Pogorilaya Left Off of WTT Contingent

[Tutto]

I haven't been able to watch Anna, it's too much sad... I am afraid her chance of going to Olympic has gone. Unless she goes to next season winning everything behind Zhenia which is difficult because Zagitova is coming.

I would not go that far but if there is a choice between Anna and another skater at the same level but more stable psychologically, yes Anna will be dropped, the damage is done I am afraid.

 

[Violetti]

I think it is only reasonable not to send Anna. I've been waiting when RusFed will be sending two different teams to Euros and Worlds or at least one different skater every year just because they have so many good skaters. (Yes, they've sent one different lady sometimes). So I do not wonder this at all. I think it is good for Anna to have some rest and begin thinking the next important season's programs. And it is also important for Radionova. It will be interesting to see her competing in the same team as Medvedeva.

Anna's reaction at worlds was understandable. But if she could show she can handle one mistake Fed. could trust her. So the best for her would be to fall the first or second jump and then skate perfectly. That is something that makes champions. So this is the work her team should do. And then also accept that she might not always be in the team.

I like Anna. She's looked like an adult since she was in her first worlds and I like her programs. When she failed at worlds I wished she could skate for Finland in the future, then there would be no need to stress and she most certainly would be in the team next year no matter how she would fail, could develop her skating just like Kostner. But changing the country isn't easy and might not be something she herself would like to do.

 

[Interspectator]

It's too bad we won't see her again in Japan, she always gets a warm welcome here. But I hope she will rest up and find a good head-space for the MOST important season coming up.

 

[Li'Kitsu]

I noticed that Anna looked so surprised at her scores in the K&C this season like she was expecting much higher marks.

I don't agree with that at all...? the only time I could think of was the SP here at WC, she looked a bit disappointed with that, but it's still a pretty harsh interpretation (and even if that's what she thought, I personally thought the score was rather low, so...). Otherwise, look at her reaction after her Euro's LP for example - she was clearly not expecting the score to be that high. And her behavior doesn't fit that kind of interpretation in any other situation I could think of either - every time the audience was really supportive (like in NHK or her WC SP), she looked genuinely surprised at how much cheers she got. If anything, I'd think Annas problem is still not having enough confidence in herself.

 

[Stolmov]

They want to test Radionova before the next season. Nothing wrong with that. A wise move.

 

[Tutto]

I don't agree with that at all...? the only time I could think of was the SP here at WC, she looked a bit disappointed with that, but it's still a pretty harsh interpretation (and even if that's what she thought, I personally thought the score was rather low, so...). Otherwise, look at her reaction after her Euro's LP for example - she was clearly not expecting the score to be that high. And her behavior doesn't fit that kind of interpretation in any other situation I could think of either - every time the audience was really supportive (like in NHK or her WC SP), she looked genuinely surprised at how much cheers she got. If anything, I'd think Annas problem is still not having enough confidence in herself.

I could be wrong of course but that was my strong impression - I have to watch the videos again to be more specific. She definitely said in the interview after Russian Nats that she & her coach did not understand the scores - that I could understand but I also read some live accounts where it was said by many that in that particular competition Anna was far from her best and that Maria did skate better and deserved being in front of Anna...

 

[Li'Kitsu]

I could be wrong of course but that was my strong impression - I have to watch the videos again to be more specific. She definitely said in the interview after Russian Nats that she & her coach did not understand the scores - that I could understand but I also read some live accounts where it was said by many that in that particular competition Anna was far from her best and that Maria did skate better and deserved being in front of Anna...

Regarding Russian Nationals, I think Anna had every right to say that. Maria was in good form and skated well, but she had quite a few URs not called that alone would have made all the difference. Of course Anna was far from her best (given the injury alone), and I can see why it would have been a lot closer between them then 'usually', but that is unrelated to the tech calls Maria didn't get...

 

[Crossover]

I was heartbroken for Anna's meltdown at Worlds, and feel sad about the situation in which she is, but I think taking a rest from now is not a bad idea in my opinion as the WTT is not a die-hard competition to prove herself.

 

[Tutto]

I was heartbroken for Anna's meltdown at Worlds, and feel sad about the situation in which she is, but I think taking a rest from now is not a bad idea in my opinion as the WTT is not a die-hard competition to prove herself.

