2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Lzbee]

honestly i think RusFed should be pushing her the most out of anyone right now, even over Kamila. she is now a 3x Russian national champion (winning RusNats is basically winning a world championship if you think about it) and has been extremely reliable since becoming a senior. she is the only one who has come out on top so far through covid too. there is every reason for them to be behind Anna going into next season.

I would say they're already doing it this year.

Anna had 36/74 PCS at last year's nationals which has now risen to 38/77 this year. That's the same pcs as Alena who got the push last year at nationals.

Anna's best international pcs last year was 35/71 so if we extrapolate the gap to this year's nationals then she would have 37/74 internationally. That's Alina level, higher than Alena's highest internationally which was 36/73 (yes she got a very big push at nationals).

Note that Anna's GOEs have also increased as she "only" did two quads this time too. Therefore, she is already clear Russian number 1 as Alena cannot touch her even at full strength with 3 3A and Anna with 2 quads instead of 3.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

I made my original comment about not adding more tech to Kamila and instead work on her mental stability and expression under a personal assumption about that 3A:
- I believe Sasha will get it and then may land it right when it matters. But even then and with 4Lz and 4F in the Free I see her behind a clean Kamila cause all other elements of her skating are inferior, her GOE is lower and judges have made their tastes clear.
- Alena, even if she gets her three 3A back, will not get a quad. That's just my personal opinion. So even with 10s in interpretation, she can't compete with Anna and Kamila if they get a 3A
- Anna has long talked about doing the 3A but we have never seen an actual successful attempt (or any attempt at all?) and I simply doubt we will. But here I can easily be wrong and that would be hard for Kamila then. Because Anna is setting herself up in a very good position as far as judges perceiving her during this season.

But honestly, for jump GOEs Sasha's should be above Kamila's (except for the flip). Especially in combos. There's actually a deduction for lack of flow in combo which can lead to -1 to -3, but I know no judges will actually use it. And GOE wise for spins, Kamila deserves +5s, but some of Sasha's deserve +4 and +3, none of them feel like +2 spins, so that deficit isn't too bad. In addition, step sequence wise, they both hit the same amount of bullets, so they should get the same +3 GOE (or +2). Anyways, I do think Alena probably won't get a quad. The only one I see hope for is 4S, but she might need to fix her leg wrap issue (but she did do 3A with leg wrap so who knows?) But her 3A was super consistent before, and given Anna and Kamila and Sasha are just starting to use 3A, a consistent Alyona could maybe beat them.

 

[Amei]

But honestly, for jump GOEs Sasha's should be above Kamila's (except for the flip). Especially in combos. There's actually a deduction for lack of flow in combo which can lead to -1 to -3, but I know no judges will actually use it. And GOE wise for spins, Kamila deserves +5s, but some of Sasha's deserve +4 and +3, none of them feel like +2 spins, so that deficit isn't too bad. In addition, step sequence wise, they both hit the same amount of bullets, so they should get the same +3 GOE (or +2). Anyways, I do think Alena probably won't get a quad. The only one I see hope for is 4S, but she might need to fix her leg wrap issue (but she did do 3A with leg wrap so who knows?) But her 3A was super consistent before, and given Anna and Kamila and Sasha are just starting to use 3A, a consistent Alyona could maybe beat them.

I would say that's a big "maybe" if all Kostornaia has is the triple axel, last season Shcherbakova did beat her in every FS and successfully won Nationals as she didnt have a fall deduction on a quad.

 

[nussnacker]

Liza and Sofia skate each other’s programs

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

 

[anonymoose_au]

but this doesn’t help a meaningful conversation.

What meaningful conversation are we talking about? The ones where posters have a fine old time re-interating all the things wrong with the Angels Academy?

If you think I'm exaggerating...maybe pop over to the Coaches Cauldron.

Even the manner in which the question was posed was horrible.

"Hmm should Zhenya have returned to the well-run, well-structured environment of Team Eteri? Or should she have gone to the Team that grants "special favours" (sounds positively illegal!) who will bring out the worst in her"? (I distinctly remember people thinking Zhenya was being an egotistical brat by doing that extra jump in her combo and being too big for her boots).

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

I would say that's a big "maybe" if all Kostornaia has is the triple axel, last season Shcherbakova did beat her in every FS and successfully won Nationals as she didnt have a fall deduction on a quad.

