2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Mathman]

Sorry, but Alena also has her weaknesses.

Still, she won every international event that she competed in last season, including the Grand Prix Final and Europeans.

So that's pretty good, IMHO.

 

[Scott512]

Aliona is a special, rare talent. I think the whole world took notice of her last season. She is the most talented skater so far of any of the Eteri girls. Saying this doesn’t diminish the others, who are all talented - each skater has their own strengths and weaknesses, but Aliona has the complete package.

Perfectly stated TG. What you said was very fair and impartial. No one could disagree with that. And thank you for setting voolfee straight.

 

[dunffvanstorn]

There was an OT discussion about Medvedeva in the "Rika Kihira goes to Brian Orser" thread, that I don't want to continue there. I'll say here that I see improvement in Medvedeva's basic skating and jumping ability, and she's become a lot more assured and confident with the movement (much less flailing). However, I disagree that she's improved artistically with Orser. She has never hit the high of her 2016 worlds LP, which not only showed off her blade control and sharp body movement, but also drew something natural out of her. They are trying to show off her confidence currently, but nothing special in terms of emotion or unique skating ability.

That’s all subjective.

The western fans used to HATE her pantomiming programs and absolutely love her more subtle interpretation now.

Her flow, speed, edges and jumps are all better with Brian. If people want to compare Zhenya with Eteri vs. Zhenya with Brian, they have to watch her Rostelecom performances last year. That was the moment she was comfortable enough to use the new technique in competitions/under pressure. Before that, she almost always succumbed to pressure and returned to her old technique in competitions.

The thing is - some people think that subtle interpretation, like Zhenya’s currently and Aliona’s are “lack” of interpretation. For me, Aliona interprets her programs in a beautiful, emotional way, mainly with her eyes and with her body movements. You don’t have to smile and make huge facial expressions in order to interpret music. It’s true that at Russian Nationals and at Europeans her interpretation in the free program decreased drastically, I think (and she also stated it) that she was exhausted.

Also, saying that Aliona is not musical is nonsense. And I don’t think Anna is as musical as people say she is (many times, she doesn’t hit the music accents). Of course Anna is musical, but I think her musicality is overrated. What Anna has of special is definitely her interpretation and her charisma, while Aliona’s interpretation is not as charismatic, because she’s more adult/serious in it. That’s what brings confusion to people when trying to compare the two of them. Anna is more charismatic, when she’s performing you want to hug her, because she’s the cutest thing, while Aliona has a more womanly/distant interpretation, which usually tends to make people feel as if she’s not as charismatic.

 

[Fried]

I think everyone agreed that it was Sasha's parents who arranged the coaching change, not Sasha herself. No one blamed Sasha for anything.
And I think it's reasonable to have doubts about their decision when they took her from the best coach for ladies in the world to someone who's just starting out as a coach and has no significant results.
If Plushenko manages to fulfill all the promises he keeps making about Sasha, then it will all have been worth it, but until then, it's not wrong to question this career move.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone questioning her change. I can only remember that sentences were given that suggested that something like this was never expected from her, that she was probably not as innocent as she looks, and so on. From the unspeakable nagging that your comment to Team Tut would be a mockery not to speak. In short, I can't see that the attitude of a number of former "fans" to Sasha in this forum has not changed. And I have to say that I often don't know whether to laugh or cry about it. For my salvation I decided on the first option, because basically the whole thing is just childish.

PS: By the way, it does not matter who was involved to what extent in the decision to change coach. The Trusov family decides, and the Trusov family does not have to defend or attack. The Trusov family knows their daughter and their needs better than any "fan" in a figure skating forum or media gossip. The wellbeing of the child is paramount! Especially today, and given the harrowing news from Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, some people should be aware of this.
Sasha is currently looking happy and satisfied. So there is nothing to complain about.

 

[Skatesocs]

Her flow, speed, edges and jumps are all better with Brian.

Which I say. But no, I'm not going to say that her artistic endeavours have improved with Orser, nor will I acknowledge that the awful choreography of her programs with Orser is simply subjective. Well, she's doing better than that 9/11 LP though.

 

[lopsilceci]

Why is it so difficult to understand that Sasha had a really special connection with Rozanov and him having left Eteri was one of her biggest motivations to go to Pluschenko.

