2017-18 State of Russian Ladies skating

[puremagic]

Of course, some unknown names like Zagi may suddenly appear and conquer the juniors scene

If we'll take 2007 year, my bet it will be Maria Markholia. She gives me two types of vibes. The first vibe, the good one, she reminds me Sasha Proklova. The second, the bad one, her skating is bad, she is like Valeria Emelyanova. But anyway she backloads jumps, it means she has good stamina, she has triple jumps as other 2007' superstars, she's charming and bright. Or/and Sofia Surkova. Also has triples. Better skating than Markholia's.

But it's also uncertain because it seems they both might have sudden growth spurt. Hope they will avoid it.

 

[AlexRus]

Poor results? She was 2nd at the GPF.

Yes she messed up her Olympics SP but her PB would have placed 5th at best. And 8th overall isn't terrible.

Pretty certain she is going to Worlds.

Sotskova's result at GPF is great gift of Fortune - she was good, her competitors mistaken.

But her result at OWG is good for No 3, sum of places of No 2 and 3 is less than 13, at Worls it means 3 spots for next Worlds even if problems of No 1 or 2.

Sotskova is reliable girl, she saved 3 spots at JrWorlds 2016 (when no 1 and 2 WD because of injury) and Worlds 2017.

The only real substitute is Konstantinova (others are worse) but she is less reliable than Sotskova. And Konstantinova is planned to JrWorlds, time between JrWorlds and Worlds is short.

So the best for Worlds - the same as at OWG.

 

[Grin]

is that you?

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Sotskova's result at GPF is great gift of Fortune - she was good, her competitors mistaken.

But her result at OWG is good for No 3, sum of places 2 and 3 is less than 13, at Worls it means 3 spots for next Worlds even if problems of No 1 or 2.

Sotskova is reliable girl, she saved 3 spots at JrWorlds 2016 (when no 1 and 2 WD because of injury) and Worlds 2017.

The only real substitute is Konstantinova (others are worse) but she is less reliable than Sotskova. And Konstantinova is planned to JrWorlds, time between JrWorlds and Worlds is short.

So the best for Worlds - the same as at OWG.

Sotskova deserves the Worlds spot given her performances throughout the season and she won't endanger Russia from 3 spots.

One bad SP shouldn't change that. Not to mention Tsurkaya would be a better choice than Konstantinova - at least she has senior experience and good results this season. Her PB is 10 points higher than Konstantinova who will not be well received at senior Worlds without any senior events.

 

[Mawwerg]

Sotskova and Tsurskaya unfortunately have popping problem. They should fix their minds otherwise they will be eaten.

 

[puremagic]

Where to begin... Yeah, right, Katia Kurakova... She isn't injured. After skipping the Junior Nationals, she again was thrown out, this time from Final Russian Cup due unknown circumstances. Sad nobody even noticed it. That's how talents disappear. In silence.

The most beautiful athlete of the Olympics - Nastya Bryzgalova from curling, lost her bronze...

What about ladies Olympics, here's only two things which bother me:

The first one: Zagitova's gold feels like Sotnikova's. Both well-deserved, of course. But... Who is Sotnikova if we forget about that gold olympic medal? She had never won Euros, Worlds, GPF, hell even not at least one gp stage! Her gliding on ice is very beautiful, prehaps even better than Kostner's, jumps are high and solid, but I mean it feels like not a full picture. Same with Zagitova. Yeah, she is unlike Sotnikova is both GP stages champion, GPF champion and European champion. Still... It's kind of emptiness... You know what I mean, right? Medvedeva's gold olympic medal could sound more solid because behind her are two Worlds, two Europeans and two GPF titles.

And also, interesting fact: Medvedeva has never lost to non-Russian skater, EVER. First season in juniors? She won two JGP stages, at JGPF she lost to Sotskova and Sakhanovich. JWC 14 - she lost to Radionova and Sakhanovich. That's all. In seniors - just one lose to Radionova. Zagitova, on the contrary, was beaten by Honda and Kihira. Almost beaten by Higuchi.

So, yeah, not really good feeling about it. Kind of ruin the myth of the unbeatable Russians. Like hey! Your Olympic champion was beaten by two Japanese skaters, and also almost beaten by another one, this season...

Lack of titles and skating history, and that she was already defeated by non-Russian skaters - two factors which give me unpleasant feelings of Zagi's victory.

The second: Personal feelings. I was prepared after Rio 2016, when Yana lost her gold... Here's almost the same. So I wasn't too upset because my heart was already broken after Yana's lose. I was ready. But it was sad anyway, to feel it again.

