But Sima and Maria aren‘t on the list at all, are they? Not even as reserves... Imo, rusfed will try to give as many girls as possible a chance to advance to the final. So, I‘d say they‘ll prioritize that the main/reserve girls have two spots before anyone else gets a single one. I really think Masha and Sima deserve a chance. But seeing it now, I don‘t think they‘re likely to get it.
Also, I have no idea what the rules for the national team are to be included but it does surprise me that Stanislava is on the reserve team. She was the highest ranked senior at Nationals (4th), beat Medvedeva, Zagitova etc.. And fourth at Euros isn‘t too shabby either. She was even in the running for the Worlds spot. I mean, sure, she’s prone to bombing and I couldn‘t name anyone on the main team that could be switched for her but given the constant rumours about her being close to someone from the fed, a fed‘s favourite etc, it sure does surprise me that they didn‘t include her in the main team, especially since her performances this season weren‘t bad and they could easily justify it.
Rules on team are not really transparent.
When easy, they take the nationals results, but sometimes they don't.
My thoughts here:
- Zagitova: they couldnt leave the OG and WC out of the team.
- Medvedeva: they couldnt leave the OS and World Bronze medalist out of the team.
- Tuktamysheva: Arguably russian #2 this season, GPF medalist, sort of beat Kihira at WTT, has 3A. No way to leave her out of the team.
- Samodurova: she beat Medvedeva at Rusnats, and won Gold at Euros.
There is no doubt about those 4, and no way to really drop one of them from main team for whoever else.
Then, there is 3A, who took the podium at Rusnats. Again, no way to drop one of them from main team. Yes, if it would go down to a choice between Zagitova/Medvedeva/Tuktamysheva and one of 3A, they would maybe drop one of 3A, but Konstantinova or whoever else, just nope.
The 7 girls above are also hold the top 7 international scores among russian ladies.
So i suppose the main team is logical. There is no reason to replace any of those girls with other russian skaters. There is nothing to argue about.
Reserve now is a bit trickier.
Konstantinova: #1 senior at Rusnats, fed's darling. So far, they gave her all the chances. While other skaters outperformed her internationally, I suppose she is in reserve because rusnats result + fed support.
Gubanova: Notice that there is not a single CSKA representative in the team so far, its all hogged by Tutberidze (4), Mishin (2) and Orser (1). My guess is that they chose Gubanova over lets say Sakhanovich or Tarusina because Gubanova is coached by Buyanova.
Of course those are just guesses.
As for GPs, considering there are 9 skaters, 7 in main and 2 in reserve, and 18 spots... It kind of clicks.
Would make sense Rusfed to try giving all their skaters 2 GPs, to maximize GPF chances.
