2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[skatenewbie]

2. Actually, that‘s not only about support from influential people, even if that‘s certainly a part of it. Let‘s not deny Zhenya has support from TAT and co. But in the end, what rusfed wants are the three spots and medals. They should make tactic choices and take those girls with them that are the best bests to get them that. That‘s why, even though it might seem unfair: Zhenya is considered. Because she has a significant PCS advantage over Liza. If Liza doesn‘t land the 3A, it‘s game over. Whereas Zhenya does have her reputation and seems to be on an upward trajectory. And she did win Russian Cup Final which by RusFed‘s own words was a official part of choosing the Worlds team. So, what could people blame Zhenya for, exactly? For participating in the first place? For winning? Well, let‘s not discuss scoring but again, even if she was overscored (imo, all three of the Worlds ladies were) none of this is her fault. It‘s quite senseless to hate on people for something they can‘t do anything against.

sorry but the part that said when Liza doesn't land 3A is over is not true. Even without 3A she has usual top lady tech in her FS with 7 triples, a 3-3 repeating 3Lz and 3T and 2 2A. If she hit all that other jump surely she would be still around top 10. and the fact is she's very consistent with her layout aside from 3A unlike Medvedeva

 

[Ambivalent]

The real stupidity is Worlds not being "Worlds" because of the 3-per-country rule. If Russia has the bulk of figure skating talent, let them enter, damn it.

 

[Ice Dance]

Actually, what makes it "Worlds" is the fact that many countries in the world compete. Having one, two, or three countries dominate all the spots in the top ten would not help with that. If we just sent--say--the 24 ladies with the highest SB scores, there would only be 6 countries at Worlds (one being represented by an athlete from Russia anyway). That would not be Worlds.

There are three spots on the podium. The best three athletes in the World have the chance to get on it. It can require a whole lot more consistency to get there when you come from a country with a very deep field. But the chance is there, unlike in some sports where the limit per country is less than the number of spots on the podium.

 

[Ambivalent]

Actually, what makes it "Worlds" is the fact that many countries in the world compete. Having one, two, or three countries dominate all the spots in the top ten would not help with that. If we just sent--say--the 24 ladies with the highest SB scores, there would only be 6 countries at Worlds (one being represented by an athlete from Russia anyway). That would not be Worlds.

There are three spots on the podium. The best three athletes in the World have the chance to get on it. It can require a whole lot more consistency to get there when you come from a country with a very deep field. But the chance is there, unlike in some sports where the limit per country is less than the number of spots on the podium.

No. We are citizens of the world first, and countries second.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

:yawn:

 

[gravy]

Actually, what makes it "Worlds" is the fact that many countries in the world compete. Having one, two, or three countries dominate all the spots in the top ten would not help with that. If we just sent--say--the 24 ladies with the highest SB scores, there would only be 6 countries at Worlds (one being represented by an athlete from Russia anyway). That would not be Worlds.

There are three spots on the podium. The best three athletes in the World have the chance to get on it. It can require a whole lot more consistency to get there when you come from a country with a very deep field. But the chance is there, unlike in some sports where the limit per country is less than the number of spots on the podium.

I agree. The Grand Prix Final already exists as a merit competition. I think the 2013-14 senior final had 4 Russians and of course the junior finals since have been almost entirely Russian.

No. We are citizens of the world first, and countries second.

Very nice "John Lennon Imagine" sentiment but that's just not true. Try traveling around the world while being stateless.

Should we get rid of the Olympics? The whole point of that competition is pitting countries against each other.

 

[Mathman]

I think RusFed just like drama. Sometimes. And sometimes it is healthy.

Then, too, sometimes it just gets boring.

 

[Alexz]

Then, too, sometimes it just gets boring.

Yet people are still reading, discussing and having emotions about. You including.

 

[malya]

/another dumb rant about misinformation and bad fan support in russia

Everybody not from Russia coming here always complaints about these russian h*ters always leaving mean comments on Instagram or in some fanblogs as the problem. Non russian speakers are often complaining about the toxisity of Russian fans and some people just tried to justify the actions of some people with 'omg but the hate Zhenya gets in Russia for leaving xyz'

This big h*te for no reason and prosecuting is just not there and I was confused but I think I know where the idea of this is from and now that so many people here seem so interested and passionate this h*te and fanwars or whatever the life as a figure skating fan is about now

As I mentioned there have been a lot of articles in the press and Interviews from 'skating personalities' downplaying or discrediting Alina @ Olympics (she jumped another cascade / unfairly lost / nobody of the team wanted her to win) from TATs friends. Besti, Trankov, Slutskaya,...
These people then apparently received h*te comments on social media that were also big news. I personally was (???) why is this happening why is a comment in an instagram suddenly big news. Comments of 'fan h*te' underneath Zhenya's social media also got big headlines. It's ok calling out stuff but WHY is this big news for 1-2 negative comments under an instramm post from Slutskaya for example and why is this happening so often. People were perplex. Was this some PR move for fans outside of Russia so could get invested and fight the evil people bothering everybody who says something against Alina? Evil Zagitova fans harassing the people!

