2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Grin]

What’s the likelihood that Anna gets higher PCS than Satoko at Cup of China?
Anna’s FS PCS at Skate America: 67.96
Satoko’s FS PCS at US Classic: 68.80

 

[Globetrotter]

Inna GONCHARENKO: “Kostornaya is naturally feminine, and Zagitova already has proved everything”

Merited trainer of Russia Inna Goncharenko explained why Olympic champion Alina Zagitova does not need ultra-si elements in her programs, what are the features of the winner of the French Grand Prix stage, Alyona Kostornaya, and why not to write off European champion Sof'ya Samodurova.

- Once in an interview before you said that the judges were in no hurry to give high marks to the young athletes. This season, the judges somewhat coolly received Anna Shcherbakova and Aleksandra Trusova, but could not resist the charm of Alyona Kostornaya ...

IG: Young girls still loose to more senior contestants in perceptions. Judges watch the competition live, not on TV. Suddenly this impudent 'little girl', only a teenager, jumps up, and not everyone is ready for this. Spectators come for women's skating. And femininity comes with time. Although it happens to to come natural to some, if we talk about the same Alyona Kostornaya. This is the role of personallity in the history of figure skating, although this rarely happens.

Alyona's complex entry in her triple Axel? I remember her when she was still small, training with Yelena Zhgun - the coach, from whom she went to Eteri Tutberidze. And they always worked on steps, it was such a thing. Therefore, Kostornaya is so familiar and more convenient, plus her steps here are chosen so as to let her down and how to twist into her jump.

22 years of age - not the limit for women's figure skating

- Recently, there has been a lot of talk that figure skating is getting younger. Although if you look at the assessments of 22-year-old Elizaveta Tuktamysheva from different starts this season, you get the feeling that they especially do not want to support her. Although she is an adult athlete, performing for many years, and even with triple Axels.

IG: Not everybody is so critical. In fact, there are a lot of specialists who love and support Lisa, and I am among them. 22 years of age - what about that age? It’s just that now we have approached a galaxy of young talented girls, by the will of fate and the circumstances. We are a little insolent - we forgot those times when we had only one athlete in the competition and we prayed: if only she would not fall and will do everything! And now we are starting to find fault: I haven’t done it.

I think that the girls who are now on the ice do not strive at all to leave the sport early. And the age of Lisa will not be the limit for them. And for Tuktamysheva, judging by her condition, this is also not the limit. She is in excellent physical shape, she is interested, she feels that she can fight.

- What can you say about European champion Sof'ya Samodurova, who is having it very difficult this season?

IG: At the start in Minsk, in comparison with the Test Skates, she has already improved. At the test skates everything was tough, and overweight was still visible. And Sof'ya has good spins, but very low jumps. And as soon as excess weight appears - she no longer has time to tighten and lift herself from the ice. She needs to work, positive developments, in her case, are already visible. Remember last year - how she squeezed the maximum out of her chance to become European Champion! I am sure that Samodurova will still show her character.

Two extra kilograms don't appear out of nowhere

- You talk so openly about being overweight. How strict were you in this regard with your athletes?

IG: Any coach who works at a high level is strict with his athlete, but does not live with him around the clock. A small child is obedient, controlled by his parents, and when he grows up, the coach and parents no longer have a decree for him, it becomes more difficult. I even had to catch students in the store, pulling candy bars and sweets from their pockets.

- Is one little piece of chocolate so critical?

IG: Only when clearly not one and not once a day. After all, weight is added through the mouth, plus obviously any excess is not burned off during training. And do talk to me, as they say, 'I drank a glass of water, and by morning I gained two kilograms'. These are the tales that the athlete tells the coach in the morning.

- Fans on the Internet are extremely emotional about skaters' routines, not always encouraging in their expressions. Can any of this criticism come in handy?

IG: Athletes at this level are no longer offended. They understand: criticism - then you need to bite the bit and work. On the contrary, you need to read everything and think it over: maybe people notice something that I have not seen, we must take this into account. It should work like that.

Zagitova is strong and pure class

- Alina Zagitova is the holder of every possible title in figure skating. At the same time, young classmates have every opportunity to leave her without a place on the team. Many even recall that Alina is in her third senior year and draw parallels with the Olympic season of Yevgeniya Medvyedeva.

