2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[Fluture]

Yes, and most of the pressure is on Medvyedeva, the only uncertain entity since she now trains in Canada. She will have to prove her readiness and competitive spirit the most I think.
Thursday and Friday have the arena sold out, so there will be huge support for the girls and women and no doubt emotions will run high both on and off the ice.

Actually, as a Zhenya fan I of course hope for her to have two great skates and win this. But I personally don't think it would be a huge drama if she loses. It wasn't likely that she would be going to Worlds anyway. If Liza gets to go to Worlds then Zhenya will probably take her Universiade spot. And she will have more time to improve and prepare for next season. The only problem I'd see if both Liza and Zhenya performed badly. Then it would be Stasya going to Universiade AND Worlds and even though I like her and her skating, I have a funny feeling that this would be too risky. She'd be doing two competitions in such a short timespan and we know how easily pressure tends to get to her... Sofia is solid but Alina is sort of a uncertainty. She certainly has the potential to keep the three spots, get a medal or win even but it could also happen that she'll bomb. I'd feel more secure if we saw someone like Liza or Zhenya who got her mojo back there. I feel like if Zhenya showed two clean performances right after another, she could do it at Worlds too. There's that "if", though. So, all in all, I hope we get a situation where either Zhenya OR Liza is the clear winner. I really don't want more drama. I'm rooting for Zhenya to make it but of course I don't wish bad luck to anyone else either. Those two days will certainly turn out to be very interesting.

 

[Vandevska]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuEs2qDAwbM/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1h5aortf1iwz3

Alyona is getting a new exhibition program. Something twilight related, it seems. Well, I‘m not a fan of twilight at all but let‘s wait and see. It will certainly be interesting to see her interpret a darker, more dramatic program.

Uuuuuu I was such a fan when I was teenager, I used to talk about it ALL THE TIME (much like I do now about figure skating ahhaha )

 

[Edwin]

Agree with your comment but not with the pressure distribution. The highest pressure is on Liza who has been promised the spot but is not ready yet. Stanislava is on pressure as well, since she is the one who is losing the actual spot. Evgenia has nothing to lose. It will be the first time this season that she has nothing to lose and that's why I think she will do better than the others.

Indeed, Medvyedeva is free from that kind of pressure, but skating with reckless abandon like now or never will not do I think. She'll need to skate good in RCF to earn the spot, but I am unsure if, where and how she'll need to maintain that level in the 4 weeks still ahead so as not to be substituted at the moment of registration. We don't know what the powers in charge at FFKKR know about Medvyedeva's overall readiness and how the training and preparation went in the past couple of months in Toronto.

So each of the three most likely candidates is under different kinds and amounts of pressure, and to see who holds up the best is a competition in itself.

What's next for Yevgeniya then? Does she need to stay in Russia to train the final weeks before leaving for Japan? I am still uncertain wether she will not be passed by at the last instant despite having proven she is ready and able?

FFKKR will only send three skaters that are capable of medaling, perhaps earning the clean sweep for Russia, such is its ambition.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

The only why falling on a quad could be more dangerous than on a triple that I can think of is: more height. When you jump a quad you have more height so you fall more, and maybe even faster. But besides that? Falling is falling lol

Falling is not falling. The more height you have on the jump the harder the fall, because you gain more speed during the fall from a higher height and this will have a bigger impact while landing. Simple physics.

 

[Fluture]

Indeed, Medvyedeva is free from that kind of pressure, but skating with reckless abandon like now or never will not do I think. She'll need to skate good in RCF to earn the spot, but I am unsure if, where and how she'll need to maintain that level in the 4 weeks still ahead so as not to be substituted at the moment of registration. We don't know what the powers in charge at FFKKR know about Medvyedeva's overall readiness and how the training and preparation went in the past couple of months in Toronto.

So each of the three most likely candidates is under different kinds and amounts of pressure, and to see who holds up the best is a competition in itself.

