2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[DenissVFan]

How many girls were at test skates? It wasn't absurdly low number wasn't it? I think it should be like 30 plus ladies not 16 or whatever it was.

8 (it was supposed to be 9).

 

[icecreamandsprinkles]

Sorry if this is not relevant but I’m not sure where to ask. Since it was brought up before that Anna’s mom is super small and petite, that puberty may not hit Anna as hard.

But I was looking on instagram, and someone said that Kamila Valieva’s mom is very tall and curvy. Is there anyone who knows or can verify this? She has so much potential but genetics are not on her side if so. Her legs are very long, so I can see her ending up being very tall.

But keep in mind that genetics are not everything as well since I’m 5’2 (done growing years ago by 14). While my mom is 5’7 and dad is a little above average height. So even if her mom is tall, it doesn’t mean she will be. But I noticed very tall girls tend to have trouble with their jumps and URs.

 

[*~RussianBleux~*]

How many girls were at test skates? It wasn't absurdly low number wasn't it? I think it should be like 30 plus ladies not 16 or whatever it was.

16....I wish! There were 9 invited. Yes 9. 8 completed (Tarusina w/d before) and 7 finished (Vasilieva w/d after short).

Coincidently there are 9 spots for girls to receive one JGP assignment assuming 6 will get two. This is why it seems predetermined to me, like it was already decided before test skates rather than after like it should be. They seemingly picked the 9 for the JGP based on their coach rather than on merit which isn’t fair to girls with similar results who didn’t even get a chance to test.

 

[LiamForeman]

Sorry if this is not relevant but I’m not sure where to ask. Since it was brought up before that Anna’s mom is super small and petite, that puberty may not hit Anna as hard.

But I was looking on instagram, and someone said that Kamila Valieva’s mom is very tall and curvy. Is there anyone who knows or can verify this? She has so much potential but genetics are not on her side if so. Her legs are very long, so I can see her ending up being very tall.

But keep in mind that genetics are not everything as well since I’m 5’2 (done growing years ago by 14). While my mom is 5’7 and dad is a little above average height. So even if her mom is tall, it doesn’t mean she will be. But I noticed very tall girls tend to have trouble with their jumps and URs.

Well, the Olympics are only two and a half years away.... I would imagine if someone was determined enough they could delay a lot of their growth until after OG. But it might destroy some potential Olympians' dreams.

 

[nussnacker]

16....I wish! There were 9 invited. Yes 9. 8 completed (Tarusina w/d before) and 7 finished (Vasilieva w/d after short).

Coincidently there are 9 spots for girls to receive one JGP assignment assuming 6 will get two. This is why it seems predetermined to me, like it was already decided before test skates rather than after like it should be. They seemingly picked the 9 for the JGP based on their coach rather than on merit which isn’t fair to girls with similar results who didn’t even get a chance to test.

They definitely could've invited more, but is it necessarily due to politics?
Kadyrova is coached by Tatyana Mishina and by Mishin as well, since they work together. It's certain Mishin has enough power and is well respected and certainly isn't any less powerful than those coaches, so maybe it isn't about politics?
I don't know much about Safonova, just looked her up on fskate, and it looks like she placed higher on jrnats, but on almost all other competitions she's been consistently placing lower than all of those girls, correct me if i'm wrong on this
And on Moscow cup, she competed in ladies (or adults), while other girls competed in cms(younger age or smth like that), and they still scored higher than Safonova.

But I too think rusfed could've invited more, why not? They've invited so many boys, and such low number of girls for some reason...
it all seems very strange, and I agree that those 2 should've been invited, since they showed quite a few good skates during last season.

 

[Scott512]

I don't think Alina cares... at this point, she's been through too many things said about her in media, that's not something she will pay attention to.
But Russia did indeed treat Shabotova rough, given it was a silly joke by a kid.
It seems like doping (even if it's a joke) isn't a laughing matter now in Russia, given how huge the problem was and how hard it was to overcome it.
I have no idea how it will play out for Nastia.
in Shabotova's case, afaik rusfed actually did comment on the matter and said they will do check ups in Sambo-70, Shabotova's coach commented that she will talk to her.
In this case, no one spoke about the matter yet, so maybe it will be swept under the rug and Nastia will be able to get some assignments.
However, it sure is not going to make her life any easier.
This news spread like wildfire in russian media, all top newspapers reported on it, so at this point Nastia will be lucky if she won't get remembered solely for this incident, like Shabotova did.

I have seen nothing about this story on the internet. It's terrible that somebody would bring the story up from a year-and-a-half ago but I'm hoping this news will pass and Nastya can get on with her career.

Like you Nuss I don't think Alina cares. she would probably be more upset that somebody dug this story up from a year-and-a-half ago then what Nsstya said about Alina being either a hard worker or "chemistry" or whenever it was.

 

[ec00834]

https://www.instagram.com/p/B03J1NeHxsE/
What TSL said about Daria How can they even compare her to McDonald's?!