IG: There is an opinion that the titled athlete works in training and, as it were, drags young ones along as if in a relay race. After which I must hand over the baton so that they continue to run further. But these young girls by themselves are an incentive for Zagitova. The best workout is competition. Even the effect of competition in the training process. Because when you are quiet and smooth, you come and train in a calm atmosphere, like in a swamp, this is no good. When a person is calm inside, he would be glad to start up - but take emotions from nowhere. A normal athlete uses competition to his advantage.

After all, it often happens the competition's leader for some reason is withdrawn or loses the chance to win. And all the other participants crumble, though it would seem - go and get it! And why? The intensity of competition is falling.

For Zagitova, the respect of Eteri Tutberidze, who clearly does not give her concessions and explains why such an approach is needed. She looks professional. When Alina executes programs cleanly and at a high energy level - it will be enough to get into the national team. Zagitova comes out, and it is clear that she is strong and pure class, it shows and nothing else is needed, the judges will appreciate it.

- Does Zagitova need ultra-si elements in her programs in order to prove something to anyone?

IG: She already proved everything to everyone and became Olympic Champion.
-----
From: https://teamrussia.pro/olimpijskij-...a-zhenstvennost-a-zagitova-uzhe-vse-dokazala/

Thanks for the translation, this is most interesting to read. I had always suspected that Aliona must have trained in ice dance previously as her basic SS, flow and edge / turns are unusually sharp and refined for someone so young. So it looks like we may have Elena Zhgun to thank for making her work on steps and basic footwork, going by what Goncharenko had described.

 

[Nord Stream 2]

What’s the likelihood that Anna gets higher PCS than Satoko at Cup of China?
Anna’s FS PCS at Skate America: 67.96
Satoko’s FS PCS at US Classic: 68.80

Difficult question.
Japanese judge (J9) put incumbent champion of Russia for program with 4Lz, 4Lz + 3T and 3Lz + 3Lo (who from men did this? I don't remember) 62.40.
His other scores are: Brady 68.40, Lisa 67.20, Kaori 66.80, Wakaba 60.80, Karen 60.40.
On my view estimates Satoko and Anna must be very close.

 

[Grin]

Difficult question.
Japanese judge (J9) put incumbent champion of Russia for program with 4Lz, 4Lz + 3T and 3Lz + 3Lo (who from men did this? I don't remember) 62.40.
His other scores are: Brady 68.40, Lisa 67.20, Kaori 66.80, Wakaba 60.80, Karen 60.40.
On my view estimates Satoko and Anna must be very close.

I think both Satoko and Anna are underrated in PCS

 

[Scott512]

I posted this in Aliona's fan fest already, but...

IS THIS FOR REAL???
https://life.ru/t/новости/1253123/5...kat_aliony_kostornoi_soobshchieniiem_o_bombie

Aliona's stalker (from Finland) tried to disrupt IDF with fake bomb threats????? :eeking: :furious:

I hope to God this is not true and that this guy is not dangerous. I did not know this Vadim character was deaf and dumb. One might think How could somebody with those handicaps in life be a danger? He can't hear or speak. I feel for Aliona without question.

But the next day my daughter was able to take a picture with Alena, she was smiling and no one to protect her. It was only when people knew she was there that they sent bodyguards because there was a lot of people around her.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Zqi9_BlN7/?igshid=1bsbfnfifdgqd

Awww that happens to be one of the cutest pictures ever. It's nice to see Alena enjoying herself.

The on your daughter's face is precious. Awww.

 

[katymay]

But the next day my daughter was able to take a picture with Alena, she was smiling and no one to protect her. It was only when people knew she was there that they sent bodyguards because there was a lot of people around her.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Zqi9_BlN7/?igshid=1bsbfnfifdgqd

Alena is so beautiful, and so is your daughter!

 

[moriel]

Was discussing GPF possibilities on another forum, and we were trying to find ways for Medvedeva to go into final.
This one is not even entirely unrealistic:

China: Shcherbakova is clean, Miyahara is propped, Tuktamysheva makes mistakes, Young You kind of bombs.
1. Shcherbakova
2. Miyahara
3. Tuktamysheva
4.
5. Young You * You could be 4th too, it still wont bring her in (nussnacker).

