2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Alex65]

Perhaps this was the first event of the season, after which there is not a single complaint about the judges here . Well, I like it. But I doubt that complaints will not start again in the next competition when the results become closer.

 

[Vandevska]

All i know is that I can't wait to see Aliona again.

 

[flanker]

And I can't wait to see comments "why Alina is so overscored in PCS" and "Aliona is wasting her talent in Khrustalnyi" again

 

[Fluture]

All i know is that I can't wait to see Aliona again.

I‘m looking forward to it too. As well as seeing Alina and her with whatever IdF comes up with as medals this year.

 

[voolfee]

Wouldn't it be cool if Russia sent Trusova, Scherbakova and Kostornaia to Worlds
And Zagitova, Medvededa and Tuktamysheva to Europeans?

I don’t think so, I want to see Alina at Worlds defending her title. Anyway, I don’t think that rusfed will divide team like that and will deprive 3A of the European title. It will be wrong.

 

[Fluture]

I don’t think so, I want to see Alina at Worlds defending her title. Anyway, I don’t think that rusfed will divide team like that and will deprive 3A of the European title. It will be wrong.

All I know is that it will be heartbreaking to see whoever ends up staying at home. Especially from the 4A. Let‘s assume three of them make up the team, that will leave one of them to stay at home alone. So, one of Kostornaya and Shcherbakova (assuming that, as of now, Zagitova and Trusova are safe bets) will not make it...

I know those are the rules and life and all but it seems cruel. Are there any spring competitions where we can send the poor girls to whose season would otherwise end after Nationals?

 

[fabienne1996]

I don’t think so, I want to see Alina at Worlds defending her title. Anyway, I don’t think that rusfed will divide team like that and will deprive 3A of the European title. It will be wrong.

Depending on how the 3a will do and how alina will do it also could very well be that alina would not be on the world team either way, depends on how the season of all skaters progresses

 

[Edwin]

I am replying to your comment because i find it really to the point ( and comments about commentators...i got bored of them over pages and pages , haha ). I also noticed that the first half has choreograph now !!! Having transitions and choreography between quads is really difficult and you dont see that always in men ( despite of them performing quads more years than women...). Watching Yuzus performance in the free programm, i somehow believe that Sasha is on the right path to make those quads to seem effortless and that we will not get bored for long preparations between them. And, honestly, i enjoyed her perfomance yesterday a lot ! The power from her quads and the skating skills between them gave me a feeling of fullfilment and pure joy about her being able for such technical content.

If Aleksandra and her coaches are comfortable with this program layout and the distribution of the jumps, it will only get better over time.

Competing in the Moscow stage of the GP, in front of a huge home crowd (no doubt the 14k seats Megasport can be sold out many times over) I think will give Aleksandra the incentive to compete solidly and cleanly, trying to achieve the maximum score.

There is even more time before the GP final to put the finishing touches on both Aleksandra's programs.

 

[doublequad]

wasn't tracy wilson the tsn female commentator? she's one of the nicest skating coaches out there

 

[Tolstoj]

I think even biased commentary should have some limits without getting straight up nasty and rude. Sometimes, they cross that line and it’s not unnatural to be shocked at lengths these people go. Like, is it okay to say “you can go and have a toilet break during the first half of her program, because there’s not much jumping happening here”??? The hell, it’s so rude!

We all know if Trusova was from any other country, they would be overwhelmed with joy and pride over an athlete, who’s making history and pushing limits like no other. But some people are just jealous and don’t have much kindness in their hearts.

Yes sometimes it's not nasty to point out negative aspects, it's just rude because they are jealous.

I didn't mind Tarasova's commentary in the past (worth noting i know very little of russian so that could be why), cause in general i value a lot any comment from former skaters, former coaches especially those who have achieved such big successes, they've been there: they know how it feels like training skaters for the Olympics, staying with them during the rough times, and they know when athletes should push it harder.

And most importantly, i appreciate more in general the person who tells you straight in your face what they think, than the fake happy, hiding the shadiness with some inside joke here and there.

Let's be honest: artistry is easily Trusova's biggest weakness, her skating skills aren't as bad (Alysa Liu also lacks in skating skills btw), she does very cool moves like her beautiful cantilever which justify high marks for transitions, but personally i want to see more facial engagement and more flow. The short program is a better veichle for her on that regard.

That doesn't change that with her technical abilities she can beat every single skater in the world right now regardless of what components she will get, and her TES in the free can beat most of the men too.

