2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Edwin]

Is there one of these graphic diagrams of the qualifying process, which shows the tally of points collected and what these mean in rankings and placement on the JGPF start list?

You know, many boxes on the left and only six on the right side?
It is a bit like a knock out race.

So many substitutions already, it is difficult to understand, let alone device the strategy of best assignment of your skaters.
None of them are untouchable, but chances should be maximized, before it is up to the skaters to 'kill it' out on the ice.

 

[Autumn Leaves]

I hope that Sinitsina builds the character for big international competitions, because she is lovely and talented.
Last year, due to Kostornaya’s injury, Sinitsina had the chance to go JW and shine, but missed it. The judges weren‘t very nice to her, but she made mistakes and looked nervous and less impressive than at domestic competitions. I really hope she overcomes her nerves and shows what she is capable of. With this level of competition in Russia, she cannot afford any mistakes.

 

[Jontor]

I believe that you do not need to add new spots, but you need to go the other way. Need to add a new competition before WC (for example, in the beginning of march). It must satisfy two important limitations: a) should not replace the WС (not threaten status), b) as much as possible the strongest skaters should participate in it. I see a solution in the form of team competition - teams from the strongest ladies of the planet from those who do not participate in the WC.

For example, there are three teams. They are headed by federations with the maximum number of spots (or places if same number of spots) for the past season. In this season would be - Russia, Japan, USA. After that, federation recruit the strongest girls on the planet (not according to some formal criteria and ratings, but in their own opinion, taking into account all factors) from among those who are not invited to the WС. Moreover, the federation has the right to be the first to choose a lady who is a member of this federation and federation obliged to provide own figure skater in a situation where her own federation has not chosen her, but another federation is ready to take this lady. In the case of the choice of figure skaters from other federations (not belonging to these three), any deterministic algorithm for choosing figure skaters is applied (what kind of algorithm - it's secondary details). Each team recruits 8 participants, of which 4 warm-ups (24 skaters) are made. Then occur the usual format of the competition - SP and FP. The team with the highest total results wins. (The algorithm for summing up the results is also secondary now - it can simply be adding up scores or as they are doing now in WTT)

Personally, I would watch such a contest with no less interest and pleasure than a WC.

I like the idea of a new competition. But why not simply add a competition in early March consisting of the Top 30 from the SB list? We can call it the Season World Cup Finals. All other Championships can be as it is today. Then we will finally have the skate off of the top skaters from the season that we all really want to see. And besides, it's crazy to have a SB list each season and not have any rewarding system for the skaters in it!! This works in the skiing sports and it doesn't take away any limelight from the Championships. It just adds another very prestigious title - The World Cup winner.

 

[Edwin]

I hope that Sinitsina builds the character for big international competitions, because she is lovely and talented.
Last year, due to Kostornaya’s injury, Sinitsina had the chance to go JW and shine, but missed it. The judges weren‘t very nice to her, but she made mistakes and looked nervous and less impressive than at domestic competitions. I really hope she overcomes her nerves and shows what she is capable of. With this level of competition in Russia, she cannot afford any mistakes.

Sinitsyna was one of the two who didn't make obvious mistakes and also has Loop combo. Now I am wondering whether she'll be moved from JGP in USA since Alysa Liu and also Tarakanova are there. But only Tarusina is listed as sub. Maybe she'll get better until this competition?

Sinitsyna would be my dark horse, secret weapon. She’ll have to battle with Kanysheva for qualifying 2nd to JGPF I think assuming Valiyeva gets the #1 spot. In the finals it is new life obviously, but the rankings and points tally usually indicate the result.

Kseniya remained cool under pressure, and has the content to impress score wise. JWC, Children of Asia. Plus she is 15, and despite looking young in her face and shape, isn't child-like at all in her confidence and self consciousness.

I’ve interpreted her JWC short interview with Olga Yermolina from FFKKR here, which sustained my impression of her as a cool, collected and determined competitor.

Of course I'd like to see all those Russians in JGPF, but I think for Frolova, Tarakonova, Tarusina and Vasil'yeva, it will be hard to make the finals. Alyona Kanysheva said in the MatchTV report on Test Skates her third JGP season compatriots Tarusina and Vasil'yeva hold a certain advantage ranking wise? Previous rankings are carried forwards or is every JGP cycle new life?