Edit: NHK podium is mostly irrelevant (nussnacker)
Japan: Zagitova is loved and propped after a clean skate, Kostornaia falls on a 3A, Kihira does a 1A in SP and then maybe some mistakes in FS.
1. Zagitova
2. Kostornaia
3. Kihira

Russia: Medvedeva skates clean, gets insane PCs and full fed support and home scoring. Trusova falls more than usual, and fails to make up in TES.
1. Medvedeva
2. Trusova
3. Bell
4. Miyahara


Points:
1. Shcherbakova 15 + 15 = 30
2, 3, 4. Trusova, Kostornaia, Zagitova: 13 + 15 = 28
5. Kihira 11 + 13 = 24
6. Medvedeva 7 + 15 = 22 (passes Miyahara, Tennell, Bell, Tuktamysheva on tiebreakers because she has a gold)


Lemme know if i messed up some math somewhere, and keep in mind this was found through random search, so maybe some less strict logic can be developed on top of this.

 

[nussnacker]

Was discussing GPF possibilities on another forum, and we were trying to find ways for Medvedeva to go into final.
This one is not even entirely unrealistic:

China: Shcherbakova is clean, Miyahara is propped, Tuktamysheva makes mistakes, Young You kind of bombs.
1. Shcherbakova
2. Miyahara
3. Tuktamysheva
4.
5. Young You

Japan: Zagitova is loved and propped after a clean skate, Kostornaia falls on a 3A, Kihira does a 1A in SP and then maybe some mistakes in FS.
1. Zagitova
2. Kostornaia
3. Kihira

Russia: Medvedeva skates clean, gets insane PCs and full fed support and home scoring. Trusova falls more than usual, and fails to make up in TES.
1. Medvedeva
2. Trusova
3. Bell
4. Miyahara


Points:
1. Shcherbakova 15 + 15 = 30
2, 3, 4. Trusova, Kostornaia, Zagitova: 13 + 15 = 28
5. Kihira 11 + 13 = 24
6. Medvedeva 7 + 15 = 22 (passes Miyahara, Tennell, Bell, Tuktamysheva on tiebreakers because she has a gold)


Lemme know if i messed up some math somewhere, and keep in mind this was found through random search, so maybe some less strict logic can be developed on top of this.

I believe NHK Podium will not affect Med‘s chances in any way. It can go anyway, and will have no effect on her chance whatsoever. All three are likely to make it to the final, as long as the bronze medalist scores well to win the tie break.
Young You doesn’t have to place 5th, 4th I think would be enough to be surpassed.

 

[moriel]

I believe NHK Podium will not affect Med‘s chances in any way. It can go anyway, and will have no effect on her chance whatsoever. All three are likely to make it to the final, as long as the bronze medalist scores well to win the tie break.
Young You doesn’t have to place 5th, 4th I think would be enough to be surpassed.

Yep agreed

Added it to the original post.

 

[Mishaminion]

Young You is a threat, she nails her 3As in both programs and she's in. She got 77 for her SP with a successful 3A.

Miyahara I have a feeling will be hosed on her URs.

I would say unless they have total disasters (fingers crossed they skate brilliantly), Anna, Sasha and Alyona are IN.

I think Alina will also be in, she's ironically under even less pressure now with the younger Eteri girls winning their events so far and expected to do so with their second ones.

Liza I'm hoping comes out guns blazing with improvements and layout changes. She still has a decent chance

Zhenya...it is going to be tough for her to make it. In my heart I hope she does but I'm very doubtful.

 

[moriel]

Im just having fun nerding out because simulations are fun

If you guys are interested in code, or in some exotic outputs (as in "how to get the skaters A, B, C in together"), lemme know.

 

[Mishaminion]

Im just having fun nerding out because simulations are fun

If you guys are interested in code, or in some exotic outputs (as in "how to get the skaters A, B, C in together"), lemme know.

Go for it!

 

[LenaRadiFan]

Anna gave an interview to Emma quite recently, I believe they are coaching 2 groups of kids aged 6-7 together with her husband.

