2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[nussnacker]

My best guess is the funding issue was the main problem. She won't get funding in a senior team, and with quad/3A jumping novices like Samodelkina moving to junior level, and Nastia not taking part in junior nationals last season, her junior funding prospects were gone as well. I think the last season dramatically changed everything for many skaters, and Nastia in particular. It's likely that she, among many others, did not expect that 3A/quad would become almost mandatory to win not only on the senior level, but also on a junior level. Getting even onto JGP stages from Russia is getting almost impossibly difficult, and 3 spots at Olympics are even more unattainable.
Taking puberty issues into account, this probably was the best choice for her at that point - she can move into a relatively new sport, with secured funding and not have to spend time learning quads and 3A.

 

[plushyfan]

As for Eteri, Nastya decided to quit figure skating completely. Than after about a month she realized she's missing the figure skating, but the transfer window was already closed so she was unable to join any state team. With Plushenko it looked promising, her programs were well choreographed, but then she left after 2018/19 season because of what in film industry is called "creative disagreements". Than she joined Panova again (she was with her before she moved to TT) and again, she looked happy and it was promising. Then also some bad luck came, she had to miss both senior and junior nationals thanks to injury. If she would have placed well there, I believe she would been at least in reserve team.

:thumbsup: I know everything what you wrote. But you didn't tell the main reasons what are in her mind, I believe

 

[Astolat]

:thumbsup: I know everything what you wrote. But you didn't tell the main reasons what are in her mind, I believe

Nastia said that she decided to leave Plushenko's team because she wanted to train on the same-sized rink as her competitors - and the rink at Plushenko's was (too) small. She said she talked with the team about it and she doesn't know why Plushenko was bashing her.
Plushenko's version: Nastia's tantrums were the reason of the split - she often cried in trainings because she was afraid of doing hard elements as quads. Younger kids at the rink were watching and that was discouraging them.

I am Nastia's fan, so I tend to believe her. And because of that I have very mixed feelings (to put it mildly) regarding Trusova's transfer. I remember Plushy dragging that "Tarakanova will have a quad this season", and then he didn't even show at any of Nastia's competitions (and she REALLY coud use some good PR and push among the judges and the fed - she was often robbed at PCS and omitted when sending to international senior B competitions), neither did he personally work with her a lot. And then all that bashing of a 16- or 17-year old... That resulted in a reputation of a skater who changes coaches often, is difficult etc.

 

[Edwin]

Tarakanova (or rather her parents) made some bad choices based more on emotions than reason I'd think.

Neither of them really spoke honestly about what made Anastasiya dislike figure skating so much after JPGF 2017 she decided to leave #TeamTutberidzeForProgress and even quit the sport alltogether.

My guess is, Anastasiya was a very rebellious pubescent girl at that age, and couldn't stand the discipline and work ethics required at Khrustalniy. Did she wanted to be the prima? Was she finally the prima under the great Yevgeniy Viktorovich's psychological guidance?

Had she reined in her emotions, reasoned with herself as best as a 13 year old could with help of trainers, parents and perhaps even a sports psychologist, none of the later events would have happened and her career would have been quite different. Now she has wasted it, but her basics and training still come in handy in her new sport, where she can have a career now she is much older, sadder but no doubt wiser. It is probably much cheaper too, no expensive ice to rent, any hard surfaced basketball/handball court will do, and those are available at any high school.

Figure roller skating on inlines or quads makes quite a difference. Hopefully, Anastasiya will find fun, challenge and fulfilment in her new sport. It gets some coverage on the Youtube channels, but far less than figure skating on ice.

 

[plushyfan]

Nastia said that she decided to leave Plushenko's team because she wanted to train on the same-sized rink as her competitors and the rink at Plushenko's was (too) small.

YEs, I know and I mentioned it, too

She said she talked with the team about it and she doesn't know why Plushenko was bashing her.

-We weren't there but I didn't defend Plushenko in this case. He did mistakes in media. According to Nastya he did many things for her. He helped her.

Plushenko's version: Nastia's tantrums were the reason of the split - she often cried in trainings because she was afraid of doing hard elements as quads. Younger kids at the rink were watching and that was discouraging them.
I am Nastia's fan, so I tend to believe her. And because of that I have very mixed feelings (to put it mildly) regarding Trusova's transfer. I remember Plushy dragging that "Tarakanova will have a quad this season", and then he didn't even show at any of Nastia's competitions (and she REALLY coud use some good PR and push among the judges and the fed - she was often robbed at PCS and omitted when sending to international senior B competitions), neither did he personally work with her a lot. And then all that bashing of a 16- or 17-year old... That resulted in a reputation of a skater who changes coaches often, is difficult etc.

I'm Nastya's fan, too. There are some Russian women who can visit the Academy many times they have special rights they are the Russian fan club's heads. https://www.instagram.com/anais167/ and https://www.instagram.com/vera10732/

They have YT channel, too. https://www.youtube.com/user/wera3791- very popular and https://www.youtube.com/user/anaiskaanais

We have contact in private with Irina she said she doesn't like Tarakanova she doesn't like her behavior on trainings. In that time wasn't problem in Nastya and Plush's relatioships openly. You can believe this or not but this story is true but nevertheless, I still like Nasyta ! I beleive this is a big loss!