What's next for Yevgeniya then? Does she need to stay in Russia to train the final weeks before leaving for Japan? I am still uncertain wether she will not be passed by at the last instant despite having proven she is ready and able?

FFKKR will only send three skaters that are capable of medaling, perhaps earning the clean sweep for Russia.

Zhenya's spent quite some time in Russia during the New Year and afterwards. She skated and trained at CSKA, so I feel like Rusfed could have kept an eye on her training process then, if they wanted to. (I don't know if they have)

I agree that all three are under pressure and I don't think it's useful to play the "who has it worse" game because they're all individuals and will deal with their situations differently. I wish them all good luck and hope to see great skates.

I don't think she would have to stay in Russia, should she get the third spot. Why would she? Training with her coach and team and preparing for the competition together would be the best for her. But that's assuming she will get the spot which we frankly, have no idea she will yet. First, she will have to skate at the Russian Cup Final and she'll need to do it well in order to beat a Liza with her 3A and perfect technique and Stanislava who tends to do a lot better at National events. That's not an easy task at all. But first of all and most importantly, she will have to rise above herself and show clean performances for herself, not the competition. I hope the energy she got from the audience at Russian Nationals and the redeeming FS help her with that.

Why would she be passed by if she won this competition? That would mean that Liza is not ready and Stanislava had bad performances, too. Realistically, Zhenya's chances of going to Worlds aren't even that great. I'll be happy if she just continues on an upward trajectory and is happy. So, I think we should wait for her to actually skate and see the result before we make assumptions.

About the clean sweep for Russia... well, it is certainly possible, I just don't know how likely. We have Alina who can win if she's clean but has been having problems lately and Sofia who is very solid and could take a spot on the podium if others falter. Her score at Euros was very promising. But there's still the three Japanese ladies who are doing very well this season. It won't be an easy task at alll and frankly, I think the most important thing is to keep the three spots.

 

[Sugar Coated]

Falling is not falling. The more height you have on the jump the harder the fall, because you gain more speed during the fall from a higher height and this will have a bigger impact while landing. Simple physics.

As other users pointed out, I think it’s the increased energy needed for rotation that makes it a greater force upon impact. Jumping straight up and down is not the same as jumping up and rotating four times in the air. It’s been a while since I took physics so I’m sure I’m describing this wrong but that was my understanding.

 

[malya]

Whenever I look into this thread someone has to prove something

Lately I haven't read as much comments from the russian beau monde about what Alina needs to prove so I think her spot at worlds should be somewhat secure.

Mishin was a bit strage in his answer about Sofia's spot ('ask the federation') so my feeling is they prefer only one Mishin girl. He most likely also didn't want Liza to compete at the RCF (no wonder with the scores she has been getting there in the past) but she had to after she wasn't great in Ljubljana. If Sofia ends up not going as the reigning EC I'll be mad.

RusFed (Piseev) really wants to sent Zhenya if she has a decent showing. I think she is confident in her form and will not compete the relatively empty programs from RusNats - if she was in bad shape or unprepared they would have calmly ended her season to get ready for the next one. She will be better than at RusNats for sure.

Stasya does not seem to be on the radar of many people that get asked give their comments to the press so she might do very well and might clinch a spot after all. Nationally 2 clean skates from her are hard to beat.

I'm not expecting much from Sima this week - In Germany she didn't even attempt one 3-3 combo in the SP or FS and didn't look good overall. This might be very sad

(Nastya Gulyakova will land at least one clean 3A!!)

Btw what's up with only 10 jrLadies? I'm sure many would love to grab a chance as a substitute. I'd also love to see them!

No 3A this year

 

[Fluture]

Whenever I look into this thread someone has to prove something

Lately I haven't read as much comments from the russian beau monde about what Alina needs to prove so I think her spot at worlds should be somewhat secure.

