2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Fluture]

Disclaimer: Opinions are mine not from critics, that's things I notice. It's not a criticism, like I said, we're still early in the season, they can work on it and I don't expect changes in a matter of weeks, it takes time.

I can't gif it because I don't have the laptop with me but you can clearly notice in the crossover from

0:39-0:45

1) The hunch from the back
2) the sloppy arms very Radionova or Slutskaya.

You are supposed to stay straight during crossovers.

Yes there were last season too but all these little things become more noticeable as the body grows.

It's also one of those problems that can lead to more back injuries.

As for the steps sequence it's not just a matter of skating skills but also some choreography decision I don't really agree: I don't quite understand the point of doing a spiral or an attempted Ina Bauer for literally half a second, in the middle of the sequence.

And i'd also suggest she should look at her teammate Kanysheva to improve the knee slide.

Aside from all these things it's a nice program.

Generally, I agree but I thought in this program it was way less noticeable. (Talking about the posture here only because that‘s what was always what bothered me mostly about Alina‘s skating, I never had a problem with her crossovers in general, they are okay. Just the forward bending while doing them....) It was really almost only the few seconds you showed here. So, either they‘re working on it or they did a better job at hiding it. I‘d say the first is more likely. Of course, the issue is still there but I found it less pronounced than last year. We‘ll see how it looks like in the FS.

I also never thought Alina‘s arm movements were brilliant but from what I remember now, I think they are and have always been better than Elena‘s. As for the spiral and the Ina Bauer... I think most of us miss the real Ina Bauer she showed before. I don‘t consider the one she did in the SP an Ina Bauer at all, it‘s more leaning back for half a second, nothing more. Maybe Daniil will allow us to see the beauty of a real Al-ina Bauer (Daniil, even the name is made for her. Come on! ) in the FS. I can only hope.

I think overall it‘s obvious that the program is a work in process (it‘s only August anyway) but I was surprised how much I liked it after I got over the initial disappointment of my missing real spiral + Ina Bauer. I also thought I wouldn‘t be able to stand the singer‘s voice after watching it for a few times but so far, I‘m fine. So, that‘s good. I think it‘s definitely a much better SP than last year‘s. I also like how the music is cut! Hoping the same for the FS.

 

[katymay]

Alina’s crossovers aren’t brilliant... and Radionova’s SS are a little underrated... but c’mon, Alina’s posture isn’t *that* bad.

I think she tends to hunch when she is chasing the music. This year, that shouldn't be a problem with the music selection. You have to bend at the waist on backcrossovers, it is just a way to gain speed and power. Often this looks like one is hunched when they are not. It is more of a stylistic issue.

 

[Amei]

Disclaimer: Opinions are mine not from critics, that's things I notice. It's not a criticism, like I said, we're still early in the season, they can work on it and I don't expect changes in a matter of weeks, it takes time.

I can't gif it because I don't have the laptop with me but you can clearly notice in the crossover from

0:39-0:45

1) The hunch from the back
2) the sloppy arms very Radionova or Slutskaya.

You are supposed to stay straight during crossovers.

Yes there were last season too but all these little things become more noticeable as the body grows.

It's also one of those problems that can lead to more back injuries.

As for the steps sequence it's not just a matter of skating skills but also some choreography decision I don't really agree: I don't quite understand the point of doing a spiral or an attempted Ina Bauer for literally half a second, in the middle of the sequence.

And i'd also suggest she should look at her teammate Kanysheva to improve the knee slide.

Aside from all these things it's a nice program.

After hating her programs last season, I for the most part really like Alina's short program, but the knee slide - am I the only 1 thinking that someone that has had knee issues (taped most of last year) that it's a stupid risk to do because its putting the knee in a position to take the brunt of her weight if she's behind, stumbles a bit (the showing I saw it looks like that's what happened). I mean she injures the knee in a jump or spin, those are required moves but that knee slide - not required.

 

[LiamForeman]

Maybe Daniil will allow us to see the beauty of a real Al-ina Bauer (Daniil, even the name is made for her. Come on! ) in the FS. I can only hope.

That's brilliant!! From now on an "Alina Bauer" will refer to a totally random Ina Bauer that lasts only two tenths of a second and is put in just to clutter up and get transition points! LOL

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

is junior test skates going to be closed to the public again? I really want to see the new programs!

 

[Tavi...]

I think she tends to hunch when she is chasing the music. This year, that shouldn't be a problem with the music selection. You have to bend at the waist on backcrossovers, it is just a way to gain speed and power. Often this looks like one is hunched when they are not. It is more of a stylistic issue.

When you learn back crossovers, you’re generally told to think of sitting in a chair - which means you’re bending your ankles, knees, and hips, not your waist. If you take a look at Kostornaia, Shoma Uno, or pretty much any ice dancer, you’ll see that when they bend forward it’s generally from the hips - maintaining a straight line in the back - rather than breaking at the waist and forcing the hips out of line.

 

[Happy Skates]

is junior test skates going to be closed to the public again? I really want to see the new programs!

Yup! It will be live streamed, so I'm sure there will be videos available afterwards!

 

[Vilord]

I know its been posted before but this thread grows so quickly its hard to find old post so could some kind soul remind us of when the test skates starts today and post the link to the stream?

 

[Happy Skates]

I know its been posted before but this thread grows so quickly its hard to find old post so could some kind soul remind us of when the test skates starts today and post the link to the stream?

https://www.1tv.ru/sport/figurnoe-katanie-na-pervom

I believe it starts 2pm Moscow time, though I'm not sure whether the girls come before or after the boys.

