2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[Globetrotter]

I honestly haven’t seen enough of Anna yet to make a very informed judgement so I rarely comment on her. Since you’ve asked I’ll share some general impressions. I said at the beginning of the year I was previously scarred by her FS music and I meant it so I don’t watch that program much in spite of the greatest FS dress I’ve seen in years. She’s got some awesome qualities and I wouldn’t be surprised if she became RusNats champion one day but I also think she has some things to develop with her steps. Just some of the in between movements look great but have like a little moment of insecurity or something. She has nice posture too and very light movements. She reminds me so much of baby Zhenya before she started to break out during her second year on the JGP but with much better musicality. I think her ability to to feel and interpret the music is very impressive and sets her apart because she is doing very difficult programs while maintaining a noticeable feel. It’s going to likley be one of her biggest assets. Quad or no quad.

Im a little concerned her jumps are going to face some serious scrutiny though. That side pick thing she does on toe jumps might send the technically obsessed folks into a posting frenzy but it doesn’t bother me much so I’ll leave it at that. Both Sasha and Alena I think have stronger jumps.

I see a bright future for Anna but I’m not sure they should rush her along too fast. I’m not even talking staying junior but more so that they challenge her to develop a bit more power in her SS and transitions in her programs. It could really help her in the long run IMO to focus on utilizing a bit more controlled power in her movements. I do love her SP though and think Anna is just barely behind Alena and Sasha when you judge their entire overall ability as a whole. I’m excited to see her at JGPF and RusNats and later into her career. I think at this point her and Tarakanova will be the ones dueling it out. Maybe not but if Anna misses a quad it’s Anastasia I’d expect to see making moves if she herself is clean. YMMV

She seems like a very sweet person too which makes pulling for her success even easier. I sort of see her following a path similar to that of Medvedeva.

Hmm just to sum up, when Anna has is the intrinsic X factor likability - something Zhenya and Marin Honda like. Somehow, that is not a skill you can really train. It does help though that she also has a rather natural musicality that allows her to intuitively skate to her music rather than through it like other very young girls like Sasha who is not naturally as musical.

 

[Jontor]

well I mean most of the names we call them are their Russian diminutives (ex. Masha for Maria, Sasha for Alexandra, Nastya for Anastasia), or their preferred nicknames (ex. Janny for Evgenia, Lenok for Elena). They can be pretty easy to figure out, but I can see how it’s hard to understand. But you at least understand first names right? What’s the need for always using last names?

Of course I understand that this is their domestic nicknames. But for me, who watch Figure Skating as often as I can, these nicknames aren't thrown around in the TV channels. Maybe in the Russian press, but I don't follow that as I am not Russian. And, e.g. most of the russian girls right now has a first name beginning with an A. So Nastya for Anastasia for me could mean Gulyakova, Gubanova or Tarakanova.

Of course I can figure it all out after a while, but I think this name throwing divides this forum and makes it harder for new fans to get into the discussion.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Hmm just to sum up, when Anna has is the intrinsic X factor likability - something Zhenya and Marin Honda like. Somehow, that is not a skill you can really train. It does help though that she also has a rather natural musicality that allows her to intuitively skate to her music rather than through it like other very young girls like Sasha who is not naturally as musical.

We’ll have to disagree on Sasha

I think I’m just trying unsuccessfully to define Anna’s indefinable qualities

 

[Globetrotter]

We’ll have to disagree on Sasha

I think I’m just trying unsuccessfully to define Anna’s indefinable qualities

Lol, preferences and X factors are not logical I suppose. It’s like I know logically that Zhenya’s basics were not great, neither were her techniques; Marin Honda while having great natural SS was a bit headcase and her techniques were not that sound either. By right, you will think to score less but somehow, just looking at them, you start finding excuses to want to be generous - that’s their likability X factor at work. Sasha is technically more sound but somehow, I don’t see her movements having that smooth floaty quality which I value - she has the power but not the glide and edge which you see in say Honda or Alyona

 

[sweetice]

It doesn't preclude her either way.
But she may be at a disadvantage because three Russian ladies made the final and she was not one of them, especially if Sofia skates well again.

Like last year - Polina still had a bit of a chance despite not making the final (even was third alternate with 3+4 like Zhenya) but not much since Evgenia (though she WD), Alina, and Maria made the final. When Maria skated very well and got the silver, her cahnces were basically none. And then she singled her lutz at nationals and placed fifth compared to Maria's second (....)

While is true that Maria's silver has make her the 3rd russian choice for the biggest competitions of the last season, at the same time it was worth nothing that Voronov was in the final, and with greater scores than the ones from Samarin and Aliev.

To me, at least right now, Sofia's chances to be on the GPF's podium seem too lower, even if clean. But ice is slippery... let's see :think:

 

[zyxwl2015]

I guess it's somewhat like comparing Biles and Komova (in a way). Biles is actually expressive and dancing with music and everything, but people will just find Komova to be more artistic.

 

[Scott512]

Sorry if this is off topic ...

