2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[starla16]

You could say the same for Med.

I don't think either Tukt or Med have a great shot at winning Worlds this year, so it's more about who can lock up 3 spots.

Tuk has had mileage this season, base on her recent 2 events after her pneumonia shes on the right track.
Med has never had a clean competition this season. Let her focus for next season insead

 

[YuBluByMe]

I admire Medvedeva for her grit in this competition, and think Liza would do better at Worlds (and congrats for landing the 3A!), but don't have an issue with Medvedeva going to Worlds. I think Liza, based on her season, deserves it more though.

Of course she deserves it more. That’s obvious. The real issue isn’t Medvedeva going to Worlds, but her going OVER LIZA because it’s not justifiable however you slice it. If RusFed HAS to have her on the team, then take off poor Samodurova. This is also not justifiable, but I can at least understand where the Federation is coming from. Her scoring potential is higher than hers (if she’s on).

Replacing Zagitova with Medvedeva will be pure stupidity. It is Zagitova who has the most likely chance to win Worlds over the favorite. Sure, she can bomb, but a bombing Zagitova is better than no Zagitova. Even if she skates badly, I think she’ll still score higher than most.

 

[Ophelia]

The only reason I see Zagitova being off the team (which is unlikely) is if the Fed has insight into her current practices and she's been further deteriorating.

 

[Sugar Coated]

And so what ? It’s not Alina’s fault if Liza was sick. She beat her at GPF.
Stanislava didn’t qualify for GPF, she maybe had a good free but bombed her short at euro and finished 4th.
Why Alina should skate here ? She had nothing to prove. She medaled at each event except Rusnat where no senior was on the podium abd Zhenia had her olympic spot without skating at Rusnat or Euro last year.

I also don’t understand this logic that Alina needs to “prove” herself. She has come in first or second at every competition she competed this year. Technically she was second of eligible seniors at Rusnat too. Yes, she’s struggled in the last few competitions and hasn’t performed up to her capabilities but she’s the only one who can really challenge Rika.

 

[IleK]

Why is this competition about Liza OR Medv? All Alina, Sofia, Liza, Konstantinova and Medv should have competed here. Only Sofia deserved the world spot because of her gold medal at Euros and because of her consistency. Liza had pneumonia and missed Nationals and had to come and show her condition and in my opinion she should have won the final. The other three finished off the podium at nationals and this should have been their chance to prove they deserve to go to Worlds. Liza already did it this season, if not the pneumonia she would have been on the podium at nationals and the final cup was her chance to show that and she didi it. It was for Alina, Evghenia and Konstantinova to prove their consistency. In my opinion, Liza and Sofia are the best shots for the World team. The third spot should be between the other three girls.

 

[zounger]

Your sarcasm is better than last time.

Finally . Thank you!

 

[IleK]

I also don’t understand this logic that Alina needs to “prove” herself. She has come in first or second at every competition she competed this year. Technically she was second of eligible seniors at Rusnat too. Yes, she’s struggled in the last few competitions and hasn’t performed up to her capabilities but she’s the only one who can really challenge Rika.

Maybe because of Nationals and Euros? I like her but it is obvious that there are some problems, maybe emotional ones. This competition would have been good for her in the first place, to prove herself that Nationals and Euros are behind her. Going to worlds, without a last good competition and remembering her last worlds I just don't think it is a good idea. Yes, she medaled at every competititon but I don't remember her being happy at any of them.

 

[IleK]

I also don’t understand this logic that Alina needs to “prove” herself. She has come in first or second at every competition she competed this year. Technically she was second of eligible seniors at Rusnat too. Yes, she’s struggled in the last few competitions and hasn’t performed up to her capabilities but she’s the only one who can really challenge Rika.

And yes, you are right, if only she could skate 2 clean programs, she is the only one to challenge Rika. Evghenia has no chance at this point. The closest would be Liza but with 2 perfect 3A. So, what will the RusFed decide? I hope for Liza, Sofia and Alina. Evghenia is not ready yet, she wants it badly but ... and no way Konstantinova. I love her but no, I want 3 spots for next year. 2 safe girls like Liza and Sofia and a very talented and capable but unsafe girl like Alina, so if Alina falters the 2 safe girls can keep the spots.

 

[Sugar Coated]

Maybe because of Nationals and Euros? I like her but it is obvious that there are some problems, maybe emotional ones. This competition would have been good for her in the first place, to prove herself that Nationals and Euros are behind her. Going to worlds, without a last good competition and remembering her last worlds I just don't think it is a good idea. Yes, she medaled at every competititon but I don't remember her being happy at any of them.

She still beat Zhenya and Sofia at nationals. And she came in second at Euros. Her focus should be on prepping for Worlds, not training for a lower level competition to “earn” her spot. And she has Olympic gold medal reputation for PCS.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Why is this competition about Liza OR Medv? All Alina, Sofia, Liza, Konstantinova and Medv should have competed here. Only Sofia deserved the world spot because of her gold medal at Euros and because of her consistency.

Alina has had solid results this season, with 2 GP wins and a silver at GPF. She's only lost to one Russian internationally (at Euros). If she lost to Liza or Evgenia here, it would be the only time she's done so in over a year. Russia can't tire out their entire team with domestic competitions if they need the women to peak at Worlds.

 

[IleK]

Alina has had solid results this season, with 2 GP wins and a silver at GPF. She's only lost to one Russian internationally (at Euros). If she lost to Liza or Evgenia here, it would be the only time she's done so in over a year. Russia can't tire out their entire team with domestic competitions if they need the women to peak at Worlds.

