“A cosmic level program”: Russia admired the performance of Shcherbakova at the Grand Prix in the USA
At Skate America, Anna Shcherbakova showed serious fighting qualities and did not leave her rivals a chance. This was stated by the head of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) Aleksander Gorshkov. The silver medalist of the Olympic Games in ice dancing Il'ya Averbukh believes that only Aleksande Trusova is able to compete with Shcherbakova in terms of the complexity of their programs. Meanwhile, many experts agree that American judges underscored the Russian figure skaters.
The performance of 15-year-old Anna Shcherbakova at Skate America was admired by both sports enthousiasts and experts. With mature, confident skating and the first ever clean performance of two quadruple Lutz's brought the girl the first gold medal at the stages of the Grand Prix, and also made her to be perceived as one of the main favourites of the season in women's single skating.
Her mentors, Eteri Tutberidze and Daniil Gleikhengauz, were one of the first to congratulate their pupil. Later, the coach posted a group photo on Instagram with the caption: “One down!” and the choreographer thanked all fans of the talented Shcherbakova.
"Yes! Congratulations to Anna Shcherbakova and our entire team with the Gold medal at the Skate America Grand Prix! Thanks to everyone who stayed awake and supported, ” Gleikhengauz' message reads.
The head of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) Aleksander Gorshkov praised Shcherbakova and noted that the 15-year-old girl was able to show her character and pull herself together after a not so successful short program, after which she took an intermediate fourth place.
“Anya is just great, she did it. We all understand perfectly how difficult it was for our athletes to perform after an almost 24 hour flight to the USA, how difficult it was to compose themselves. But she ... did everything she could, a small, fragile girl showed serious fighting qualities at the first stage of the senior Grand Prix, managed two quadruple Lutz's. I congratulate her and the whole team of Eteri Tutberidze - they did not leave a chance to the rivals”, TASS quotes Gorshkov.
For her free program, Shcherbakova received 160.16 points, which is the second highest result in history. According to this indicator, she beat the current Olympic champion Alina Zagitova and Alyona Kostornaya and is second only to Aleksandra Trusova (163.78). At the same time, the latter received such high marks at a Challenger class tournament in Bratislava, which is significantly inferior to the Grand Prix stages in status.
Tutberidze group choreographer Alexei Zheleznyakov, in an interview with RT, also praised Shcherbakova’s success, but noted that she still has something to work on.
“The free program was performed at a fantastic level - very confidently and professionally. Anna skated very consciously. As a choreographer, I can say that in one moment it was necessary to hold the leg a little longer. But one only talks about such trifles when there is nothing to complain about”, said Zheleznyakov.
He expressed the opinion that Shcherbakov can already be considered one of the favourites of the season, but she needs to continue to demonstrate the highest level.
“In figure skating, it’s very difficult to predict what will happen in the future. If Anya will remain in the same form and continues to skate like this, then, of course, she will fight for the highest places”, the choreographer noted.
According to him, the judges at Skate America slightly underscored Shcherbakova and the other Russian women, which has recently been a common practice.
“I agree that Russian athletes could be given higher scores. But when this is the case, you can’t fight it. I guess why this is happening. In women's skating it is very difficult to compete with the pupils of Tutberidze, and in this way the judges try to give other skaters a chance. But, as Eteri Georgiyevna says, "they will be angrier." In my opinion, for our girls this is a plus. They understand that they can’t make mistakes, work harder and try to do everything perfectly”, Zheleznyakov concluded.
In turn, the silver medalist of the 2002 Olympics, Il'ya Averbukh, said that Shcherbakova has a “cosmic level” program.
“At the moment, only Shcherbakova and Trusova can oppose each other in this aspect. Other girls can only hope that they will make mistakes. If they will perform in the same way as Anna did today, their rivals will not have a chance”, he explained to RT.
At the same time, the famous coach Artur Dmitriyev believes that the triumphal skating run of Shcherbakova is not an accident. In his opinion, Anna has all the necessary qualities to become a leader in women's figure skating.