Mishin was a bit strage in his answer about Sofia's spot ('ask the federation') so my feeling is they prefer only one Mishin girl. He most likely also didn't want Liza to compete at the RCF (no wonder with the scores she has been getting there in the past) but she had to after she wasn't great in Ljubljana. If Sofia ends up not going as the reigning EC I'll be mad.

RusFed (Piseev) really wants to sent Zhenya if she has a decent showing. I think she is confident in her form and will not compete the relatively empty programs from RusNats - if she was in bad shape or unprepared they would have calmly ended her season to get ready for the next one. She will be better than at RusNats for sure.

Stasya does not seem to be on the radar of many people that get asked give their comments to the press so she might do very well and might clinch a spot after all. Nationally 2 clean skates from her are hard to beat.

I'm not expecting much from Sima this week - In Germany she didn't even attempt one 3-3 combo in the SP or FS and didn't look good overall. This might be very sad

(Nastya Gulyakova will land at least one clean 3A!!)

Btw what's up with only 10 jrLadies? I'm sure many would love to grab a chance as a substitute. I'd also love to see them!

No 3A this year

Alina will be competing with herself at Worlds. To overcome the bad experience from last season at this competition and be calm despite of that. If she shows two remotely clean skates, she will medal and compete for the gold. We will see how she does. Some might call me naive but I have a feeling she will go clean. Maybe a UR here or there but no falls. She only lacks a Worlds medal so I think she'll go into this competition with a lot of fire and energy. She will certainly be determined. I think she can do it. I choose to believe in her.

What? They can't keep Sofia off the Worlds team! No way! She has earned it, fair and square. How often does this girl have to prove she's consistent and dedicated and someone you can always rely on? If they keep her off the team, I will not only be mad, I will be scared. The other two girls, while certainly all more than capable of keeping the three spots don't have Sofia's rock solid nerves. Maybe she doesn't have the highest scoring potential but due to her reliability and consistency her scores have continued to rise over the season and she had a great score at Worlds, beat Alina by over 15 points! Of course, Alina was far from how she usually does but still... Russia needs Sofia on this Worlds team and she's their European champion. If they keep her of the team, that would be crazy. I know I'm ranting right now but I can't help it.

I will keep any assumptions about Zhenya to myself. I'll be rooting for her and that's it - the rest we'll see. I have faith in her but we never know what will happen. I don't think her programs were empty at Russian Nationals, though. They were the best she's ever performed them and she seemed to interpret Tosca better than she's ever performed OCS, despite the mistakes. I also thought they added some transitions. They aren't her best programs, of course but I didn't think they were empty at all.

Stasya is on my radar, though. Many people don't consider her as a real contender but we know how solid she is at National events. She always tends to perform better there, so I can totally see her beating Zhenya and Liza if both aren't at 100%. But to be honest, I wouldn't feel too safe with Stasya at Worlds, I'd much prefer for her to go to Universiade. But both competitions in a row? Seems risky.

Sima.. I hope she can redeem herself here.

So, has Nastya sorted out her boot problems yet? They seemed to bother her in the SP at the Dragon Trophy but she won silver overall. A clean 3A from her would be great.

We will see 3A at Worlds, don't worry. The final is very close to Worlds this year so I think it's better that they'll skip it. Of course, it would be more exciting for us but it wouldn't be good for them, especially Anna who's just come back from the EYOF and needs some rest and then time to prepare with her team for the main start of the season.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

As other users pointed out, I think it’s the increased energy needed for rotation that makes it a greater force upon impact. Jumping straight up and down is not the same as jumping up and rotating four times in the air. It’s been a while since I took physics so I’m sure I’m describing this wrong but that was my understanding.

