2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[Shayuki]

My point about kostornaia was not her getting a 2nd spot but rather a 1st spot. She was 16th at junior nationals and not invited to test skates. She shouldn’t have been given a JGP spot at all if only the top 7 prospects were given spots. But they gave 9 girls spots so she was able to prove herself, earn a 2nd spot, and medal at JGPF.

But that was a change of plans. As I said, they scrambled to get Kostornaya to the 6th and 7th JGP events. She wasn't supposed to get even one. It wasn't planned. She wasn't even an alt in any of the 5 JGP competitions before that.

After her performance at Cup of Moscow they had to give her 2 spots.

 

[Elucidus]

On topic, seems like Tarakanova might have to have a good competition at Moscow cup or she'll get her JGP assignment stripped away. I wonder who'd be in line to replace her if that were to happen?

Considering that making Canada visa requires lot of time - it's an interesting question indeed.

 

[Fluture]

My point about kostornaia was not her getting a 2nd spot but rather a 1st spot. She was 16th at junior nationals and not invited to test skates. She shouldn’t have been given a JGP spot at all if only the top 7 prospects were given spots. But they gave 9 girls spots so she was able to prove herself, earn a 2nd spot, and medal at JGPF.

Kostornaya got a spot because of that one fabulous competition. She was nowhere near rusfed even thinking of giving her a spot before that. If she hadn‘t had a competition with a showing like that, she wouldn’t have got the experience. And I think that‘s quite right. Kostornaya is talented and she was able to show it when it mattered. Russia is full of talent - it might be harsh for such young girls but you need to prove yourself. You need to be able to deal with the pressure. There‘s not only JGP. There are test skates and if you aren’t invited like Kostornaya you still have lots of domestic competitions. And still there will be lots of talented skaters who could be stars in other countries who‘ll be left out because they might mess up due to pressure or simply aren‘t seen as “good enough“. There’s simply too many of them to give everyone a chance. There will always be someone left off. So the best way of dealing with this is to give as many talented girls chances as possible but still ensuring that there’s the highest possible number of skaters in the final, which would be 6. Yes, this means, some will be left off of an assignment. It‘s harsh and it isn’t fair but that‘s the way it is.

 

[Elucidus]

About Tsurskaya: She never seemed to be one to benefit from Eteri‘s approach. Like with Orser, some skaters are suited for this type of training, others are not. Polina obviously wasn‘t. I‘m happy that she‘s in a place where she doesn‘t feel constant competition but is treated more like an individual. And all this while still seeing some of her biggest competition this season: Sotskova and maybe Radionova. She will want to take the third spot to get to Worlds with Evgenia and Alina (if their spots stay with them which I assume will happen), so what she needs to do is beat Sotskova, the current senior Russian #3. Of course there‘s also Tuktamysheva, Panenkova, Pogorilaya... but we don‘t know which state they‘re in, so it‘s probably best to focus on herself for now but keep an eye on Sotskova and Radionova. Hoping for a great season for her!

I am afraid Radionova will have bad season this year if not entirely retires. There was some info I read about her recent performance at opening of some new skate rink somewhere in Russia's province - and presumably she was struggling even with doubles there.
Also Pogorilaya is Nevskaya now It's time to get used to it

 

[Sugar Coated]

But the competition itself shouldn't be more than what they are used to.

But that’s like saying Worlds and the Olympics are the same amount of pressure as competing at a GP event. They shouldn’t be different than what they are used to. But the stakes are higher and more people are watching which increases the pressure.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

For me, Russian local competitions and nationals are the hardest. So the JGP should be less pressure because there’s less competition. But worlds has more competition than the GP. So I don’t think it’s comparable.

 

[hippomoomin]

I wouldn't be surprised that Radionova continues to regress, but struggling with doubles? She must have lost all motivations.
By the way, what or who/where is Nevskaya?

