2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[lesnar001]

Her skating skills are not one of her strengths.

I would say that SOME parts of skating skills are strengths for Alina.
One foot skating, multi-directional skating.

Obviously, not as much with the "effortless gliding" and/or the crossovers.

Whereas, Aliona is strong in all aspects of "skating skills". But what comes to mind the most is her gliding and the efficiency (if that is the right word?) of her crossovers. Best in the sport right now, IMO.

 

[Scott512]

Really?

For real!

I accept that you think Aliona has the best skating skills. But I think it's very vague, there are many criteria and there is no one lady who is better than everyone else. There are some of the best in skating skills that include Aliona and Alina.

Thanks. All of this is opinion based anyway. I believe that pushing Alionas skills does not mean I am denigrating others skills.

 

[Skatesocs]

But what comes to mind the most is her gliding and the efficiency (if that is the right word?) of her crossovers. Best in the sport right now, IMO.

I think it's definitely the best of the Russian Ladies, and ranks very well with the best of the world, but perhaps not *the* best.

I think Zagitova's issues were never resolved with the way she leads across the ice - it's always been from the chest.

 

[Decoder]

Well, when you think about it, with no JGP and GP series there is no other way to qualify to Russian Nationals than via the Russian Cup. So if they want to have a Russian Nationals, this is the logical way to go. It could be fun with all skaters at the Russian Cup.

RusFed could also spread out through the season some Russian "Challengers" where skaters have the opportunity to compete if they feel they need to. Skaters usually compete about 4 times (5-6 times if you are Tuktamysheva) before RusNats, so there might be the need for more competitions than just the Russian Cup.

I think the RusFed can make this into a very exciting Russian season.

Yes!
Last season Ted worked with 1tv to broadcast the Russian Junior Championships and the Russian Nationals. I suppose he's preparing for this season.

 

[moriel]

Yes!
Last season Ted worked with 1tv to broadcast the Russian Junior Championships and the Russian Nationals. I suppose he's preparing for this season.

I hope so. And since many competitions were cancelled, having everything broadcast internationally with Teds comments would probably bring lots of spotlight for all the awesome russian skaters.
I just hope they manage to keep people safe, with proper social distancing and all that.

 

[Artemisa]

I hope so. And since many competitions were cancelled, having everything broadcast internationally with Teds comments would probably bring lots of spotlight for all the awesome russian skaters.
I just hope they manage to keep people safe, with proper social distancing and all that.

It would be great if Ted would comment every stage of russian cup... because let's be realistic the only nation that can have a true championship of figure skating is russia

 

[fabienne1996]

Aljona savchenko just casually beginning to learn 3a and quad toe And that in her mid 30th.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC6BKmoq4fs/?igshid=1g27942q0ik8l

Gesendet von meinem SM-T813 mit Tapatalk

 

[klena]

10-19 August Junior Test Skates announced! They'll be held in Novogorsk. Hoping for broadcast!

 

[Shayuki]

What really bothers me when it comes to Kostornaya's skating skills is how her edges really are quite shallow, that immediately pops out to me, and honestly bothers me throughout her skates. Good for an Eteri skater but not that spectacular.

Zagitova's skating skills might be the most overrated out of all senior ladies. They're better than Medvedeva's, that's about it. Zero highlights of any sort.

Unfortunately Russian senior ladies as a whole are quite weak when it comes to skating skills.


When it comes to Valieva, I'm not sure I'd say she's better at everything than Kostornaya, but her edges at least are quite a bit deeper and so she's a lot more pleasant to watch. I think that her legs don't exactly do her favors when it comes to skating, however.

The strongest skating skills at least out of the Eteri ladies would in my opinion clearly be Daria Usacheva's, but she unfortunately is quite boring to watch and lacks in charisma. Nevertheless, when it comes to skating skills she's quite clearly ahead of both Valieva as well as Kostornaya. And it's not at all close, honestly.

 

[halulupu]

This constan alina bashing really needs to stop. She is still reigning olympic and world campion. I think she even holds the world record in pcs. The judges always know best. Her ss are obviously from another level and supberb. The new eteris have simply not her level yet. She is retired now but only because she won everytjhing.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

This constan alina bashing really needs to stop. She is still reigning olympic and world campion. I think she even holds the world record in pcs. The judges always know best. Her ss are obviously from another level and supberb. The new eteris have simply not her level yet. She is retired now but only because she won everytjhing.

Alina is not retired. She announced that her break is over like months ago. She has been actively training for the new season.

