2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[colormyworld240]

I have very mixed emotions about Alena's FS. The Dance For Me Wallis section, especially the second part, was so beautiful with so many nuances that go well very well with her head and arm movements, but the rest of it was very bland and skating through the music. Especially the in first half, the choreography didn't seem to use any of the music. And the steps are kind of like all the other step sequences this season, fine but nothing special and it looks like she had so much more coverage in the short as well as a more dynamic range of movement. Alena also didn't look like she was connected to the music, but it's a new program so that could be why. But again, it's very clear she has a preference and connection for the music in her short. And I don't know what happened to her spins, they used to be such a strong point for her. In these competitions with the bonuses, they are crucial.

Both she and Anna have pink dresses and I don't think it's a good colour for skating. Like Anna, the choreography is on the generic side and the dress just adds that. I think a dark green would work much better.

Unfortunately this FS performance is one that isn't very different from the norm for Maiia, she rarely puts together a clean free. And her short was much more interesting choreographically.

Sasha's quads are always very impressive, as is her fighting spirit. I don't think 2 points behind Alena in PCS is overscored in Sasha, especially given Alena's performance. I'd say the only part that she's behind is in skating skills, and even then she doesn't have bad SS. I am the minority that finds Sasha more musical than most, though.

And quads are great but I wonder who's going to get a stable -3Lo combo, so far they've been giving Sasha and Anna a lot of trouble.

 

[colormyworld240]

Also Sashas layout. I feel like we need to ditch the +3Lo combo. I saw the one in the warmup which looked great but she keeps missing it in the program both this year and last and its just not worth it. I would guess the problem is mainly that at that point she is to tired to time it perfectly and who wouldnt be after that opening...
So here is my suggestion for an alternative layout.
4S
4Lz
4T+3T
2A
x4T+Eu+3S
x3Lz+3T
x3F/3Lo

She loses one 3lz to ether a 3F (-0.66BV) or 3Lo (-1.1BV). And the 3Lo to a 3T (-0.77BV) That would be a loss of either -1.34BV or -1.87BV which is verry little compared to today.
Today she lost over 7points on this combo (-3,7 for being called as 2Lo, -2,83 in GOE, -1 deduction).

She would probably loose another -0.1 or -0.2 in GOE for the lower BV on the last element since GOE is calculated as percentage on BV. But she would also pressumably get positive GOE on the 3Lz+3T combo. They gave her +2.12 in the short yesturday for example.

So my layout gains her about 8 points compared to today and is significantly less risky.

I think maybe we've underestimated the -3Lo combo. It looks like the timing has to be perfect, and both Sasha and Anna have grown a lot this season. Anna has struggled with it and Sasha has completely removed it in the short. In the short, the BV increase is negligible, and in the free, because these skaters are doing quads, the advantage to the layout is also small. It's not really worth the risk anymore and it's probably the best choice to ditch it scoring wise, but it's unfortunately because it's such a beautiful jump. But unnecessary if you're going to repeat a quad.

 

[MaHa75]

I was dissapointed in Alena FS program. First of all i was excpecting something unique...ShaeLynn and Kostornaya together... but it was rhe most ordinary and i even say empty program. Second thing was that she has lost her light speed and previous years her jumps were big but now every move is small. She has lost her sprkle and was a bit overrated, especially yesterday!

 

[Lechat]

I was dissapointed in Alena FS program. First of all i was excpecting something unique...ShaeLynn and Kostornaya together... but it was rhe most ordinary and i even say empty program. Second thing was that she has lost her light speed and previous years her jumps were big but now every move is small. She has lost her sprkle and was a bit overrated, especially yesterday!

It’s her first competition for ages. Don’t expect for her to be at her top shape. It’s risky to land a 3A if you are not ready and it’s the first time she perform her new free program. She still needs time to polish it.

 

[Lechat]

sport 24 interview with Aliona in Russian and google translated to english

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHYex79JNel/

she knew she ran out of gas and i can assume working with Shae virtually was much more challenging than in person. i hope someday soon they can work in person.

It was not perfect but there’s still room to improve and yeah not having Shae in person must be difficult.

 

[SXTN]

I'm not even sure why bad dresses is a major criticism, are you looking for a fashion show?

It adds to the overall impression. Last year Eteri knew very well what kind of dresses are good for her. Aliona always looked taller (and more majestic) so everyone was always surprised how short Aliona was standing next to Anna or Alexandra. The dresses Eteri gave her made the best out of her body and proportions. This year's dresses do the exact contrary.

 

[Jontor]

I think maybe we've underestimated the -3Lo combo. It looks like the timing has to be perfect, and both Sasha and Anna have grown a lot this season. Anna has struggled with it and Sasha has completely removed it in the short. In the short, the BV increase is negligible, and in the free, because these skaters are doing quads, the advantage to the layout is also small. It's not really worth the risk anymore and it's probably the best choice to ditch it scoring wise, but it's unfortunately because it's such a beautiful jump. But unnecessary if you're going to repeat a quad.

True. The Loop combo really is a risky jump that doesn't pay off. It is sooo much harder to do for only +0.7 in BV.
Anna needs it though with her current layout, but if she goes back to her 2 or 3 quad program she doesn't.
Sasha doesn't need it at all.

