Alina Zagitova

[Cherub721]

Hi! I've had an account here forever but haven't posted in many many years... so sick of reading negativity about Alina everywhere, happy to see she has a very supportive fanbase here!

She's had such an amazing debut season with two brilliant programs, really wanted this World title for her. I hate all of the comments about how this was her only chance. I don't think that's true at all. Next season I believe only Gubanova is aging up, and I'm really hoping she makes the World/Euro team, but if Alina keeps her level from the season she should have no problem being top 2 in Russia, and having a good chance at a World title. I truly don't think it was nerves here, just exhaustion from her schedule and being sick after the Olympics combined with the layout making it really hard to recover for the next jumping pass. It seems like lots of people wish that she suddenly grew and/or lost her consistency so that she won't win anymore next season.

I'm also angry reading all the comments about how the ISU congress will/should change the rules about the second half bonus. That rule has existed since the inception of the IJS, no one has ever been prevented from doing what she did, and I'm sure others thought about it, they just couldn't do it. It's not like she found this secret loophole that she exploited that now needs to be closed. It's rewarded because it's hard, and this Worlds only proves it! She's the only one on the senior level doing that layout, and of the juniors doing it, no one has won major titles. She's also skated really well when she won, so it's not like she was falling all over the place but still winning because of the bonus. Maybe next year everyone will start doing all the jumps in the second half and everything will become a splatfest and then they'll change it. But if they change it now, just because Zagitova won, then it's going to feel very personal just to penalize this one skater. And unfair, IMO, because she's a really complete skater, she's got good skating skills, nice choreography, the jumping layout works with the music, she has great spins, etc. Nonetheless, I am sure that she will adapt to whatever the new system will be.

I'm really curious to see what she'll do next, don't kill me, but I think she'd be a great Carmen.

 

[yoloaxel]

I hope she's well. I'm kind of worried

Let's not forget what an incredible senior debut she's had. Yesterday doesn't change her GP, European and Olympic titles! Yes it was crushing to see her so sad yesterday, she's so young and she is still very vulnerable. But I'm sure once the shock has passed she will be able to look back to her many successes this season with a smile, and to look forwards to everything she can do next season too!

 

[lesnar001]

I agree 100% with what cherub721 just posted - very well stated on every point.

One thing to remember is that even as she was struggling so much she never gave up. I only watched once (so far) but I believe that she did every jumping pass even if she did fall three times and had some under-rotations. Her fighting spirit is definitely what saved 3 spots for the Russian ladies.

 

[Scott512]

I agree 100% with what cherub721 just posted - very well stated on every point.

One thing to remember is that even as she was struggling so much she never gave up. I only watched once (so far) but I believe that she did every jumping pass even if she did fall three times and had some under-rotations. Her fighting spirit is definitely what saved 3 spots for the Russian ladies.

Great heart shown by Alina yesterday.

Shouldnt Russia finishing 1, 2 and 8 in the ladies singles Olympics have assured 3 skaters for next year?

 

[Scott512]

Hi! I've had an account here forever but haven't posted in many many years... so sick of reading negativity about Alina everywhere, happy to see she has a very supportive fanbase here!

She's had such an amazing debut season with two brilliant programs, really wanted this World title for her. I hate all of the comments about how this was her only chance. I don't think that's true at all. Next season I believe only Gubanova is aging up, and I'm really hoping she makes the World/Euro team, but if Alina keeps her level from the season she should have no problem being top 2 in Russia, and having a good chance at a World title. I truly don't think it was nerves here, just exhaustion from her schedule and being sick after the Olympics combined with the layout making it really hard to recover for the next jumping pass. It seems like lots of people wish that she suddenly grew and/or lost her consistency so that she won't win anymore next season.

I'm also angry reading all the comments about how the ISU congress will/should change the rules about the second half bonus. That rule has existed since the inception of the IJS, no one has ever been prevented from doing what she did, and I'm sure others thought about it, they just couldn't do it. It's not like she found this secret loophole that she exploited that now needs to be closed. It's rewarded because it's hard, and this Worlds only proves it! She's the only one on the senior level doing that layout, and of the juniors doing it, no one has won major titles. She's also skated really well when she won, so it's not like she was falling all over the place but still winning because of the bonus. Maybe next year everyone will start doing all the jumps in the second half and everything will become a splatfest and then they'll change it. But if they change it now, just because Zagitova won, then it's going to feel very personal just to penalize this one skater. And unfair, IMO, because she's a really complete skater, she's got good skating skills, nice choreography, the jumping layout works with the music, she has great spins, etc. Nonetheless, I am sure that she will adapt to whatever the new system will be.

