2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Edwin]

LOL, those two know best of all, taking Twitter as their source of information? There are dozens of little girls and boys in the development groups sharing the ice in Khrustalniy, their parents obviously keen on sharing 'inside news', even gossip. You see those cute little buttons posing with the huge bouquets and Zagitova's painting in the Khrustalniy entrance? Several leaks I could already trace back to foreign families living in Moscow and having their child skate in several different paid rinks over Moscow.

For all we know, it could be Medvyedeva has paid SLB in advance with contractual agreed support during the season and wants to remain loyal to the original staging and choreo?

Or she mistrusts Gleikhengauz, given those who left might have told her how he only (in their eyes) worked for Shcherbakova, his supposed new 'muse'?

Or Gleikhengauz himself doesn't want to change programs staged by others or work with Medvyedeva this season?

One could assume part of the arrangement now achieved, was giving Medvyedeva more autonomy and more responsibility.

 

[nussnacker]

Someone posted on Twitter Daniil wasn't happy when Medvedeva went back to the Eteri team. No one talked about it with him thus he doesn't want to work with Zhenya. What do you know about it? There were a Rusian and an english text. I don't find that post right now.

“Someone on Twitter”... sounds reliable

 

[plushyfan]

“Someone on Twitter”... sounds reliable

"someone", because I don't find that twit. I saw it today morning.. I gave the news about Zhenya's WD from twitter when it wasn't announced. I don't know what to think.

edit: this is, don't need the sarcasm..

 

[Kittosuni]

"someone", because I don't find that twit. I saw it today morning.. I gave the news about Zhenya's WD from twitter when it wasn't announced. I don't know what to think.

edit: this is

Wait this just contradicts why people were outraged several pages back because Daniil is tweaking Zhenya's program. I think that info came directly from Daniil and now some source saying Med and Eteri doesnt want Daniil from the get go and Daniil doesnt want to work with Med from the start? So why would Daniil be part in tweaking Med's program when both party (Daniil vs Zhenya & Eteri) doesnt want to work with each other anyway. Unless Dudakov made them LOL. now Im confused.

Well if Zhenya chooses another choreographer besides Daniil then good for her. She should go to Averbuch honestly.

 

[Edwin]

Zagitova doesn't plan to compete this year:

Алина Загитова не планирует участвовать в соревнованиях в 2020 году - ТАСС

Об этом ТАСС сообщили два источника, не связанных друг с другом

tass.ru

MOSCOW, October 19. / TASS /. Olympic Champion, World and European figure skating Champion, the Russian Alina Zagitova does not plan to participate in competitions until the end of this year. TASS was informed about this by two sources unrelated to each other.

Earlier, the 18-year-old figure skater announced that she had skipped the Test Skates of the Russian national team due to her employment in the 'Ice Age' show as a host.

"Zagitova has no plans to perform in the Grand Prix, nor at the stages of the Russian Cup and the National Championship," one of the agency's sources told.

At the same time, one of the sources told TASS the athlete reserves the opportunity to return to competitions next season.

In December 2019, Zagitova announced the suspension of her competitive figure skating career for one season. Since then, the skater has not taken part in competitions.
----

----
various opinions:

Aleksey Yagudin : Zagitova can return, we all remember the example of Plyushchenko
Ягудин: Загитова может вернуться в спорт, все помнят пример Плющенко

Inna Goncharenko : It will be difficult for Zagitova to return, but history shows it can be done
Инна Гончаренко: Загитовой будет сложно возвращаться, но в истории были успешные примеры

Alyona Leonova : for Zagitova to return, the main thing is motivation
Леонова считает, что Загитова может вернуться в фигурное катание, главной будет мотивация

Mariya Butyrskaya : I think Alina will not return

Мария Бутырская: «Папа Трусовой однозначно не прав!»

В фигурном катании много интриг, но там честнее, чем в хоккее

www.eg.ru

 

[fabienne1996]

Wait this just contradicts why people were outraged several pages back because Daniil is tweaking Zhenya's program. I think that info came directly from Daniil and now some source saying Med and Eteri doesnt want Daniil from the get go and Daniil doesnt want to work with Med from the start? So why would Daniil be part in tweaking Med's program when both party (Daniil vs Zhenya & Eteri) doesnt want to work with each other anyway. Unless Dudakov made them LOL. now Im confused.

Well if Zhenya chooses another choreographer besides Daniil then good for her. She should go to Averbuch honestly.

Actually to tell the truth he said we will be adding some transitions and the like. Yes he included himself in the we (but he didnt say i as in him only, the we probably include eteri and sergei) include , mabye that also was because at that time he still thought it will be a we, it fould also be that what the insider says happenend after said interwiev, mabye zhenya and even eteri put their foot down after he spoke about how he wouldnt need shaes or buttles help even when its their choreography , and how he spoke as if he was better than them when it is rather the opposite.....

Or he basically lied in that interwiev if what the insuder says is true and neither eteri nor zhenya want hi near her programms from the beginning on. Rather then saying he wont work with her he said we will probably tweak some things. Saving facd in public its called

 

[Scott512]

You think Evgenia coming back to competition, for the first time since her switch with Eteri nonetheless, would calm the waters??? Where were you the last couple of years?