The only one who mastered the Loop combo beautifully was Zagitova when she had it stable.

 

[Jontor]

On a side note: Frolova has actually beaten Khromykh in the Russian Cup. Who would have thought that...

Frolova 407.93
Khromykh 405.34

 

[Lunalovesskating]

On a side note: Frolova has actually beaten Khromykh in the Russian Cup. Who would have thought that...

Not surprising. Anna also had better placements during the JGP last season. Was 2nd and 3rd. Maiia was 3rd and 4th in her events.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

True. The Loop combo really is a risky jump that doesn't pay off. It is sooo much harder to do for only +0.7 in BV.
Anna needs it though with her current layout, but if she goes back to her 2 or 3 quad program she doesn't.
Sasha doesn't need it at all.

The only one who mastered the Loop combo beautifully was Zagitova when she had it stable.

We have to also remember that Alina didn't attempt those loop combos after trying 4 quads. I'm sure fatigue plays a big factor in why Sasha has trouble with it.

 

[Silvia451]

It's sad to think that this year would have been Alena's chance to become world champion. Her performance today wasn't that bad, but the program is not good enough in my opinion. Hopefully they keep all the good ideas for the olympic season.

Sasha's program is also a bit generic, but she saves it with energy, power and quads (that 4S ). Although it's very early in the season, I think it's going to be between Sasha and Anna.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

kamilia is a snake I think her bolero costume suits more than her sp dress which is too long but represents the sky.

I mean just because there is a reasoning behind it doesn't automatically make it good.

 

[rollerblade]

We have to also remember that Alina didn't attempt those loop combos after trying 4 quads. I'm sure fatigue plays a big factor in why Sasha has trouble with it.

Wasn't Trusova having problems with the loop combo in the short as well? There isn't any quads in the SP for fatigue to become a factor.

I guess she didn't want to repeat the 3T for BV sake, especially today when she fell on her most stable 4T.

 

[Fool]

We have to also remember that Alina didn't attempt those loop combos after trying 4 quads. I'm sure fatigue plays a big factor in why Sasha has trouble with it.

I mean you're right, but Sasha has also left it out of the no quads allowed SP.

 

[Alex65]

Trusova's choreo was almost non-existent but she landed those quads.

FP Trusova has more choreography than any other skater who does a 4 quad program. If I am wrong, please bring me an example of such a program.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

FP Trusova has more choreography than any other skater who does a 4 quad program. If I am wrong, please bring me an example of such a program.

Ladies or men? Because if the former, then you are absolutely correct as no one else has attempted a 4 quad program.

 

[lopsilceci]

Great skate from Sasha and well deserved win! Those quads are so impressive, they almost make you overlook any other mistakes she makes. Still no clean skates from her but hopefully someday.
Seeing Plushenko wear his mask over his nose yesterday and the removal of the hip shimmy from Sasha's FP makes me wonder... Does Team Plushenko read online forums for feedback?

Aliona: Not surprising that she didn't attempt the 3A, it would have been safer to do it in the SP and she didn't, so it's clearly not there yet. Personally, I don't like any of the two programs but I prefer the music from the FP, even though this performance was pretty forgettable.
So far, none of the programs choreographed by SLB this season have been particularly impressive, but I imagine it isn't easy to choreo via skype.

I'm so sad for Maiia. After such a great SP, I really thought she would rock that FP and take the silver medal. I think the 4S might be messing with her head, as she doesn't seem to have problems with her triples otherwise. The mistakes clearly took her out of the program.
I think we tend to expect so much from her because we compare her with Daria and Kamila, but they're all still juniors and it's impressive how competitive they already are with the seniors. Maiia medaled in both her events and secured her spot at nationals, so mission accomplished, I would say. Now she can fully focus on taming that 4S for Nationals.

 

[brakes]

Kostornaia regressed, not only jumping-wise, but skating-wise as well.

She doesn't have innate musicality of Anna, but Eteri programmed her lines and arms movement perfectly, transforming her into "white angel" of last season. Without her, Alyona's skating become average.

 

[sclloyd]

Really? I thought her FS costume was so much better than the one in the short. Pink isn't my fav color, but it looked a lot more expensive and prettier, than the one in the short. Perhaps I am indeed too old-fashioned

I don’t know if this is true everywhere but in the US that swirl pattern is almost omnipresent on Disney Princess Halloween costumes. So to me it seems so cheap.

For example, see the cover photo here for these costumes. All three have that pattern.

Disney Princess Costume Collection

Read reviews and buy Disney Princess Costume Collection at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

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So it is not my favorite. The gloves, however, are very lovely, as is the shimmer on the torso. But the swirls..

 

[eterialskating]

This LP music is a lot closer to Kostornaia's style compared to her SP but the choreography is severely lacking and one note. I really cannot remember a top quality and memorable SLB LP from the ladies except for Medvedeva's Memoirs of a Geisha.

Nice quads from Sasha. My favorite is that 4T half loop 3S combo sadly interpretation, musicality and choreography is thrown out the window. I thought Kostornaya was overscored in PCS today but gosh Sasha is something else. In no way should she get 65+ for ticking off jump after jump. Zero connection to music.