I thought about that, even though I don't think that being a protegee is always a good thing. Or maybe this competition was more about Evghenia, they didn't even want Alina here... not room enough for two stars. Well, I stick with Liza... she is more under the radar, less pressure, more maturity and experience and... she would be the only russian prodigy who comes back to Worlds after a long break and after winning world gold. I wish she could set a trend.... don't give up when you are a teen, come back a woman, figure skating is not only for teens. It might be her only chance with the little teens coming next year.

 

[malya]

I don't get the sense that TCC is pushing Med to go to Worlds. Where are you getting that? I understand if Med and Tarasova really want her to go to worlds, but never got it from TCC.

Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean her coaching team.

Team as in the people around her that help her: Her Mother, TAT, PR Manager, or whoever she asks directly for advice and they make decicions for and with her.

TCC always seemed like coaches that worked for the skater - if Zhenya and 'her team' decide on xy, then they are in and ofc do their best to help. Programs, layouts, shows, plans for the Rest of the season. I don't think they tell her - if they get asked for honest advice - she is in shape to win worlds easily or anything.

A bit off topic but I remember an Interview with Tracy where she was discussing with BOrser how they should tell Javi his idea with 3 weeks training for Euros is bad and won't work. Look what happened :=)

 

[sweetice]

I want 3 spots for next year. 2 safe girls like Liza and Sofia and a very talented and capable but unsafe girl like Alina, so if Alina falters the 2 safe girls can keep the spots.

I totally agreed.

They need to face reality. Alina has score less than 200 at the Europeans, with a favorable panel. Her momentum is progressively going down.

I'm not saying that she can't surprise everyone and medal fair and square at the Worlds, but keeping those spots is so damn important. Let be frankly, this is a season of transition for the russian ladies. Liza and Sofia are the safest bets for that purpose, with Alina unstable.

 

[meadow]

Today's results were really unexpected for me :shocked:
When I saw Liza's 3A I thought she was going to win for sure. Anyway I'm really happy for Evgenia and as her fan I can't say I wouldn't be happy if she got sent to Worlds, but I would send Liza, if it was up to me. I think she really earned her spot this season and today she has proved she's well enough for the task. Considering they both fell only once, with such a short margin it's not like Evgenia proved to be so much better than Liza, who skated well all season. We'll see...

At the same time, I'm extremely glad that Evgenia managed to skate a clean SP yesterday and a FS with only one fall today, because I think it's going to boost her newfound confidence even more. It was a difficult season, but it seems that all the hard work and changes are finally paying off.

I really thought Konstantinova was going to skate clean today, because yesterday she seemed really on fire. After seeing her live in Milan last year I didn't really pay attention to her, but this season I've changed my mind. When she's on she's beautiful to watch, it's just a shame she's so inconsistent.

In the end... Vasilieva has grown on me all season, but she really won me over today.

 

[theharleyquinn]

Moving forward, I'm really wondering what the function of Europeans is going to be. Euros is effectively another skate-off between the Russian ladies. Should Euros be weighted equally to Nationals? Granted, this year no senior lady finished on the podium at Nationals. 4CCs is not as prestigious, but Japan and the U.S. don't treat it as a skate-off (and under normal conditions in ladies, Canada wouldn't either). What does it really mean for a Russian lady to win Euros? If I were the council, I'd care much more about the actual skates themselves rather than podium placements in the same way that I generally don't care about GP medals because skaters are seeded strategically and some GP events are blatantly easier than others.

 

[chopinskate]

It is stunning just how misguided Medvedeva's long program was for her. That step sequence is tragic.

 

[gravy]

I would have named Sofia to Worlds as soon as she won Euros and had Evgenia, Liza, and Alina compete here. Yes, Alina has won medals this season but you have to keep it in context. She won a silver medal at Euros but her score would've been sixth at Four Continents. Even if one wants to complain about home scoring for the Americans, you can take both Mariah and Bradie out and Alina still would've only been fourth. (This part is completely nonsensical because Nationals scoring is terrible, but fun fact, Alina's performance at her Nationals would've been fourth in the US, lol). She's progressively getting worse while Liza and Evgenia are getting better.

Based on this competition, Nationals, and Euros, my team would be Sofia, Liza, and Evgenia. Potential doesn't mean much if you've bombed the last two free skates and Alina's PCS are getting lower and lower as the season goes on even for her clean short programs. Her trusty lutz has become a serious issue now she's grown because she can't easily muscle herself up into a combination anymore. I'd be open to sending Alina instead of Evgenia but I think Sofia and Liza have done more than enough to be sent to Worlds. Alina could probably pull out a clean short in the mid to high 70s but her issue will be not messing up her free too much to be off the podium. Her last two performances give me no confidence that she can skate clean for 4 minutes but neither does Evgenia so eh.

It is stunning just how misguided Medvedeva's long program was for her. That step sequence is tragic.

Tis a pretty terrible program indeed. I can't believe David Wilson gave that schlock to her.

 

[DeeDee18]

To me, it seems that both Zhenya and Liza are fairly equal right now in terms of sports shape. Liza had a fall on 3A, Zhenya on her new combo. Both had UR here and there which were overlooked but whatever. I think both deserve to go to worlds because it doesn't matter how you skated at the beginning of the season. They were both so close to winning, so it doesn't even matter who came out on top. WC is in a month you gotta be able to place high today in order to do well.

 

[chopinskate]

Tis a pretty terrible program indeed. I can't believe David Wilson gave that schlock to her.

Somehow I totally can.

 

[Ophelia]

Tis a pretty terrible program indeed. I can't believe David Wilson gave that schlock to her.

It's David Wilson...his choreography peaked with Yuna Kim. There is a reason Hanyu dropped him after 2014. I can't believe he managed to make a tango so insipid.

Really really hope Med uses Shae Lynn Bourne next season. Even Bourne at her worst (Jun Hwa's LP) is so bad it's good.