A rest is good but how the whole situation will affect her mentally? If she went and skated well it would be a good finish to the season (I am dreading to think though what if she didn't skate well) now the LP at Worlds is definitely the last memory of the season and that could linger.. There is also monetary factor at WTT.
But I am more worried if her team is able and willing to get to the bottom of why such meltdown happened in the first place and will help her. Because frankly we did see some meltdowns from Anna before but that was different, what happened after the skate I mean. When she stayed laying on the ice for what seemed ages, kneeling down again at the K&C, I was terrified that she lost it completely. These skaters compete from very young age, for so many years it's become a routine ingrained in their whole being that after you finish you do your bows before getting off the ice, no matter how crushed you might feel inside, the very routine helps to hold you together - not this time. It was truly disturbing to watch and I only hope she can put everything in the perspective now and see that it is not the end of the world. We often talk here about a 'blood bath' of Russian ladies skating, but for the first time I realise what grim consequences of such pressure could be...

 

[fallingsk8er]

I guess even Russian penchant for drama has its limits.

I agree. Her skate had a couple of unfortunate mistakes, but she had great speed and intensity. Her histrionics at the end made the skate seem worse than it actually was.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

I hope there is more to this story. Lords knows, after the way that Ashley performed at Worlds, some could say that she needs a "Mental Break." The same could said for Gracie. My problem with decision (If it's true) is that Popo has a World Medal and unlike Gracie, is a member of the World Team. Unless Pogo herself requested she be replaced due to injury or fatigue, this doesn't sit well with me. Of course, I still think there's more to this story and I'm going to wait until there's an Official announcement.

Ashley had a decent SP with the tech specialist calling her clean. Her FS was also not a disaster either, even if it was not even close to her PB.

IMO, while I feel bad for Anna, a mental break would be great, and it would be fair to someone like Radionova who was left off the World team to compete at WTT and regain some stock. Although it'll likely be Medvedeva and Sotskova.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

I agree. Her skate had a couple of unfortunate mistakes, but she had great speed and intensity. Her histrionics at the end made the skate seem worse than it actually was.

Histrionics implies it was exaggerated dramatics to gain attention... what she had was a very genuine human moment where she was distraught with disappointment at her skate (maybe even pain if her back was hurting), and how she missed an opportunity to cement herself as the Russian #2 going into the Olympic season.

Of course, my big worry for Anna is how this will affect her going into next season. As we saw with Gracie's 2016 World FS meltdown, it essentially broke her spirit and that carried on into the next season -- and that's with Gracie having less pressure in the US compared to the hotbed of Russian ladies.

 

[Meoima]

The sad thing is, from Russian fed's view, do they want to send a girl who can implode anytime and no one can implode? I love Anna but this is hard.

 

[Ares]

The sad thing is, from Russian fed's view, do they want to send a girl who can implode anytime and no one can implode? I love Anna but this is hard.

Another Russian girl can implode too, nothing is certain.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

The sad thing is, from Russian fed's view, do they want to send a girl who can implode anytime and no one can implode? I love Anna but this is hard.

Well, they sent Sotnikova, and look how that turned out for her!

 

[Tulipstar]

While I suppose I agree with you on some level I highly doubt that would have been how she'd have chosen to react if she could have reacted a different way. In the heat of the moment, her emotions got the best of her. It was uncomfortable to watch but I don't quite feel right judging her for her honest reaction that I don't think she could control. It's not like she was screaming obscenities about other skaters or crying and refusing to wear a medal on the podium or whacking someone with a club. While you're also right that she isn't the first to implode, she's also actually not the first to have some kind of meltdown afterwards either, especially if we take into account some of the more dramatic KnC moments over the years...

Imagining that made me

Agree with the rest.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Interestingly, Anna is still 2nd-ranked in the world and people seem to already be jumping off her bandwagon as quickly as they got on.

 

[Sweet Dream]

I could be wrong of course but that was my strong impression - I have to watch the videos again to be more specific. She definitely said in the interview after Russian Nats that she & her coach did not understand the scores - that I could understand but I also read some live accounts where it was said by many that in that particular competition Anna was far from her best and that Maria did skate better and deserved being in front of Anna...

I totally agree with you. It is true that Anna and her coach were rather dissatisfied with the scores at the Nationals. I once talked about her always sad expression in the K-and-C, and I thought she should change her attitude. My version still stands.

 

[MaiKatze]

You have to admit the judging on Anna's skates is confusing though. I think that she started with a perfect showing at Rostelecom but got much higher scores later at different competitions, when she, in my opinion skated less good than there. And with higher scores comes higher anticipation. You kind of expect, if you skate clean, that you score the same or higher as the season goes on. For Anna that didn't happen. If you scored 74 and then suddenly you're back at 71, while you know that the leader will have an almost 80 score in the SP, it is disappointing. I'll bet that's true for every skater, not just Anna.

 

[Meoima]

Interestingly, Anna is still 2nd-ranked in the world and people seem to already be jumping off her bandwagon as quickly as they got on.

I think people are more concerned if she can make it to Olympic. I love Anna and I want to see her at Olympic. But this WC makes it very hard for her. :sad21: