2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[Edwin]

Which of the three major entities that are subordinate to FFKKR is Medvyedeva representing at the moment?
Who would foot her bills at the World Championships?

I suppose it is still MosKomSport, as Yevgeniya is/(was as of May 2018) still listed as a Sambo-70 skater?

 

[Scott512]

Getting rid of country limitations would ultimately be bad for figure skating. Ultimately ISU needs to fill stands for competitions and get broadcasting rights for financial reasons. If it’s only 1-2 countries that have skaters competing then eventually the sport loses fans from other countries and you lose kids who want to start ice skating.

What I think would be amazing for the sport is a documentary or reality show of Eteri’s team and the other Russian ladies. Get Netflix to sponsor and promote that. There is so much talent and enough drama that it would bring a whole new group of people to the sport. And ultimately skaters who aren’t in the top 3, but potentially popular from the show, can get a chance to tour and continue to perform for audiences across the world.

Not getting rid of limitations but modiications shouls be made.

 

[taylor1]

Last season, Alina had the best skate of her life, and a month later had the worst skate of her life. Who knows? Maybe it will be the opposite this year.

 

[Step Sequence4]

Can't they just add like 5 wildcard spots for worlds and base it off SB of eligible skaters not going to worlds? Either that or make a way for people to auto qualify for worlds with the GP Circuit. They'd likely end up split between Russia & Japan but they both have so many deserving skaters.

 

[Scott512]

THIS, thank you. The wild speculation and rumor-mongering on this thread is out of control. If there was any doubt in the Fed’s mind that Alina and Sofia belonged on the Worlds team then they would have skated at the Cup final. The fact that they didn’t is pretty conclusive that their spots are not in jeopardy. This was about assessing Liza’s readiness for Worlds after her illness, and giving Zhenya and Stanislava both the opportunity to prove that their less-than-stellar seasons are behind them in case Liza was not ready for Worlds. Liza proved she’s getting back into form, and Zhenya proved she’s on the upswing and likely in better shape at this point to be first alternate for Worlds over Stanislava.

Has Alina had her best season? Clearly, no. She’s not been consistent and as someone who admires her work ethic and her talent I’m hoping that she’s able to fix whatever isn’t working for her, whether it’s a mental block or an injury she’s struggling with or whatever. But if nothing else, she’s proven this season that even when she’s inconsistent and even when she melts down in the free skate she can still wind up on the podium. It’s going to be an uphill battle for her taking on Rika, and I sure as hell would not bet money on Alina taking the title - but at the end of the day, if the Worlds standings look anything like the GPF standings, then Russia keeps three slots and that’s what they want more than anything. Now that they know Liza is well enough to get through her programs and will likely only get stronger by Worlds, why wouldn’t they send the ladies who finished 2, 3 and 6 at an international competition against the same team from Japan that they’ll be facing at Worlds?

As much as I love Zhenya and I’m happy to see that she’s pulling through a difficult season, there’s no compelling reason to send her over Alina, Sofia or Liza. I do, however, think she beat Stanislava out for the first alternate spot.

You are welcome.

Yes Stasya is out of the world mix and Liza with her body of work this season has the inside track on Zhenya but I am fine with either going.

I do wonder if Zhenya leaving her coach in Moscow last May to live and train in Canada hurts her chances with the Russian Federation to make the Russian national team in the future. I would hope not but it kind of makes you go hmmm.

 

[My FS]

Maya Khromykh CHAMPION Russian cup final.TeamTutberidze.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdibkPaQnps&t=14s

 

[vorravorra]

Yeah but i don't understand what's the point, beyond pushing their favourite girls, like don't they realize they are kinda ruining Russia's dominance in ladies figure skating this way, as in my opinion they already did by letting all those skaters moving to Buyanova earlier this season? Are they okay with this because maybe ISU will help them with the boys, is there something we don't know?

How should the Fed prevent skaters from changing coaches should they so choose? They are not serfs. They tried it with Yulia once and it didn't end well.

 

[century2009]

Not getting rid of limitations but modiications shouls be made.

So you mean you want create exception to benefit others? That is seriously wrong for the sports. Every fed should follow the rules fairly and equally.

 

[Skater Boy]

What a dillemma. I think what I would like to know strictly on what is best for Russia is - is Evgenia stabilizing ie was this a fluke competition. On a body of work Lliza deserves he spot. What really is kind of interesting/sad??? is that as rich as Russia is in senior ladies (not talking upcoming juniors) they do not have this year real superstar like Japan. Sofia has been consistent and good but more in the way of say Soldatova but not a it factor - hence even clean or fairly clean at Euros she did notscore over 150. Alina is having issues. Liza may have the 3A but pcs are not enough - she would need to be clean to have a chance to podium with 3A's! Evgenia if in the mix has yet to show she has stabilized anddelaltwith emerging Ur's ironically also an Alina challenge. It makes the three spot issue interesting. Yes,it is possible they will kill it and even have two ladies podium orit could be like last year which is no sure thing. Potentially 3 Japanese, 2 Americans, Finland, Korea, Kaza, Switzerland could beat the Russians leaving them with two ladies. I would think though they would earn three spots but ice is slippery (at least they aren't Canada where qualilfying for the free skate could be an issue. Depending on Gabby's state)

 

[Edwin]

How should the Fed prevent skaters from changing coaches should they so choose? They are not serfs. They tried it with Yulia once and it didn't end well.