I am afraid Radionova will have bad season this year if not entirely retires. There was some info I read about her recent performance at opening of some new skate rink somewhere in Russia's province - and presumably she was struggling even with doubles there.
Also Pogorilaya is Nevskaya now It's time to get used to it

 

[Shayuki]

Nevskaya is Anna's last name. Anna Nevskaya(-Pogorilaya)

 

[Sugar Coated]

For me, Russian local competitions and nationals are the hardest. So the JGP should be less pressure because there’s less competition. But worlds has more competition than the GP. So I don’t think it’s comparable.

But it’s not necessarily about which competition is more competitive. Pressure isn’t just from competing against stronger competitors, it’s also about the stakes and number of viewers. The first time competing in front of several thousand people can be more pressure than stronger competition at test skates or other smaller competitions. At least in my opinion.

 

[Shayuki]

Speaking of the stakes, you shouldn't underestimate the stakes of many Russian domestic competitions, especially the qualifiers and actual nationals that determine funding and future invites etc.

Some JGP event can't be compared to world championships or Olympics. In a JGP event there's one other tough competitor, and a couple of others who are at the level of the half a dozen skaters you defeated to get sent to JGP in the first place.

Then there's the point that... Just how valuable is JGP experience for skaters who won't really be GP skaters next season? To be frank, international experience can be achieved with challengers as well, etc.

 

[Elucidus]

But these are 13 year olds who may look good on video and at smaller competition but have no experience under pressure with a large audience.

remembers Slovakia's empty tribunes
large audience
lol

The best skaters may not be the best competitors when it comes down to pressure.

What kind of pressure are you talking about when all international comps are like cakewalk for them comparing to local competitions? Even at JGPF last season all participants seemed very relaxed - except maybe Kihira And Kostornaya even said that the event was like training in Eteri group - i.e. nothing special ) In seniors competitive field is more challenging plus large audience indeed - thus there can be pressure. Not in int juniors though. What pressure can apply rivals -majority of which can't even jump 3-3?
The most nerve-wracking comp for russian juniors is Russian junior Championship, I suppose.

It's all just politicking: ISU doesn't want all russian JGPF - RusFed is compelled to comply.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

And Kostornaya even said that the event was like training in Eteri group - i.e. nothing special ) In seniors competitive field is more challenging plus large audience indeed - thus there can be pressure. .

Hmm....maybe...but maybe not

https://youtu.be/BldcYa5KhXA?t=1m13s

Love that “Thank You” at the end

—————————————————

I think Sasha enjoyed the audience though

https://youtu.be/Hdhmmixs3DM?t=3m41s

 

[Fluture]

I am afraid Radionova will have bad season this year if not entirely retires. There was some info I read about her recent performance at opening of some new skate rink somewhere in Russia's province - and presumably she was struggling even with doubles there.
Also Pogorilaya is Nevskaya now It's time to get used to it

Struggling with doubles?? :shocked: That doesn‘t sound like Lena at all. I wonder what happened. She didn‘t always have the best landings but she was always a fighter, never seemed to give up even during her worst times. That makes me really sad. She must have lost all motivation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnCGEd8FfWF/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1x8mkyf1y2gb7

But she has posted this which means she‘s training like usually, working on new programs etc. I thought she might be more motivated now and I was kinda looking forward to her throwing out a powerful, heartfelt Lena-like program to Amy Winehouse.

And about Anna: Being married doesn‘t mean you can‘t be an athlete anymore. If she wants to, she can very well compete. If she doesn‘t, that‘s absolutely fine, too. But saying that because she‘s married now she won‘t compete or train any longer seems wrong to me. Or did you mean I was talking about her with the wrong surname? Because from what I‘ve heard she intends to continue competing under her old name Pogorilaya because that‘s how people know her.