 

[lopsilceci]

I don't see how Alina could possibly pull off the program content she does without at least very good general skating skills, but well...
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, blah blah blah...

 

[brakes]

People need to chill and understand everybody is entitled to their opinion as long as they agree on Anna Shcherbakova being the best skater in history of mankind.

 

[halulupu]

Interesting opinion altough not supported with facts. The judges clearly were favouring alina and med over the others. That are facts.

Agree with usacheva. I think she should have left eteri for razanov. Together with trusova they could have form team exeptional skills vs. Team very beautiful. Its only a matter of time when eteri will drop her or send her to finish her career with buyanova

 

[ancientpeas]

no actually they don't, and i could say the same about you with Alina because this is not the first time you've gotten your panties in a bunch for someone saying another skater is better than Alina.

everyone is entitled to their own opinion and it's not offensive to think another skater is better than Alina.

In a forum where many users have English as a second and often 3rd or more language (I live in awe) such expressions are often confusing and give unnecessary offense. Please consider not using them. Or if you do use them explain that they are a colloquialism and what you mean is "Don't get so riled up" or alike in parenthesis. We often ask our users in this thread to provide translations if they post in Russian and I'd ask for the English speakers here to consider if, for a non native English user, expressions can come across as offensive when they really aren't intended to be.

To the user who was upset by this (and others): It is an extremely common expression. It isn't meant to be about underwear. When I was growing up my very British mother and father used to say "Don't get your knickers in a knot" to me all the time and as a Canadian raised child I repeated it often to others. No one knew what I was talking about here as knickers is not a word people use for underwear. I'm sure that many countries and cultures have expressions for "don't get unnecessarily upset about something" in their verbiage. Russia probably has their own version.

 

[Edwin]

10-19 August Junior Test Skates announced! They'll be held in Novogorsk. Hoping for broadcast!

We'll have to wait and see if any domestic TV channel picks up figure skating this season on a large scale. Russians like to see their flag being raised, hear their national anthem at international competitions. They like the feeling of being proud over their sportspeople dominating and winning over the whole world.

Domestic internals on 1TV internet stream like last season? We can only hope, as I remember to have read 1TV bosses were disappointed with the ratings.

 

[SkateSkates]

What really bothers me when it comes to Kostornaya's skating skills is how her edges really are quite shallow, that immediately pops out to me, and honestly bothers me throughout her skates. Good for an Eteri skater but not that spectacular.

Zagitova's skating skills might be the most overrated out of all senior ladies. They're better than Medvedeva's, that's about it. Zero highlights of any sort.

Unfortunately Russian senior ladies as a whole are quite weak when it comes to skating skills.


When it comes to Valieva, I'm not sure I'd say she's better at everything than Kostornaya, but her edges at least are quite a bit deeper and so she's a lot more pleasant to watch. I think that her legs don't exactly do her favors when it comes to skating, however.

The strongest skating skills at least out of the Eteri ladies would in my opinion clearly be Daria Usacheva's, but she unfortunately is quite boring to watch and lacks in charisma. Nevertheless, when it comes to skating skills she's quite clearly ahead of both Valieva as well as Kostornaya. And it's not at all close, honestly.

In what world are these edges shallow?
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7U7SJup2fa/?igshid=4cqyob68m6el

 

[Skatesocs]

I think even stranger than that is Valieva, now, being an amazing pure skater. I don't think I've ever even read that outside this thread.

Kostornaia's edges are overrated by the people who constantly prop up Russian Ladies skating it is true. But she's the best overall pure skater from the Russian Ladies field, and not "weak". Maybe if Kanysheva had continued into senior singles, it would be her.

 

[JazzUp]

We'll have to wait and see if any domestic TV channel picks up figure skating this season on a large scale.

Actually, we don't (at least, for Russia, that is) - 1TV is one of the RusFeds' chief sponsors, so they will be the ones to broadcast whatever RusFed will organize.

And RusFed will - Kogan said that RusFed has had not only plans A & B in case JGP and other competitions were cancelled, but also plans С & D in place; and we'll learn about them after the meeting on Aug 3.

 

[Shayuki]

In what world are these edges shallow?
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7U7SJup2fa/?igshid=4cqyob68m6el

A bit better on there. My material was 4 full skates from 19-20 and my overall lingering impressions for her entire international career. But even that clip doesn't exactly make me think "wow such deep edges".

Here's something you can do, see this step sequence by Sofia Muravyova(who will be junior eligible this upcoming season):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpBA-dE2T1c&t=122s

Starting at 2:02 if my timestamp doesn't work. Then compare the edges to Kostornaya's. You should see something, I hope.