I'm really curious to see what she'll do next, don't kill me, but I think she'd be a great Carmen.

Nice post. Very detailed.

To change the rules because of Zagitova would be tragic. The rules don't need to be changed. Countries like America need to produce better ladies skaters. Isn't that what potential rule changes would be about helping American skaters? Alina performance some of the most difficult short and long program in history it's very risky like Russian Roulette and when she fell yesterday she had no time to recover because she does all her jumps in the last 2 minutes. Alina Zagitova had great success with back loading this year but there was always a danger that it could backfire at anytime and it did yesterday. Alina took the risks and no one else did and I give her so much credit for that.

 

[colormyworld240]

Averbuch was correct the absence of Medvedeva negatively affected Zagitova who had to handle all the pressure from the media and the Federation. Alina couldnt handle it.

I was working and didn't get a chance to watch her performance yesterday and I don't know if I ever want to watch it when I heard how she was crying so much in the kiss and cry area. She had to hold her emotions in this year when she won at Europeans and the Olympics because she beat Evgenia her good friend. She was happy she won of course but felt the pain for Medvedeva and what she was going through and respected that that's why she wasn't enjoying her victories like many think she should have. Alna is very sensitive and I'm sorry she had that poor performance yesterday I hope it does not affect her long-term. But shes onky human. Great season for Alina. Yesterday was disappointing and painful for her but it doesn't change anything. She's ladies skater of the year without questions.

Incorrect. She skated without Evgenia all season, especially GPF, where there were the exact same competitors as here, and won it. She just had a bad skate. And probably lack of training because of post Olympic obligations. It has nothing to do with Evgenia, because she has skated well with and without Evgenia this season. And it would not have mattered if Evgenia was here, she would have performed the same. She would be the leader going in even if Zhenya were here.

Also, the rest of your comment is speculation. You don't know that she doesn't celebrate because of Zhenya. As a matter of fact, she stated herself that she is just reserved with her emotions and that she is of course happy with her win. You should take her word over making up how you think she feels. Even things like saying Alina is very sensitive; really? She has said in interviews that she forgets bad performances easily. Again, you should take what she says over what you think she feels.

 

[colormyworld240]

Well, if it would be easy, everyone would do it
After all, Mirai Nagasu is 24 and tries to do it (although not very succesfully) and Alina is much better than her and is only 15. She has much room to grow. There is no meaning in digging grave for her.

Yes but you're not getting it. Alina's 2A is not a good jump for her. You have to have a great 2A, like Kostornaia and Trusova, to learn 3A. And that's fine, everyone has their worse jumps. Alina's best jumps are her flip and loop, occasionally her lutz. She will not have a 3A ever.

 

[colormyworld240]

She doesn't jump 2A Rippon or Tano which makes me think that the plan is to try 3A.

No. It's because its not a good jump for her, so no need to add difficulty with tano. Her worst jumps are Salchow and Toeloop. She only learned to jump Salchow with tano this year, before that she didn't have it. But her 2A is also not very strong, compared to flip, lutz, loop which she always jumps with tano, when solo.

 

[madison]

No. It's because its not a good jump for her, so no need to add difficulty with tano. Her worst jumps are Salchow and Toeloop. She only learned to jump Salchow with tano this year, before that she didn't have it. But her 2A is also not very strong, compared to flip, lutz, loop which she always jumps with tano, when solo.

I don't think that's the reason she doesn't jump 2A rippon or tano. If she can jump 3lz and 3f rippon, I'm sure she could also 2A. And I remember that TAT said something last year that she could try 3A in the future.

 

[twirlingblades]

Great heart shown by Alina yesterday.

Shouldnt Russia finishing 1, 2 and 8 in the ladies singles Olympics have assured 3 skaters for next year?

Olympics have no bearing on spots, Worlds does.

 

[thedude]

It's sad how some people on the internet feel smug about how backloading her jumps wasn't a good idea all along. Her olympic gold medal, grand prix wins, euro and russian wins say otherwise - all at 15yrs old.

 

[PavelKoller]

I agree 100% with what cherub721 just posted - very well stated on every point.