 

[monochrom3]

After hating her programs last season, I for the most part really like Alina's short program, but the knee slide - am I the only 1 thinking that someone that has had knee issues (taped most of last year) that it's a stupid risk to do because its putting the knee in a position to take the brunt of her weight if she's behind, stumbles a bit (the showing I saw it looks like that's what happened). I mean she injures the knee in a jump or spin, those are required moves but that knee slide - not required.

She doesn't have a knee injury. What she has is Osgood Schlatter's Disease (OSD), which causes pain due to tendon inflammation when the person is growing during puberty. It causes no pain or discomfort outside of 'flares' during active growth and has no lasting repercussions after the period of growth. It doesn't make the knee more susceptible to injury either. Its pretty common in athletes, and Nathan Chen also had it in the past – but is perfectly fine now.

Given that her growth has stabilised already more or less, it is likely that it no longer bother her. She previously also did the same knee move in her Olympic Season (DQ) with no problem. The stumble was likely due to the fact that she was going too fast into the move and perhaps wasn't able to control it well, and seems to be more due to the fact that the program is pretty new, as opposed to actual knee pain.

 

[Watch]

The vocals in Alina's SP are a bit too overpowering for my taste, but overall I like where the program is going. Never warmed up to POTO last season, so this one is a welcome change. Looking forward to how it develops!

And I'm very excited for the junior test skates today. A shame I can't watch the stream.

 

[katymay]

When you learn back crossovers, you’re generally told to think of sitting in a chair - which means you’re bending your ankles, knees, and hips, not your waist. If you take a look at Kostornaia, Shoma Uno, or pretty much any ice dancer, you’ll see that when they bend forward it’s generally from the hips - maintaining a straight line in the back - rather than breaking at the waist and forcing the hips out of line.

Ice dance is an whole 'nother thing. Speaking as someone who WAS a figure skater, and in fact, once upon a (long) time ago a national competitor, this would be ideal, but it isn't always the reality. It is EVERYTHING in ice dance though, with that I agree.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

I can’t get the stream to work for the junior test skates. Can anyone give me a quick summary of what’s going on with the ladies? I need music choices!

 

[karina17]

I can’t get the stream to work for the junior test skates. Can anyone give me a quick summary of what’s going on with the ladies? I need music choices!

Group 1:

Viktoria Vasilieva: Dark lyrical music transitioning into the Diva Dance (it's probably a Fifth Element program but I can only recognise the last piece). 2A, 3Lz (fall), 3Lo.

Anastasia Tarakanova: Man with Harmonica. 2A, 3Lo, 3Lz-3T.

Kamila Valieva: Spiegel im Spiegel, Edith's Theme. 3Lo, 2A, 3Lz-3T.

Alyona Kanysheva: The Earth Prelude. 2A, 3Lo, 3Lz-3T.

The next group is warming up now: Kseniia Sinitsyna, Daria Usacheva, Anna Frolova, Maya Khromykh (in the order they were called out).

 

[Resa]

Tarakanova SP:
https://youtu.be/7AHyYwO7TMk

- - - Updated - - -

I like it

 

[Tavi...]

Ice dance is an whole 'nother thing. Speaking as someone who WAS a figure skater, and in fact, once upon a (long) time ago a national competitor, this would be ideal, but it isn't always the reality. It is EVERYTHING in ice dance though, with that I agree.

Thanks for your response. I agree it’s not always the reality. But I think for some singles skaters, less than ideal form is more habitual and noticeable than for others. For me, personally, when it’s too frequent or obvious, it detracts from my enjoyment of the skater’s performance.

 

[Edwin]

From what we have seen today at the Test Skaters, Moscow Rules and Sankt Peterburg is down. Other regions play no role at all in girls single skating.

Khrustalniy:
Kanysheva, Khromikh, Usachyova, Valiyeva;
CSKA, Davydov's team:
(Tarusina didn't compete because of a cold), Vasilyeva;
Snow Leopards:
Sinitsina, Frolova, Tarakanova.

What are the main similarities and biggest differences between these teams?

 

[Jontor]

This is how I would have ranked the girls after today

Valieva - she was outstanding
Kanysheva - has improved a lot after moving to Eteri
Sinitsyna
Khromykh
Tarakanova
Usacheva
Frolova
Vasilieva

 

[Elana]

Does anyone else really like Daria?

My unpopular opinion... I prefer her skating to kamila’s, I think she’s a stunning performer. I also prefer her sp to kamila’s, I think it is elegant and has a great flow and I love the song. And nothing against Kamila, but am I the only one who thinks that her sp has too many leg lifts/kicks/extensions? Like I know she’s got great flexibility, however I think it’s over used in that program of which everyone seems to praise. Obviously the choreo is not Kamila’s fault and she is still an exquisite skater, but I find her short to be slightly over-hyped.

 

[SnowWhite]

Does anyone else really like Daria?

My unpopular opinion... I prefer her skating to kamila’s, I think she’s a stunning performer. I also prefer her sp to kamila’s, I think it is elegant and has a great flow and I love the song. And nothing against Kamila, but am I the only one who thinks that her sp has too many leg lifts/kicks/extensions? Like I know she’s got great flexibility, however I think it’s over used in that program of which everyone seems to praise. Obviously the choreo is not Kamila’s fault and she is still an exquisite skater, but I find her short to be slightly over-hyped.

I kind of agree about Kamila' SP, but I don't agree about Daria's. I do like that song, but not really for her.