Hmm....maybe...but maybe not

https://youtu.be/BldcYa5KhXA?t=1m13s

Love that “Thank You” at the end

I love that interview! :luv17:

And I love that she‘s trying to talk in English. I remember how impressed I was when I heard Evgenia doing an interview in English for the first time but Alena‘s even younger than she was at that time! Very impressive! Anna‘s interview was simply amazing, too. She speaks even better than Alena, almost no accent and she seems to find the words almost easily. I do wonder where she‘s learned to speak English at a level like that? Maybe she used her year out with injury to seriously learn it to come back and surprise everyone.

 

[Elana]

I think Sasha enjoyed the audience though

https://youtu.be/Hdhmmixs3DM?t=3m41s[/QUOTE]

I know this is kinda pointless, but I've always been curious and seeing the girls in this video reminded me. Why is Nastya wearing her SP dress instead of the FS? Wouldn't the awards be not that long after the free and therefore why would she change dresses? Did the girls plan this so they would all be in bluish dresses and match for the pictures and everything?

 

[Elucidus]

Hmm....maybe...but maybe not

https://youtu.be/BldcYa5KhXA?t=1m13s

Love that “Thank You” at the end

—————————————————

I think Sasha enjoyed the audience though

https://youtu.be/Hdhmmixs3DM?t=3m41s

No, it was in some russian interview: http://tass.ru/sport/4798462

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I know this is kinda pointless, but I've always been curious and seeing the girls in this video reminded me. Why is Nastya wearing her SP dress instead of the FS? Wouldn't the awards be not that long after the free and therefore why would she change dresses? Did the girls plan this so they would all be in bluish dresses and match for the pictures and everything?

Probably Just Evil Eteri Doing Evil Eteri Things :scard7:

Nice catch! Now I’m really curious :think:

 

[Fluture]

https://youtu.be/Hdhmmixs3DM?t=3m41s

I know this is kinda pointless, but I've always been curious and seeing the girls in this video reminded me. Why is Nastya wearing her SP dress instead of the FS? Wouldn't the awards be not that long after the free and therefore why would she change dresses? Did the girls plan this so they would all be in bluish dresses and match for the pictures and everything?

Wow, I never noticed that! Now I wonder about that, too.

And another thing I noticed: In Alena‘s interview the woman at the beginning says: I‘m talking to Alena Kostornaya who‘s 1st after the FP... I think she meant short? Because, Alena didn‘t win JGPF and if she was 1st after the FP, she would be the winner and she could just call her Winner of JGPF? :think: Or does she mean ”who was first in the FP“? Because that would make more sense, as in she was first in the FP but overall second. Still, it‘s a bit misleading either way.

 

[icetug]

No, it was in some russian interview: http://tass.ru/sport/4798462

For her it was like an usual training just because four of Eteri girls took part. But she also said: "But this is my first such major start, I was worried, everything is so unusual, so many viewers, everyone supports!".

 

[atsumiri]

it's not unusual to change dresses for the awards ceremony.
Dances, pairs, girls do it sometimes.
Just personal preferences. Some of them just love the other dress more.

 

[Elucidus]

Struggling with doubles?? :shocked: That doesn‘t sound like Lena at all.

It was rather vague wording in local news about of her not very good performance coupled with some inside video of her training where she just jumped doubles - which had lead to some wild speculations on anonymous boards that can be somewhat exagerrated. I hope it's just rumors but.. there is no smoke without fire, as they say.

And about Anna: Being married doesn‘t mean you can‘t be an athlete anymore. If she wants to, she can very well compete. If she doesn‘t, that‘s absolutely fine, too. But saying that because she‘s married now she won‘t compete or train any longer seems wrong to me. Or did you mean I was talking about her with the wrong surname? Because from what I‘ve heard she intends to continue competing under her old name Pogorilaya because that‘s how people know her.

I meant wrong surname. I didn't know she decided to keep her old name for comps - thanks for info. I expect her subpar performance this season too, tbh. Marriage and personal life coupled with recovery from injuries - all that requires time which her rivals spend on training.