Can anyone explain why Anastasiia Gubanova didn't receive any assignments this fall?

She finished ahead of Tuktamysheva, Leonova, Panenkova, and Samodurova last year at Nationals and ahead of Panenkova at Junior Nationals. I know Panenkova & Samodurova made JGPF, whereas Gubanova only had one JGP where she didn't medal, but I'm surprised she didn't get a Challenger event or anything considering her Nationals showings.

You make pertinent points. Facts. This has bothered me all season. Nastya has gotten the shaft but in a weird way I hope it makes her tougher and stronger. If she keeps getting the shaft it's time to become a dual citizen stay a Russian citizen but find a dual citizenship with another country like Germany Switzerland Italy Finland Canada or my homeland the good old USA. Unfortunately if the ISU never changes their rules of a maximum of 3 skaters from one country you're going to have some of the Russian girls and ladies find dual citizenships so they can fulfill their potential if they can't do it in Russia because of the unbelievable amount of good skaters and depth. It's great for Russia that they have so many good young girls and ladies skaters but the pressure on the skaters is unbelievable and I wonder what Nastya is feeling and if she feels like she has a future with the Russian Federation. It's like her outstanding performance at Russian Nationals last year didn't even matter and it's not like she never medalled as a junior. She even had the junior world record for long program at one point. She has a chance a slim chance the rest of the season to skate really well but the pressure on her must be immense because if she doesn't improve she will get buried once and for all by the Russian Federation. Good luck to Anastasia in Tallinn this week.

 

[moriel]

While is true that Maria's silver has make her the 3rd russian choice for the biggest competitions of the last season, at the same time it was worth nothing that Voronov was in the final, and with greater scores than the ones from Samarin and Aliev.

To me, at least right now, Sofia's chances to be on the GPF's podium seem too lower, even if clean. But ice is slippery... let's see :think:

Voronov was 4th at Nationals after all, and was not selected.
Using similar logic, if Voronov was 4th and was not selected despite going to GPF, Zhenya has chances to not be selected if she is the 4th ranked senior at Rusnats.

 

[skatenewbie]

Voronov was 4th at Nationals after all, and was not selected.
Using similar logic, if Voronov was 4th and was not selected despite going to GPF, Zhenya has chances to not be selected if she is the 4th ranked senior at Rusnats.

Zhenya is OSM, 2 time GPF/EC/WC champion. Her body of work is much better. Also her SB this season is 3rd among currently senior eligible Russian skater. Sofia who made it to GPF never even scored above 200 yet.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Throw Back Tuesday

 

[Vlad Karigov]

One question, Kostornaia may be eligible for the senior world championship in the same way that Konstantinova was eligible for the past world championship due to Medvedeva injury?

 

[Shayuki]

About Anna Shcherbakova, regardless of jumps the main thing about her is of course her musicality as well as her general grace, posture and expressiveness. I think that that will always make her a popular skater with good PCS regardless of jumps. Indeed, she struggles the most with steps at this point in time. They've become better but are still rather sloppy and inconsistent.

Still, there's something else to her in addition to just the musicality. She seems very determined and strong-willed. She gives off an aura that's a bit difficult to put to words. Somehow, I'm very confident in her future because of that.

One question, Kostornaia may be eligible for the senior world championship in the same way that Konstantinova was eligible for the past world championship due to Medvedeva injury?

No, because she is not eligible to compete in seniors this season.

 

[neusw]

Somewhat.
Russian system works like this, for 3 spots: top 2 worlds eligible finishers at RusNats (because junior girls can and do compete at senior nats, and this year people even debate if a junior will win senior rusnats because quadsters), and 1 "coaches choice" (rusfed decision based on whatever reasons).
Usually, the #3 is the 3rd eligible skater at nationals. But sometimes it is applied to skaters who were injured and could not participate at rusnats (for example, Zhenya skipped nationals last year, and was selected for the Euros and Worlds and Olympic team as this third spot), or skaters who fed believes will perform better based on their body of work (or internal politiking).

Zhenya's failure to make GPF is not a big deal if she performs well at Rusnats and is among top 3 eligible finishers. Then, rusfed will send Zhenya, even if she is 3rd - despite her failures this year her body of work is much stronger than of the other girls, and there is no reason to replace her with someone else.
Now, if she bombs rusnats, for example something like 1. Zagitova 2. Tuktamysheva 3. Samodurova 4. Zhenya, Zhenya's failure to make the GPF may be actually an issue, because, for example, it would be a bit harder to justify replacing one of the Zagitova / Tuktamysheva / Samodurova, who actually made the GPF and performed well over the season, by Zhenya, who was weaked than them during the GP, and who also bombed rusnats. Of course, chances are they will still send Zhenya and not Sofia in such situation, but i see how it can be an issue.

I don't think it will be an issue reputation-wise, since russian officials support Zhenya so far despite bad GP outings, so it is unlikely that it would impact her PCs.
On the other hand, making the GPF could lead to a little increase of Tuktamysheva's and Samodurova's PCs also at nationals, which would mean somewhat stronger competition for Zhenya.

