2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[ruga]

Noticeable improvements from season to season are always surprising but certainly not very suspicious. One can name a bunch of skaters who got different scores in different seasons. Accusing someone of using doping is never okay, especially when you consider that Alina has been checked by many international controllers, not just domestic ones. But I don't know why they had to dig quite an old thing and make it news.

 

[voolfee]

Journalism in Russia dropped to a very low level. They are already looking for words from old streams to make news. But this doesn't at all justify Gubanova, people should know what she really is, otherwise there were many of her defenders here. Once again Gubanova showed herself from a very ugly side, the accusation of doping is a very serious accusation. Let's see what the RusFed has to say, this accusation casts a shadow on them too. Will they make her apologize?

I really don't like what is happening with figure skating in Russia. Popularity is one thing, but with it there is a lot of dirt.

 

[halulupu]

There is some political disturbance around Gubanova these days. Another newspaper has digged her Instagram Q&A session dated March 2018 where she said that she did not understand how Alina could have such a big progress during summer 2016. And Gubanova offered 2 versions: hard work or chemical substances. Today this "news" is discussed.

It was such a stupid thing to hint that Alina and her team could play a foul game. But why the journalists are taking this out now after so much time has passed?

I am so sorry for Nastya. She was my favorite junior. But something went south. And now she more and more looks like a toy in someone's wrong hands.

What is there to feel sorry about? She was insulting others for no reason with no proof. Her mindest needs to change if she wants to be successful

 

[JazzUp]

...Gubanova, people should know what she really is, otherwise there were many of her defenders here. Once again Gubanova showed herself from a very ugly side, the accusation of doping is a very serious accusation.

Don't worry, folks will definitely find some ingenious way to absolve Nastya of all sins here too - "I think Nastya was wrong to say that, BUT..."

 

[Alex65]

I agree with samkrut that Gubanova has now become a toy in the wrong hands. Who needed hunt out off these words spoken more than a year ago? At that time, the media were filled with similar statements by people with louder names than Gubanova, and no one paid attention to her words. Why is it now again? Who benefits from this? I see several possible reasons.
1. Remove criticism from CSKA after the dismissal of Gubanova. Now no one will say that the evil Buyanova kicked out Nastya with a wolf ticket.
2. Remove the competitor from the road. For whom could Gubanova be a competitor at present? Not clear and unlikely.
3. Throw negativity on Crystal again. Perhaps, but unlikely in my opinion, because it looks stupid.
4. The media just used it to fan another scandal. Why is it now, and not before?
I really do not like all this drama, because it has nothing to do with sports. But in this case it all looks very cynical and I am sadly for Nastya. Only my opinion.

 

[voolfee]

But in this case it all looks very cynical and I am sadly for Nastya.

Sorry, but Nastya is the last person for whom should be sad, after all her words. It should be sad for Alina, against whom there is an endless war in the media space after her victory at the Olympics. But the fact that she was able to win the Worlds after all that inspires great optimism that this war made her mentally much stronger.

 

[Alex65]

Because it's like beating a person who has already fallen.

 

[voolfee]

Because it's like beating a person who has already fallen.

You don't understand, it’s not Nastya who is being beaten here, Alina is the main goal. Nobody cares about Nastya, actually.

 

[Fluture]

Don't worry, folks will definitely find some ingenious way to absolve Nastya of all sins here too - "I think Nastya was wrong to say that, BUT..."

Lol. I don‘t think anybody will try to find a way to say that what Nastya said was anything but incredibly stupid and wrong. It‘s getting worse and worse and I‘m just shaking my head. She‘s ruining her own career right now and what she said was worse than Shabotova whose doping comment was just a stupid joke that the media twisted. (”you have to use the right doping“ - what media got - “...which is chocolate“ - which they conveniently forgot to make a naive girl making a stupid remark into a scandal)

Doping is a serious accusation and I cannot believe anything made Nastya say this. There is a limit. I was one of those who defended her before but I don‘t think anyone can be misled to say things like that. I don’t know what made her think or say this, if she picked it up somewhere or if she came up with this idea on her own but it ultimately doesn‘t matter. She said what she said. I still, in a way, feel sorry for her because I cannot help but see the young girl with her entire life consisting of nothing but sport whose negative attitude and jealousy makes her say careless things and ruin said career in the process. Everyone is entitled to feel differently and it doesn‘t mean that we condone her words or agree in any way with her. I also do feel that while her remark was nothing but wrong, the media is not in any way better for digging this up NOW instead of when it happened (more than a year ago) to use it to throw even more negative attention on her, Alina and the sport itself. In fact, they are worse. What reason was there, other than to create another scandal?