Sergei Rozanov was the one who was with her at her 1st Junior Worlds title, the bond she has with him as a coach was probably bigger than the one she had with Dudakov, but Rozanov was rarely seen on screens and so people tend to forget about him.

It could have been a reason for Sasha personally, but I doubt it was the main reason.
It's a pretty big bet to make for someone who's not even one of your main coaches. And why would her bond with Rozanov be stronger than the one with Dudakov, he was also with Sasha a lot and is a more experienced tech specialist than Rozanov.

 

[lopsilceci]

PS: By the way, it does not matter who was involved to what extent in the decision to change coach. The Trusov family decides, and the Trusov family does not have to defend or attack. The Trusov family knows their daughter and their needs better than any "fan" in a figure skating forum or media gossip. The wellbeing of the child is paramount! Especially today, and given the harrowing news from Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, some people should be aware of this.
Sasha is currently looking happy and satisfied. So there is nothing to complain about.

Sasha does look happy and as strong and motivated as ever. That's the most important thing and I hope she stays that way always

 

[dunffvanstorn]

It could have been a reason for Sasha personally, but I doubt it was the main reason.
It's a pretty big bet to make for someone who's not even one of your main coaches. And why would her bond with Rozanov be stronger than the one with Dudakov, he was also with Sasha a lot and is a more experienced tech specialist than Rozanov.

The thing is - how can you say for sure with whom her bond was stronger? Based on TV interviews and videos? The same as me, I can’t say it for sure.

Rozanov was very low-key and never appeared on screen during interviews at Sambo70. But Sasha’s bond with him at Junior Worlds 2018 really caught my attention, and it’s something I just realized last week when I rewatched the competition.

And also, what if SHE herself wanted to leave Eteri? Does it make her a criminal?

Why people must love Eteri and want to be coached by her in order to be appreciated in this thread?

Jesus, of course there were misunderstandings between Sasha and Her coaching team at Sambo70, we could see the tension rise during kiss and cry since GPF. The constant change of layouts, the poor choreography, the worse costumes than Anna and Aliona, I would have left too. Eteri has too many star students, I would want full attention on me if I were a top skater.

 

[dunffvanstorn]

Which I say. But no, I'm not going to say that her artistic endeavours have improved with Orser, nor will I acknowledge that the awful choreography of her programs with Orser is simply subjective. Well, she's doing better than that 9/11 LP though.

Of course, you can have your opinion and I can have mine But I wonder, tell me who your favorite choreographer is so I can try to understand your aesthetic taste in choreography [emoji3526]

 

[Edwin]

Has Rozanov actually been seen at work with the skaters?

Or is Plyushchenko taking all the center stages in every social media outing having "My athletes" on his tail? Kids probably don't know if this kind of exposure is good or bad for their image, but trade insiders and business professionals surely must have their own opinion on the behaviour of Plyushchenko.

We just have to wait for competition season to start to really appreciate Plyushchenko for what he currently claims to be.

When there won't be an (international 2020/21) season all his bragging and boasting seems premature.

[/B]
Sasha does look happy and as strong and motivated as ever. That's the most important thing and I hope she stays that way always

Aleksandra is oldest in the top girls group (those on FFKKR stipends), so she is the prima, which she perhaps really longed for. She has been working hard too, all previous content restored.

 

[dunffvanstorn]

Has Rozanov actually been seen at work with the skaters?

Or is Plyushchenko taking all the center stages in every social media outing having "My athletes" on his tail? Kids probably don't know if this kind of exposure is good or bad for their image, but trade insiders and business professionals surely must have their own opinion on the behaviour of Plyushchenko.

We just have to wait for competition season to start to really appreciate Plyushchenko for what he currently claims to be.

Yes, he’s been filmed in every Pluschenko video on his Instagram.

Also, he’s the one who supposedly choreographed Sasha’s programs and helped her get her quads back.

 

[Skatesocs]

Eh, Kostornaia isn't naturally musical. I don't see why that matters much. Miyahara isn't either. Nor was Kwan. She's a lesser performer than the other two, as well, though, even though her face is very animated and she moves confidently. Her speed, jumps, and glide help. She does need more work with the way she involves herself with the music, and with her arms.