From what I have heard people argue here in anything that mentions Zhenya it's always "omg but the people harassing her!!"

Was this some PR for overseas to enrage people against russia? Why is there a belief that there are so many bad fans in russia? And why might they want that people overseas (like in this forum) think so? It's really annoying. What is this narrative??

Can somebody complaing about all the bad fans in Russia tell me where they got it from? Maybe these 'ranslator Zhenya supporters' from Russia?

For example after Misha Kolyada's FP at the europeans people in the stands people started chanting "molodets" - > well done.
And here? Someone apparently spread they heard "Samarin" and it's an outrage about bad fans. There are always some black sheep, but overall it's very supportive towards the skaters.

Misha got big support after not so good skates. Zhenya had really much support, and even people who are not supportive don't just suddenly start booing or chanting anothers name

I'm not lying, you can watch their programs and see yourself. Does this sound toxic?

The russian ladies all get supported even if you don't win medals, also the skaters. Who goes to far? Often the commentators mainly TAT. What she said on TV about Kovtun this Europeans again was really not called for and that's why this lady is also not liked by many viewers dispite being an honored coach.

When there is something truely bad happening from fans or fangroups, many people are outrage and don't tolarate negativity. That is why people are now 'outraged' about this stalking of Alina from some toxic few.

// don't mind me I will just always rant about how things are actually in Russia from now on. I doubt anybody wants to read it but maybe somebody thinks again about what they think and why. Toxic fanculture and h*tered? No, people try thier best to call out bad sheep and people that go to far!

 

[Skater Boy]

It was an awesome movie. I loved it. And I remember when Ilia (or his character) was trying to pick some girls in the bar, they were turning him down, but as soon as he said "I'm Russian" they were all for him. As if "I'm Russian" were some magical chick spell.

LOL He made Tara Lipinski in the Young and the Restless look like Thespian

 

[Mathman]

Yet people are still reading, discussing and having emotions about. You including.

I have to confess, though, that my interest is waning, my emotions at lower ebb.

 

[Alexz]

I have to confess, though, that my interest is waning, my emotions at lower ebb.

You are still here thou...

 

[Mathman]

You are still here thou...

Go Eun-soo Lim!

 

[Globetrotter]

Agree on may things. But there are other backstage factors. TAT-fluence. They really should put a monument up for TAT and call it "monument for corruption in sport".

Thing is if RusFed announce that Medvedeva is off the team now (till the next season at least) a lot of Zhenya's stans might lose interest in upcoming Worlds. But by delaying announcement they keeping fans in suspense. Week or few days before the draw the team list will be "quietly" published. So all the disgruntled fans still can keep watching/visiting the Worlds and secretly root for everyone to have a meltdown and fall. Or something. Like I said RusFed knows the market and sinful human nature. Frankly, Zhenya has homework to do, but we wish her to comeback strong next year. She said herself she wants to skate more and to have a long career. But there is a TAT-favoritism factor at play here. And it can really hurt Zhenya at the end and can cause another wave of bad PR on her head. Oh, well, let's remember Lenok Radionova and her PCS - compare home and abroad PCS - not everyone likes TAT's pets, including the judges. TAT can really squeeze Zhenya into the team, but that if Zhenya won't skate clean again and everyone will start wondering immediately "why in a world Liza was left home?". Zhenya will receive a lot of backlash not only from Liza's uber-fans, but from the big part of the figure skating fan community. Well, we remember Radionova was being annoyingly forced by TAT, promoted and pushed on the 3rd team spot, only to be fatshamed and criticized by TAT herself 2 years later. CSKA does not care about their skaters, and likes them only when they have an elusive chance to win? And we remember Radionova being put first despite her shaky landing over clean and consistent Zhenya. GP Rostelecom 2016 in Moscow comes to mind. Locally, PCS is a very subjective and unfair, PCS given internationally is much more fair and accurate. Radionova is a lovely skater, easy likable and a nice lovely person, but TAT's ruthless favoritism hurt her, we dont really miss her now, the only thing we remember how TAT was annoying with promoting Radionova at any chance given.