There is a deeper problem here with state funded sports program: patriotism. State funded sports in Russia only exist because the government thinks it should unite the people by fostering patriotism with the ultimate goal of gathering the populace under its leaders.
Sports organisations in Russia are also politically coloured, if you are critical of the ruling government party (populist conservative Edinaya Rossiya for now https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Russia, KPSSR in the old days), you or your child probably has no place in any state funded sport.
In USSR days, Dinamo was the sports arm of the interior ministry, interior security forces like police, KGB etc. SKA and CSKA were for the territorial armed forces and Profsoyuz was for the workers trade unions. Each of these specialised in different sports along their line of duty, so self defence sports, sports involving weaponry and general ball game kind of sports all were divided.

I stick with my observation many a patriot wasn't too pleased with Medvyedeva switching to Mr Orser. Instead those 'patriots' probably would have had Evgeniya stay in Russia but with different coaches or have quitted altogether. Freedom of choice is a funny thing when deeply felt sublimal emotions like 'patriotism', 'accepting your position in society' or even 'accepting fate' come into play.
Most sports organisations are very conservative in their social outlook too, or their main sponsors demand them to be.

 

[vorravorra]

There is a deeper problem here with state funded sports program: patriotism. State funded sports in Russia only exist because the government thinks it should unity the people and it should foster patriotism and gather the populace under its leaders.
Sports organisations in Russia are also politically coloured, if you are critical of the ruling government party (populist conservative Edinaya Rossiya for now https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Russia, KPSSR in the old days), you or your child probably has no place in any state funded sport.
In USSR days, Dinamo was the sports arm of the interior ministry, interior security forces like police, KGB etc. SKA and CSKA were for the territorial armed forces and Profsoyuz was for the workers trade unions. Each of these specialised in different sports along their line of duty, so self defence sports, sports involving weaponry and general ball game kind of sports all were divided.

I stick with my observation many a patriot wasn't too pleased with Medvyedeva switching to Mr Orser. Instead those 'patriots' probably would have Evgeniya stay in Russia but with different coaches or have quitted altogether. Freedom of choice is a funny thing when deeply felt sublimal emotions like 'patriotism', 'accepting your position in society' or even 'accepting fate' come into play.
Most sports organisations are very conservative in their social outlook too, or their main sponsors demand them to be.

How is any of this related to ruining Russian domination in ladies by letting skaters move to Buyanova this season (of the potential leaders only Tsurskaya and Gubanova did so)? Nobody's patriotism stopped Medvedeva from moving to Orser or likely being chosen for Worlds over Tuktamysheva who stayed in Russia.

RusFed may be panicking over the possibility of no World medals at all in any discipline this season (because heads might roll then) and scrambling madly. They have been truly spoiled by Medvedeva of yonder.

 

[Seren]

As much as I love Zhenya and I’m happy to see that she’s pulling through a difficult season, there’s no compelling reason to send her over Alina, Sofia or Liza. I do, however, think she beat Stanislava out for the first alternate spot.

Agreed. I think Evgenia deserves the first alternate spot. I also think there is a convincing argument for sending her to WTT. But Liza deserves the world spot and there is no reason to chose Evgenia over Sofia and Alina (and Evgenia is one of my all time favorite skaters).

I think this competition was about Liza proving she is healthy for Worlds, giving Evgenia a chance to prove she is on the upswing, and Stanislava a chance to prove she can do consistently clean competitions under pressure.

But as long as Liza didn’t bomb (which she did not) she has already earned the World spot.

All these girls seem to be wonderful, genuine, funny, and kind people. I hope we can remember that when we talk about them- irregardless of whether or not you like their skating.

 

[malya]

Wasn't the WTT selection mostly about the world ranking?
> Alina & Zhenya, if there is no explict reason to replace either of them

But I'm not sure and honestly too lazy to look for the regulations. In the end it's like anything here: RusFed decides, and everything else incl selection rules or judging adjusts.

I'm curious how everyone will make WTT (a TEAM tournament with more fun than serious competition) about Zagitova vs Medvedeva but we will see

 

[Fluture]

Wasn't the WTT selection mostly about the world ranking?
> Alina & Zhenya, if there is no explict reason to replace either of them

But I'm not sure and honestly too lazy to look for the regulations. In the end it's like anything here: RusFed decides, and everything else incl selection rules or judging adjusts.