 

[Scott512]

16....I wish! There were 9 invited. Yes 9. 8 completed (Tarusina w/d before) and 7 finished (Vasilieva w/d after short).

Coincidently there are 9 spots for girls to receive one JGP assignment assuming 6 will get two. This is why it seems predetermined to me, like it was already decided before test skates rather than after like it should be. They seemingly picked the 9 for the JGP based on their coach rather than on merit which isn’t fair to girls with similar results who didn’t even get a chance to test.

It's not very open open skates is it if so few come? So many more skaters could have come and shown their skills. Russia may have hundreds of really good girl skaters.

 

[Elucidus]

Interesting interview by FFKKR's press representative Olga with ISU technical specialist Aleksandr Kuznetsov: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH86FCYmlLo about the results of Junior Test Skates, the advances internet brought to skating worldwide, the path to the future for Russia's figure skating, the pressure on the boys now advancing

Half of the interview is dedicated to a claim that most of junior ladies ISU judge saw at test skates have more mature and better skating than senior ladies - even in PCS department - and you not even mentioned it? Well, ok

 

[Payako]

Not only that, the reasons of Gubanova's dismissal from CSKA Moscow are public knowledge too and the insiders probably know much more than us. No amount of talent can make up for a bad attitude and work ethics, since it is 'work hard or get out' in Russian FS. Wether a more lenient federation might want to pick up Gubanova? I doubt it. Those federations want results too, and a return on their investment. A 13 year old Shabotova might hold some hidden talents and can still be cleansed of her faults, but a 17 y.o. Gubanova that is on a downward trajectory?

When she has a good head for school and study, entry into SPb's prestigiuous Lesgaft Sports University is a good option for Gubanova and she can still skate and perhaps compete in the students for a different governing body or federation?

Why are you spreading false information?Buyanova expelled gubanova for poor shape.If there were any problems with her character or attitude something like that,at the point of expelling,what's the reason for keeping quiet about this?Have you ever read buyanova's interview about Nastya?She even said Nastya is a real athlete.In contrast, Buyanova said Sotskova is jealous and complaining about her dicisions.Sotskova always wanted to skate to dance music.She tried it last season and failed.She cannot trust buyanova anymore so they stopped working.

Gubanova had injuries which prevent her to train she was supposed to do.Buyanova was disappointed with this.So she kicked out Nastya for poor shape for current tasks.

We cannot trust their words when their words are different. E.g Taraknova and Plushenko.But Gubanova and Buyanova seemed to me there was no conflict between them.And If there are problems with her attitude, why Rukavicin take her late season when she was expelled?

 

[Scott512]

Why are you spreading false information?Buyanova expelled gubanova for poor shape.If there were any problems with her character or attitude something like that,at the point of expelling,what's the reason for keeping quiet about this?Have you ever read buyanova's interview about Nastya?She even said Nastya is a real athlete.In contrast, Buyanova said Sotskova is jealous and complaining about her dicisions.Sotskova always wanted to skate to dance music.She tried it last season and failed.She cannot trust buyanova anymore so they stopped working.

Gubanova had injuries which prevent her to train she was supposed to do.Buyanova was disappointed with this.So she kicked out Nastya for poor shape for current tasks.

We cannot trust their words when their words are different. E.g Taraknova and Plushenko.But Gubanova and Buyanova seemed to me there was no conflict between them.And If there are problems with her attitude, why Rukavicin take her late season when she was expelled?

I pretty much agree with you. Especially how the new coach took her late in the offseason. Naybe we will never know the real answer is but I hope Anastasia gets it together and has a great season. Or it may just have been that Nastya was not in good enough condition at that time for her coach so she said goodbye. I just hope we get some news on the girl soon. But I am a little leery because what can go wrong and Nastyas career usually goes wrong.

 

[Sugar Coated]

https://www.instagram.com/p/B03J1NeHxsE/
What TSL said about Daria How can they even compare her to McDonald's?!

I don’t think they are comparing HER to McDonalds but rather the programs. They are formulaic and designed around checking off boxes in the point system.

But that’s really not the teams fault - why wouldn’t they design programs that get the most points? Yes, I would absolutely prefer Alina hold her Ina Bauer longer. It would make a better artistic program but at the end of the day you play by the rules of the system to get the most points not to please fans. The system needs to find a way to reward holding poses for artistic value.

 

[ec00834]

I don’t think they are comparing HER to McDonalds but rather the programs. They are formulaic and designed around checking off boxes in the point system.

But that’s really not the teams fault - why wouldn’t they design programs that get the most points? Yes, I would absolutely prefer Alina hold her Ina Bauer longer. It would make a better artistic program but at the end of the day you play by the rules of the system to get the most points not to please fans. The system needs to find a way to reward holding poses for artistic value.

TSL was complaining about how Daria was rushing and not holding her positions long enough but I honestly thought she held them for just the right amount of time and compared to Alina, her program shouldn't be considered rushed at all.

