2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[flanker]

Or ever, as it sometimes feels.

Yo, @Jontor, agree with the scores or not?

I've said already in the competition thread that I think Sasha and esp. Stanislava were underscored, though I don't think as much as some others probably think. As for the bonuses - well, that's the rule for this particular competition for years. and it's as much as rule as the rule that doesn't allow ladies to jump a quad in the SP, to which it was said "but it's a rule that is same for everyone, let's just learn 3A". OK, a rule. So, here we have a rule that gives bonuses for lvl 4 spins. There is also bonus for landed quads, so I wonder if that rule will be also questioned tomorrow after Sasha will land some three or four quads

Though, don't feel well in the place where a year ago I read things like "Sasha is ruining figure skating", "her PCS is overscored" and many other "love letters. Some even said "I'm done with figure skating" when they saw her landing 3A in the training for the first time. Or, there were actually people who were openly glad when Alina obviously lost big part of the support of the RusFed and they didn't ask "how does she must feel because of that". Now, it's a different story, and I'm not able to keep with the change of the public mood, so I will rather not engage.

 

[*~RussianBleux~*]

What’s going on with the length of skirts this season? Kamila looked like she showed up 2 hours late for the ice dance event without a partner. I prefer the shorter dresses to accentuate her beautiful extension. When she did the combo and with the big extended leg and the dress was just kind of there. It just seemed like too much.

 

[Shayuki]

What’s going on with the length of skirts this season? Kamila looked like she showed up 2 hours late for the ice dance event without a partner. I prefer the shorter dresses to accentuate her beautiful extension. When she did the combo and with the big extended leg and the dress was just kind of there. It just seemed like too much.

Agreed, the dress seemed way too long. Looks like an ice dancer dress. And I agree that it makes her extensions look weaker.

Perhaps they tried to make her legs appear shorter with that and also not having tights over boots. Which, by the way, is a bit strange. Most see long legs as an asset.

 

[Jontor]

I really don't understand the outcry here. Problem with todays Sasha's performance is clear to me - she wanted to include 3A in her programme, which because wasn't performed clean gave her just one point more than what double axel would gave her. She also messed up her flip edge and her combo spin. So, basically only one jumping element is performed on the highest level. And by being messy she lost some points in components too. Comparing to that, and im talking from my impression from watching them in a real time, Kamila and Daria programme looked pristine and clean, with great spins. If Sasha was working on her other elements instead of a 3A and skated them clean and on a higher level, she would with a 2A score over 80 points too

Totally agree. I was really rooting for Sasha today, but she didn't deliver a clean program, so she's 3rd.

Sometimes I wonder if people really understand how the scoring system works? And all this talk about an unfair bonus system that only Eteri girls get is totally irrelevant. It won't matter in the greater scheme of things (i.e. to qualify for RusNats), and the bonus system won't be there at Nationals.

Personally, I was more upset today that Talalaykina fell on her Lutz, that was very costly, and it might cost her a place at nationals.

 

[Shayuki]

Right didn't even notice it at first but Sasha has a clear Lip now doesn't she. Didn't take long for her to lose the advantage of having correct edges on both jumps after leaving Eteri...

 

[klena]

Plushenko molding Sasha into an ice princess, which she is not. Giving her lyrical music, which is not her style. Trusova is a Russian rocket, tornado, ACTION. NOT A PRINCESS. Tutberidze realized that and was not trying to make a princess out of Shasha. I hope Plushenko will stop trying to make Sasha what she is not.
Her SP was just odd today, awkward, not Sasha.

Totally agree!

 

[alvina9894]

And herein lies the precise problem. The judges are already scoring Kamila exactly like a perfect Aliona, except in terms of actual skating Kamila is only matching Aliona in SS and spins, is far inferior than Aliona in jump quality, and as far as I’m concerned is also slightly inferior in overall performance quality and artistry. There are very few skaters who can do every aspect of skating with the perfection deserving of +4/5 GOE in every element, and sorry but Kamila ain’t that skater. Her wonky ass combos with multiple edge changes and minimal height are getting better GOE than sasha and equaling Aliona. Just no.

And on the topic of bonus points, I’m happy for spins to be rewarded. A well executed spin is beautiful and exciting to me. The problem is that it’s a suuuuper easy system to game because just 1 judge has to give +3 instead of +4 to screw a skater over. Case in point, Sasha’s last spin could easily have qualified for the bonus. It’s the fastest biellman I’ve ever seen her do.

No.

 

[Fluture]

So, I watched it again, just without the K&C so that I could only focus on the performances. Here‘s a few thoughts:

Konstantinova: BY FAR my favorite program today. She was the only one who really performed - the others all looked rather nervous. She gave it her all and I really liked this new confidence from her. Technically, her jump rotations seemed rather suspect to me, so I get those deductions. Her score overall is fair. But compared to what some of the others got, it just seems illogical.

