2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[moriel]

Also speaking about Alina's WD, ill bring some rumours here from the FS Russia discord channel (it will be in their next podcast).
Appearently, after Rusfed sort of forced Alina to go to Rusnats (since Liza WD first) and Euros, they were putting pressure on her to WD from Worlds (which would be another reason for her team to consider a WD).

This is just a rumour, but the Rusnats part has been repeated by quite a few sources, so that is likely true, and makes me wonder about Worlds. It could make sense also - Alina was not in top form, and judging by early Mishin's declarations they sort of promised him Liza would go, so if Alina WD it would sort out some internal issues for rusfed quite nicely.

 

[moriel]

I think 3A would dominate the senior scene but much like what happened at the beginning of this season someone will try and ultimately maybe find ways to convince one of those skaters to leave that group, because for obvious reasons there are many envy coaches in Russia, and maybe they still think they can achieve the same results by taking one of these girls which as proven most of the time it's not possible or that easy. I'm worried it could be Kostornaya the one to leave, but i hope they all stay.

As for Alina, they need to sit down and ask her if she still wants to continue now that she won everything, if she does maybe finding new goals like exploring new styles with her programs, and then acknowledging that her body is changing, so things need to be reworked, not everything will be as perfect as it was right away and she shouldn't compare herself too much with the youngsters because they'll have to face this as well eventually. If they keep everything as it has always been without fixing, we'll see these problems grow and that will lead to injuries and poor results.

I am not sure about convincing skaters to leave the group.
This year, we have seen 4 skaters that left Eteri's group: Panenkova is literally done, Tsurskaya (TAT was consulting her, so pretty sure this one was clearly poaching) is struggling big time, Medvedeva did better but still worse than she was doing under Eteri (we can discuss whatever, but her results this year are weaker than the results last year, period). Tarakanova is not having the best year either. A year before, Buianova poached Radionova, finally, and that also didnt turn out good.
I think this was a good cold showed for whoever wants to leave the team. Where would they go? Mishin doesnt like taking grown up skaters, he likes to train from juniors. Buianova's team has been a disaster this season, including the girl who just moved there. Other coaches - it is also debatable how that would be an improvement from team Eteri. The junior girls are no Medvedeva, they have no reputation, sponsors and funding to just go train wherever they want. Alina went through a lot of ups and downs with her team, she had both epic victories and huge defeats, and I don't think it is likely that she will leave either (That was not the case with Zhenya, she basically just won with team Eteri, so I don't think Alina would take the same road, the story is way too different).

- - - Updated - - -

Podcast?

In English?

Russian only, but they have an english chat, where people can come over and ask stuff.

 

[alinaharry]

Also speaking about Alina's WD, ill bring some rumours here from the FS Russia discord channel (it will be in their next podcast).
Appearently, after Rusfed sort of forced Alina to go to Rusnats (since Liza WD first) and Euros, they were putting pressure on her to WD from Worlds (which would be another reason for her team to consider a WD).

This is just a rumour, but the Rusnats part has been repeated by quite a few sources, so that is likely true, and makes me wonder about Worlds. It could make sense also - Alina was not in top form, and judging by early Mishin's declarations they sort of promised him Liza would go, so if Alina WD it would sort out some internal issues for rusfed quite nicely.

I will be interested to hear that podcast because Alina definitely seemed to be in great form at Worlds. Are you talking physical or mental form?

 

[moriel]

I will be interested to hear that podcast because Alina definitely seemed to be in great form at Worlds. Are you talking physical or mental form?

[Lots of speculation here]

Oh, i meant Alina was not in top form at Rusnats and Euros. Based on that, I can see rusfed thinking of her WD as a good solution - "well, we promised Mishin that we would send Liza as the #3, but then Sonia won Euros, so we cannot just replace her either, and we really want to send Medvedeva because else we will show that we allowed her to move and it was a disaster and she didnt even made the world team. Alina bombed both at rusnats and euros, we cannot not put the olympic champion into the team, but chances are she will bomb at worlds too, so if she WD herself, that would come handy. We would still send Medvedeva, and could fullfill the promise we made to Mishin. Also (other coaches thinking) Eteri wins all the medals, which makes us look bad and get no funding, it would be cool if none of her skaters didn't go to worlds."