Lena has recently performed on the jubilee of a famous Russian songwriter Igor Krutoi, she also did masterclasses for kids.

Thank you nussknacker. I wonder how it looks with the retirement...I mean both kind of don't look like they're gonna come back for competition but I would still love to at least get some sort of farewell? The recent Interviews Lena gave not one talked about her career at all(even though I lvoe her commentary by the way, I feel like she is so very well spoken) so I wonder why she isn't officially retiring yet

 

[Nord Stream 2]

Was discussing GPF possibilities on another forum, and we were trying to find ways for Medvedeva to go into final.
This one is not even entirely unrealistic:

China: Shcherbakova is clean, Miyahara is propped, Tuktamysheva makes mistakes, Young You kind of bombs.
1. Shcherbakova
2. Miyahara
3. Tuktamysheva
4.
5. Young You * You could be 4th too, it still wont bring her in (nussnacker).

Edit: NHK podium is mostly irrelevant (nussnacker)
Japan: Zagitova is loved and propped after a clean skate, Kostornaia falls on a 3A, Kihira does a 1A in SP and then maybe some mistakes in FS.
1. Zagitova
2. Kostornaia
3. Kihira

Russia: Medvedeva skates clean, gets insane PCs and full fed support and home scoring. Trusova falls more than usual, and fails to make up in TES.
1. Medvedeva
2. Trusova
3. Bell
4. Miyahara


Points:
1. Shcherbakova 15 + 15 = 30
2, 3, 4. Trusova, Kostornaia, Zagitova: 13 + 15 = 28
5. Kihira 11 + 13 = 24
6. Medvedeva 7 + 15 = 22 (passes Miyahara, Tennell, Bell, Tuktamysheva on tiebreakers because she has a gold)


Lemme know if i messed up some math somewhere, and keep in mind this was found through random search, so maybe some less strict logic can be developed on top of this.

The only thing we can say for sure is that Zhenya will be on the ice in a very nervous state.
It is clear that we are not talking about the final. It's ridiculous.

It is necessary to think how to get into the expanded national team next year and get the usual funding for Zhenya. Oddly enough, but Zhenya should be interested in the physical condition of Sonya Samodurova and Alena Kanysheva and Lisa's plans for the next season. At the Russian championship, she should get into the top 7. But it will be very difficult to do. Yes, Konstantinova, Sotskova and Sakhanovich are not happy with the results and are unlikely to pose a threat. But Sinitsina and Vasilyeva are fine. Tsibinova, Gulyakova, Nugumanova and Gubanova are waiting for their chance like a hungry shark. Kanysheva trains in Crystal, it says a lot. 4A and Lisa are also ready to fight. Eugenia has to show the best that she can. Otherwise, Rostelecom may stop funding these canadian holidays. Improvements from them see only fans of Zhenya, who remember the good old days and are willing to forgive the regression, visible to the naked eye. Skating from Zhenya without falls has already become a holiday for us and for her. Each element seems heavy and made of the last forces. Even the performance at the world Cup is a parody of the previous Zhenya. The most important thing is her eyes before skating. Such eyes were have Alina in the past year. Eteri has solved this problem.
Many of you will be angry with me, but Zhenya has to change something. With Orser she would hang her skates on a nail in a year. Unfortunately I don't see many coaches who are willing to take the risk and take her on.
I really want to believe that I'm wrong and everything will be fine. But it is not.
Now you can start to scold me the most rude words.

 

[Jontor]

The only thing we can say for sure is that Zhenya will be on the ice in a very nervous state.
It is clear that we are not talking about the final. It's ridiculous.