 

[SkateSkates]

Yes based on the performances Sinitsyna was #2 to me

 

[*~RussianBleux~*]

Sinitsyna would be my dark horse, secret weapon. She’ll have to battle with Kanysheva for qualifying 2nd to JGPF I think assuming Valiyeva gets the #1 spot. In the finals it is new life obviously, but the rankings and points tally usually indicate the result.

Kseniya remained cool under pressure, and has the content to impress score wise. JWC, Children of Asia. Plus she is 15, and despite looking young in her face and shape, isn't child like at all.

I’ve interpreted her JWC short interview with Olga Yermolina from FFKKR here, which sustained my impression of her as a cool, collected and determined competitor: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/s...ia-Sinitsyna&p=2433933&viewfull=1#post2433933

Of course I'd like to see all those Russians in JGPF, but I think for Frolova, Tarakonova, Tarusina and Vasil'yeva, it will be hard to make the finals. Alyona Kanysheva said in the MatchTV report on Test Skates FFKKR interview her third JGP season compatriots Tarusina and Vasil'yeva hold a certain advantage ranking wise? Previous rankings are carried forwards or is every JGP cycle new life?

Darya, Maya, and even Alena are hardly consistent based on test skates. If they make mistakes other skaters can crash the party. This is how Samodurova was so successful last year.

At this point I’m not counting on a clean skate from Darya and I think Alena will make minor mistakes. As to how much those mistakes will impact the score of an Eteri skater we can only guess.

I’m finding it difficult to make predictions as to which of the 9 will receive 2 assignments much less make the final this year. The only thing I think we can be sure of is that Kamila is a lock for the final. Frolova if she does receive an assignment will likely get the shaft with that assignment and will end her chances there. I think they see Alena as #2 among the Eteri juniors and will take steps to protect her, so more than likely she’s in for a second assignment as well. Everyone else is in the middle and it will depend entirely on the day. Anything could happen.

Last season was a lot of fun with the 3A and quads but this season the JGP will be a bit more interesting in my opinion. Enter Alysa Liu and potentially 3 Japanese girls with consistent 3As (Mana Kawabe, Kinayu Yokoi, Hana Yoshida) and we are headed for crazy town. All aboard the train!

 

[Vandevska]

Zhenya's Olympics SP on the Olympic YouTube channel finally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ4cNQMWdzU :luv17::luv17::luv17::luv17::luv17:

Also Zhenya about our beloved juniors, as per Google Translate: "It was very nice to look at our juniors. Congratulations on your great rental and the start of the competition season. We will cheer for you! Good luck on the upcoming starts!"

^Taken from: https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Dl0YJokIO/

 

[ruga]

I think that predicting finalists this year is indeed difficult. So far, I'd say Kamila, Daria, Maiia, Alena and Sinistyna/Tarakanova (one of them will be left 3rd in US JGP if no substitutions are made I'm afraid)+Liu. But there are 3 new juniors and another two who have changed coaches. Compare it to last year when there were 3 clear leaders. Now there is just one (Kamila) and it's still hard to know how will this transition to juniors will go for her.

 

[SkateSkates]

I am also wondering what injury Alena had, how long she was off the ice/if she was off the ice, and how long she’s been jumping. Maybe they moved her back to a later JGP so she can prepare more.

I still don’t understand why they only assigned Tarusina as a sub for Lake Placid. I would hope there would be at least 2 subs - one for each entry - just in case

 

[flanker]

Zhenya's Olympics SP on the Olympic YouTube channel finally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ4cNQMWdzU :luv17::luv17::luv17::luv17::luv17:

Also Zhenya about our beloved juniors, as per Google Translate: "It was very nice to look at our juniors. Congratulations on your great rental and the start of the competition season. We will cheer for you! Good luck on the upcoming starts!"