 

[Fluture]

Depending on how the 3a will do and how alina will do it also could very well be that alina would not be on the world team either way, depends on how the season of all skaters progresses

It‘s way too early to call that either way. Alina will have to skate her first full competition. Next week should be an indication of her vs. Kostornaya. Her vs. the others will come at GPF. As of now, Alina has skated very well and shown that she can keep up with the others even without these ultra difficult elements. She will have a lead over all of her teammates in the SP unless Kostornaya debuts a 3A and/or the judges raise her PCS (which they should but that‘s another story). In the FS she‘s more than capable of scoring in the 154 range, considering that while her score at JO was in a commercial event, she also had a few level 3s there, so it all pretty much events out. Coupled with her SP lead, I can see her winning over Anna and Aliona. Sasha, imo, is a different story unless she makes multiple mistakes. Out of all the Russian girls without 3A or quads, she has the best chance right now. Of course, lots of things can change during the season and I believe that‘s your point. But we shouldn’t forget that Alina is a seasoned competitor and the judges like her a lot. I believe that if she skates well, she will be sent to Worlds as she is pretty much a safe bet to get high scores, whereas skaters like the rest of the 3A are a bit more risky with their quads and 3As.

 

[fabienne1996]

It‘s way too early to call that either way. Alina will have to skate her first full competition. Next week should be an indication of her vs. Kostornaya. Her vs. the others will come at GPF. As of now, Alina has skated very well and shown that she can keep up with the others even without these ultra difficult elements. She will have a lead over all of her teammates in the SP unless Kostornaya debuts a 3A and/or the judges raise her PCS (which they should but that‘s another story). In the FS she‘s more than capable of scoring in the 154 range, considering that while her score at JO was in a commercial event, she also had a few level 3s there, so it all pretty much events out. Coupled with her SP lead, I can see her winning over Anna and Aliona. Sasha, imo, is a different story unless she makes multiple mistakes. Out of all the Russian girls without 3A or quads, she has the best chance right now. Of course, lots of things can change during the season and I believe that‘s your point. But we shouldn’t forget that Alina is a seasoned competitor and the judges like her a lot. I believe that if she skates well, she will be sent to Worlds as she is pretty much a safe bet to get high scores, whereas skaters like the rest of the 3A are a bit more risky with their quads and 3As.

That's why I said it depends on how all skaters do in the continuing season

 

[[email protected]]

I think even biased commentary should have some limits without getting straight up nasty and rude. Sometimes, they cross that line and it’s not unnatural to be shocked at lengths these people go. Like, is it okay to say “you can go and have a toilet break during the first half of her program, because there’s not much jumping happening here”??? The hell, it’s so rude!

We all know if Trusova was from any other country, they would be overwhelmed with joy and pride over an athlete, who’s making history and pushing limits like no other. But some people are just jealous and don’t have much kindness in their hearts.

Be careful about this word - I received my share of attacks for using it last season

 

[[email protected]]

Would that be the lengths to which Yagudin went? (Or at least the translations I’ve read). Rude, nasty and utterly uncalled for.

And the comments that Averbukh made, which I believe some posters here were laughing about. (And I am not at my desktop, so I cannot quote, but I will edit tomorrow) The translations I read, rude, nasty and utterly uncalled for.

Both commentators only proved that they were far from amusing and not at all informative.

I agree that all commentators should be like Ted. If only

There is a difference. Averbukh, Yagudin, TAT - they are not political correct, of course, sometimes to the level of nastiness. But, political correctness is not what Russia is famous for. And what is even more important, they are biased and opinionated but it extends to their personal preferences rather than some patriotic feelings. Like TAT being clearly displeased with Eteri's success, never naming Alina by her first name, etc. What people are pointing out to here is a clear national bias of some Western commentators.

And what about "what about?" If I am not mistaken, you have been one of the most decorated critics of this approach to reasoning.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

There is a difference. Averbukh, Yagudin, TAT - they are not political correct, of course, sometimes to the level of nastiness. But, political correctness is not what Russia is famous for. And what is even more important, they are biased and opinionated but it extends to their personal preferences rather than some patriotic feelings. Like TAT being clearly displeased with Eteri's success, never naming Alina by her first name, etc. What people are pointing out to here is a clear national bias of some Western commentators.

The commentary was not based on national bias haha. Maybe if you watched the TSN commentary on the other skaters or in general commentary from other broadcasters concerning other skaters you would see that they enjoy and love many of the other ladies from different countries even from Russia. Pulling out the national bias card whenever someone criticizes one of your favorite skaters is just ridiculous at this point especially considering that you guys constantly bash and criticize non-Russian skaters here in this thread just because they are not Russian or from a certain camp.

