2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[dobrevaria]

If both Stanislava and Sofia go clean at Euros (which is a big "if", especially for Konstantinova), then, I would like to see Sofia ahead. With the silver, maybe.
I don't know for the judges tho. In the one hand, Sofia has been consistent all season so I expect a rise in her PCS and I think -and hope- she is going to nail all her elements. On the other hand, for an unknown reason, Konstantinova seem to be sometimes supported by the judges. Not as much as in Russia, but some of her underrotations tend to be overlooked, so who knows.
I don't think Alina is going to bomb again. She is not the most consistent and has some issues lately, but she is a fighter and a strong skater, with a huge scoring potential. Even if she falls once, I don't see her not being European champion again.
The Russian sweep is definitely possible at Euros but Leonova (from Belgium) is a serious competitor as well, so the girls have to be careful.

 

[DenissVFan]

The Russian sweep is definitely possible at Euros but Leonova (from Belgium) is a serious competitor as well, so the girls have to be careful.

Last time I checked, Leonova still competed for Russia

 

[kallirroe]

Last time I checked, Leonova still competed for Russia

I think he means Loena Hendrix

 

[DenissVFan]

I think he means Loena Hendrix

I know but I thought it was funny

 

[dobrevaria]

Last time I checked, Leonova still competed for Russia

I sorry, my bad. That's Loena

 

[Bluediamonds09]

When is Europeans?

Also, I’m predicting a Russian ladies sweep. Even if they don’t perform well, they’ll pretty much still outscore the others. But , with all her potential, i would like to see Loena on the podium.

 

[MissBeeFarm]

When is Europeans?

Also, I’m predicting a Russian ladies sweep. Even if they don’t perform well, they’ll pretty much still outscore the others. But , with all her potential, i would like to see Loena on the podium.

Beginning in two weeks: Jan 21 - Jan 27

ETA:

Wednesday, 23rd January

11:00 – Ladies. Short Program

18:00 – Opening Ceremony

18:45 – Pairs. Short Program


Thursday, 24th January

12:00 – Men. Short Program

19:00 – Pairs. Free Skating


Friday, 25th January

11:30 – Ice Dance. Rhythm Dance

18:00 – Ladies. Free Skating


Saturday, 26th January

11:15 – Men. Free Skating

16:25 – Ice Dance. Free Dance


Sunday, 27th January

15:00 – Gala Exhibition

 

[alpaca]

A fast way to understand this is to compare her to Kostornaya, who has
much more speed and ice coverage
much more transitions and better quality footwork
much more fluidity into and out of elements
much more grace in upper body movement
and lower PCS than Medvedeva :shocked:

While I basically agree with a lot of this, we forget that PCS is a lot about reputation too (unfortunately). Med IS still a two times world, gpf champ, an euro champion, etc., titles that others don’t have. Add on the component that Alena is a junior (and her PCS is already very high for one, I expect to rise so much in her senior season). The same arguments can be made against Alina with her FS at nationals. She got 9s in some areas of PCS despite having falls and realistically, 131 was a very generous score for the skate, and internationally I wouldn’t have expected to go into 130s (based on how Med was scored at France with the FS, I know programs are different but I think my point still stands). At the same time, 143 might have been a bit high for Med too. But we must remember that the system is a skewed one, having favors for some and what not. I don’t agree that it should be the way it is, but that’s how it stands as now. So I’m not surprised that Zhenya’s PCS is higher than someone like Alena, who in the future might definitely have the higher. I’m no die hard fan but it’s a bit the PCS outrage on Zhenya needs to chill a bit. It’s not like she got 78 or 79 or something near perfect. In fact she only got 3 above Alena I think and 2 above Alina and due to my rationale above, I think this is realistically what to expect from that’s russian nationals. Honestly, I only hope that all the girls continue to improve, and that they never read about how they don’t deserve the scores they get and negative whatnot. I’d think they know best of what’s really working and what needs to be done.