I'm curious how everyone will make WTT (a TEAM tournament with more fun than serious competition) about Zagitova vs Medvedeva but we will see

WTT is about World ranking? I didn‘t know that. I do believe that Alina might go since she‘s said something in interviews about being in Japan with Masaru. But maybe that meant the upcoming Worlds. I would also love to see Zhenya go. She has a lot of international friendships and this is a fun competition - I think it would be good for her and a great way to end her season on a high note. And both girls showed that they are not enemies, they communicated at RusNats. There is no drama, no fighting between them. Zhenya has even said in an interview that she was surprised by how much attention this picture of her and Alina at RusNats got. At this point, they are probably neutral towards each other. Not necessarily friends but certainly not enemies. If they‘ll both go people will probably still try to spin it in this direction but oh well, it seems like we‘ll never be able to escape the Zagitova vs. Medvedeva thing anyway...

Actually, even if Zhenya is my favorite, I somewhat agree about the World spot. Give her the first alternate slot and if someone withdraws she might be able to go. Not likely, but still. And then let her do some other competitions to prove she‘s really back and get in the mood for the next season. But now that she‘s not going to Universiade, I guess she‘s really hoping for Worlds... I really would have liked to see her at the Universiade but oh well... we‘ll see soon what Rusfed decides to do anyway.

 

[[email protected]]

Didn‘t skating actually have qualifying rounds and they cut them because they made events too long and were too expensive?

Figure skating had figures - they were long and boring. Expensive? Ice time, I guess. I myself was terrible with figures btw. - I liked to jump. There were multiple routines in dance - also too long and boring...well, dance.

What I suggest, won't change much. 24 either SB or current world top rank skaters get the right to participate in SP WC and Olympics only automatically. Others do another qualifying SP with 12 more skaters selected (or more if not all from top 24 could participate). For getting to the qualifier round the procedure is similar to what we have now: minimum TES + country quota unless the latter is used up by top 24. We shall see all the best skaters and small federations won't be penalized. There will be may be 4 - 5 hours for this qualification once a year. I don't see any prohibitive costs to do that.

 

[Tavi...]

Agreed. I think Evgenia deserves the first alternate spot. I also think there is a convincing argument for sending her to WTT. But Liza deserves the world spot and there is no reason to chose Evgenia over Sofia and Alina (and Evgenia is one of my all time favorite skaters).

I think this competition was about Liza proving she is healthy for Worlds, giving Evgenia a chance to prove she is on the upswing, and Stanislava a chance to prove she can do consistently clean competitions under pressure.

But as long as Liza didn’t bomb (which she did not) she has already earned the World spot.

All these girls seem to be wonderful, genuine, funny, and kind people. I hope we can remember that when we talk about them- irregardless of whether or not you like their skating.

For WTT, once a country’s team has qualified, the country’s two skaters/teams in each discipline with highest world standings are invited.

As far as who has earned a Worlds spot, it really depends on what the fed has set forth as criteria. Have they ever said?

If I were Evgeinia, I’m not sure I’d want to be named first alternate bc she would have to keep training even if chances of competing were slim to none.

 

[oatmella]

Seems crazy that some think that the skater ranked #1 on ISU World Standings and #2 on this season’s world rankings will not be named to the Worlds team.

Looking forward to seeing Alina and Masaru in Japan! She (or they) will also be invited to compete at WTT as well.

 

[Edwin]

Seems crazy that some think that the skater ranked #1 on ISU World Standings and #2 on this season’s world rankings will not be named to the Worlds team.

Looking forward to seeing Alina and Masaru in Japan! She (or they) will also be invited to compete at WTT as well.

it cannot be ruled out FFKKR decides only to send the top fittest skaters with the best proven consistency record and scoring potential to the World Championships.

The depth in Russian figure skating is such that there is bound to be great disappointment in any of the skaters not selected and we can do nothing about it. We can only hope the selection is made fairly and that no skater will be victim of machinations taking place over their heads.

 

[Scott512]

So you mean you want create exception to benefit others? That is seriously wrong for the sports. Every fed should follow the rules fairly and equally.

Figure skating should not be everybody gets a trophy sport. Excellence should not be put to the side for mediocrity in any sport. And yes the international flavor of figure skating is nice. but adding one or two more wild card spots for World Championships and Olympics to the countries with the best skaters really harm anything? No.

 

[Scott512]

Figure skating had figures - they were long and boring. Expensive? Ice time, I guess. I myself was terrible with figures btw. - I liked to jump. There were multiple routines in dance - also too long and boring...well, dance.

What I suggest, won't change much. 24 either SB or current world top rank skaters get the right to participate in SP WC and Olympics only automatically. Others do another qualifying SP with 12 more skaters selected (or more if not all from top 24 could participate). For getting to the qualifier round the procedure is similar to what we have now: minimum TES + country quota unless the latter is used up by top 24. We shall see all the best skaters and small federations won't be penalized. There will be may be 4 - 5 hours for this qualification once a year. I don't see any prohibitive costs to do that.

I like it and it wont ruin anything.