2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[VenusHalley]

I also agree with this poll.

I just really want for Alina to have a strong showing at this worlds cause I'm scared that with the 3A coming up next season, her condition right now and Eteri's way of running her school, she won't be there next year.

I don't know, I'm just still bitter about the way Alina was and is being treated by, well everybody at home? The press, the Russian fandom, TAT and the fed and her own team.
I feel like she didn't get the recognition she deserved for her OGM so I want for her to get it at some point for sth else. Can't help but keep comparing Alina's win to Sotnikova's.
Adelina's coach cried and screamed when she won, you could see how invested she was in her and that she was almost more emotional than Adelina herself. TAT praised her, the media loved her, they literally printed her name on the ice rink at CSKA and plastered the walls with her face. Anybody who saw the video of her backstage reaction when Yuna's scores came up and how everybody hugged her knows what I mean. And what did Alina get? "Sorry, but it's just that we have known Zhenya for a longer time that's why we like her more"-TAT

I don't want her to let those people feel validated.

Well, Adelina's win was a cherry on top of the whole Corruptimpics.... She did not deserve to win there. Alina did (though she was neck in neck with Zhenya). In retrospect, Adelina's undeserved gold robbed not only Yuna (possibly Carolina... maybe even Gracie???) of their glory, but also Alina.

Well, that OGM granted Alina generous PCS throughout the season.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

What about extra wild card spots for GPF medalists? That would mean Russia would have 5 spots and Japan 4 with Alina, Liza and Rika already qualified. This would only add 3 entries to the total in a fair, merit based way.

Sort of. Let's say a country has 3 really strong skaters and a huge dropoff in talent after than, like the US women in 1991. They could sweep the GPF podium and end up with 6 Worlds spots, with three going to skaters who don't necessarily deserve it.

 

[lesnar001]

Well, Adelina's win was a cherry on top of the whole Corruptimpics.... She did not deserve to win there. Alina did (though she was neck in neck with Zhenya). In retrospect, Adelina's undeserved gold robbed not only Yuna (possibly Carolina... maybe even Gracie???) of their glory, but also Alina.

Well, that OGM granted Alina generous PCS throughout the season.

No, I don't think Adelina "robbed" Alina of her Olympic glory.

Unless she was one of those who were publicly "upset" because the prior 2 years of Evgenia's domination did not have a "fairytale" ending.

 

[malya]

And here the discussion about the validity about the Olympics starts again.

Interview TAT regarding the russian cup btw
One of them did better in the short program, the other in the free. Noone notice how this time Liza Tuktamysheva lost the Final exactly like Zhenya Medvedeva lost the Olympics? She lost in the short program, and made no mistakes, did not fall in the free skate.
The judges gave Alina more points in the short program. Zhenya won the free (o rly tat?) but the short cost her dearly. Zhenya consequently lost gold because of one point then too, but noone blamed the judges.

Everybody needs to calm down bla bla, and sporting principle (= the winner of this competition) should win in the coaching council. But it will be a difficult decicion.

This woman and how she was bothered by the results of the Olympics... :/

 

[SkateSkates]

Sort of. Let's say a country has 3 really strong skaters and a huge dropoff in talent after than, like the US women in 1991. They could sweep the GPF podium and end up with 6 Worlds spots, with three going to skaters who don't necessarily deserve it.

I see your point, but if they are so bad they won’t qualify for the FS so I think it would even out and be fine. Everyone would still need to hit the tech minimum, so if a country doesn’t have any eligible skaters to fill the spots, then they won’t be able to use them.

 

[SkateSkates]

Well, Adelina's win was a cherry on top of the whole Corruptimpics.... She did not deserve to win there. Alina did (though she was neck in neck with Zhenya). In retrospect, Adelina's undeserved gold robbed not only Yuna (possibly Carolina... maybe even Gracie???) of their glory, but also Alina.

Well, that OGM granted Alina generous PCS throughout the season.

