The greatest female Russian singles skater

[iluvtodd]

Irina Slutskaya, so far!

 

[Tulipstar]

Yulia Lipnitskaya enchanted whole Russian and half of the world population.

Not only girls got Lip-fever: they tried to name buildings and streets after Yulia (she always refused), they named a star after Yulia, invited Yulia to municipality, legislature, for visiting schools, public speeches, educational and sporting events, national tv talk-shows, youth magazines, radio, etc.. Artists created paintings, poems, music on Yulia, one of film directors said in interview, he immediately left the skating arena right after Yulia's exhibition skate, because he knew he was not going to see anything comparable and wanted to keep the impression unblemished(!). On her birthday fans jumped on parachutes with her banners and national TV greeted her in the news.
I can only recall few of the things I've read three years ago, but it was an utter national love and madness. I'm very curious about population of girls names born in 2014 in Russia. I bet there are many 15yo Yulias coming at you in 2029.

What? What? What?
That's so cool, hahaha.

 

[Tulipstar]

I don't think we need to put labels on them like "the greatest" or anything... I personally love all of them (may be someone more, someone less, but still). Be it Yulia, Evgenia or anyone else, they are all special in their own way

This. And it's hard to compare people who have retired with those who are still competing.
They might fizzle out or reach even greater heights.

 

[icetigger]

I don't think Russia has ever had a truly great ladies single skater. If I were to list the greats over the last thirty years I would go for Witt, Yamaguchi, Kwan, Asada and Kim. In Mens, Pairs and Ice Dance, Russia has undoubtedly had greats. But in ladies singles, for me, no. Good, competitive, successful, athletic, world-class, yes. Who was the most successful and athletic, well, that's Slutskaya. But is she a great. Sorry, no, not for me.

 

[sc8]

Yulia Lipnitskaya enchanted whole Russian and half of the world population.
She transformed reception of figure skating in Russia from nice, one of many sports for girls to a widely respected and recognized life adventure and no.1 choice sport in most girls lives.
You skate? Skate like Yulia. Spin like Yulia. Wear hair like Yulia. Dress like Yulia. You can't skate? Support Yulia and and other girls live and on-line. You can't skate and have daughter? Bring her to the rink, she may become next Yulia.
Not only girls got Lip-fever: they tried to name buildings and streets after Yulia (she always refused), they named a star after Yulia, invited Yulia to municipality, legislature, for visiting schools, public speeches, educational and sporting events, national tv talk-shows, youth magazines, radio, etc.. Artists created paintings, poems, music on Yulia, one of film directors said in interview, he immediately left the skating arena right after Yulia's exhibition skate, because he knew he was not going to see anything comparable and wanted to keep the impression unblemished(!). On her birthday fans jumped on parachutes with her banners and national TV greeted her in the news.
I can only recall few of the things I've read three years ago, but it was an utter national love and madness. I'm very curious about population of girls names born in 2014 in Russia. I bet there are many 15yo Yulias coming at you in 2029.

More than that, she also changed the way RUSSIA ITSELF is perceived by many. She has immense fan-base around the world, which by following her, learned a ton not only about Russian skating, but also Russian language, way of life, culture, arts, mentality even. If Yulia is so cool, Russia can't be that bad, right?
This girl has been one of the greatest Russian ambassadors in history, even if she doesn't know or ever wanted it.

Isn't it "greatness"? :agree:

You are sooo right. Julia got as much recognition for her team skate as Adelina got for OGM - and it was a beautiful program. Her Schindler's List is to Russia what Lyra Anjelica is to Kwan in US.

But, for her longevity and for being the one for a decade who put Russia in the medal hunt at Worlds and Olympics, I vote Slutskaya as the most accomplishedd in Russian ladies skating, with Medvedeva, Butyrskaya, Sotnikova, and Tukt in the top 5,

 

[tars]

You are sooo right. Julia got as much recognition for her team skate as Adelina got for OGM - and it was a beautiful program. Her Schindler's List is to Russia what Lyra Anjelica is to Kwan in US.

But, for her longevity and for being the one for a decade who put Russia in the medal hunt at Worlds and Olympics, I vote Slutskaya as the most accomplishedd in Russian ladies skating, with Medvedeva, Butyrskaya, Sotnikova, and Tukt in the top 5,

I agree that in regard to sporting achievements and longevity Slutskaya and Butyrskaya are out of Yulia's reach and sensible discussion.
Not so much for the other ladies you mentioned - Med and Tuk are still trying to get there and Sotnikova's senior achievements and longevity outside one Olympic tourney look pretty average for a Russian skater.

 

[adelia]

In 5 months time it will be Medvedeva.

 

[tars]

In 5 months time it will be Medvedeva.

That's fair point.

 

[sc8]

I agree that in regard to sporting achievements and longevity Slutskaya and Butyrskaya are out of Yulia's reach and sensible discussion.
Not so much for the other ladies you mentioned - Med and Tuk are still trying to get there and Sotnikova's senior achievements and longevity outside one Olympic tourney look pretty average for a Russian skater.