It is necessary to think how to get into the expanded national team next year and get the usual funding for Zhenya. Oddly enough, but Zhenya should be interested in the physical condition of Sonya Samodurova and Alena Kanysheva and Lisa's plans for the next season. At the Russian championship, she should get into the top 7. But it will be very difficult to do. Yes, Konstantinova, Sotskova and Sakhanovich are not happy with the results and are unlikely to pose a threat. But Sinitsina and Vasilyeva are fine. Tsibinova, Gulyakova, Nugumanova and Gubanova are waiting for their chance like a hungry shark. Kanysheva trains in Crystal, it says a lot. 4A and Lisa are also ready to fight. Eugenia has to show the best that she can. Otherwise, Rostelecom may stop funding these canadian holidays. Improvements from them see only fans of Zhenya, who remember the good old days and are willing to forgive the regression, visible to the naked eye. Skating from Zhenya without falls has already become a holiday for us and for her. Each element seems heavy and made of the last forces. Even the performance at the world Cup is a parody of the previous Zhenya. The most important thing is her eyes before skating. Such eyes were have Alina in the past year. Eteri has solved this problem.
Many of you will be angry with me, but Zhenya has to change something. With Orser she would hang her skates on a nail in a year. Unfortunately I don't see many coaches who are willing to take the risk and take her on.
I really want to believe that I'm wrong and everything will be fine. But it is not.
Now you can start to scold me the most rude words.

Interesting. I never thought of it that way. But it makes sense that, because of funding, the Rostelecom Cup will be a crucial competition for Zhenya. She really needs to be on the podium. Most important competition though will be RusNats. She probably needs to be top five there, but there are many hungry girls chasing her.

 

[Nord Stream 2]

Interesting. I never thought of it that way. But it makes sense that, because of funding, the Rostelecom Cup will be a crucial competition for Zhenya. She really needs to be on the podium. Most important competition though will be RusNats. She probably needs to be top five there, but there are many hungry girls chasing her.

Rostelecom is not only the name of the competition. Rostelecom is a company that pays for the stay of Zhenya and her family in Canada.

 

[Finley]

The only thing we can say for sure is that Zhenya will be on the ice in a very nervous state.
It is clear that we are not talking about the final. It's ridiculous.

It is necessary to think how to get into the expanded national team next year and get the usual funding for Zhenya. Oddly enough, but Zhenya should be interested in the physical condition of Sonya Samodurova and Alena Kanysheva and Lisa's plans for the next season. At the Russian championship, she should get into the top 7. But it will be very difficult to do. Yes, Konstantinova, Sotskova and Sakhanovich are not happy with the results and are unlikely to pose a threat. But Sinitsina and Vasilyeva are fine. Tsibinova, Gulyakova, Nugumanova and Gubanova are waiting for their chance like a hungry shark. Kanysheva trains in Crystal, it says a lot. 4A and Lisa are also ready to fight. Eugenia has to show the best that she can. Otherwise, Rostelecom may stop funding these canadian holidays. Improvements from them see only fans of Zhenya, who remember the good old days and are willing to forgive the regression, visible to the naked eye. Skating from Zhenya without falls has already become a holiday for us and for her. Each element seems heavy and made of the last forces. Even the performance at the world Cup is a parody of the previous Zhenya. The most important thing is her eyes before skating. Such eyes were have Alina in the past year. Eteri has solved this problem.
Many of you will be angry with me, but Zhenya has to change something. With Orser she would hang her skates on a nail in a year. Unfortunately I don't see many coaches who are willing to take the risk and take her on.
I really want to believe that I'm wrong and everything will be fine. But it is not.
Now you can start to scold me the most rude words.

This is going to be an incredibly tough Nationals for Alina, Liza and Zhenya. It's undeniable. I am going to be a very stressed out fan.

Is it possible that private sponsors can decide to fund their training?

 

[thatbeatingheart]

Rostelecom is not only the name of the competition. Rostelecom is a company that pays for the stay of Zhenya and her family in Canada.

Interesting, where did you get that information?

 

[Nord Stream 2]

This is going to be an incredibly tough Nationals for Alina, Liza and Zhenya. It's undeniable. I am going to be a very stressed out fan.

Is it possible that private sponsors can decide to fund their training?

Everything is possible in Russia. Lisa is very popular in St. Petersburg. Alina and Zhenya.... there's no question about it.

 

[Finley]

Everything is possible in Russia. Lisa is very popular in St. Petersburg. Alina and Zhenya.... there's no question about it.

Then as far as the funding issue is concerned, all should be well?

Even if the worst case scenario happens, a private sponsor could still make it possible for a skater to continue training with the coach of their choice.