 

[Shayuki]

Figure roller skating on inlines or quads makes quite a difference. Hopefully, Anastasiya will find fun, challenge and fulfilment in her new sport. It gets some coverage on the Youtube channels, but far less than figure skating on ice.

Shrug, the highest view count roller skating performance video I can find is by Sofia Bogdanova with 63 million views( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPsXK4NkXTc ), even Olympic figure skating doesn't even come close.

Figure skating and everything with ice/snow(winter sports) in general is quite niche and roller skating has an audience in countries that would never even consider watching the winter olympics for example.

 

[Scott512]

Nastia said that she decided to leave Plushenko's team because she wanted to train on the same-sized rink as her competitors - and the rink at Plushenko's was (too) small. She said she talked with the team about it and she doesn't know why Plushenko was bashing her.
Plushenko's version: Nastia's tantrums were the reason of the split - she often cried in trainings because she was afraid of doing hard elements as quads. Younger kids at the rink were watching and that was discouraging them.

I am Nastia's fan, so I tend to believe her. And because of that I have very mixed feelings (to put it mildly) regarding Trusova's transfer. I remember Plushy dragging that "Tarakanova will have a quad this season", and then he didn't even show at any of Nastia's competitions (and she REALLY coud use some good PR and push among the judges and the fed - she was often robbed at PCS and omitted when sending to international senior B competitions), neither did he personally work with her a lot. And then all that bashing of a 16- or 17-year old... That resulted in a reputation of a skater who changes coaches often, is difficult etc.

Her emotional ups and downs hurt her progress. But to see Nastya retire at 16 is unreal. I've never seen such a naturally talented girl retire at this age. Why not just change countries even if it takes a year or two?

 

[NadezhdaNadya]

Only several more experienced skaters are now left - Medvedeva, Tuktamysheva, Gubanova, Sakhanovich and to a certain extend Samodurova and Konstantinova.
And so many are now gone (in one way or another) Tsurskaya, Tarakanova, Kanysheva, Sotskova, Vasilieva, Tarusina, Lipnitskaya, Sotnikova, Pogorilaya, Radionova...
So sad for Anastasiya Tarakanova. She was a great skater and she did not have an excessive pre-rotation. I really wish she became a senior in the 2019-2020 season. Then she would have had a GP event for sure, right? Just like Samodurova? And Sinytsina is going to have, right?
(How many top figure skaters are left on the scene for the next season? There are Kostornaya, Shcherbakova, Trusova, Zagitova, Tuktamysheva, Medvedeva, Sinytsina, Samodurova, Konstantinova, Valieva, Usachyova, Maya, Samodelkina, Frolova, Akatieva, Zhilina, Gubanova, Sakhanovich...)
Edit: I added Frolova to the list.

 

[SkateSkates]

This is my favorite program of Nastya’s, from her last Novice Season with Panova. Take a look if you haven’t seen this program yet.
https://youtu.be/-0YzLQ_VltM

For me, it uses her power and emotion in a more effective way than any of her other programs. Her excellent SS and glide are allowed to shine through, and it’s not cluttered with a million movements which IMO made her look a little sloppy in her later programs.

 

[NadezhdaNadya]

I wonder If someone pressures these girls to switch or to retire? All of the former juniors - Tarusina, Kanysheva, Vasilieva and Tarakanova and also Tsurskaya and Sotskova?

 

[nussnacker]

I wonder If someone pressures these girls to switch or to retire? All of the former juniors - Tarusina, Kanysheva, Vasilieva and Tarakanova and also Tsurskaya and Sotskova?

Most probably lack of money, lack of prospects, the ever growing competition, probably the toughest competition in the world rn, injuries, other personal reasons.
All of them realize that it's too much effort for a very slim chance of even ever making it to international scene. Besides, they're all young, and those other alternatives might seem more attractive at this point.

 

[SkateSkates]

I wonder If someone pressures these girls to switch or to retire? All of the former juniors - Tarusina, Kanysheva, Vasilieva and Tarakanova and also Tsurskaya and Sotskova?

I believe that many of these skaters you listed were dealing with serious injuries that didn’t allow them to train at the necessary level. Tarusina especially - that car crash at what would’ve been her JGP debut really derailed her career, with ongoing knee issues until she retired. Kanysheva the same with her undisclosed injury (there have been rumors about back and ankle but I don’t think it was confirmed). Polina had back and ankle injuries. Vasilieva had joint problems, Tarakanova had a leg injury last season. Sotskova outlined a few things in her latest IG posts - not only physical but also mental health struggles.

