2015-16 State of Russian Ladies skating

[winky97]

Well, still it would make people way happier than it is now - well, at least, i'd basically love to see my left out favorites to compete in first place.
As for non european countries, well... Russia is located both in europe and not in europe, so technically qualifies for both =D

As for the sweep... I'm not a all russian ladies fan, as i guess most fans arent. They actaully care about what russian ladies are on podium, not the sheer number of medal they bring home. I guess this is why people dont appreciate a potential russian sweep - they arent russian fed to appreciate it, they ae fans of specific skaters =D

Fans just need to accept that sometimes their favorite skater's competition season ends sooner than they, as a fan, might like. There have been plenty of skaters that I have liked that have not made it to a competition that I wanted to watch them in. I have tickets to Worlds and was hoping to see Liza and Elena there, but I will probably not be seeing Liza there. I am hoping for certain outcomes in the US Nationals that might not happen. I have to deal with it and hope for a better result for any of my favorites who don't make it further for next season. ISU certainly should not be changing rules to make certain fans happy.

These competitions factor into ranking and skaters from transcontinental countries like Russia should not have more opportunity to earn points for ranking than skaters from other countries because its lands span two continents in order to make certain fans happy. The only way to deal with the fairness issue would be to not allow skaters to receive points or other ranking benefits for Europeans and 4CC and then you might find that top skaters might not want to do the events.

Russian skaters have been able to participate in the Europeans since its start. 4CC was established for skaters that did not have that opportunity due to its location, to participate in Europeans, so Russia does not really qualify, despite the fact that it's land spans Europe and Asia. Kazakhstan is also in Europe and Asia and their skaters do 4CC.

 

[sabinfire]

I was watching various footage from Russian Nats... Anyone know at which point this happened?

http://makeagif.com/YDY1lh

Tarasova perfectly sums up me while watching the Russian ladies skating.

 

[winky97]

I was watching various footage from Russian Nats... Anyone know at which point this happened?

http://makeagif.com/YDY1lh

Tarasova perfectly sums up me while watching the Russian ladies skating.

Not sure when this happened, but I she has me wishing in I understood Russian. She is so passionate about skating.

 

[Sweet Dream]

But those are just a few highlights here and there! I just don't get her skating, it has no message! I'd rather see a graceful Yulia rather than a falling Anna (and you have to admit that in the last 2 seasons she has fallen at the worst possible times).

Just calm down a little bit. Anna is a very nice skater when she hits those big jumps, and moreover, she is the 2015/2016 National medalist whereas Julia is not, which does make a difference this time.

 

[moriel]

Fans just need to accept that sometimes their favorite skater's competition season ends sooner than they, as a fan, might like. There have been plenty of skaters that I have liked that have not made it to a competition that I wanted to watch them in. I have tickets to Worlds and was hoping to see Liza and Elena there, but I will probably not be seeing Liza there. I am hoping for certain outcomes in the US Nationals that might not happen. I have to deal with it and hope for a better result for any of my favorites who don't make it further for next season. ISU certainly should not be changing rules to make certain fans happy.

These competitions factor into ranking and skaters from transcontinental countries like Russia should not have more opportunity to earn points for ranking than skaters from other countries because its lands span two continents in order to make certain fans happy. The only way to deal with the fairness issue would be to not allow skaters to receive points or other ranking benefits for Europeans and 4CC and then you might find that top skaters might not want to do the events.

Russian skaters have been able to participate in the Europeans since its start. 4CC was established for skaters that did not have that opportunity due to its location, to participate in Europeans, so Russia does not really qualify, despite the fact that it's land spans Europe and Asia. Kazakhstan is also in Europe and Asia and their skaters do 4CC.

Well yeah
I mostly mind because that would reduce an rambling etc =) And, for me, could be applied to all countries to which it applies, not just Russia. Basically, if its for non european countries, all non european countries should have a chance.
But a russian sweep is still not a reason to stop rambling about the fact we wont see our fav skaters =)

 

[whatif]

There are some new proposals to have Russia also compete at 4CC. Technically the country is eligible geographically. That more talented Russian skaters can make it out of country, particularly those who are not based in European part of the country as well as allow for regional figure skating growth.

 

[lavoix]

Anna's falls are a spectacle in of themselves and more interesting to watch than some skaters clean programs.

Touche! That's a very good point.

While I agree with the choice for Europeans, I still don't want to see Anna at worlds. I'm hoping that somehow Yulia and Liza manage to overcome their issues and clean skate at the next national event.

 

[dorispulaski]

There are some new proposals to have Russia also compete at 4CC. Technically the country is eligible geographically. That more talented Russian skaters can make it out of country, particularly those who are not based in European part of the country as well as allow for regional figure skating growth.

So none of the Moscow, Sochi, or St. Petersburg based skaters would be eligible for 4Cs? Would being from a region (rather than training in a region count? (Tsurskaya from Siberia, but training in Europe could go to 4Cs and not Europeans?) What about mixed teams if place of birth is counted, like Ilinykh (born in Kazakhstan) and Zhiganshin (born Moscow)? Should origin go by ethnicity rather than birthplace or training location? Where would Sinitsina & Katsalapov go since they train in the US?