 

[el henry]

Which I say. But no, I'm not going to say that her artistic endeavours have improved with Orser, nor will I acknowledge that the awful choreography of her programs with Orser is simply subjective. Well, she's doing better than that 9/11 LP though.

Any opinion that says the choreo of all Zhenya's programs with Brian was awful or that Zhenya's artistry did not improve with Brian is simply subjective.

I will not acknowledge otherwise.

So there we are.

 

[Skatesocs]

So there we are.

OK. I'm fine with that.

 

[lopsilceci]

Also, saying that Aliona is not musical is nonsense. And I don’t think Anna is as musical as people say she is (many times, she doesn’t hit the music accents). Of course Anna is musical, but I think her musicality is overrated. What Anna has of special is definitely her interpretation and her charisma, while Aliona’s interpretation is not as charismatic, because she’s more adult/serious in it. That’s what brings confusion to people when trying to compare the two of them. Anna is more charismatic, when she’s performing you want to hug her, because she’s the cutest thing, while Aliona has a more womanly/distant interpretation, which usually tends to make people feel as if she’s not as charismatic.

I would say, with Anna you can see that she's constantly listening to the music and adjusting the speed of her movements to hit the musical cues. She also doesn't exagerate facial expressions but you can still see the emotion in her face.
Aliona is good at interpreting the music with her body but her facial expressions don't really change through the entire music in the angel SP, R&J. Could be that she's tired of this type of music and you can see her having more fun and connecting more with the music in the Twilight program.

 

[dunffvanstorn]

Eh, Kostornaia isn't naturally musical. I don't see why that matters much. Miyahara isn't either. Nor was Kwan. She's a lesser performer than the other two, as well, though, even though her face is very animated and she moves confidently. Her speed, jumps, and glide help. She does need more work with the way she involves herself with the music, and with her arms.

I know subjectivity is subjective and personal and we should be respectful towards other people’s opinions, but...

Are we watching the same skater?

Because your claims about Aliona are so absurd to me, I wonder if I shouldn’t rewatch every single competition of hers to see what you’re seeing. I’m not trying to be hateful towards you, but maybe I’m
Blind.

 

[Skatesocs]

Are we watching the same skater?

Probably not honestly. I regularly feel like I'm not watching the same skating most others in the fandom are. I don't see where all the artistry that people keep losing it over nowadays is, for instance.

 

[Scott512]

Still, she won every international event that she competed in last season, including the Grand Prix Final and Europeans.

So that's pretty good, IMHO.

it is pretty good plus very good which equals great.

I would say, with Anna you can see that she's constantly listening to the music and adjusting the speed of her movements to hit the musical cues. She also doesn't exagerate facial expressions but you can still see the emotion in her face.
Aliona is good at interpreting the music with her body but her facial expressions don't really change through the entire music in the angel SP, R&J. Could be that she's tired of this type of music and you can see her having more fun and connecting more with the music in the Twilight program.

I concur with your analysis of Anna and aliona. I look forward to seeing their continued development in all facets of figure skating. Having a season would help but that is grave doubt..

 

[Jeanie19]

Probably not honestly. I regularly feel like I'm not watching the same skating most others in the fandom are. I don't see where all the artistry that people keep losing it over nowadays is, for instance.

That's fine to have your opinion, but others have theirs too. If we all liked vanilla, chocolate would become obsolete.

Who do you think is an artistic skater or what programs do you think showcase artistry? It appears you like Evgenia 's W.E. Program, which I agree is a masterpiece.

 

[flanker]

Why is it so difficult to understand that Sasha had a really special connection with Rozanov and him having left Eteri was one of her biggest motivations to go to Pluschenko.

Sergei Rozanov was the one who was with her at her 1st Junior Worlds title, the bond she has with him as a coach was probably bigger than the one she had with Dudakov, but Rozanov was rarely seen on screens and so people tend to forget about him.

The time when Sasha won her first world junior title was approx. when Rozanov just joined the team. And he definitely wasn't in Sofia with her. So no, he had zero to do with her title. That's nothing against him, but you people in your enthusuiasm shouldn't twist the facts.