Dasha: Wow, she‘s improved SO much since test skates. Well done!! I still really dislike the entry into the 2A as it looks sloppy compared to the gorgeous one she did last season. But overall, she was much more confident and the entry into her 3F+3T was just insanely difficult. Her lutz edge seemed slightly better today as well but it’s still very clearly a flutz. I also really like her musicality, in my eyes she‘s better than Kamila in that regard. Great spins, too, of course. However, I did see that she was quite nervous and the song they chose for her needs a lot of commitment to make it work. So, she definitely can improve on that. But for a first outing, it was really well done.

Kamila: That SP was definitely my favorite program today, it‘s just so beautiful and especially the transitions into the 3F and the little hops she does afterwards, perfectly matching the music - great stuff! There‘s a lot of greatness overall in Kamila, of course, it makes sense RusFed has chosen her as their next star. She has stunning lines, rather good skating skills and beautiful spins. However, her jumping technique isn‘t good at all and that 2A today was rather wonky and small. Also, I felt she didn‘t really perform either - she looked nervous and was going through the motions. A skater like Kamila still looks beautiful doing that but her performance didn‘t get me emotionally involved. So I don’t get those PCS, like, at all. Is she really 3 points better than Dasha? I don’t think so. She definitely deserved the lead, though. Just by how much is another question.... Oh well.

Sasha: Her artistry was better at test skates. Today she looked more focused on the technical stuff, which is understandable, given that this is only the second time she‘s tried the 3A in competition. And then there‘s that whole drama around her coaching change as well.. So, I really admire her for keeping her cool and even landing a fully rotated 3A! There was a step out; sure, but it was definitely an encouraging attempt. What an athlete!
The step sequence is still rather rushed at times but I like some of the little tweaks they made. She‘s hitting some nice positions - now she just has to work on becoming more refined overall. She‘ll get there, they‘ve just started after all. Her spins weren‘t exactly great except for the layback. It was one of the fastest ones I‘ve seen her do and would have deserved one of those bonus points, imo. Her flip definitely was !, though, if not an outright e. I wonder when that happened, I don‘t remember her ever having any edge problems... Maybe it was a fluke? Third place overall today is correct in my eyes but I still maintain my stance that it should be by a lesser margin.

So, my conclusion (TL;DR): I agree with the overall ranking just not the actual scores.

Now, on shallow notes: Someone said Sasha‘s dress makes her look juniorish - I disagree. Imo, it‘s very detailed and suits her well. Might be my favorite of hers ever! I also like the unusual colour. Kamila‘s though, as many have said, is just strange. The sleeves are kind of mismatched and the skirt is too long. I really loved her exhibition dress last season, I wish they‘d just kept that... Daria‘s dress is beautiful if a bit unremarkable.

 

[Ifwe]

Right didn't even notice it at first but Sasha has a clear Lip now doesn't she. Didn't take long for her to lose the advantage of having correct edges on both jumps after leaving Eteri...

girl... sasha got edge call at jwc 2019 it’s not the first time.

 

[Baron Vladimir]

I¨ve said already in the competitikn thread that I think Sasha and esp. Stanislava were underscored, though I don't think as much as some others probably think. As for the bonuses - well, that's the rule for this particular competition for years. and it's as much as rule as the rule that doesn't allow ladies to jump a quad in the SP, to which it was said "but it's a rule that is same for everyone, let's just learn 3A". OK, a rule. So, here we have a rule that gives bonuses for lvl 4 spins. There is also bonus for landed quads, so I wonder if that rule will be also questioned tomorrow after Sasha will land some 3 or four quads

Though, don't feel well in the place where a year ago I read things like "Sasha is ruining figure skating", "her PCS is overscored" and many other "love letters. Some even said "I'm done with figure skating" when they saw her landing 3A in the training for the first time. Or, there were actually people who were openly glad when Alina obviously lost big part of the support of the RusFed and they didn't ask "how does she must feel because of that". Now, it's a different story, and I'm not able to keep with the change of the public mood, so I will rather not engage.

The fact is - there is also a bonus for a 3A (in ladies). The other fact is - Sasha didn't perform 3A good enough (with a positive GOE) to get a bonus. What Akatieva did for example.

 

[*~RussianBleux~*]

I¨ve said already in the competitikn thread that I think Sasha and esp. Stanislava were underscored, though I don't think as much as some others probably think. As for the bonuses - well, that's the rule for this particular competition for years. and it's as much as rule as the rule that doesn't allow ladies to jump a quad in the SP, to which it was said "but it's a rule that is same for everyone, let's just learn 3A". OK, a rule. So, here we have a rule that gives bonuses for lvl 4 spins. There is also bonus for landed quads, so I wonder if that rule will be also questioned tomorrow after Sasha will land some 3 or four quads

Though, don't feel well in the place where a year ago I read things like "Sasha is ruining figure skating", "her PCS is overscored" and many other "love letters. Some even said "I'm done with figure skating" when they saw her landing 3A in the training for the first time. Or, there were actually people who were openly glad when Alina obviously lost big part of the support of the RusFed and they didn't ask "how does she must feel because of that". Now, it's a different story, and I'm not able to keep with the change of the public mood, so I will rather not engage.

