2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[serephy]

Yes, Tarakanova had a perfect performance at JGPF. But that's somewhere Sinitsyna could never have skated because of not being old enough. And Sinitsyna's had her share of perfect performances. Think about Kostornaya last season, or Zagitova the season before - Both these skaters came out of nowhere, with no merits at all the season before, and earned their spots with their performances at the beginning of the season. The question is, why would it be fair to Sinitsyna to cling to some year-old performance of Tarakanova's considering how well she's performed right here and now? I don't think it would.

And yes indeed, Gubanova should be at seniors and Kanysheva should be below Sinitsyna in my opinion. Maybe they'll send both Sinitsyna and Tarakanova and plan to give a second assignment to the skater who wins.

Nastya missed the end of last season because she was very ill. She’s also the only skater (other than Shcherbakova) to have beaten Trusova. I agree that this wasn’t a great skate but I’m not sure I’d hold it against her when it’s so early in the season (besides she apparently flunked the FP at test skates last year and then pulled it all together in time for the JGPs)
I do agree though that Sinitsyna absolute deserves a JGP based off her showing here - she looks amazing. Again I would be tempted to take Gubanova’s JGP away from her (I think it would be unfair if she got to keep her JGP given she didn’t appeare at test skates- no other skater/coach would get away with that)

 

[sweetice]

This whole problem of choosing between Sinitsyna and Tarakanova could've been avoided by just giving Gubanova the dang Rostelecom spot and putting Sinitsyna into Linz instead.

As much i agree for Gubanova on seniors, is really that a problem for them ?

The pattern for the last season was:
Three russian winners ( Trusova, Tarakanova, Panenkova ) on the first three events, and one second place.
Then, they give the second spot for the first winner, with another girl.
Another one ( Samodurova ) with the winner of the second event.
Another one ( Kostornaia ) with the winner of the third event.
Winners of the fifth and sixth event ( Samodurova and Kostornaia ), at the last.
No second chance for the silver medal of the first event ( Gulyakova ), but that because five russian ladies have won at their first event.

They have fourteen spots. If they want five skaters at max on the final, they can give four of them to others, so there is space for nine skaters.

Right now we know at least six of them for the first three events. Who can be leaved behind between Sinitsyna, Tarakanova, Vasilieva, Kostyuk, Guliakova and Chistiakova ? To me, the first three seem to have some advantages over the others. What do you think ?

 

[Bluediamonds09]

What happens to the girls who don’t get a jgp???? Where do they go? Is the season pretty much over for them until Nationals (where they will be lowballed in scores because they don’t have a reputation) ? Poor things, this year will be so tough.

 

[jajoana]

I might be waaaay off here but ... do you guys think they kinda neglect Alina ? I feel like Eteri is giving all her attention to the juniors and holding her back. I hope I am completely wrong though and just be my imagination ..

Do you remember what happened a year ago?
News that Alina is going to keep her junior LP for senior debut/Olympic season.
News that Zhenya is having Chopin for her SP.
There was a big reaction from some posters, that Etery is doing everything not to let Alina win over Zhenya.
We all know the result, right?

 

[atsumiri]

I agree that this wasn’t a great skate but I’m not sure I’d hold it against her when it’s so early in the season

It's totally OK. Not to be in a shape or not to be ready. But. Her programs are clearly not ready right now. both programs. She is not in a good shape right now. She will improve during the season.
But
other girls are ready. They're in a great shape and their programs are ready. Even if some of them did mistakes.
so I don't think it's fair. If both Tarakanova and Gubanova will get JGP stages if they're not ready. When there're girls who are ready.

 

[moriel]

I don't think so. They have no reason to do so. She's the Olympic champion after all. I see that many people did not like her short program and are then drawing the conclusion that Eteri's team isn't paying as much attention to her program making as others but let's not forget that things are subjective; programs some will like will be hated by others and they make programs to rake in points before anything. If people on goldenskate or twitter don't like them, it doesn't matter much, judges opinion is what matters. Not everybody loved Evgenia programs in the recent years but they won all the gold medals.

Tons of people hated her DQ and called it all sorts of names including juniorish, and it still won Olympic Gold.
I'm pretty sure that Eteri and Daniil know better than certain fans.

 

[katymay]

Alexandra TRUSOVA - NEW SP, Novogorsk 08/2018 [Audio normalized]
https://youtu.be/gbP8wgt9sSI

Alexandra TRUSOVA - NEW FP (Full), Novogorsk 08/2018 [Audio normalized]
https://youtu.be/6rKdm5wojb8

Loving that short program (maybe not the music though). An awful lot of intricate steps, complicated choreography. And the cantilever. I've got to have the cantilever, it is my favorite Trusova thing. LOL. Of course the Lutz loop is outstanding.

 

[Anemoia]

Do you remember what happened a year ago?
News that Alina is going to keep her junior LP for senior debut/Olympic season.
News that Zhenya is having Chopin for her SP.
There was a big reaction from some posters, that Etery is doing everything not to let Alina win over Zhenya.
We all know the result, right?

Yes you are right , I hope what I said is not the case !!! Because I want to see her having a long career I think she has much more to give to the sport !