No, seriously, I’m pessimistic about her coming back this season or anytime soon. She’s badly injured and she’s rushing back to training while still not even remotely healed. I’m sure she wants it but it just doesn’t seem realistic to me anymore.

Have you seen the Plushenko EG Wars? Zhenya returning would actually calm the waters a little bit. plus I think the respect factor for Evgenia is off the charts after all she's gone through in her career and now with this back injury that I gather is pinched nerve. She is in a much better place than when she was winning everything for 2 years with TT and then when she left it was very controversial but she did it and formed a new life which was amazing. I could never do such a thing. Now she's injured with this back problem and had to change coaches back to
EG and TT because of covid-19. She's been through a lot and is going through a lot. so actually yes if that Evgenia returns this season it could calm the waters a little bit unless she gets the Eteri bounce back and that pisses off some people!

Indeed! There's so much history there... Opinions will be strong. It'll be hard for anyone to be objective, I think.

It's sad to think of Zhenya's career fizzling away She deserves a triumphant last skate, she's given so much, not just with programs, but appealing for Russia to be able to attend the 2018 Olympics.

I see it differently now. Zhenya is an underdog with a very tricky back injury with that pinched nerve that won't let her train properly. She has more empathy from the fans now then when she was dominating easily winning back-to-back World titles after easily winning or Junior World title. I think she will have more people cheering for her and now that she's back home at TT she will feel the love no matter how well she skates.

The most interesting thing to see will be at that Zhenya gets the Eteri bounce back. If she can get somewhat healthy I think her short program can be excellent. But first things first let's see her training regularly again and then she can rebuild that confidence and her skating and especially in her back and that it will hold up.

 

[nussnacker]

Zagitova doesn't plan to compete this year:

Алина Загитова не планирует участвовать в соревнованиях в 2020 году - ТАСС

Об этом ТАСС сообщили два источника, не связанных друг с другом

tass.ru

No source given, unfortunately.

well, in retrospect she made the smartest choice. Seeing how everyone was rushed back to be in top shape after an extended break, with many getting injured (some like Viktoria Sinitsina quite seriously) or infected with the virus (with who knows what kind of long lasting health implications), all for the sake of some Cup stages, makes me think it wasn't actually worth it. Looking at cases growing world wide, doesn't make me hopeful Europeans or Worlds will take place. So all of this sacrifice just for Russian Nationals, which don't make you qualify anywhere?
Rusfed really ended up shooting themselves in the foot with the whole Cup qualification thing. So many of their top skaters ended up injured or sick and missing training time even more, it really makes you question RusFed as a whole. I thought they were somewhat a smart organization, which has people thinking strategically, but this ended up as a total mess. They should've given the opportunity of a voluntary participation at cup stages. This way athletes that needed competitions would have that option on the table, and those who weren't ready yet could've skipped and take it slow. But clearly they optimistically hoped coronavirus will be eradicated by autumn.

 

[Edwin]

well, in retrospect she made the smartest choice. Seeing how everyone was rushed back to be in top shape after an extended break, with many getting injured (some like Viktoria Sinitsina quite seriously) or infected with the virus (with who knows what kind of long lasting health implications), all for the sake of some Cup stages, makes me think it wasn't actually worth it. Looking at cases growing world wide, doesn't make me hopeful Europeans or Worlds will take place. So all of this sacrifice just for Russian Nationals, which don't make you qualify anywhere?
Rusfed really ended up shooting themselves in the foot with the whole Cup qualification thing. So many of their top skaters ended up injured or sick and missing training time even more, it really makes you question RusFed as a whole. I thought they were somewhat a smart organization, which has people thinking strategically, but this ended up as a total mess. They should've given the opportunity of a voluntary participation at cup stages. This way athletes that needed competitions would have that option on the table, and those who weren't ready yet could've skipped and take it slow. But clearly they optimistically hoped coronavirus will be eradicated by autumn.

Zagitova abstaining from starts won't hold up forever, whatever the reason.

Someday, a retirement must be announced.

It would be unfair to keep a spot on the national team occupied without using it for its intended purpose.

I hope Zagitova's management realises this, before sentiments turn.

 

[nussnacker]

Zagitova abstaining from starts won't hold up forever, whatever the reason.

Someday, a retirement must be announced.

It would be unfair to keep a spot on the national team occupied without using it for its intended purpose.

I hope Zagitova's management realises this, before sentiments turn.

Well, many skaters who are part of a national team, aren't taking part in RusCup competitions: Aliev, Danielyan, Ksenia Sinitsyna etc. What's the difference? She earned her spot based on her success last season, qualifying for GPF, which only 3 other russians besides her managed to do. She isn't taking anyone's spot, she earned it fairly. If Rusfed wants to take her out of national team, so be it. I bet it won't make a dent in Alina's budget anyways. She isn't clinging on to that money, rusfed needs her more than she needs that funding. If she isn't announcing a retirement, perhaps she isn't intending to do so just yet?
But it will show one thing, that Rusfed didn't learn to treat their only olympic champion of 2018 right, i guess.