Zhenya said she was going to compete somewhere later in season before Russian Cup participation was anywhere official, and TAT shut up real quick about Med not being told to get ready for worlds like Liza did, so my guess is that that was promised too - if she doesnt mess up too bad at the cup, she would be in the team. And, of course, there is 0 doubt that rusfed supported her with everything all season. My guess is that at Euros, they expected Sonia to score 198-200s as she always did, and Stasya to bomb, and then they could have replaced them both with Liza and Zhenya, but then everybody messed up, and Sonia was last and skated very nicely, the crowd was roaring, and judges were happy and gave her all the scores
Mishin was clearly promised Liza would go, because he said he was told to get her ready for worlds, she even WD from the Universiad, and after the decision to send Zhenya and not Liza, both were clearly very pissed, so it really looks like there was some sort of promise.

 

[SummerInDublin]

Russian only, but they have an english chat, where people can come over and ask stuff.

Can you please give a link? To podcast and chat?

 

[esteticlove]

Also speaking about Alina's WD, ill bring some rumours here from the FS Russia discord channel (it will be in their next podcast).
Appearently, after Rusfed sort of forced Alina to go to Rusnats (since Liza WD first) and Euros, they were putting pressure on her to WD from Worlds (which would be another reason for her team to consider a WD).

This is just a rumour, but the Rusnats part has been repeated by quite a few sources, so that is likely true, and makes me wonder about Worlds. It could make sense also - Alina was not in top form, and judging by early Mishin's declarations they sort of promised him Liza would go, so if Alina WD it would sort out some internal issues for rusfed quite nicely.

This is very interesting. I can totally imagine that the Federation put pressure on her and wanted her to WD. It's also funny that Alina mentioned in one of her recent interviews that her character has changed and that currently she's the type of a person who would say yes if people tell her no and vice versa. Maybe that situation was not any different, since she seemed too determined and well prepared for Worlds and the story with the mental breakdown doesn't really add up because there was no sign of her panicking or freaking out. Of course, anything is possible since we don't know the truth. Those are only my own speculations.

 

[DougDorsey]

Funny to see Alina (and Masaru!) show up in this American publication photo collection that has nothing to do with skating...

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2019/03/national-puppy-day-photos/585613/#img08

Girl is becoming an international star beyond just the skating world.

Honestly, if I were her, I'd probably just retire and become a brand ambassador, etc. while resuming and enjoying the otherwise normal life of a teenage girl. She's accomplished everything you could possibly accomplish in the sport. Why put herself through all the physical and mental pressures that she would have to endure by continuing to skate? With that said, I am not her and I imagine she will continue forward, given the fierce competitor she is.

 

[P44]

Funny to see Alina (and Masaru!) show up in this American publication photo collection that has nothing to do with skating...

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2019/03/national-puppy-day-photos/585613/#img08

Girl is becoming an international star beyond just the skating world.

Honestly, if I were her, I'd probably just retire and become a brand ambassador, etc. while resuming and enjoying the otherwise normal life of a teenage girl. She's accomplished everything you could possibly accomplish in the sport. Why put herself through all the physical and mental pressures that she would have to endure by continuing to skate? With that said, I am not her and I imagine she will continue forward, given the fierce competitor she is.

Maybe because she likes to skate and doesn't see her life without it ? She's only 16, it's early to retire. If she's here it's probably because she doesn't want a "normal" teenage life.

 

[Scott512]

These rumors are starting to piss me off. If true it's outrageous that the Russian Federation wanted her their best skater to withdraw. They know she's their best skater with the highest scoring potential of any of their skaters. Wanting her to withdraw would have been absolutely nuts.

Since she's won everything Alina may just decide to hang up her skates competitively in part so she doesn't have to deal with the Russian Federation anymore. But I hope it's does not true and she calms down and everybody has a great offseason and she comes back fired up next year ready to battle her training mates and everyone else.

 

[moriel]

Can you please give a link? To podcast and chat?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCESsk_Cd_ammMzmBtv0sveA
Channel here, the live stuff happens in their chat (see description of the videos)
The chat has an english text and an english voice channels.

 

[Alexz]

Hey, internet! Just one quick important question: https://i.imgur.com/9sFwv54.jpg

 

[Alexz]

Remember my post a month ago? I was right.

Skating world: Trusova! Shcherbakova! Russian girls are doing quads!
Lil'Bet : here, hold my beer.

BTW, it was fully rotated after all. Not too shabby for 2 weeks training. Next time she lands. Fo' sho'.