Ok this is just a bit dramatic. Adelina was not my favorite skater but she definitely deserved to be on the podium (IMO not gold but that’s another discussion that has been hashed out millions of times). To imply that Gracie somehow should have finished above Adelina does not make any sense.

 

[Nocturne]

I dont understand this constant whining about having only 3 spots. Yes, it is sad that a lot of amazing girls will have to stay home and "lesser" skaters get to go, but that is not some new rule to specifically target and stop russian (or japanese) domination. Every athlete has known these rules for ages. That doesnt mean I think the rule is perfect and should never be changed, but the way some people portray it as outrageous that Canada dare to have the same amount of spots as Russia is ridiculous.
Worlds spots are determined by placements at the previous worlds. It's maths. Sometimes the spots earned are useful, sometimes not so much. Uskbekistan has 2 spots for men this year because of Misha but no one to send. Where is the outrage over that? At least Canada has got people to send even if at a lower level. Rules are the same for everyone.
And being on my way home from the challenge cup where I watched lots of "lesser" skaters I really dont appreciate someone saying "how dare aurora show herself in front of an international audiance"? What the hell? I love watching the brilliance of the russian ladies but it is not aurora's fault that the rules are to her advantage.

 

[sx98423]

And here the discussion about the validity about the Olympics starts again.

Interview TAT regarding the russian cup btw
One of them did better in the short program, the other in the free. Noone notice how this time Liza Tuktamysheva lost the Final exactly like Zhenya Medvedeva lost the Olympics? She lost in the short program, and made no mistakes, did not fall in the free skate.
The judges gave Alina more points in the short program. Zhenya won the free (o rly tat?) but the short cost her dearly. Zhenya consequently lost gold because of one point then too, but noone blamed the judges.

Everybody needs to calm down bla bla, and sporting principle (= the winner of this competition) should win in the coaching council. But it will be a difficult decicion.

This woman and how she was bothered by the results of the Olympics... :/

seems like it really is between zhenya and liza since TAT doesn't mention the possibility of alina or sofia not going, i wonder why neither of them are going to universiade then?

 

[Giltedge]

Hooray! At long long last another opportunity to watch Kamila V. :hap85:

Not to mention other exciting Team Tutberidzes, Darya Usachёva, Maya Khromykh, Sofya Akatieva and Mariya Zakharova. :hap85:

And other (non-TT) exciting juniors, including Anastasiya Shabotova, Sofya Samodelkina, Elizaveta Berestovskaya, Sofya Muravieva and some other rising stars. :hap85:

:agree2:

 

[malya]

seems like it really is between zhenya and liza since TAT doesn't mention the possibility of alina or sofia not going, i wonder why neither of them are going to universiade then?

Who knows, I don't think this is an indicator. From her enourage we had already somebody questioning Alina's place, sometimes you can't say what you want to say so directly to the press.

(can they shut up about the Olympics over a year later though. Zhenya herself said the judging was 'fair' and she lost because of her injury and NOT some dumb judging conspiracy where they put Alina more points skjwjyuekw)

And this about the Universide. I really would have liked to see one star lady from Russia (both are former WC!) in the Universiade. It's a home tournament and I thought they were sending their top competitors. Look at the boys team
How about some promo, you can see how popular FS is in Russia. It could be a great event to watch for the ladies with 2 4cc medalists coming, with maybe the first adult lady quad for drama

That's just my opinion as a viewer and fan though. It's not that big of an event traditionally and with the girls we have had multiple events to prove they are worthy of walking the earth again. Meanwhile Kovtun goes to Universiade and Worlds and doesn't have to show his form for anything again.

