - and considerably cleaner than Lip or Pogo.

Maybe I'm wrong here but I don't think Eteri said Yulia should go to Euros without competing at Nationals. She said that if this is the case (for Adelina), then Yulia also could've stayed home and preparare herself for Euros, instead of partecipating in the GP's event.

 

[Yamita]

I do believe that RSF wants to bring the best results back from the European and the World, but emphasizing favoritism over fairness sounds very risky to me. So why did they expressed favoritism toward a specific skater just a few days before the nationals? I can think of several reasons:

1. RSF doesn't want to see Adelina sitting out the whole season.
2. RSF is politicking. It sounds like that they need to "favor" Adelina (hearsay, I do not know it for fact). Favoring her for the European is a check unlikely to be cashed.
3. RSF wants to ignite the fire within Yulia and Anna because they calculated those two girls are very tough and will never give up.
4. RSF is testing the water (or ice ) because they still need the support from the public. (Anybody from RSF here?)

Of course these are just my speculations. They could be totally wrong.

 

[Sandpiper]

^I don't think they're expressing favouritism. Yulia and Anna didn't do so well in the GP and they just want to send the strongest team to Europeans. I really think that's all... unless we see some more worrying developments after Nationals (taking Elena/Liza off the team, taking Yulia/Anna off the team even if they place 1-2, ect.)

Now, certainly 2/3 on GPF podium is a problem most federations would want to have... but that's greed, not favouritism.

 

[Yamita]

^I don't think they're expressing favouritism. Yulia and Anna didn't do so well in the GP and they just want to send the strongest team to Europeans. I really think that's all... unless we see some more worrying developments after Nationals (taking Elena/Liza off the team, taking Yulia/Anna off the team even if they place 1-2, ect.)

Now, certainly 2/3 on GPF podium is a problem most federations would want to have... but that's greed, not favouritism.

I don't think RSF is doing it either. It is the initial statement made by Lakernik showing favoritism. Otherwise, Eteri did not need to speak out.
Looks like I was sticking to an old issue. I will move on.

 

[[email protected]]

More drama: Mozer attacked Eteri and Yulia: Не считаю нужным комментировать ситуацию, в которой тренер пытается создать конфликт, показывая свою слабость и непрофессионализм. У меня сейчас такая же ситуация, как у Сотниковой. Татьяна с Максимом (Волосожар и Траньков – прим. Sports.ru) лечатся и пропустят чемпионат России.

Мне не нравится то, что происходит, и я не хочу участвовать в этих ненужных спорах. У меня негативное отношение к таким вещам. Надо выходить на площадку и доказывать. Никто не мешал той же Липницкой выиграть Олимпийские игры, если она такая великая. Вся эта конфликтная ситуация началась именно там»,

I do not want to comment the case when the coach is trying to create a conflict showing her weakness and the lack of professionalism. I feel negative towards stuff like that. One has to go and prove at the rink. No one prevented Lipnitskaia from winning the Olympics if she is so great. This whole conflict began then.

 

[MalAssada]

Weakness and incompetence? Oh, I want to see Eteri's reply

 

[Amei]

More drama: Mozer attacked Eteri and Yulia: Не считаю нужным комментировать ситуацию, в которой тренер пытается создать конфликт, показывая свою слабость и непрофессионализм. У меня сейчас такая же ситуация, как у Сотниковой. Татьяна с Максимом (Волосожар и Траньков – прим. Sports.ru) лечатся и пропустят чемпионат России.

Мне не нравится то, что происходит, и я не хочу участвовать в этих ненужных спорах. У меня негативное отношение к таким вещам. Надо выходить на площадку и доказывать. Никто не мешал той же Липницкой выиграть Олимпийские игры, если она такая великая. Вся эта конфликтная ситуация началась именно там»,

I do not want to comment the case when the coach is trying to create a conflict showing her weakness and the lack of professionalism. I feel negative towards stuff like that. One has to go and prove at the rink. No one prevented Lipnitskaia from winning the Olympics if she is so great. This whole conflict began then.

Does someone want to explain to Mozer that about what saying 'I do not want to comment' - means?

If you do not want to comment you keep your mouth shut when asked about it or stop your statement at 'I do not want to comment' - because otherwise... You ARE commenting.

 

[MiRé]

I don't think Julia nor Adelina will medal in the Nationals. I see Liza/Elena winning 1st and 2nd, and Pogo for 3rd.

 

[NaVi]

I don't think Julia nor Adelina will medal in the Nationals. I see Liza/Elena winning 1st and 2nd, and Pogo for 3rd.

Adelina isn't even skating...

 

[sabinfire]

Yeah, I think it's safe to say Adelina win not medal at Nationals, especially since she's not competing.

Other than that, I think we will see some surprises when the ladies event is completed.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Maybe I'm wrong here but I don't think Eteri said Yulia should go to Euros without competing at Nationals. She said that if this is the case (for Adelina), then Yulia also could've stayed home and preparare herself for Euros, instead of partecipating in the GP's event.

My feeling is that Julia still would have competed on the GP circuit, even if she knew she had a bye at Nationals to Euros. After all, the GP is where you develop clout on the world stage, not just amongst Russians.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

I don't think Julia nor Adelina will medal in the Nationals. I see Liza/Elena winning 1st and 2nd, and Pogo for 3rd.

I'm fairly certain Julia will medal at Nationals. She has done well there, and some of her rivals like Pogorilaya have done poorly at Russian Nationals. If anything will keep Julia off the podium at Nationals, it's perfect performances from Medvedeva and Sakhanovich, which will rack up huge technical scores. I certainly don't see the Russian fed dumping Lip any time soon, though. After all, even though her GP performances have been poor, she still nabbed two silvers (even if the CoC one was rather undeserved).

 

[Ayeshoo]

Mind if I ask what would be the consequences of not attending Euros? I mean, does it have any influence on being chosen for Worlds?

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Mind if I ask what would be the consequences of not attending Euros? I mean, does it have any influence on being chosen for Worlds?

Some skaters haven't attended Euros and not attended Worlds. I mean, the Russian fed is willing to send certain folks to the Olympics without skating at Euros.

Generally though, Euros is seen as an important event prior to Worlds, particularly if a skater does well as they can get that extra PCS boost going into Worlds.