I also sometimes followed hockey and heard the music which played when Russians score. So familiar... And then I remembered.

Very nice words. Touchable song... Emphasizes my feelings about Zhenya, Katia, Yana and Nastya.

 

[LRK]

First of all, a disclaimer... I don't know who does or doesn't have a "popping problem", and I don't follow juniors, so I definitely couldn't say what is the norm for Konstantinova. However, I did seem to recall, and I just checked and I was correct - she did pop her solo jump into a double at senior Nationals SP.

http://fsrussia.ru/results/1718/rusnat1718_ENG/Ladies_SP_Scores.pdf

That certainly is a good way to get "eaten" in senior international competition - especially for a skater with no senior rep.

Anyway, ii Alina and Evgenia both go to Worlds', three spots are secure, and from that respect it doesn't matter who the third lady is. If one of them chooses to stay home, however... well, that would be a different story.

 

[Shayuki]

First of all, a disclaimer... I don't know who does or doesn't have a "popping problem", and I don't follow juniors, so I definitely couldn't say what is the norm for Konstantinova. However, I did seem to recall, and I just checked and I was correct - she did pop her solo jump into a double at senior Nationals SP.

http://fsrussia.ru/results/1718/rusnat1718_ENG/Ladies_SP_Scores.pdf

That certainly is a good way to get "eaten" in senior international competition - especially for a skater with no senior rep.

Anyway, ii Alina and Evgenia both go to Worlds', three spots are secure, and from that respect it doesn't matter who the third lady is. If one of them chooses to stay home, however... well, that would be a different story.

Konstantinova certainly has all sorts of problems with her jumps, whether it's popping or falling. I don't think she to date has ever had a clean competition.

That's the main reason I don't have any hope for her internationally. They wouldn't just give her 70 something PCS that she would require to be competitive. But of course, one can only hope she has that miracle performance.

 

[Mawwerg]

First of all, a disclaimer... I don't know who does or doesn't have a "popping problem", and I don't follow juniors, so I definitely couldn't say what is the norm for Konstantinova. However, I did seem to recall, and I just checked and I was correct - she did pop her solo jump into a double at senior Nationals SP.

http://fsrussia.ru/results/1718/rusnat1718_ENG/Ladies_SP_Scores.pdf

That certainly is a good way to get "eaten" in senior international competition - especially for a skater with no senior rep.

Anyway, ii Alina and Evgenia both go to Worlds', three spots are secure, and from that respect it doesn't matter who the third lady is. If one of them chooses to stay home, however... well, that would be a different story.

I'm sorry I was not able to express my thoughts propely. It caused some misunderstanding. My post was not about Worlds, Sotskova deserved her spot. I just have worries about their future in such competitive field as Russian with this problem.

 

[Imagine]

Oh wow, didn’t realize how absolutely tiny Kostornaia is! Tsurskaya looks like a giantess next to her.

At least she doesn’t give her stature away with tiny jumps, unlike some.

 

[hippomoomin]

I noticed that too. She looks tall and mature, but not until she stands next to Trusova did I realized she is even noticeable shorter than her!!

Oh wow, didn’t realize how absolutely tiny Kostornaia is! Tsurskaya looks like a giantess next to her.

At least she doesn’t give her stature away with tiny jumps, unlike some.

 

[Ded Moroz]

"They may say, those were the days
But in a way, you know, for us these are the days
Yes, for us these are the days"
-JA

 

[AlexRus]

Sotskova deserves the Worlds spot given her performances throughout the season and she won't endanger Russia from 3 spots.

One bad SP shouldn't change that. Not to mention Tsurkaya would be a better choice than Konstantinova - at least she has senior experience and good results this season. Her PB is 10 points higher than Konstantinova who will not be well received at senior Worlds without any senior events.

Tsurskaya competed at Russian Cup final simultaneously with Sotskova at OWG. Many mistakes, errors at spins, URs, BV at FS 52.37 TES 57.07 - poor results. Total score 10 points less than Sotskova at OWG.

Final of Russian Cup - competitions where pretenders to substitute somebody at Worlds show their level. Level of Tsurskaya shown there is too low.

 

[LRK]

I'm sorry I was not able to express my thoughts propely. It caused some misunderstanding. My post was not about Worlds, Sotskova deserved her spot. I just have worries about their future in such competitive field as Russian with this problem.

Ah, I understand. Indeed you are right, it is a very competitive field, and there is no knowing who will make it. There is an embarrassment of riches in the Russian ladies field.

 

[alvina9894]

Sotskova deserves the Worlds spot given her performances throughout the season and she won't endanger Russia from 3 spots.