On another note we have Masha who actually goes to University more than any other girl, so that is fair as well

 

[Giltedge]

A rousing cheer for yet another Team Tutberidze marvel

Veronika Zhilina, 10 y.o., has won the 2019 Cup of Shcherbinka (honouring Defender of the Fatherland Day)

Short Programme 46.78, Free Skate 72.96, Total 119.74


SP

https://youtu.be/gpWGtiEithA


FS - 3Lz+2T, 3S and 3F+2T

https://youtu.be/rE1iB7CFucc

 

[blue_idealist]

Well, Adelina's win was a cherry on top of the whole Corruptimpics.... She did not deserve to win there. Alina did (though she was neck in neck with Zhenya). In retrospect, Adelina's undeserved gold robbed not only Yuna (possibly Carolina... maybe even Gracie???) of their glory, but also Alina.

Well, that OGM granted Alina generous PCS throughout the season.

How did Alina get robbed of glory? She ended up winning the Olympics, and there weren't even close to as many people who disagreed with her winning over Evgenia as there were disagreeing about Adelina winning over Yuna.

 

[carriecmu0503]

What about extra wild card spots for GPF medalists? That would mean Russia would have 5 spots and Japan 4 with Alina, Liza and Rika already qualified. This would only add 3 entries to the total in a fair, merit based way.

Then it is not a world championship. It would boil down to being nothing more than a Japan/ Russia championship. That would do nothing to encourage other countries to develop/ send skaters to worlds. Why would you bother if you know you had zero chance of ever even aiming for the top 10? No, I prefer to keep the world championships diverse in entry. I do, however, believe the way spots are determined needs to be changed. Canada in no way needs 3 spots this year. Korea also did not need 3 spots for 2014. Yuna alone gained those spots. I do not think a country should be able to go from 1 to 3 spots based on the results of one skater. Just because you have 1 amazing skater does not mean you have 3! There needs to be a better way. I do not know what that way would be, though. Canada will definitely not have 3 spots for next year, and at this rate, will be lucky to retain 2, so the issue does correct itself in some ways.

 

[malya]

How did Alina get robbed of glory? She ended up winning the Olympics, and there weren't even close to as many people who disagreed with her winning over Evgenia as there were disagreeing about Adelina winning over Yuna.

That's completely an inside of Russia VS outside of Russia thing.

In Russia there was a big, big outcry. Some people are still not over it and give Interviews weekly discussion the scoring of the Olympics.

See TAT here again as I posted or her enourage (I think Besti recently said it was unfair Alina jumped an extra cascade - what?? - to win the gold medal on the TES and Zhenya undeservedly lost) It's mentioned in talkshows and give huges headlines every time. Some fans with outreach (like the Interviewer with Panenkova posted earlier) reacted really, really extreme (like calling a 15yo girl a wh*re and threathening violence) and can't get over it either.
Many people in Russia are fed up with this clownery and I think this is mainly why the majority is now 'Alina, our rightful Olympic Champion'
These reminders about the Olympics 24/7 are getting annoying.

Outside of Russia it's nothing like this and all completely fine.
Some fans think Zhenya deserved to win and liked her performance better - why not, I can understand the opinion
Some anti Eteri/anti Russian's think both girls deserved to be off the podium - suuure with Alina's TES she does not deserve the podium. Please tell me which 3 girls were better
Some people complaining about overscoring in general I can also understand very well.

 

[rikaquegira]

Then it is not a world championship. It would boil down to being nothing more than a Japan/ Russia championship. That would do nothing to encourage other countries to develop/ send skaters to worlds. Why would you bother if you know you had zero chance of ever even aiming for the top 10? No, I prefer to keep the world championships diverse in entry. I do, however, believe the way spots are determined needs to be changed. Canada in no way needs 3 spots this year. Korea also did not need 3 spots for 2014. Yuna alone gained those spots. I do not think a country should be able to go from 1 to 3 spots based on the results of one skater. Just because you have 1 amazing skater does not mean you have 3! There needs to be a better way. I do not know what that way would be, though. Canada will definitely not have 3 spots for next year, and at this rate, will be lucky to retain 2, so the issue does correct itself in some ways.

Exactly.
I think the way it is now it's fine. It's complicated at times, but it's fine.
And totally agree with what you said in the beginning.
It's a World Championship. It should have skaters from all over the World.
For a "merit" competition, there's the Grand Prix Final already.