Yes, you are right. The speed of rotation also adds on to the impact, the height however as well, I mean look at Sasha's height on her Quads, she could fly to the moon with that power LOL

 

[Edwin]

Yes, you are right. The speed of rotation also adds on to the impact, the height however as well, I mean look at Sasha's height on her Quads, she could fly to the moon with that power LOL

What I always wonder about is how the skater converts kinetic energy in potential energy by using his/her forwards momentum (kinetic) and the toepick as a lever to gain height (potential). There is no springboard, no ramp, it is all done by mechanics of limbs and joints with the aid of flash muscle and brain coordination. The mechanics only work if rotation is added to the movements I think, making the conversion more efficient but also more delicate in its 'internal balance'. Natural talents like Trusova perhaps never consciously learned the technique required for rotational jumping 60 cm off the ice while performing a trajectory of like 3-4 meters in flight.

Is there any 'stick figure' physics simulation program that can be used to roughly calculate the speed and forces required to project a 150 cm @ 40 kgs human shape into this trajectory?
As a static circular object balancing the flight so as not to topple over on landing is required, skaters swing their free leg out to stabilise their landing. Aleksandra however is a well trained and bright minded live human being, she can instinctively correct small instabilities in flight and still aim for a safe, nice and clean landing, but only to a certain extent of imbalance since it all happens too fast for conscious action. Obviously, the position of her landing blade relative to her remaining forwards momentum is key to a good landing, UR and OR are deductions and strain the ankle and knee. It is good the blade has this 8 foot rocker, so it will still rotate by chipping a little ice off the floor instead of breaking the skater's leg.

 

[Elucidus]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuEs2qDAwbM/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1h5aortf1iwz3

Alyona is getting a new exhibition program. Something twilight related, it seems. Well, I‘m not a fan of twilight at all but let‘s wait and see. It will certainly be interesting to see her interpret a darker, more dramatic program.

Will there be gala at JWC? I don't remember how it was last season but I hope we will see her new gala this season already In hindsight it means.. that all 3A will have new gala programs soon Can't wait to see them asap - maybe Sasha balletic poses in flamenco style from last photosession are from new gala as well :hap93:

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Will there be gala at JWC? I don't remember how it was last season but I hope we will see her new gala this season already In hindsight it means.. that all 3A will have new gala programs soon Can't wait to see them asap - maybe Sasha balletic poses in flamenco style from last photosession are from new gala as well :hap93:

They always do a Gala after JWC

https://youtu.be/Bz4jkHGSB7o

 

[DanseMacabre]

The only why falling on a quad could be more dangerous than on a triple that I can think of is: more height. When you jump a quad you have more height so you fall more, and maybe even faster. But besides that? Falling is falling lol

Just as triples put more strain on the body than doubles, quads put more force on the body than triples whether you land them or fall. The increased height, entry speed, rotational force, etc all add up to creating a greater force of impact for the body to absorb. It's simple physics. All sports come with their own risk and skating is no different.

 

[Stlcomet]

Have Russian ladies been selected for Worlds?

In regards to RU's World Team Selection

Gorshkov gave an interview after Europeans. It may be for some interesting.

“The procedure for determining the composition has long been known and was published on the website of the federation even after the Russian championship in December,” Gorshkov noted. - It says that according to the results of the tournament held in Saransk, the executive committee approved the composition of the national team for the European Championship and Universiade. At the World Championships, candidates for the team will be determined based on the results of performances at the European championship, and for substitutes - at other competitions. This is either the Universiade (figure skating competitions will be held in Krasnoyarsk from 5 to 9 March - approx. Team Russia), or the Russian Cup final. The All-Russian Coaching Council will take all this into account and make a list, which will be given to the executive committee of the federation.

- Olympic champion Alexey Urmanov believes that at the Russian Cup final, it would be possible to organize additional control skates in men's and women's single skating.