Bravo, Dudakov!

So, what does this mean, kids? Yes, dats right. Russian jumping technique is the best right now. Alina Zagitova and Nathan Chen prove my point.

 

[Fluture]

Hey, internet! Just one quick important question: https://i.imgur.com/9sFwv54.jpg

I wonder.. had Evgenia gone to Plushenko, would her favorite skater be Yagudin now?

 

[Georgya]

These rumors are starting to piss me off. If true it's outrageous that the Russian Federation wanted her their best skater to withdraw. They know she's their best skater with the highest scoring potential of any of their skaters. Wanting her to withdraw would have been absolutely nuts.

Since she's won everything Alina may just decide to hang up her skates competitively in part so she doesn't have to deal with the Russian Federation anymore. But I hope it's does not true and she calms down and everybody has a great offseason and she comes back fired up next year ready to battle her training mates and everyone else.

That's way I don't buy this theory with Alina wanting to WD from Worlds and not being allowed by Rusfed. I don't think they wanted the scenario of Alina doing a Pogo or having a meltdown. But if it's true that rusfed didn't want to send Alina to Worlds in the first place that's despicable.

Alina is way too sweet for the game of thrones inside de rusfed, russian tabloids and old hags from figure skating world. My take is that after last year worlds they put such a fear of failure into her that the poor girl lost the joy to skate. She should be thought that it's ok to lose from time to time, she is no less the champion she fought to be.

The disgusting blogs/ tabloids and the so called dinosaurs from the russian skating worlds like tarasova made her feel like she has constantly to prove something. From the long hug after WC I suspect only Eteri and Daniil fought to help her.

Also if they did force her to compete at rusnat that's also a new low for rusfed

 

[Lunalovesskating]

I wonder.. had Evgenia gone to Plushenko, would her favorite skater be Yagudin now?

Hahahaha the best comment I have seen today. Omg I can't.

 

[Alexz]

I wonder.. had Evgenia gone to Plushenko, would her favorite skater be Yagudin now?

I top you one better : Kulik!

 

[el henry]

Remember my post a month ago? I was right.



So, what does this mean, kids? Yes. Russian jumping technique is the best right now. Alina Zagitova and Nathan Chen prove my point.

Eteri may prove your point, but Rafael A. ?

The same Rafael A. who said that young girls should not train quads

https://fs-gossips.com/rafael-arutyunyan-some-coaches-cling-to-an-athlete-like-to-a-rocket/

(and many more interviews, I only have time to cite one)


The same Rafael A. who said that Zhenya going to Orser was a great move?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgQLeq5JKnI&frags=pl,wn

I am far from Raf's biggest fan, but I know enough to know that he does not identify what he does as "Russian technique" and disagrees with some of the methods. (I haven't read every interview, is there another one out there?) And if he doesn't identify as that, I take his word for it.

Now, back to the Russian ladies

 

[ktfrozen]

Do you guys think RusFed will let Eteri basically "control them" allowing her to hold all 3 spots of Russian National team for 2020? I'm actually thinking 3rd spot might be from now on reserved as "veteran spot" for Zhenya / Liza depending on who performs better at Grand Prix / RusNats2020

 

[Alexz]

Eteri may prove your point, but Rafael A. ?

The same Rafael A. who said that young girls should not train quads

https://fs-gossips.com/rafael-arutyunyan-some-coaches-cling-to-an-athlete-like-to-a-rocket/

(and many more interviews, I only have time to cite one)


The same Rafael A. who said that Zhenya going to Orser was a great move?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgQLeq5JKnI&frags=pl,wn

I am far from Raf's biggest fan, but I know enough to know that he does not identify what he does as "Russian technique" and disagrees with some of the methods. (I haven't read every interview, is there another one out there?) And if he doesn't identify as that, I take his word for it.

Now, back to the Russian ladies

Raf is Russian-technique coach. Deal with it. Nathan Chen's jumps are amazing, big and stable. Russian consistency. The rest of your points are irrelevant to my initial statement. I'm not gonna be involved in your wataboutism.

 

[zounger]

The world's team will be Liza, Sofia and Evgenia.

As for Stanislava, it's not about taboo. Just people don't know and some people don't want to speculate. If you know enlighten us.

This was was my prediction back then not because Alina was not good enough. Some may see my point now...

What place did Alina took at worlds? Because reading the forum I got the impression she didn't make it even to FS.