But you left off 50% of the story. The part where if such calls on the flip and spin were given to Sasha 1 year ago when she was with Eteri certain fans would be raging but somehow now they cannot muster a care in the world for her.

You can repeat about hypocrisy until you are blue in the face but it’s pot meet kettle.

 

[Shayuki]

And herein lies the precise problem. The judges are already scoring Kamila exactly like a perfect Aliona, except in terms of actual skating Kamila is only matching Aliona in SS and spins, is far inferior than Aliona in jump quality, and as far as I’m concerned is also slightly inferior in overall performance quality and artistry.

Kamila has more musicality in her little finger than Aliona in her entire being. "Matching" in spins?

 

[Skatesocs]

Entire post

Agree that the thread mostly lacks coherence, constructive discussion, and generally seems ill-humoured. And I do mean about the thread in general. Or I guess, the skating fandom at large. Either you're a hater, or, well, whatever else.

Was much more pleasant a few years ago. Unfortunate. I don't think it can be fixed. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Mawwerg]

Is Valieva a fave of TAT?

I couldn't say about Valieva as a whole however her left leg definitely is.

 

[Lzbee]

Kamila has more musicality in her little finger than Aliona in her entire being. "Matching" in spins?

Wow. Harsh much? I could counter that with, Kamila rushes through her movements and has a perpetual scared expression. I get that you might not like Alena but you don't have to be rude about it.

 

[McBibus]

Kamila has more musicality in her little finger than Aliona in her entire being. "Matching" in spins?

e poi c'era la marmotta che confezionava la cioccolata

 

[Jontor]

Wasn't it great to see Kostantinova skate clean(-'ish') today? We haven't seen that good skating from her since two seasons ago.

What annoys me though with the point system, is when you see a skate like this, and it looks good in real time, then suddenly the BV is much lower when the points come out. Konstantinova would have been at around 72 points today if it wasn't for those two URs.

 

[esteticlove]

This was such a great event! I got so excited, so I finally re-activated my GS account in order to write here. At the same time I am kind of disappointed on the outcry in this thread. Did we watch the same competition?

I followed the life stream, meaning that I watched the girls in their skating order. First, when Sasha started I almost screamed on her 3A. It was huge! Even though she had troubles on landing it, I think this was very brave and she is on a good road to make it stable in competitions. The long gliding entry, with reduced speed (ala Tuktik) is not my favourite, but I guess she needs to first start landing it securely and only after that they will work on a better transition into it. I am also astonished on how stable her other triples are. However, after the jumps finished it felt like the whole program finished despite her still skating. It was a weird feeling, because her SP program at Test skates felt really well composed. But not today. Also, no one is mentioning how crammed her choreo is. I feel like it is too much for her at this time point, with all the transitions and steps. Today, she couldn't perform it well, and this is crucial when competing with other artistically very strong skaters. Her dress is very beautiful, but I dont think it looks good on her. The whole time I was having Tinkerbell vibes, and make her look juniorish.. Plushy should really rethink her packaging.

Darya - looks like she has improved since Test skates, her jumps seem to be back on track. It was a pleasure, I even think I enjoyed her performance more than Kamilas. I like the choreo, but the music is kind of nah. Also, yes, I agree on the missing edge call..

Kamila - to me she looked a little bit stiff, but understandable having in mind the big pressure EVERYONE is putting on her. Even the camera guy was constantly following her I gasped on her 2A, but everything else was exceptional. I felt in love with this program when I first saw it on YT from some show. It was a great choice to keep it for competitions. Her skating is soo unique, I wouldnt call her an entirely lyrical skater (like Daria, for example). She is more artsy and gives kind of e Papadakis/Cizeron vibe. On the dress part - I am probably the only one liking it. Kamila is known for liking long skating dresses (see her shows), and I think this is really cool, since you almost never see this in single skating. A poster above me described her dress in action (meaning during the skate) as clouds in the sky, to me it felt like water/waves. Anyway, I think the wow-effect has been nailed.

 

[silveruskate]

Kamila has more musicality in her little finger than Aliona in her entire being. "Matching" in spins?

Wow, what a pleasant comment. You must be ecstatic that Aliona left Eteri so now you can voice your true feelings.

 

[Scott512]

I am just going to say that to me Alyona Kostornaya is the best ladies skater ever after Yuna Kim and I will be outraged If she is left out from the Olympic team because of skaters like Valieva, Shcherbakova and Usachyova (Hahaha) who cannot compare to her AT ALL.
Two of these Hahaha skaters were completely overscored today. Poor Sasha who is really improving these days.

Aliona and Sasha have great chances to make the Olympic team if there is a winter Olympics in 2022. But it is eteris dream to have her three girls there representing Russia. I think it's more likely that EG has two of her girls their plus Sasha. Or aliona instead of Sasha. Timing is everything and Eterii girls will be 15 or 16 at that time other than Anna so who knows. Just sit back and enjoy these phenomenal athletes a d all they bring to the ice.

I hope my comments have made you relax.

Don't go overboard with aliona. I just say she's the best and most beautiful lady skater in the world and leave it at that.