 

[moriel]

While I basically agree with a lot of this, we forget that PCS is a lot about reputation too (unfortunately). Med IS still a two times world, gpf champ, an euro champion, etc., titles that others don’t have. Add on the component that Alena is a junior (and her PCS is already very high for one, I expect to rise so much in her senior season). The same arguments can be made against Alina with her FS at nationals. She got 9s in some areas of PCS despite having falls and realistically, 131 was a very generous score for the skate, and internationally I wouldn’t have expected to go into 130s (based on how Med was scored at France with the FS, I know programs are different but I think my point still stands). At the same time, 143 might have been a bit high for Med too. But we must remember that the system is a skewed one, having favors for some and what not. I don’t agree that it should be the way it is, but that’s how it stands as now. So I’m not surprised that Zhenya’s PCS is higher than someone like Alena, who in the future might definitely have the higher. I’m no die hard fan but it’s a bit the PCS outrage on Zhenya needs to chill a bit. It’s not like she got 78 or 79 or something near perfect. In fact she only got 3 above Alena I think and 2 above Alina and due to my rationale above, I think this is realistically what to expect from that’s russian nationals. Honestly, I only hope that all the girls continue to improve, and that they never read about how they don’t deserve the scores they get and negative whatnot. I’d think they know best of what’s really working and what needs to be done.

I think the main difference is Alena being a junior really, since judges totally cap their PCs.
Kostornaia gets 32-33 in SP and 67 in FS.
I'm pretty sure next year this will become 35 and 72+ quite early in the year.

For Zagi and Med, Zagitova got 128.21 at last worlds. Im not sure if i recall correctly, but it seemed to be worse than nationals, so a 128-130 for Zagi sounds fair.
Internationally, Med would likely get a score similar to what she had in Canada, 135-137 for such skate, maybe even less because she didn't fall there

 

[Edwin]

RE RUS Junior Nationals:

31 January - 4 February (in Perm)

The "3 Гости из Будущего" (Visitors from the Future) Kostornaya, Trusova and Shcherbakova already competed excellently in Senior National Championships of Russia.

Will they really need to compete in Junior National Championships? I suppose tomorrow, Monday Jan 7 is the first day of training after New Year break, but also Orthodox Christmas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_Russia) so perhaps all of the skaters and staff pay a visit to some church or monastry to receive a blessing?

With these skaters' 2018/2019 efforts already having culminated in podium finishes, will they start working on their coming season choreo and stuff? I am sure in the Khrustalniy ranks of juniors there are quite some more younger skaters wanting to prove themselves in Jnr Nats, so training staff will prepare them while giving the Three A's a bit of downtime and re-conditioning.
For those that have followed the live streams of ЮниорТВ from all the regional mid-season qualifiers, there are lots of young girls and boys ready for their first big test.

Or is competing in jnr nats compulsory for Shcherbakova and Trusova for instance, since they still holds KMC rank, while Kostornaya already is MC (Master of Sports)
Question: will they increase in rank by winning Nationals or JPGF to Master of Sports, International Class, also rewarded to Worlds medalists?
I assume Merited Master of Sports is reserved only for Olympic medalists like Zagitova and Medvedeva only (see https://www.fsrussia.ru/sbornaya.html, but that listing is of May 2018)

Also, why isn't there a Junior European Championships in figure skating, since there are jnr europeans in gymnastics?
It there even a European figure skating governing body, the equivalent of UEG?

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I’m just like

 

[Mathman]

Thanks for joining us, Edwin, and welcome. Post often, post long!

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

RE RUS Junior Nationals:


The "3 Гости из Будущего" (3 Visitors from the Future) Kostornaya, Trusova and Shcherbakova already competed excellently in Senior National Championships of Russia.

Will they really need to compete in Junior National Championships?

Also, why isn't there a Junior European Championships in figure skating, since there are jnr europeans in gymnastics?
It there even a European figure skating governing body, the equivalent of UEG?

I’d love to see Junior Euros and yes...it’s tradition that Russian Juniors go Junior RusNats even after they slay at Senior Nationals. Tough world these girls are a part of. Euros Juniors would certainly make it a bit more rewarding.