^Taken from: https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Dl0YJokIO/

I'm just reminding that whole olympic skate can be found here:
https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/v...gram-figure-skating-pyeongchang-2018-replays/
https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/v...ting-figure-skating-pyeongchang-2018-replays/
(Just the navigation through the page is sometimes difficult )

 

[Edwin]

I'm just reminding that whole olympic skate can be found here:
https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/v...gram-figure-skating-pyeongchang-2018-replays/
https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/v...ting-figure-skating-pyeongchang-2018-replays/
(Just the navigation through the page is sometimes difficult )

Thanks, and indeed, yes, that scripted (Flash or whatever) page is difficult to navigate, as are many others of sports entities. With some ingenuity, you can download the videos.

 

[nussnacker]

I'd say Sinitsina, Tarakanova, Valieva, Liu are so far my top picks for the final.
I just think Tarakanova had a rocky season last year mainly due to things out of her control and those circumstances have changed now.
She's older, more experienced, has good SS and jumps and I think she's quite determined to show a good season this year to finally move senior next year.
Sinitsina was #4 in the junior world just a few months ago, so she's definitely going into the new season with some reputation compared to younger girls.
Kamila and Alysa are the new junior force, each having tech advantage.
Probably Alyona, Daria, Maya, japanese 3A girls(Mana Kawabe, Kinayu Yokoi, Hana Yoshida) are all lined up for the rest of the spots, depending on number of things landed and how well the programs in general will be executed.
Surely, it all would interesting to watch!

 

[Vandevska]

I'm just reminding that whole olympic skate can be found here:
https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/v...gram-figure-skating-pyeongchang-2018-replays/
https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/v...ting-figure-skating-pyeongchang-2018-replays/
(Just the navigation through the page is sometimes difficult )

Thanks, the navigation is madness

 

[macy]

will Kamila be on the JGP for this year and next year like Alysa?

 

[nussnacker]

will Kamila be on the JGP for this year and next year like Alysa?

yes, both of them will be age eligible for seniors only in 2021-2022 season.

 

[Vandevska]

will Kamila be on the JGP for this year and next year like Alysa?

Yes

 

[Elucidus]

No one wants to watch the JGP in general. That's why it's on youtube. Even with the bottom skaters edited out, the ISU can't sell the broadcasting rights. This is the bottom line about the popularity of the sport and its profit potentials.

This season though Russian First Channel bought the rights to translate ISU JGP. It's a beginning

And that's another reason skating shouldn't go towards centralizing its competitors to the four big federations by giving them more spots: the popularity of the sport will become even more localized than it already is (and it's suuuuuuper localized already), hurting the potential for more profit.

There isn't any profit from small federations countries - and it's never going to be. Whether there will be their athlethes at WC or not. We both know it. What makes profit is attention to many star quality athletes from strong federation countries first. If there will be attention - there will be more money from that countries mostly. HOWEVER with raising popularity in couple of countries - inerest of others is bound to happen. As long as it will become the sport where you can see lots of stars in competitions - it will lose it's nationalistic focus as it was with tennis. People begin to follow particular athlethes - not particular countries. At least I want to believe in that.

 

[*~RussianBleux~*]

I am also wondering about Alena’s injury. Maybe they figure they can send Kamila now while she’s ready to go and give Alena more time to prepare.

I also agree about them wanting to separate Alena and Darya. After test skates the Eteri girls are probably ranked like this: 1. Kamila 2. Alena 3. Darya 4. Maya. Unlike last year where there were 3 Eteri girls, this year there are 4 so two will have to face each other once before the final. They probably decided it was better to have #4 out against #1 than #2 against #3, and will wait on Alena and Darya’s assignments to see if they can get them even better chances without making them eat each other.

 

[[email protected]]

I know I'm in the minority but I'm so strongly against this it's ridiculous. The women's event at Euros is already considered a Russian Nationals, what will we even gain from adding more Russian girls to the top 10? What we will gain: less chances for skaters from smaller federations.

Chances for what - to get an occassional medal when one of 3 Russians stumbles? I would like figure skating to be a sport of skill not a sport of chance.

 

[Ziotic]

Chances for what - to get an occassional medal when one of 3 Russians stumbles? I would like figure skating to be a sport of skill not a sport of chance.

Russia hasn’t sweep the podium for the past three year.

So apparently those stumbles happen enough...

Or maybe they aren’t as skilled at competing when it matters as you’d like to think.