 

[Edwin]

The ever pointing finger at Zagitova and covert accusations directed at #TeamTutberidzeForProgress ....

Zagitova and and the whole of Khrustalniy best stay well clear of this mess.
“No comment” is the safest answer to keep their reputation clean and image untainted.

 

[Fluture]

I knew a comment like this would come up again. This interview was just another reason for BOTH sides to throw the arguments out there we‘ve already heard dozens of times before.

I‘m eagerly awaiting when test skates finally start. Maybe we can go back to talking about the sport then and not media wars. I feel sorry for everyone involved. Alina and yes, also Gubanova. She‘s being used and I doubt she realises that until now.

 

[Fluture]

The ever pointing finger at Zagitova and covert accusations directed at #TeamTutberidzeForProgress ....

Zagitova and and the whole of Khrustalniy best stay well clear of this mess.
“No comment” is the safest answer to keep their reputation clean and image untainted.

And that‘s what they are going to do. Alina has been tested before multiple times in international competition. I mean, they even interrupted her practice at the OG to test her. She’s fine. If anyone asks her about it, just point at that and not comment otherwise. She‘s in Japan right now, having fun with her friends at the shows, and when she gets home, she will be focused on training, hopefully being protected enough by her team not to hear anything about it. Team Tutberidze didn‘t comment when it was Shabotova, they will not comment now. Digging up these stupid comments from Gubanova was only to create a scandal and judging from the heated reactions, they have succeeded just fine.

 

[LenaRadiFan]

I knew a comment like this would come up again. This interview was just another reason for BOTH sides to throw the arguments out there we‘ve already heard dozens of times before.

I‘m eagerly awaiting when test skates finally start. Maybe we can go back to talking about the sport then and not media wars. I feel sorry for everyone involved. Alina and yes, also Gubanova. She‘s being used and I doubt she realises that until now.

I do feel sorry for Gubanova, but I also think this sort of behavior is a problem, when we connect that with that she had so many coaching changes I sometimes think maybe there is more to the 'kicked out due to behavior' thing. I just hope this mindset is not something she applies to everyday life

 

[Fluture]

I do feel sorry for Gubanova, but I also think this sort of behavior is a problem, when we connect that with that she had so many coaching changes I sometimes think maybe there is more to the 'kicked out due to behavior' thing. I just hope this mindset is not something she applies to everyday life

Clearly it‘s a problem. Her attitude and mindset is one that you absolutely shouldn‘t have in sports. Pointless doping accusations out of jealousy? Sorry, who does something like that? I‘m just angry at the media for digging this up now when it‘s been out there for over a year. I mean, why not react as soon as she‘s said it? It makes it seem as if their agenda was something way different and they only use the girl that conveniently said multiple stupid, scandal worthy things. And it‘s annoying because it constantly paints the sport in a bad light. I wish we could just talk about the skating without there being interviews like that everyday and a new scandal that‘s being brought to light.

As for the coaching changes and her overall attitude. I was downplaying the last interview because I thought (hoped...) it was a one time thing out of jealousy but I have to agree that it‘s getting worse and worse. And with an attitude like that, sports life isn‘t made for you. She needs to change it and she needs people to help her change it as soon as possible because otherwise the future in this sport isn‘t looking bright for her. Frankly, with everything the media‘s digging up, with every comment, it gets worse and worse. And she should stop making comments about Alina, seriously. I get she‘s jealous of her but come on. Talk about judging all you want and how unfair life is, I can understand that. But to make doping accusations which is something very serious and dangerous to be accused of? Nope. I wish her parents would talk seriously to her now, she needs to understand that behavior like this isn‘t only morally wrong but that she’s not doing herself any favors at all. Media will pick up anything you say, it‘s sad but it‘s true. She needs to be very careful and she wasn‘t. That‘s why I‘m still feeling sorry for her. Because she was just being... well, young and stupid and very, very jealous and mean and someone decided to use it for their own agenda. Her behavior wasn‘t right. But the way the media reacted isn‘t either.

 

[karina17]

This is why I hate those YouTube channels that save the young figure skaters' livestreams.

I'm around Nastya's age and Instagram livestreams are really, really common among girls our age. Celebrities do them for interaction with fans and for public image, but regular girls will simply do them for fun. We start a stream randomly, end up with a few viewers, all friends from school or whatever, and we say and do silly things for no reason. I have one idiot friend who stole an apple from a grocery store because another girl watching the stream dared her to. Point is, celebrities might do these streams for public image, but many normal teenagers do these streams because we are bored, and often say or do stupid things that we later regret. The entire appeal of these things is that once the stream is over, it's gone.