 

[Elucidus]

https://vk.com/video-25380626_456255294
TOP content

 

[Fluture]

I‘m not a particular fan of Daria‘s programs as the music choices seem too heavy for a thirteen year old (hasn‘t Kostornaya said she wanted to skate to Lara Fabian but she‘s not ready/mature enough yet? Makes one wonder how Daria who‘s three years younger suddenly is but not the point here) but she was one of the few who actually tried to hold her positions longer and express the music with her body. And sure, the programs were still 100% Eteri style with all those transitions but I really didn‘t mind, I actually quite enjoyed her FS, despite the fall and despite the music I found that wasn‘t the best fit for her. So, I really don‘t get why they‘d take Daria as an example.

I for one am really looking forward to seeing her and Kanysheva at the first JGP.

 

[Elucidus]

So, I really don‘t get why they‘d take Daria as an example.

They take her EXACTLY because of what you said. They don't consider even worthy to talk about other girls choreography because they despise typical Eteri "busy" programs. They aren't interesting for them since they percieve them as "robotic circus routines packed with tricks to get points". But Daria's program was a little closer to the style of programs they like (which are mostly japanese and american skaters choreo and 6.0 era skating) - so they deemed it worthy their attention to try criticize it in attempt to "help her improve it" of course

 

[nussnacker]

https://vk.com/video-25380626_456255294
TOP content

Kamila (apparently asked why she's sad/disappointed):
well, I could've skater better, that's why
(in the changing room)
The last one(spin) yeah, it was okay, but the other two, especially the first one... I didn't do it at all.
It's just I skate normally on practices, and here I got nervous.
It gets easier for me only by the end of the season, by the end of the season I (do it) calmly

my note: this kid is so "Tutberidze" already, they all comment such minor things sometimes in nearly perfect routines. I didn't notice her spins were bad (were they?), but everyone from that team is such a perfectionist, so to her it will count as "I didn't do them at all".
And I hope she'll be able to fight her nervousness, but even being nervous she still delivered 2 amazing performances.

BTW, you can see Kamila walking beside her mom, and she's like... only 1 head above Kamila who's 150cm (4'11), I would suppose 160-165 tops?
But we haven't seen her dad yet

Daria:
Jumps were clean, but stsq.. my twizzles were bad - on a straight leg and stiff,
I need (to do them) more softly, a little more relaxed, I was a little tense on the stsq. But aside from that - it's good.

Ksenia:
All's good. I wasn't really nervous, since it's only the beginning of the season and I will keep on working on my programs.

Viktoria:
Not good. My leg started aching yesterday and we didn't manage to ice it before the event. So now..

Nastia:
The short was good. We also have tomorrow.
I got a little bit sick before my skate, so I'm not in a perfect shape, I could've been in.
So I was very worried because of that.

Alyona:
I feel like I didn't skate as relaxed/free as I can during practices.
I think, let's say, I always had these problems, I can always get tense/tense up.
And because I tense up, I get tired easily because of this tension, and I need to do something about it.

 

[Scott512]

I‘m not a particular fan of Daria‘s programs as the music choices seem too heavy for a thirteen year old (hasn‘t Kostornaya said she wanted to skate to Lara Fabian but she‘s not ready/mature enough yet? Makes one wonder how Daria who‘s three years younger suddenly is but not the point here) but she was one of the few who actually tried to hold her positions longer and express the music with her body. And sure, the programs were still 100% Eteri style with all those transitions but I really didn‘t mind, I actually quite enjoyed her FS, despite the fall and despite the music I found that wasn‘t the best fit for her. So, I really don‘t get why they‘d take Daria as an example.

I for one am really looking forward to seeing her and Kanysheva at the first JGP.

If you don't know why they would use Daria as an example I will ask only one question. Who is Daria coached by? If it's who I think it is you have your answer.

 

[icecreamandsprinkles]

BTW, you can see Kamila walking beside her mom, and she's like... only 1 head above Kamila who's 150cm (4'11), I would suppose 160-165 tops?
But we haven't seen her dad yet

Thank you for answering my question!! So that would be about 5’5? I think 5’5 is okay, but usually female skaters taller than that have some issues with URs/consistency.

I had no idea about her parents, but the person who commented appeared to be Russian so I wondered maybe they had more info?

A lot of the female skaters don’t grow a lot until about 16, so maybe Kamila could hold off until next OG. But growing is definitely an obstacle for every skater. And her legs look like she could end up super tall.

I don’t know enough about her technique to comment on it, but I have read that some people are questioning her technique though.

 

[Fluture]

If you don't know why they would use Daria as an example I will ask only one question. Who is Daria coached by? If it's who I think it is you have your answer.

Still doesn‘t explain why they chose Daria out of all junior skaters. They could have taken Kamila as an example, whose program was much more busy than Daria‘s. But I haven‘t seen the post in question because it says it‘s blocked in my country so I only heard about the comparison of Daria and McDonalds which sounded... well, more than weird to me. (And it would have with every skater as well, not only Daria obviously) I don’t know what the actual tone was and what they wanted to express.