 

[Scott512]

A lot of them are just geoblocked in the US... there's different search results if you use a vpn(I use zenmate).

all this video blocking and why it's happening is very confusing especially since I'm used to seeing any video I want on YouTube. I mean it's like you have to be a brain surgeon or a future brain surgeon like Alyiona the figure this stuff out.

And I can't wait to see comments "why Alina is so overscored in PCS" and "Aliona is wasting her talent in Khrustalnyi" again

Get ready it's going to happen again.

With the way 3A look this year the pressure is on Alina to skate at the incredibly high level of her tiny teammates. I'm hoping Alina is done with puberty. I think she is done with puberty but you never know especially the way it hangs on to some girls like Nastya.

One of the most important questions of the weekend is did Tina make it to Canada?

 

[[email protected]]

The commentary was not based on national bias haha. Maybe if you watched the TSN commentary on the other skaters or in general commentary from other broadcasters concerning other skaters you would see that they enjoy and love many of the other ladies from different countries even from Russia. Pulling out the national bias card whenever someone criticizes one of your favorite skaters is just ridiculous at this point especially considering that you guys constantly bash and criticize non-Russian skaters here in this thread just because they are not Russian or from a certain camp.

"You", "We" - I have no idea what you are talking about. If you bring any example of when I personally "constantly bash and criticize non-Russian skaters here in this thread just because they are not Russian" I would really appreciate that. I will read it carefully and if, in fact, there is just a small grain of truth in that I shall reconsider my behaviour.

In a nutshell my sincere view on the non-Russian senior skaters this season:

Rika is an amazing full-package skater. If she brings back the lutz she is competitive with all top Russians but Trusova. If she does that and introduces a high quality 4S she is competitive even with Sasha.

Young is a nice surprise this season. Her skating is precise and effortless. I find her programs boring, though. And I think that she is somewhat too favorably judged vs. Liza. But it's not her fault - it's just Liza's drama because of too many good Russian skaters.

Bradie is my favorite US skater since the last season. My major discontent was again with the judges at SA because I felt that her score was unfair vs. Liza. I like Bradie's style. I like that she has many more transitions than "traditional North American school" assumed as normal. I enjoyed both her last season programs and short program this season. I am much less convinced about her free program. She is about fast sharp movements. My view is that lyrical princess-like programs are a clear miss with her.

Kaori is growing with me. She has a bright personality, big jumps, and occasionally outstanding programs which are sharp contrast to "usual Japanese boredom". Her jump content, though, has to go up.

Satoko. I can at least understand why some people adore her. But for me over those year I have developed the clear "no". Her jumps are tiny, she does not bring anything new doing the same stuff year after year. And whatever "artistic qualities" she has they are all melted in the ultimate boredom of her look-alike programs.

Other non-Russian skaters? Frankly speaking, at this moment I just don't care much about them. Same as I don't care much about Stasya's skating, about what Maria Sotskova is going to show, about if Nastya Gubanova get a GP assignment or not. So, at least with myself I see very little nationalistic bias. May be I would not so loudly protest if the injustice that happened to Liza happened to, say, Kaytlin Osmond, also a former world champion. If, say, she came back and for her Olympic level performances she received 205 rather than 225, I suppose, I would let other people be indignant. But that is a clearly imaginary situation...

 

[nussnacker]

Loved what Ted said about about Alexandra. He’s such a nice person.
If someone can get his full comment here, it would be nice.

 

[Scott512]

The commentary was not based on national bias haha. Maybe if you watched the TSN commentary on the other skaters or in general commentary from other broadcasters concerning other skaters you would see that they enjoy and love many of the other ladies from different countries even from Russia. Pulling out the national bias card whenever someone criticizes one of your favorite skaters is just ridiculous at this point especially considering that you guys constantly bash and criticize non-Russian skaters here in this thread just because they are not Russian or from a certain camp.

Are you talking about the occasional Alysa criticism here? I have noticed some posters sometimes be harsh on her in a Russian ladies thread and I know why. She is the real threat to the dominance of the Russians junior girls. She can score very high as can Kamila. Junior Grand Prix final and Junior World should be major events for us fans. No one knows what's going to happen which is why we watch.

 

[Vandevska]

And I can't wait to see comments "why Alina is so overscored in PCS" and "Aliona is wasting her talent in Khrustalnyi" again [emoji317]

For sure we won't be seeing the second part especially with her 3A now. All I'm hoping is for Aliona to get the PCS she deserves. [emoji4]