Yes, there is always the possibility that Medv and Tukt could move up, most likely Medvedeva, as the most accomplished - in my opinion...or maybe even someone new. We are certainly in the prime of Russian ladies skating right now.

 

[mrrice]

Does Irina Rodnina qualify for this category? Though she won them as part of a pair team, she has 3 OMG's and 10.....World Titles!!!!

Maria Butyrskaya needs to be on someone's list. I know she only has one world title however, she still holds the record for the most National Titles with 6. Irina is second with 4. We also need to remember that there was a time during the Soviet era that the top ladies, Rodnina for example, were "Guided" into skating pairs instead of singles. That's why it took until 1999 for Russia to get its first ladies World Champion.

 

[Nika09]

Every Olympic champion isn't greatest, greatest one isn't always Olympic champion.
And there ones who seems was born to become great performer.

It's Yuliya Lipnitskaya who became one of the favorite skaters for millions with one only performance, who make people cry at age of 15. Also Olympic and Worlds medals, but these are just little details.

 

[Mathman]

Every Olympic champion isn't greatest, greatest one isn't always Olympic champion.
And there ones who seems was born to become great performer.

It's Yuliya Lipnitskaya who became one of the favorite skaters for millions with one only performance, who make people cry at age of 15. Also Olympic and Worlds medals, but these are just little details.

Still, figure skating is a competitive sport. I admire Slutskaya because she fought Michelle Kwan -- one of the all-time greats -- to a standstiil over a decade-long career.

 

[badknees]

Slutskaya of course, with no options. She is a two-time World champion (2002, 2005) and six-time medalist, two-time Olympic medalist (silver in 2002, bronze in 2006), seven-time European champion (1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006), a four-time Grand Prix Final champion (2000–2002, 2005) and nine-time medalist. Slutskaya was the first female skater to land 3Lz-3Lo. She is also known for her trademark double Biellmann spin with a foot change, which she also invented.

Thank you and completely agree. Sotnikova's stolen gold medal kicks her out of the running. How many other medals does she have?

 

[solani]

Still, figure skating is a competitive sport. I admire Slutskaya because she fought Michelle Kwan -- one of the all-time greats -- to a standstiil over a decade-long career.

I agree.

If Medvedeva wins the Olympics this season and finishes her career after that (or after Worlds, doesn't matter to me) - she still won't be the greatest female Russian singles skater in my books. Another Olympic cycle with a Olympic or World medal at the end of it would do the trick.

 

[MK's Winter]

While I was never really a big fan- Irina Slutskaya to me is probably Russia's greatest skater when you look at all time. Ok she didn't win the Olympics, but she made 3 teams with 2 medals. 6 world medals, 8 European medals, 9 consecutive GPF medals, and 9 Russian National medal (with 2 fourth place finishes).

Her longevity is pretty amazing and she maintained difficult technical elements. Definitely a trail blazer. Sloppy skating aside she definitely paved the way for all those who came after.

 

[jenaj]

In 5 months time it will be Medvedeva.

I disagree. Longevity figures into it, too. If she stays around for another four years and consistently medals, then yes.

 

[plushyfan]

I wonder if she can be considered the most popular? She has fans all over the world with her Schindler's list program.

Maybe this is unbelieveable but according to the greatest Russian pollster Yulia couldn't be the most popular athlete in Russia in 2014. Plushenko was. And a Russian journalist made a test one year after Sochi. He showed pictures on famous Russian athletes, gold medalists in civilan clothes . Only Plushenko was recognized by the people on the streets.

 

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Maybe this is unbelieveable but according to the greatest Russian pollster Yulia couldn't be the most popular athlete in Russia in 2014. Plushenko was. And a Russian journalist made a test one year after Sochi. And a Russian journalist made a test one year after Sochi. He showed pictures on famous Russian athletes, gold medalists in civilan clothes . Only Plushenko was recognized by the people on the streets.

I think his Eurovision participation played a role. Many more people watch Eurovision than figure skating.

 

[Ender]

Irina Slutkaya no doubt about it. Even though she's not OGM, she practically won everything else.

 

[Ender]

I think Sotnikova would have been the greatest if she had stayed in competition and been motivated. We'll never know since 2014 gave her sudden fame and fortune, knocking her off the horse. Her skating skills continued to develop though, as did her presentation. She had better quality jumps than the current Russian ladies and more magnificent spins and flexibility. It's too bad we missed out on 4 years of her as a serious competitor and never got to see her full potential.

Yes, sadly. She's the most all-around talent lady that I have seen from Russia. I remember since 2010 people already gushed that she would win Sochi. Sadly she did. Not that I was sad she won. It's good she won it for herself. Just as a skating fan I feel so much pity I couldn't see such a talent's improvement.