The figure skaters we follow are in the position of being at that same age (or younger! Look at what happened to poor Shabotova) but having a large audience. So they say the same dumb things, that they will inevitably regret, just like everyone else our age, but their mistakes are saved to YouTube channels for anybody to view whenever they want. They don't have the luxury of doing livestreams to be bored idiots like my friends, they have to be proper and all of that and make sure they won't say anything that will cause a media scandal.

I feel very sorry for Nastya, she is finally getting attention and it isn't for her beautiful skating, it's for being shady towards her teammate. (Still, although I feel awful for her, I still feel like it's common sense that she shouldn't have said something so awful, and that what she said crossed the line between "stupid remark by a young teen" and "hurtful insult"...but I am trying not to judge because she was younger back then and might have grown since then. Also because I'm a bit scared of her fans to be honest.)

That said, I feel sorrier for Alina. She is the victim here. It's one thing to hear random doping accusers on the Internet whom you've never met, and another for the doping accuser to be a girl you've known for years. Hopefully this scandal doesn't affect her too much. Didn't she say she was reading hate comments before Worlds to fire herself up, or something to that effect? Alina is tough.

 

[Edwin]

We sort of come to the conclusion Gubanova's mindset is a problem. Is it her character, her upbringing, her training conditions, whatever external influence that makes her think and talk that way?
Why is nobody speaking in defence on her behalf, has she been abandoned by everybody who cares about her? Or have they chosen to ride out this storm in silence, which if often best under a gossip attack?
However, given the number of top figure skaters in Russia, I can see no real reason for FFKKR to keep sustaining a liability like Gubanova. They must make a statement to make their position clear I think.

But has Gubanova or the current crop of skaters really learned a lesson with regards to behavior on social media?
Best stay silent and let your results speak for you?

Tarakanova is the only young female skater with an active social media presence I follow, she could be next to become fair game for the scandal press if they find or just invent some lie.

I sincerely hope Tarakanova is careful and cautious with her career that has just been rebooted. She is a fiercely proud and sort of independent free spirit, her mind is bright, her tongue is sharp and vicious when need be. But even a mighty and strong personallity as she is powerless when the gossip columns in the sports press and message boards start acting against her.

Also I wouldn’t be surprised if Shabotova’s dismissal is her punishment. FFKKR and RusADA wrote in January there would be an investigation and appropriate action taken.

We don’t know what internal, confidential measures FFKKR has taken or what directives were given to staff and sportsmen to prevent these things from happening.
Like passing the compulsory doping awareness quiz that RusADA has forced on every sport under its control.
Let’s hope everybody finally listens.

 

[Scott512]

There is some political disturbance around Gubanova these days. Another newspaper has digged her Instagram Q&A session dated March 2018 where she said that she did not understand how Alina could have such a big progress during summer 2016. And Gubanova offered 2 versions: hard work or chemical substances. Today this "news" is discussed.

It was such a stupid thing to hint that Alina and her team could play a foul game. But why the journalists are taking this out now after so much time has passed?

I am so sorry for Nastya. She was my favorite junior. But something went south. And now she more and more looks like a toy in someone's wrong hands.

Nastya surely needs an agent or advisor or some adults in her life to tell her right from wrong. Her speculating about how Alina got so great so fast is disturbing and some adult should have explained why her comment was wrong on all levels. I think its as bad or worse than Shabatovas comments.

Alina blew by Nastya with hardwork technical prowess and the best coach ever for the ladies discipline

These comments from Nastya combined with the dubious Rodina interview have Nastya skating on thin ice. She really needs to learn if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all.

Like you Sam Nastya was my favorite Junior with unbelievable skating skills artistry and musicality for a 13 or 14 year old girl. I still hope she makes it big as a senior but it's an uphill battle from this point on. She can still do it if she has the heart guts and desire of Alina.

Yikes...
rough translation:
„I used to beat Alina easy-peasy („like 1-2“), and then she somehow suddenly got better over the summer although she remained under the same coach. Maybe she started working more, maybe it’s chemical substances“

Another quote from journalists is:
„I think Medvedeva deserved to win, because she has been winning before. It was Alina‘s first season, she was little, she was a kid. I think she did not deserve a gold medal yet. I have nothing against her, that’s just my opinion“
Strangely, this coincides with her last interview, how Alina just hopped and won, and she thinks athletes should skate 2-3 years in seniors first, before going to Olympics.