One thing to remember is that even as she was struggling so much she never gave up. I only watched once (so far) but I believe that she did every jumping pass even if she did fall three times and had some under-rotations. Her fighting spirit is definitely what saved 3 spots for the Russian ladies.

She never even pops a jump, never. Even when she has a skate with falls, she always fights till the end for each single jump. Alina is a very brave girl, very persistent skater.

 

[Mawwerg]

No. It's because its not a good jump for her, so no need to add difficulty with tano. Her worst jumps are Salchow and Toeloop. She only learned to jump Salchow with tano this year, before that she didn't have it. But her 2A is also not very strong, compared to flip, lutz, loop which she always jumps with tano, when solo.

She has only one tano jump in her programs.

 

[flanker]

Yes but you're not getting it. Alina's 2A is not a good jump for her. You have to have a great 2A, like Kostornaia and Trusova, to learn 3A. And that's fine, everyone has their worse jumps. Alina's best jumps are her flip and loop, occasionally her lutz. She will not have a 3A ever.

Again, where is it written she cannot improve it? I don't say it will surely happen, I say it is not something that surely cannot happen. I just don't like bulding imaginary fences. Season ended, now there is plenty of time to train, to focus on deficiencies and to learn something new. I doubt Alina would have no aspiration to improve and to learn new things.

As for me, I am very curious about her new programs, they will surely try come out with something that will top Don Quixote.

 

[madison]

Again, where is it written she cannot improve it? I don't say it will surely happen, I say it is not something that surely cannot happen. I just don't like bulding imaginary fences. Season ended, now there is plenty of time to train, to focus on deficiencies and to learn something new. I doubt Alina would have no aspiration to improve and to learn new things.

As for me, I am very curious about her new programs, they will surely try come out with something that will top Don Quixote.

She'll have shows in Japan, in the next 2 weeks. Hope that she will breath fresh air and this will help to relax her mind.

 

[SXTN]

She never even pops a jump, never. Even when she has a skate with falls, she always fights till the end for each single jump. Alina is a very brave girl, very persistent skater.

That is Eteri's game plan. All of her students are trained to never pop a jump. A pop is way more costly than a fall. Moreover popping can turn into a big mental burden for some skaters because everytime you get insecure you start popping your jumps though you would be able to land them.

Popping has been a very bad habit for Carolina for example. She doesn't fall as much as in the past recently but everytime she gets insecure she starts popping here and there which kills her on the technical side.

 

[Scott512]

Incorrect. She skated without Evgenia all season, especially GPF, where there were the exact same competitors as here, and won it. She just had a bad skate. And probably lack of training because of post Olympic obligations. It has nothing to do with Evgenia, because she has skated well with and without Evgenia this season. And it would not have mattered if Evgenia was here, she would have performed the same. She would be the leader going in even if Zhenya were here.

Also, the rest of your comment is speculation. You don't know that she doesn't celebrate because of Zhenya. As a matter of fact, she stated herself that she is just reserved with her emotions and that she is of course happy with her win. You should take her word over making up how you think she feels. Even things like saying Alina is very sensitive; really? She has said in interviews that she forgets bad performances easily. Again, you should take what she says over what you think she feels.

Alina skated without Evgenia all season? Really? Not quite. I'm pretty sure they skated together at the European championships and Olympic Games and they finished 1-2 both times and in the same order both times.

And everyone can see that her Olympic victory celebration was muted and of course it's speculation on my part as to why. And there is the Eteri factor. She is without question the most intimidating coach in the world and her pupils respect her and dare I say fear her. Yes that's more speculation on my part.

Colormyworld you said Alina Zagitova says that she forgets bad performances easily and I hope that's the case if it is she will have another great season next year which is what we all want.

 

[Shayuki]

Was really happy to see Alina performing well at the Gala, even though she didn't feel confident enough to do a -3Lo combo there.

Still though... I really hope they quickly get rid of that program and get her something good as the ex.

 

[flanker]

Her exhibition was like a message: "somebody wants to write me off? Here I am, prepared to fight."

 

[sakurano]

This is not my favorite but I was sad to see such a performance, however this EX to show that Friday was just a coincidense that she is still a Warrior and we could count on her next year, Alina comes back with better programs and thank you for proving that nothing is impossible and that you need the will.
There is a French saying that "never sell the skin of the bear before killing it" I think Alina showed it and silenced his haters who said that "it's a robot, that we'll see her again one season "