This proposal is not well thought out and only serves to give more spots to earn World ranking points to Russian skaters. This is nice for those skaters and their fans, but I don't think it helps the development of the sport overall. I think we should be asking where is the small country where the next Yu Na Kim might be coming from, where will the next Bin Yao come from to plant and raise a whole new crop of top pair skaters where none existed before, and what rules encourage the growth of the sport in new countries?

 

[janav]

Did Anna poison little kitty on live TV or something? Yes, she's not the most consistent skater but she has always earned her victories with great skating. She delivered at Nationals and I frankly find it very disrespectful when some posters here (and in other threads) already discuss who will replace her for Worlds. Last I checked Europeans didn't take place, so let's take the 'Anna will surely bomb talk' out of here.

Rant over.

I do have a question about this Russian Cup thing. As I understand, it serves as a qualifier for the Nationals but apparently there is an event in February. Does a victory there serves some higher purpose, like funding? Or is 'just' a competition?

 

[georgiana]

Cute video: Yulia, Elena, Liza and Adelina group hugging
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p3R8YLh7q0

 

[Shayuki]

I believe they will consider its results for picking the Worlds team.

 

[coldblueeyes]

The skaters that didn't qualify for the Euros team are invited to participate on the Russian Cup, and the reason stated is to have a competition with high level even at the end of the season in Russia - though, last year some skaters that didn't make the team were invited but didn't participate. In the case of a member of the team not going well in Euros, they can reconsider their decision if some of the other skaters have a good competition.

Last year there wasn't much important skaters out of the the team, so there wasn't much of a chance of shuffling teams between Euros and Worlds, although that happened but for other reasons, but this year we have to consider that the world champion in ladies skating, the russian champions in ID and the euro medalists in pairs are not on the team and might compete in that tournament, perhaps trying a place on the Worlds team.

 

[moriel]

So none of the Moscow, Sochi, or St. Petersburg based skaters would be eligible for 4Cs? Would being from a region (rather than training in a region count? (Tsurskaya from Siberia, but training in Europe could go to 4Cs and not Europeans?) What about mixed teams if place of birth is counted, like Ilinykh (born in Kazakhstan) and Zhiganshin (born Moscow)? Should origin go by ethnicity rather than birthplace or training location? Where would Sinitsina & Katsalapov go since they train in the US?

This proposal is not well thought out and only serves to give more spots to earn World ranking points to Russian skaters. This is nice for those skaters and their fans, but I don't think it helps the development of the sport overall. I think we should be asking where is the small country where the next Yu Na Kim might be coming from, where will the next Bin Yao come from to plant and raise a whole new crop of top pair skaters where none existed before, and what rules encourage the growth of the sport in new countries?

Actually, would be incredibly amazing if russia was allowed to participate in 4CC, but only skaters that train in asia, as it may encourage them to finally create some top facilities there.

 

[sloveniangirl]

Well, you should compare comparable things. Yulia is graceful when she is on, but when she is not (as she was not on most of this seasons)...
Equally, a clean Anna is better to watch than a meltdown Yulia (and you have to admit that in the last 2 seasons she probably did't skate a decent FS even one).

Yulia with falls is way more lovely than a clean Anna with her big sloppy legs

 

[sloveniangirl]

Anna's falls are a spectacle in of themselves and more interesting to watch than some skaters clean programs.

Interesting. So you like to watch people hurting themselves? :con3:

 

[Rissa]

Interesting. So you like to watch people hurting themselves? :con3:

The most interesting part is your use of logical fallacies. Lawyerspeak much?

 

[silverfoxes]

Did Anna poison little kitty on live TV or something? Yes, she's not the most consistent skater but she has always earned her victories with great skating. She delivered at Nationals and I frankly find it very disrespectful when some posters here (and in other threads) already discuss who will replace her for Worlds. Last I checked Europeans didn't take place, so let's take the 'Anna will surely bomb talk' out of here.

It's disgusting. Especially when it comes from people who think they have the last word in what constitutes "lovely" skating...their attitude is anything but.

 

[Lester]

I wish Anna much success at Euros but I kinda wish she stopped that tights over the boots thing

 

[janav]

Right there with you on the tights over skates thing, Lester. I know it's nitpicking but it really ruins the costume for me. But, I love that Adelina, Yulia and Elena stopped with that - looks much more refined IMO. Liza never did that if I'm not mistaken. I do hope Evgenia will join this trend,too. I love her costumes but the way she puts the tights over the skates - sort of half way, with the tip showing - it's just meh. But again, that's probably the lowest form of nitpicking imaginable, so I'll show myself out.

 

[Ekm]

Yulia with falls is way more lovely than a clean Anna with her big sloppy legs

It's a matter of opinion, personally I'd rather watch Anna than Yulia anytime.