Oh, my. How did they dig this up. Who even thought of this...

Hard work.

Someone is out there to try and hurt Anastasiia even more than her former coach just did by expelling her from cska.

We all realize that most Russians wanted Zhenya to win Olympic gold. the disdain and jealousy shown the Olympic champion has been very disappointing to see in the last year-and-a-half.

Nastya needs to focus soley on her skating. it's up to her now. And no more Q&A or interviews anytime soon.

 

[Scott512]

There is some political disturbance around Gubanova these days. Another newspaper has digged her Instagram Q&A session dated March 2018 where she said that she did not understand how Alina could have such a big progress during summer 2016. And Gubanova offered 2 versions: hard work or chemical substances. Today this "news" is discussed.

It was such a stupid thing to hint that Alina and her team could play a foul game. But why the journalists are taking this out now after so much time has passed?

I am so sorry for Nastya. She was my favorite junior. But something went south. And now she more and more looks like a toy in someone's wrong hands.

Yikes...
rough translation:
„I used to beat Alina easy-peasy („like 1-2“), and then she somehow suddenly got better over the summer although she remained under the same coach. Maybe she started working more, maybe it’s chemical substances“

Another quote from journalists is:
„I think Medvedeva deserved to win, because she has been winning before. It was Alina‘s first season, she was little, she was a kid. I think she did not deserve a gold medal yet. I have nothing against her, that’s just my opinion“
Strangely, this coincides with her last interview, how Alina just hopped and won, and she thinks athletes should skate 2-3 years in seniors first, before going to Olympics.

Oh, my. How did they dig this up. Who even thought of this...

Clearly it‘s a problem. Her attitude and mindset is one that you absolutely shouldn‘t have in sports. Pointless doping accusations out of jealousy? Sorry, who does something like that? I‘m just angry at the media for digging this up now when it‘s been out there for over a year. I mean, why not react as soon as she‘s said it? It makes it seem as if their agenda was something way different and they only use the girl that conveniently said multiple stupid, scandal worthy things. And it‘s annoying because it constantly paints the sport in a bad light. I wish we could just talk about the skating without there being interviews like that everyday and a new scandal that‘s being brought to light.

As for the coaching changes and her overall attitude. I was downplaying the last interview because I thought (hoped...) it was a one time thing out of jealousy but I have to agree that it‘s getting worse and worse. And with an attitude like that, sports life isn‘t made for you. She needs to change it and she needs people to help her change it as soon as possible because otherwise the future in this sport isn‘t looking bright for her. Frankly, with everything the media‘s digging up, with every comment, it gets worse and worse. And she should stop making comments about Alina, seriously. I get she‘s jealous of her but come on. Talk about judging all you want and how unfair life is, I can understand that. But to make doping accusations which is something very serious and dangerous to be accused of? Nope. I wish her parents would talk seriously to her now, she needs to understand that behavior like this isn‘t only morally wrong but that she’s not doing herself any favors at all. Media will pick up anything you say, it‘s sad but it‘s true. She needs to be very careful and she wasn‘t. That‘s why I‘m still feeling sorry for her. Because she was just being... well, young and stupid and very, very jealous and mean and someone decided to use it for their own agenda. Her behavior wasn‘t right. But the way the media reacted isn‘t either.

Nastya doesn't have the people around her to help her and how to be professional and what to say and what not to say. Its a shame.

I hope anastasiia can still salvage her career. I love to watch her skate more than any lady followed closely by Alena while Alina remains my favorite.

I wish Russian figure skating had some kind of media sessions to work with teenagers so they are better prepared for interviews and Q and A's.

 

[nussnacker]

But has Gubanova or the current crop of skaters really learned a lesson with regards to behavior on social media?
Best stay silent and let your results speak for you?

I think parents seriously need to do what Alina's parents and Eteri did last autumn, when everyone was criticizing Alina again - just take away the smartphone and give the kid a good ol Nokia 3310. The kid won't be bothered by comments and reading them all the time, and simultaneously won't be putting out his//her thoughts out in the world.

 

[Scott512]

Don't worry, folks will definitely find some ingenious way to absolve Nastya of all sins here too - "I think Nastya was wrong to say that, BUT..."

No one is absolving Nastya so you were wrong.

It's just a sad situation and I hope somebody sits down with Anastasia and explains to her what she said or intimated about Alina was wrong. it's too bad her parents aren't involved with her career at all or so it seems.