The way it goes, TAT is both the King/Queen maker and also the jongleur for pulling down an out-of-favour monarch? No wonder she needs all that fur coats!

 

[Alexz]

Go Eun-soo Lim!

And that is baiting and ruthless offtop. And you are still in Rus Ladies thread. Picking up the chat about RusFed and Russain ladies. OK, and about Korean lady as well.

 

[NoviceFan]

Frankly, there are non-Russian fans (referred to as the “international fans”) who are utterly uninterested in why certain skaters are h@ted; instead, are here to support certain Russian Ladies for their skating (isn’t this what we should be focusing on?), want to see them do well, and are inspired by their dedication to their sport. It is also so easy to see right through all the belaboring about why Zhenya is not beloved by all.

 

[Globetrotter]

Frankly, there are non-Russian fans (referred to as the “international fans”) who are utterly uninterested in why certain skaters are h@ted; instead, are they support certain Russian Ladies for their skating (isn’t this what we should be focusing on?), want to see them do well, and are inspired by their dedication to their sport. It is also so easy to see right through all these belaboring about why Zhenya is not beloved by all.

Isn’t this just completely.......normal? I am sure none of us are fans of all Russian or for that matter, all (insert country) skaters. I am overall no Zhenya fan but I used to appreciate her exuberant lightness and sheer confidence in performing in front of the audience despite the effy techniques. I also like how Lena Radionova can charm the audience and use the energy of the spectators to boost her delivery despite the SS clunkiness. Right now, my personal fave is Alena Kostornaia for her all round balanced skating and Liza Tuks and Alena Leonova for their gutsy grit in staying relevant. The recent hidden underdog love is for Stanislava K - I hope she really gets to go to Worlds after knowing that she has been hung out for slaughter by Rusfeds. I hope she gets to go, skate lights out for herself and get on the podium so she can stick a middle finger back at Rus Feds.

 

[Alexz]

The way it goes, TAT is both the King/Queen maker and also the jongleur for pulling down an out-of-favour monarch? No wonder she needs all that fur coats!

She was genious coach. She is a legend for sport. She is a very good TV commentator, knows how to compliment and support skater, knows how not to chat during performance too much, sometimes she gives very short and on-point comments when skater lands (or not) jumps, she is a very talented motivator as well. Just watch some of the Russian ice shows on TV - she all kinds of things and than some more. She is THE monarch of Russian figure skating. A gray cardinal, éminence grise of sort. We all love and hate her at the same time. Figure skating won't be the same without her. But sometimes she is so overwhelming and annoying with her favoritism. Someitmes it feels she is still coaching or at least wants to be relative and involved in skaters lives and careers. Her favoritism is blind and absolute. Can't live with her, can't live without her. *sigh* SMH

 

[Giltedge]

Championships of Russia: in the Short Programme today, the top echelon among the juniors skating "elder" all performed admirably, and all are close enough in outcome to add spice to the remaining rounds.

Kamila another captivating skate put her ahead by a small margin. The next 6 are bunched on 66+ to 68+

Kamila, Maia, Sofya S, Darya, Sofya A, Anastasia Sh, Sofya M.
70.60, 68.54, 68.14, 66.57, 66.38, 66.27

Glad about Anastasiya Sh and Darya, because they have both had a small falter recently. Poor Sofya A, she may be fed up with her old SP after all this time, but still giving it her best and refining it over time.

Good luck to all for the Elements on Wednesday and the Free Skate. programme on Thursday.

 

[CellarDweller]

Actually, what makes it "Worlds" is the fact that many countries in the world compete. Having one, two, or three countries dominate all the spots in the top ten would not help with that. If we just sent--say--the 24 ladies with the highest SB scores, there would only be 6 countries at Worlds (one being represented by an athlete from Russia anyway). That would not be Worlds.

There are three spots on the podium. The best three athletes in the World have the chance to get on it. It can require a whole lot more consistency to get there when you come from a country with a very deep field. But the chance is there, unlike in some sports where the limit per country is less than the number of spots on the podium.

Agreed. If I want to see more than three of ANY country, I'll find a way to watch/stream that country's National competition. I have zero interest in watching more than three skaters from any country (USA included) compete at a World's Competition. I don't care if Russia or Japan has 6+ skaters who could land on a World Podium. Let them fight it out among each other, and then send the top three with the rest of the countries attending.