 

[Scott512]

Only several more experienced skaters are now left - Medvedeva, Tuktamysheva, Gubanova, Sakhanovich and to a certain extend Samodurova and Konstantinova.
And so many are now gone (in one way or another) Tsurskaya, Tarakanova, Kanysheva, Sotskova, Vasilieva, Tarusina, Lipnitskaya, Sotnikova, Pogorilaya, Radionova...
So sad for Anastasiya Tarakanova. She was a great skater and she did not have an excessive pre-rotation. I really wish she became a senior in the 2019-2020 season. Then she would have had a GP event for sure, right? Just like Samodurova? And Sinytsina is going to have, right?
(How many top figure skaters are left on the scene for the next season? There are Kostornaya, Shcherbakova, Trusova, Zagitova, Tuktamysheva, Medvedeva, Sinytsina, Samodurova, Konstantinova, Valieva, Usachyova, Maya, Samodelkina, Akatieva, Zhilina, Gubanova, Sakhanovich...)

so much talent but so many things went against Anastasia in her career. Injuries and bad timing and her immaturity and emotional outbursts.that list of outstanding skaters and nice girls that have retired for whatever reasons is upsetting to go through. Russia is lucky they have so much depth and the ladies discipline with girls and the adults because that would have bankrupted most countries in one discipline to lose that much talent over the last couple years.

I wonder If someone pressures these girls to switch or to retire? All of the former juniors - Tarusina, Kanysheva, Vasilieva and Tarakanova and also Tsurskaya and Sotskova?

Hell yes they are pressured

 

[NadezhdaNadya]

Most probably lack of money, lack of prospects, the ever growing competition, probably the toughest competition in the world rn, injuries, other personal reasons.
All of them realize that it's too much effort for a very slim chance of even ever making it to international scene. Besides, they're all young, and those other alternatives might seem more attractive at this point.

It so unsettling to witness this. I learned through my own mistakes that quitting is almost never the answer to anything. Harder work is the answer, even you have to fail many times.
As for the alternatives - their whole life was dedicated to figure skating. So how many viable alternatives are out there for them? I thought that all of them are going to become coaches once they retire.

 

[Fried]

Yes that was a nice interview with Sasha's parents. But may I ask how long ago was that?

Do one have to answer purely rhetorical questions? I do not think so. You looked up the right page in Sasha's FF and read the interview and didn't pay attention to when it was published. Unbelievable!

Anna has the best parents and aliona's parents are going to be the parents of the neurosurgeon someday. Alinas parents are awesome too.

Oh yes, but of course Sasha has the very best better parents, the future parents of a World and Olympic Champion and of the woman who was the first to land Quad-Toeloop, Quad-Lutz, Quad-Flip and Quad-Rittberger in competition. And of course they will be the parents of the first skater who left Eteri and improved as a result.

 

[dunffvanstorn]

https://youtu.be/ilB2Wa9LzIY

I’d like to call attention to this video description - one of the best performances of the night, one of the lowest PCS scores.

Tarakanova was also severely underscored since she left Eteri. I wonder if not having the judges by her side also wasn’t a reason for her retirement.

 

[dunffvanstorn]

Do one have to answer purely rhetorical questions? I do not think so. You looked up the right page in Sasha's FF and read the interview and didn't pay attention to when it was published. Unbelievable!


Oh yes, but of course Sasha has the very best better parents, the future parents of a World and Olympic Champion and of the woman who was the first to land Quad-Toeloop, Quad-Lutz, Quad-Flip and Quad-Rittberger in competition. And of course they will be the parents of the first skater who left Eteri and improved as a result.

This bias against whoever leaves Eteri makes me so disgusted.

Sasha might have a better career with Pluschenko, let’s wait and see. According to what we’re watching in their Instagram account, Pluschenko’s been at the rink every single day. And Sasha was struggling with some of the exercises he asked her to do, so that’s a very good sign that she’s working on her weak points.

 

[nussnacker]

It so unsettling to witness this. I learned through my own mistakes that quitting is almost never the answer to anything. Harder work is the answer, even you have to fail many times.
As for the alternatives - their whole life was dedicated to figure skating. So how many viable alternatives are out there for them? I thought that all of them are going to become coaches once they retire.

I mean, at 15-20 it’s still pretty much the beginning of their lives. They have enough time to go to university, to start doing something else, there would be no need to become a coach if they don’t want that.
If anything, I’d say, sometimes it’s better to have a realistic outlook on your life.

 

[Fried]

This bias against whoever leaves Eteri makes me so disgusted.

Excuse me, that doesn't apply to me now, does it?
I simply realized that a serious, sincere and above all realistic discussion with the supporters of a certain coach is impossible. Therefore, for once, I simply went to their level of argument.

 

[nussnacker]

https://youtu.be/ilB2Wa9LzIY

I’d like to call attention to this video description - one of the best performances of the night, one of the lowest PCS scores.

Tarakanova was also severely underscored since she left Eteri. I wonder if not having the judges by her side also wasn’t a reason for her retirement.

I think in that particular case, going in first in the FS didn’t help her PCS, purely from the starting number stand point.
But I do think she was often underscored. However, I see the issue in the corridor. Imo, the programs she got were not highlighting her strengths artistically, so the pcs stayed the same as in her 1st junior season, although SS wise Nastia was always very strong and way above the marks she ever received.
Generally, staying on the junior level capped her pcs too.