Zhenya would have to bomb nationals MUCH harder than just being the 4th place senior to not get the spot. The Fed loves her, her body of work speaks for itself, and she will be scored generously. She would have to skate like at IDF, while many other seniors skate clean, for her to be very far down the list and not get sent. Zhenya being Zhenya I think she'll come back from the IDF experience stronger. In all likelihood the team will be Alina, Elizaveta, and Zhenya.

 

[Azikin]

Will Medvedeva's failure to make the Grand Prix finals affect whether or not she goes to Worlds? Or does she have a bye (not sure how the Russian system works)?

I'm quite sure they won't let her in automatically like last year. If she's overscored at RusNats, that is another matter, though..

 

[hippomoomin]

She has all the goods to represent Russia this year as a senior but sadly she is not old enough. If she was, with her great ss and jumps, she can be on the podium. She is as tiny as Satako and I think she is on par with Satako in terms of ss and interpretation with better jumps.

One question, Kostornaia may be eligible for the senior world championship in the same way that Konstantinova was eligible for the past world championship due to Medvedeva injury?

 

[starla16]

About Anna Shcherbakova, regardless of jumps the main thing about her is of course her musicality as well as her general grace, posture and expressiveness. I think that that will always make her a popular skater with good PCS regardless of jumps. Indeed, she struggles the most with steps at this point in time. They've become better but are still rather sloppy and inconsistent.

Still, there's something else to her in addition to just the musicality. She seems very determined and strong-willed. She gives off an aura that's a bit difficult to put to words. Somehow, I'm very confident in her future because of that.
No, because she is not eligible to compete in seniors this season.

she's has deficiency like poor skating skills, she is a more upgraded Med prototype but same concerns and issues like jumping from upper body and unclear flip and lutzes, I admit I am amazed she can do the quads with her technique, she will have to work hard because she doesnt have Tarakanovas big jumps, Kostornaias clean jumps and skating skills or Trusovas better quads and technique. But lets see, Scherbakova seems a hard worker even after her many injuries.

 

[neusw]

she's has deficiency like poor skating skills, she is a more upgraded Med prototype but same concerns and issues like jumping from upper body and unclear flip and lutzes, I admit I am amazed she can do the quads with her technique, she will have to work hard because she doesnt have Tarakanovas big jumps, Kostornaias clean jumps and skating skills or Trusovas better quads and technique. But lets see, Scherbakova seems a hard worker even after her many injuries.

She is, however, blessed with the tremendous genetic luck of having a very skinny and fit mother with narrow bone structure, so even with suboptimal technique may actually fare better than the other juniors. I suppose we'll find out in a few years...

 

[DSQ]

To be clear this is Compulsory Figures.

https://youtu.be/UjWzJRlVrVA

I hope you’re still awake after that. It’s far less exciting in person ... trust me. I see them being done regularly in front of me.

No offense to anyone out there doing them still but it’s not the most exciting thing to watch.

I loved the way the show covered them! It made it tense but jolly in a way to see them all pacing in the hallways as if waiting for an exam. Awesome costume from Debi.

Ultimately I understand why they got rid of them but it has taken a bit of the skill from the sport imo. Perhaps they could have kept them as a replacement for the TES minimums? You have to be able to do these figures in order to compete then we’d know everyone is entering into the competitions with the same solid skills and then they bring out the jumps on competition day.

Will anyone here be at the Russian Nationals? Not long now.

 

[Shayuki]

she's has deficiency like poor skating skills, she is a more upgraded Med prototype but same concerns and issues like jumping from upper body and unclear flip and lutzes, I admit I am amazed she can do the quads with her technique, she will have to work hard because she doesnt have Tarakanovas big jumps, Kostornaias clean jumps and skating skills or Trusovas better quads and technique. But lets see, Scherbakova seems a hard worker even after her many injuries.

I really don't think that Anna's like Medvedeva at all... I consider them to be very different skaters. Anna also doesn't have small jumps as some issue, the 4Lutz is huge after all. Similarly, I don't consider the edge a weakness - there's a very good chance that she can fine tune herself to have no edge issues on either Flip or Lutz, which is quite rate. I also think that she has pretty good 3A potential with her rotation speed and I'm confident we'll see it eventually. I doubt she's fully recovered, after all - It's not even been a year since she returned to competition off a major injury. Judging by the past examples, next season should be when Anna would return to good results.

Anna has a very favorable body type, great physical form even after injuries(work ethic), and the extreme rotation speed, which I doubt will go away in a significant manner. If we begin discussing her potential outcomes instead of just concentrating on the type of skater she is, she's indeed the skater I'm most confident in maintaining her jumps after puberty. That mostly has to do with work ethic, genetics and rotation speed and technique.

 

[LenaRadiFan]

So I'm a bit confused by the selection for rusnats tbh :"). Who is able to go now and who isn't? And is it finalised already or can rusfed actually invite some skaters to nationals without them having the cup of russia results?