One bad SP shouldn't change that. Not to mention Tsurkaya would be a better choice than Konstantinova - at least she has senior experience and good results this season. Her PB is 10 points higher than Konstantinova who will not be well received at senior Worlds without any senior events.

She didn't have one bad SP. FS in Nationals was bad, then she made mistakes in both SP and FS in Europeans, then the SP meltdown in Oly. Her FS in Oly wasn't perfect either with a pop. Of course, possible substitutes have showed us with their past results that they are no better, so Sotskova should still go to Worlds.

I'm wondering if she were going through some more of puberty lately?

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

She didn't have one bad SP. FS in Nationals was bad, then she made mistakes in both SP and FS in Europeans, then the SP meltdown in Oly. Her FS in Oly wasn't perfect either with a pop. Of course, possible substitutes have showed us with their past results that they are no better, so Sotskova should still go to Worlds.

I'm wondering if she were going through some more of puberty lately?

Her FS at Nats wasn't bad - she made minor errors on the loop and lutz - still placing 2nd in the segment and winning silver overall.

At Euros she made an error on her lutz (but did the 3-3 later) and had a fall in the FS. 8/10 successful jumping passes isn't bad though. It's not amazing but it's still solid, IMO.

As you said though others have shown vulnerability too. I think Sotskova is the fairest and best choice. If she had a disastrous FS at the Olympics maybe that would be cause for concern, but it would be too savage of the Russian fed to dump one of their best seniors.

 

[lavenderblossom]

She didn't have one bad SP. FS in Nationals was bad, then she made mistakes in both SP and FS in Europeans, then the SP meltdown in Oly. Her FS in Oly wasn't perfect either with a pop. Of course, possible substitutes have showed us with their past results that they are no better, so Sotskova should still go to Worlds.

I'm wondering if she were going through some more of puberty lately?

I strongly doubt it. I think she just has a tendency to peak early in the season. She did the same thing last season - good up to Nationals, then faded a bit at Europeans and Worlds. People said she would have to compete against many others for the 3rd spot, and it was quite possible she'd be replaced, but then she had a great GP series and those who might've pushed her off the team either underperformed or got injured (Liza, Elena, Polina (wuzrobbed), Pogo cry).

 

[colormyworld240]

You really think that was eteris choice. The Russian fed probably told her to get alina out there basically to take meds place in case she couldnt comeback from her injury.
I blame them for what happened to her. It was not alinas time but they didn't think med could win gold with her injured toe period.

Except the decision to move Alina to seniors was made way before Evgenia had her injury. I don't think they decide who's time it is or for her to play backup to Evgenia tbh; neither Eteri or the Fed. Whoever is doing well in juniors will move to senior; for Alina it was because she already won everything, and do not forget Polina also moved to seniors that year. Alina was also scoring high before Evgenia's injury. And Polina was too until she became inconsistent, her first GP she scored 142 with a clean FS, if I remember, and Alina only scored 144 at her first GP as well. This will be even more crowded in the senior field as the juniors move up, they are much stronger than previous ones. The same thing would have happened if Elena and Anna remained consistent, they would be challenging Evgenia. Evgenia surpassed them because she was consistent while they were not, same for Alina surpassing Polina.

And I disagree with Evgenia having 3 years of hard work washed away in 6 months... She was silver medalist at Euros and OG, that is hardly having all your work washed away. A better skater technically came along, that is how it always happened in sports. But Evgenia has not lost her jumps or became inconsistent, she will be in the field for a while. Everyone is treating her like previous Russian skaters who did not last long, but unlike Elena, Liza, and Yulia, who lost their jumps and became inconsistent, she did not. She will always be in the conversation with Alina as long as she keeps her consistency, which she has.

 

[j00mla]

There are a lot of predictions these days about different skaters' future. And there are more than 7 billions of people on the Earth. But none of them predicted (before 2016) Alina's success. So I believe to none of you. Sorry

 

[Elucidus]

Medvedeva is definiterly going to stay as well as Zagitova. They have hard-worker mentality and don't succumb to temptations of "star" status easily. Which definitely can't be said about Lipnickaya or Sotnikova. Considering they both said already about their wish to continue career further - it's hard for me to believe that girls who withstood years of Tutberidze's school hellish training and wish to continue this training hell voluntarily despite brilliant achievements they have already - wouldn't overcome any difficulties they can meet. Honestly I am really adoring Alina's toughness especially - considering that all gold Oly champions in Russia get large sum of money, very decent lifelong pension, new apartment, good car, social privileges etc. Many people in her place would just lost any motivation to work when they achieve this.