 

[Manitou]

I really dont appreciate someone saying "how dare aurora show herself in front of an international audiance"? What the hell? I love watching the brilliance of the russian ladies but it is not aurora's fault that the rules are to her advantage.

I was the one who said those words and nobody is blaming Aurora for anything. If I were Aurora I would run to those Worlds as fast as I could. It might be the only opportunity in her life to be visible, so she’d better be there.
The talk was about ridiculous system that uses skaters’ hard earned accomplishments and gives them away to unqualified skaters, who do not have even remotely contribution into it.
WC is an individual competition. It’s Kaetlyn who won the title, not Canada as a team. Skaters are scored individually and awarded individually.
And it’s the individual skaters who get the glory and are remembered, not their countries.

 

[skatenewbie]

Then it is not a world championship. It would boil down to being nothing more than a Japan/ Russia championship. That would do nothing to encourage other countries to develop/ send skaters to worlds. Why would you bother if you know you had zero chance of ever even aiming for the top 10? No, I prefer to keep the world championships diverse in entry. I do, however, believe the way spots are determined needs to be changed. Canada in no way needs 3 spots this year. Korea also did not need 3 spots for 2014. Yuna alone gained those spots. I do not think a country should be able to go from 1 to 3 spots based on the results of one skater. Just because you have 1 amazing skater does not mean you have 3! There needs to be a better way. I do not know what that way would be, though. Canada will definitely not have 3 spots for next year, and at this rate, will be lucky to retain 2, so the issue does correct itself in some ways.

i think its fair. i mean that 1 skater gained 3 spot and also helped the other skaters in the country to gain experience and develop more, like Canada sending Cotop for example. Getting 1st/2nd is no easy feat you know. Next year it will be a different story since it'll be hard to maintain 3 spot on a yearly basis unless you are Russia/Japan.

 

[chasseneige]

How did Alina get robbed of glory? She ended up winning the Olympics, and there weren't even close to as many people who disagreed with her winning over Evgenia as there were disagreeing about Adelina winning over Yuna.

Agreed. Adelina received an insane amount of backlash. Are people really comparing Alina’s win to Adelina’s? From my understanding, most people are accepting of Alina’s OGM. There are probably a few people that don’t agree with the results but figure skating is always somewhat controversial

 

[malya]

I was the one who said those words and nobody is blaming Aurora for anything. If I were Aurora I would run to those Worlds as fast as I could. It might be the only opportunity in her life to be visible, so she’d better be there.
The talk was about ridiculous system that uses skaters’ hard earned accomplishments and gives them away to unqualified skaters, who do not have even remotely contribution into it.
WC is an individual competition. It’s Kaetlyn who won the title, not Canada as a team. Skaters are scored individually and awarded individually.
And it’s the individual skaters who get the glory and are remembered, not their countries.

Hmm, it's about individual skaters?
But Alina should not get a spot because you want to send a Message to Eteri by treating an individual skater unfairly.

Please explai, I don't understand your logic.

 

[Koatterce]

Why is everyone acting like Kaetlyn gained 3 spots on her own? Sure, if she was the only skater there, she would have gotten 3 spots for Canada, but she wasn't. It was her results combined with Gabby's that got 3 spots. If Gabby had placed 13th or lower, Canada would only have 2 spots. But Gabby placed 7th, and therefore the two of them together gained the third spot. Then, this season there are spots for Kaetlyn, Gabby, and one other skater (i.e. Alaine). But Kaetlyn chose not to skate this year (it is her right to do so), and thereby yielded her spot to another weaker skater (i.e. Aurora).

The requirement to compete at worlds is to meet the TES minimums and be given a spot by your country. If a fed wanted to fill their spots with their weakest skaters who barely made the minimums, then they have the right to do so (although it wouldn't be a good idea).

And it's not like Canada's extra spots are taking them away from anyone else... We'll lose at least one of them, maybe two anyways - that's how the system balances itself out.