- This is his opinion. Everyone has the right to their own point of view and can express it. I repeat - before February 25, an application list for the World Cup will be formed, taking into account the recommendations of the coaching council. Who will consider the results of the team's performance at the European Championships and the participation of spare, as well as those athletes who wish to do so, at the Russian Cup final in Novgorod or the Universiade.

https://teamrussia.pro/news/novosti/aleksandr-gorshkov-sostav-na-chempionat-mira-opredelitsya-posle-kubka-rossii-zagitova-samodurova-tukatmysheva-kto-poedet-na-chempionat-mira-2019/

 

[[email protected]]

Agree with your comment but not with the pressure distribution. The highest pressure is on Liza who has been promised the spot but is not ready yet. Stanislava is on pressure as well, since she is the one who is losing the actual spot. Evgenia has nothing to lose. It will be the first time this season that she has nothing to lose and that's why I think she will do better than the others.

I have exactly the opposite opinion. May be it will sound pathetic but Zhenya has her wonderful career to lose, the career of 2 times WC who had one of the longest winning streaks in history. I think that the pressure is the highest on her.

At the beginning of this year TAT said that Medvedeva was guaranteed a place in the team and did not even have to come to the Nationals from Canada because "we all know her". Now it's her last chance to turn the tide in her favor. If she is in the team and if she is the best among the Russians beating both Alina and Sofia this will mean that she will be the main alternative to 3A next season. If she wins the WC it will bring her back to where she was in the eyes of judges. Without WC next season will be one big if for her.

I agree that there is some pressure on Liza as well. But there was no pressure on her at the beginning of the season - expectations were low. She gradually raised them. And then pneumonia. I think now it is back to where it was - "do what you can".

The lowest pressure is on Stanislava. She herself said in the interview that chances for her going to WC are virtually zero, hence, no expectations. She can skate at her leisure. She usually good when it is like that.

 

[melgirl25]

This article was shared on another forum.

https://www.sovsport.ru/figure/articles/2:887967

Medvedeva, meanwhile, has already flown to Russia to acclimatize. At first she spent several days in Moscow, and now she moved closer to the site of the FKR. Evgenia trains in St. Petersburg, from where only 200 kilometers to Veliky Novgorod.

However, according to Tuktamysheva nothing is clear yet. She appeared to appear, but putting the name on the protocol and going out on the ice are two different procedures.

Elizabeth has a tight competitive schedule. Last week, for the first time after pneumonia, she performed on a challenger in Slovakia. It turned out not very cool.

Also in her schedule is the Universiade, where she will have to perform on March 6th. Does it make sense after such a disease to drive oneself and torture with an infinite number of starts that kill not only physics, but also affect psychology?

On the sidelines, everyone is of the opinion that we will not see Tuktamysheva at the skating rink in Veliky Novgorod. Mishin and his student will bet on the Universiade and will not engage in full-time competition with Medvedeva, given that Lisa is obviously not in the best shape at the moment.

There are still two weeks before the start in Krasnoyarsk, and during this time you can try to improve your condition to get out and get good points. Deciding who to send to the World Cup will still be coaching advice. There, people will already have a look at the rentals, take into account the estimates and draw conclusions.

A trip to Veliky Novgorod seems to be too risky for Tuktamysheva. But if she does appear in front of the local public, we will only be inspired by her courage and sporting character. In the meantime, just waiting and hoping for the appearance of Lisa in training on the 21st.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Liza shouldn't over-compete, but she will probably need to show her form at Worlds would be better than what she showed at her first post-illness event. Personally, I think she has time to get back to her top form and should make the World team, but the Russian field is too deep to give a spot to a skater who hasn't proven she can skate great now.

 

[bubblecherry]

This article was shared on another forum.

https://www.sovsport.ru/figure/articles/2:887967

Medvedeva, meanwhile, has already flown to Russia to acclimatize. At first she spent several days in Moscow, and now she moved closer to the site of the FKR. Evgenia trains in St. Petersburg, from where only 200 kilometers to Veliky Novgorod.

However, according to Tuktamysheva nothing is clear yet. She appeared to appear, but putting the name on the protocol and going out on the ice are two different procedures.