 

[moriel]

RE RUS Junior Nationals:


The "3 Гости из Будущего" (Visitors from the Future) Kostornaya, Trusova and Shcherbakova already competed excellently in Senior National Championships of Russia.

Will they really need to compete in Junior National Championships? I suppose tomorrow, Monday Jan 7 is the first day of training after New Year break. Orthodox Christmas is when?
With these skaters' 2018/2019 efforts already having culminated in podium finishes, will they start working on their coming season choreo and stuff? I am sure in the Khrustalniy ranks of juniors there are quite some more younger skaters wanting to prove themselves in Jnr Nats, so training staff will prepare them while giving the Three A's a bit of downtime and re-conditioning.
For those that have followed the live streams of ЮниорТВ from all the regional mid-season qualifiers, there are lots of young girls and boys ready for their first big test.

Or is competing in jnr nats compulsory for Shcherbakova and Trusova for instance, since they still holds KMC rank, while Kostornaya already is MC (Master of Sports)
Question: will they increase in rank by winning Nationals or JPGF to Master of Sports, International Class? I assume Merited Master of Sports is reserved only for Olympic medalists like Zagitova and Medvedeva (see https://www.fsrussia.ru/sbornaya.html, but that listing is of May 2018)

Also, why isn't there a Junior European Championships in figure skating, since there are jnr europeans in gymnastics?
It there even a European figure skating governing body, the equivalent of UEG?

Welcome

Competing at junior nats is mandatory if they want to participate in junior worlds.
Orthodox Christmas is on 7th january.
Skaters usually start working at new choreo and stuff after taking a quick holiday break after Worlds. Skaters who aren't competing late in the season may start working on stuff earlier. Considering that there is almost 2 months between Europeans and Worlds with basically no competitions, i suppose many skaters may work on technical stuff during this period too.

Honorary Master of Sports, which is the title Alina and Zhenya hold is awarded to medalists of Olympic and Paraolympic games, also to World champions in Olympic Sports, and people who just won enough medals.
There is also International Class Master of Sports, which is a bit lower, and can be awarded simply for participating in international competitions (but usually u need medals).

 

[DenissVFan]

Also, why isn't there a Junior European Championships in figure skating, since there are jnr europeans in gymnastics?

That would be cool.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

There is also International Class Master of Sports, which is a bit lower, and can be awarded simply for participating in international competitions (but usually u need medals).

Would this be something that Radionova or Pogorilaya would have?

 

[Edwin]

RE: Junior Europeans in FS

That would be cool.

Indeed, and they used to be dominated by Russia and Romania and Ukraine. But the Ukrainians and Romanians have all but vanished, and the Russians aren't nearly as dominant as they were in the 1990/2000's. So the playing field in gymnastics has grown much broader, with upcoming nations like GBR, NED winning medals which was previously unheard of.

If there were Junior Europeans in figure skating, there should be an easier set of requirements. Perhaps a SP combined with team event (3 per nation and the rest in mixed groups, 6-8 flights of 6 contestants) for qualifiers, with only the best 12 or so advancing to individual FS finals, also with capped difficulty (2 per nation, 2 flights of six contestants). I stipulate capped difficulty both to encourage good basics and artistic expression and to not give 'девочка Трюк' aka Aleksandra Trusova and her colleagues too much of an advantage.

Russia will most likely sweep the medals in all disciplines if 3 per nation were allowed, since no matter how great the JPGF finals are in themselves, 5/6 of the competitors coming from one single nation sort of diminishes the validity of the event.

 

[Amei]

View attachment 370

I’m just like

What little I've seen of Yulia's Nutcracker performances (which I've been having to hunt on Instagram for) its amazing that she's maintained her flexibility and been able to keep her crazy flexible spins considering she's been out of competition for 2 years.

 

[moriel]

Would this be something that Radionova or Pogorilaya would have?

yep, thats what they have.

 

[DenissVFan]

The first time I saw this title I thought it referred to a master's degree and was confused when teenagers had it listed on their IG