“I know that Anna has several quadruple jumps. She is technically stronger than her opponents, including in jumping elements. Anna this way easily bypasses rivals, it is very difficult for them to catch up. It would be good for her when she can keep all this, but I am very happy for her. The main difficulties will begin during the transitional age, when she will be 16 or 17. It will be much more difficult than it is now”, RIA Novosti quotes Dmitriyev.
The merited coach of Russia and the USSR in figure skating Tat'yana Tarasova reacted much more violently to the triumph of Shcherbakova. According to her, in the future, American fans will have to wait a long time for such a show.
“This was a historical competition. What Shcherbakova did today - showing two such quadruple Lutz's - is the first time in history ... One hundred years it will be necessary to wait for such records. And Lisa (Tuktamysheva. - RT), of course, shot up from fifth place, ” Tarasova expressed her opinion.
Agreeing with her was Olympic champion Alexey Yagudin. According to him, lovers of figure skating in Las Vegas were lucky to witness this historical moment.
“It was really cool. And it doesn’t matter that Anna climbed from fourth to first place - it happened, and from the sixth she broke through. Today it is important that both of our girls presented us a real miracle, presented a celebration of sport. We are proud of our skaters”, said Yagudin.
Nevertheless, the famous athlete drew attention to some negative episodes of the tournament. He was dissatisfied with the judges' marks on Skate America, expressing the opinion that they slightly underscored the Russians.
“I don't quite agree with the scores at this competition, including for the under rotations of both Tuktamysheva and Shcherbakova in their short programs. I’m not entirely in agreement with the marks for their free program, but I’m a commentator, not a judge ” the four-time world champion admitted.
He put special emphasis on the marks of the skaters for components, focusing on the marks of Tuktamysheva. According to him, given her artistry and skill, she could count on much more than 64.30.
“In my opinion, Tuktamysheva generally demonstrates an absolutely mature, well-proven skating with her own timely charm, which cannot be rated so low on the components”, concluded Yagudin.
Averbukh also agreed with him: according to him, Yelizaveta had the right to count on a silver medal.
“In the free program, Tuktamysheva showed a crazy performance. I think the judging was not entirely correct, which prevented her from taking second place. According to Alexey Mishin, she is a guiding star for all skaters over the age of 15-16. She demonstrates that even at a more mature age, you can continue to show outstanding results”, Averbukh added.
The head of the FFKKR was also pleased with the performances of Tuktamysheva, especially noting her ability to remain composed in difficult situations.
“Yelizaveta Tuktamysheva is in the most difficult circumstances, in extreme competition, she managed - doing two triple Axels, once again demonstrating the fruits of serious work with coach Alexey Mishin”, Gorshkov emphasised.
The mentor himself said that his pupil fought on equal terms with Shcherbakova. He drew attention to the fact that at the moment Tuktamysheva is the only skater performing a triple Axel.
“These are elements from the arsenal of men that not everyone performs so well. She remains one of the few skaters who owns this unique leap”, Mishin said.
He admitted that he considers the judging at the Grand Prix stage in the USA controversial, but assured that Tuktamysheva will continue the struggle for reaching the final of the competition.
“To compete with US athletes on the American continent is very difficult. Not because they are so far superior to us, but because they have a home advantage. But we, of course, will fight for reaching the final, ”the expert added.
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From:
https://russian.rt.com/sport/article/678856-scherbakova-tuktamysheva-skate-america-reakciya
). They truly found the new level of nastiness. "Kid, her jumps won't hold, rise age eligiblity, she will be put away like others from the school of Eteri Tutberidze," etc. Well, when fans discuss it here, I disagree but people have the right for the opinion. But commentators should preserve some dignity and neutrality, you shouldn't hear their wish "fall and break your leg" behind every jump, but that was exactly how they commented Anna's skate.
They have succeeded.