 

[Fluture]

Tons of people hated her DQ and called it all sorts of names including juniorish, and it still won Olympic Gold.
I'm pretty sure that Eteri and Daniil know better than certain fans.

Well, to be fair it was kind of juniorish. Which is only logical since it was originally depicted for a junior. But I agree, Eteri and Daniil know what they‘re doing as they‘ve proven it countless of times. I‘d like to see a program choreographed by us fans. Would be a nice experiment, to see what we all have in store after complaining so much.

 

[Sugar Coated]

Alina ZAGITOVA - SP, The ICE 2018 (Nagoya)
https://youtu.be/Pvbo-R3k6n0

I’m wondering if someone with YouTube skills could cut the first 50 seconds and splice it into the current 2:00 min mark. I have a feeling that was how the program was originally designed but I’m not sure how to cut YouTube videos myself. I’d be interested to see this version of it.

 

[WhiteProphet]

I’m wondering if someone with YouTube skills could cut the first 50 seconds and splice it into the current 2:00 min mark. I have a feeling that was how the program was originally designed but I’m not sure how to cut YouTube videos myself. I’d be interested to see this version of it.

You mean, so the program would start with "Think of me"?

 

[MiraiFan]

She only started working on them on July 12th (according to Plushenko's interview when he confirmed the switch), so she's had them for less than a month. I think I like them/they have a lot of potential but I would say it's very clear that she isn't used to them yet. Her energy levels fluctuate throughout and the choreo is lacking in sections (I hope it will be added to as she increases her stamina and polishes the programs).

The big relief for me is her jumps though. I was very worried about them given how much her body has changed during this off season (imo she's really stretched out), but they do look relatively solid to me. Yes, she struggled with the backloaded Lutz and Flips but again that looks like a stamina issue more than a jump issue.

I like her much better now than last year--less spastic. I like the program a lot, actually and once she's used to it it will be way stronger.

 

[moriel]

Well, to be fair it was kind of juniorish. Which is only logical since it was originally depicted for a junior. But I agree, Eteri and Daniil know what they‘re doing as they‘ve proven it countless of times. I‘d like to see a program choreographed by us fans. Would be a nice experiment, to see what we all have in store after complaining so much.

and then scored by judges so we get some fair feedback.
I wonder how many people on this forum would cry in shame after having the programs they choreographed bashed mercilessly by judges and actual experts.

 

[Li'Kitsu]

and then scored by judges so we get some fair feedback.
I wonder how many people on this forum would cry in shame after having the programs they choreographed bashed mercilessly by judges and actual experts.

You mean by the "actual experts" that thought it was necessary to take the "steps into solo jumps" rule out or the "actual experts" they're training who seem to have been the reason by not being able to tell if there were steps into the solo jump or not?

I'd rather try to choreograph something and have different skaters judge it tbh, that would be so cool

 

[Sugar Coated]

You mean, so the program would start with "Think of me"?

Yes. The idea being it starts with a soft lyrical theme and then transitions to a strong build up for all her jumps starting with the combo. Like they did last season. Although they did add a jump in the “think of me” section but I think originally all jumps were meant to be backloaded. Why wouldn’t they have planned to keep their strategy from last year? It had to be reworked after the rule change.

 

[Shayuki]

Yes. The idea being it starts with a soft lyrical theme and then transitions to a strong build up for all her jumps starting with the combo. Like they did last season. Although they did add a jump in the “think of me” section but I think originally all jumps were meant to be backloaded. Why wouldn’t they have planned to keep their strategy from last year? It had to be reworked after the rule change.

I don't think they would choreo a program before the rule changes were out... If they did, that'd be a pretty strange decision. I don't think that was done with any of the juniors that I'm aware of.

 

[Ophelia]

Tons of people hated her DQ and called it all sorts of names including juniorish, and it still won Olympic Gold.
I'm pretty sure that Eteri and Daniil know better than certain fans.

OGM doesn't indicate a program is good.

But even DQ looks good compared to her new SP.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

Sinitsina’s jumps don’t seem to be strong or high.... don’t kill me, I’m just observing.

 

[Sugar Coated]

I don't think they would choreo a program before the rule changes were out... If they did, that'd be a pretty strange decision. I don't think that was done with any of the juniors that I'm aware of.

Alina said in an interview (after worlds I think) that the new programs were already planned for the next year. I’ll have to find it. But I believe it was before Zhenya left Alina said something like everyone’s programs were already in place but they just hadn’t been shared with them yet. Anyone’s else remember that interview or just me?

Found it! http://fs-gossips.com/alina-zagitova-probably-ill-never-forget-this-world-championships/

Do you plan to keep your crazy jump content for the next season?

– In general, yes, but maybe there will be some changes in the rules. Then we will make a decision in accordance with the rules. I have not thought about it yet, to be honest.

Have you thought about new programs?

– Coaches have already chosen for me both programs, but I have not been told about them yet. It will be surprise.

Is it always like this in your group?

– Yes, always.

 

[alvina9894]

What's the odds for Ryabova to medal at JGP?