 

[macy]

as excited as i am that Kamila has a 3A, i'm still concerned about her technique lasting her. she has a very different axel technique than Aliona, more similar to Lipnitskaya- the jump comes from snappy hips instead of following through completely with the free leg. it looks easy for her, i just don't know if it's sustainable as she grows and goes through puberty. she lands it on an inside edge like she does her lutz combos and 4T.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

Well, many skaters who are part of a national team, aren't taking part in RusCup competitions: Aliev

Aliev is competing at the Russian Cup this week and whether Arthur can compete or not is still unknown. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will be healthy enough for the 4th and 5th Cup.

 

[nussnacker]

as excited as i am that Kamila has a 3A, i'm still concerned about her technique lasting her. she has a very different axel technique than Aliona, more similar to Lipnitskaya- the jump comes from snappy hips instead of following through completely with the free leg. it looks easy for her, i just don't know if it's sustainable as she grows and goes through puberty. she lands it on an inside edge like she does her lutz combos and 4T.

Yeah, it does remind of Yulia’s 2A a lot, more because of the arms, which aren’t used. I don’t know who started teaching this technique, but it seems rather common these days for some reason.
However, it also seemed to me like Yulia’s 2A didn’t cause her problems... Mainly flip and lutz were problematic from what I remember. So maybe it will be fine. Let’s hope some things will be fixed as she gets more used to it.

 

[lopsilceci]

Aliev is competing at the Russian Cup this week and whether Arthur can compete or not is still unknown. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will be healthy enough for the 4th and 5th Cup.

Didn't Artur's coach say from the beginning that he wouldn't participate in the Cup stages because of this injury?

Some other members of the national team will probably not be able to fulfill the 2 stages requirement for different reasons... Medvedeva, Sinitsyna, Vikita, also, seems like at every stage one different russian pair tests covid positive or gets an injury and has to withdraw.
At this rate, I'm sure RusFed will have to just allow national team members to compete at Nationals without having skated at two stages.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

Didn't Artur's coach say from the beginning that he wouldn't participate in the Cup stages because of this injury?

Really? I did not see such an interview. I will take a look. So far I only found the announcements for each Cup he withdrew from and RusFed saying he is still undergoing treatment. I did not find anything that said he would miss the whole Cup. Can you link that interview?

 

[lopsilceci]

Really? I did not see such an interview. I will take a look. So far I only found the announcements for each Cup he withdrew from and RusFed saying he is still undergoing treatment. I did not find anything that said he would miss the whole Cup. Can you link that interview?

https://rsport.ria.ru/20200908/danielyan-1576947974.html
Sorry, I think I remembered wrong.
The interview I remembered was this one from early September where Buianova said he would miss test skates and his participation in the Cup stages was in doubt.
For some reason I assumed he would definitely miss the stages.

His next event is supposed to be the 4th stage. I guess we'll hear more about his condition then.

Sorry for OT.

 

[sclloyd]

My dear Kamila is STILL landing her jumps on the inside edge... ):

That 3A is so scary. For her sake I wish they would work on it, she doesn’t have that problem with her 2A, usually the Lutz and Toe, so I’m sad to see it appearing here.

 

[Edwin]

The broadcast has been processed into a file available for playback, so here is Anastasiya Marasanova's top performance in Moskvina Cup short program for girls born 2009: https://vk.com/video-78970490_456239251?t=1h31m30s or this YT clip

She was a little firecracker in Ice Age, Kids, "I will survive", youngest contestant in the show:

when I feel lousy, I often play back some of these clips, till the point the judges appear, for they will spoil my raised mood ...
the joy of these kids ...
... and to go by their career and new programs, the show has really helped some of them in their expressiveness and just plain daring to show themselves.

 

[kolyadafan2002]

as excited as i am that Kamila has a 3A, i'm still concerned about her technique lasting her. she has a very different axel technique than Aliona, more similar to Lipnitskaya- the jump comes from snappy hips instead of following through completely with the free leg. it looks easy for her, i just don't know if it's sustainable as she grows and goes through puberty. she lands it on an inside edge like she does her lutz combos and 4T.

I don't think it will last.

But they only need it to last till 2022. And that sums up the dark side of this sport.

 

[yume]

Kostornaya's ISU profile has been updated with the latest info: https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00102764.htm

Music Short Program as of season 2020/2021

No Time to Die by Billie Eilish You Should See Me With a Crown by Billie Eilish

Music Free Skating / Free Dance as of season 2020/2021

Wayward Sisters (from "Nocturnal Animals" soundtrack) by Abel Korzeniowski Dance for Me Wallis (from "W.E." soundtrack) by Abel Korzeniowski The Cheek of Night (from "Romeo and Juliet" soundtrack) by Abel Korzeniowski

Division in training staff between her and Trusova also confirmed.

Alyona's height is now listed as 155 cm
Trusova's as 158 cm
Shcherbakova's as 154 cm,

so Anna is smallest

So she really has R&J in her program. Interesting. Music combination is weird but interesting.

If Kostornaya is 1m55 Shcherbakova must be 1m60.

And if Evgenia hadn‘t gotten injured, she‘d likely have won the OGM.

I love this theory.