Elizabeth has a tight competitive schedule. Last week, for the first time after pneumonia, she performed on a challenger in Slovakia. It turned out not very cool.

Also in her schedule is the Universiade, where she will have to perform on March 6th. Does it make sense after such a disease to drive oneself and torture with an infinite number of starts that kill not only physics, but also affect psychology?

On the sidelines, everyone is of the opinion that we will not see Tuktamysheva at the skating rink in Veliky Novgorod. Mishin and his student will bet on the Universiade and will not engage in full-time competition with Medvedeva, given that Lisa is obviously not in the best shape at the moment.

There are still two weeks before the start in Krasnoyarsk, and during this time you can try to improve your condition to get out and get good points. Deciding who to send to the World Cup will still be coaching advice. There, people will already have a look at the rentals, take into account the estimates and draw conclusions.

A trip to Veliky Novgorod seems to be too risky for Tuktamysheva. But if she does appear in front of the local public, we will only be inspired by her courage and sporting character. In the meantime, just waiting and hoping for the appearance of Lisa in training on the 21st.

Doesn't the World Team have to be submitted by February 25th? How could Liza's Universade performance be taken into account if it's after the deadline?

 

[Amei]

I have a question that’s been lingering in my head for a while: Is falling on a quad similar to falling on a triple. I’ve seen many comments saying that Sasha’s body will fail her if she continues falling on quads, but there are some ladies who fell a lot on triples, and yet haven’t had any major issues on health. Anyway, Sasha almost never falls on triples so why not go the extra mile and try quads? It’s great being consistent, but no one will just remember consistent, since Sasha isn’t particularly artistic, she can shine with her athleticism.

On another note, lots of sad and mean people said Sasha’s quads had no height. Their bias is truly blinding them from pure facts. I can’t help but pity them for not being able to see the reality of things.

The concerning thing about Trusova's quad falls is that they are awkward, reminiscent of Anna P. who I feel we can say her technique in falling is what has caused her back issues that has probably ended competitive career (at least if she stays in Russia).

 

[Stlcomet]

This article was shared on another forum.

https://www.sovsport.ru/figure/articles/2:887967

Medvedeva, meanwhile, has already flown to Russia to acclimatize. At first she spent several days in Moscow, and now she moved closer to the site of the FKR. Evgenia trains in St. Petersburg, from where only 200 kilometers to Veliky Novgorod.

However, according to Tuktamysheva nothing is clear yet. She appeared to appear, but putting the name on the protocol and going out on the ice are two different procedures.

Elizabeth has a tight competitive schedule. Last week, for the first time after pneumonia, she performed on a challenger in Slovakia. It turned out not very cool.

Also in her schedule is the Universiade, where she will have to perform on March 6th. Does it make sense after such a disease to drive oneself and torture with an infinite number of starts that kill not only physics, but also affect psychology?

On the sidelines, everyone is of the opinion that we will not see Tuktamysheva at the skating rink in Veliky Novgorod. Mishin and his student will bet on the Universiade and will not engage in full-time competition with Medvedeva, given that Lisa is obviously not in the best shape at the moment.

There are still two weeks before the start in Krasnoyarsk, and during this time you can try to improve your condition to get out and get good points. Deciding who to send to the World Cup will still be coaching advice. There, people will already have a look at the rentals, take into account the estimates and draw conclusions.

A trip to Veliky Novgorod seems to be too risky for Tuktamysheva. But if she does appear in front of the local public, we will only be inspired by her courage and sporting character. In the meantime, just waiting and hoping for the appearance of Lisa in training on the 21st.

Liza is competing at RCF. She has no choice in the matter if she wants her World's spot, unless RUFed guarenteed her a spot and we doubt they would. The Federation said they'd name the team after RCF so Universiade is not a contributing factor. The one spot between her and Zhenya not chosen for the world's team will go Universiade. Liza isn't going to skate Dragon, RCF, Univ, and Worlds in one month.