True true. Maybe Alyona could move the 3A to the second half. That's another way to get points I guess. The biggest issue with only having a 3A is that you kind of have to rely on your quad-wielding competitors to make mistakes. Clean Sasha with her insane 4 or 5 quad layout would have no trouble beating Alyona last season, but she was never clean. Same goes for Anna. Instead of actively challenging, it's like passively defending. But I could see Alyona maybe doing 4S and Daria also maybe doing 4S or 4T, but I think both of them would have better luck with 3A since their axels are GORGEOUS.

 

[Gabby30]

honestly i think RusFed should be pushing her the most out of anyone right now, even over Kamila. she is now a 3x Russian national champion (winning RusNats is basically winning a world championship if you think about it) and has been extremely reliable since becoming a senior. she is the only one who has come out on top so far through covid too. there is every reason for them to be behind Anna going into next season.

A national title is not worth anything internationally. It didn't make Anna win anything important so far. Adelina Sotnikova was a 4 time national champion, did anybody care? But based on your logic, she is basically a world champion Saying that winning RusNats is like winning worlds is an offensive statement and is diminishing other skaters , who also have a chance of winning worlds. And then you guys wonder why the Russian skaters get so much hate....

 

[Novalis]

A national title is not worth anything internationally. It didn't make Anna win anything important so far. Adelina Sotnikova was a 4 time national champion, did anybody care? But based on your logic, she is basically a world champion Saying that winning RusNats is like winning worlds is an offensive statement and is diminishing other skaters , who also have a chance of winning worlds. And then you guys wonder why the Russian skaters get so much hate....

No. 3x Russian Champion is an incredible achievement in this day and age, legendary stuff. And very similar to winning Worlds (though we musn't forget Rika Kihira).

With Adelina it was mostly still easy.

 

[Autumn Leaves]

What meaningful conversation are we talking about? The ones where posters have a fine old time re-interating all the things wrong with the Angels Academy?

If you think I'm exaggerating...maybe pop over to the Coaches Cauldron.

Even the manner in which the question was posed was horrible.

"Hmm should Zhenya have returned to the well-run, well-structured environment of Team Eteri? Or should she have gone to the Team that grants "special favours" (sounds positively illegal!) who will bring out the worst in her"? (I distinctly remember people thinking Zhenya was being an egotistical brat by doing that extra jump in her combo and being too big for her boots).

That’s exactly what I am talking about - we are not in the Couching Cauldron or the Instagram comments. You keep reacting here to things you have seen somewhere else or expect to be said.

And I really see no shade in the question about Medvedeva. You have chosen to interpret it in this way. I saw it as comparing a more rigid, structured, “one-size fits all” environment to an organisation that is more flexible and adapting to the individual skaters needs. It was probably meant as a compliment to the Academy. Yes, Plushchenko’s actions and words raise a lot of questions and criticism, sometimes justified, sometimes not, but I also think that you are taking the role of protector too far and often see shade and hate even if it is not there.

And Plushchenko is a mature, self-confident, outspoken, powerful, rich, successful man, he will be fine. He knew the risks he was taking with Sasha and Alena and made his free choices. These two skaters are not just two Eteri girls; they are the two of the top skaters in the world and two of Russia’s hopes for Olympic gold. I am sure he knew their development would be under tremendous scrutiny and gladly took that risk. Eteri, Orser, Raf, Mishin, they all work or have worked under the same amount of pressure. I have a feeling that you worry too much about him. He will be fine.

 

[chasingneverland]

A national title is not worth anything internationally. It didn't make Anna win anything important so far. Adelina Sotnikova was a 4 time national champion, did anybody care? But based on your logic, she is basically a world champion Saying that winning RusNats is like winning worlds is an offensive statement and is diminishing other skaters , who also have a chance of winning worlds. And then you guys wonder why the Russian skaters get so much hate....

Adelina Sotnikova is an OGM haha. In fact, I would argue that it was her standing within Russia that led to the push she was given at the Olympics.

 

[macy]

A national title is not worth anything internationally. It didn't make Anna win anything important so far. Adelina Sotnikova was a 4 time national champion, did anybody care? But based on your logic, she is basically a world champion Saying that winning RusNats is like winning worlds is an offensive statement and is diminishing other skaters , who also have a chance of winning worlds. And then you guys wonder why the Russian skaters get so much hate....

i'm aware a national title isnt worth anything internationally. what i'm saying is Russian ladies skating is the most competitive in the world right now and outside of Rika Kihira, they are competing against each other. to win is to basically be able to win worlds as well. there was nothing offensive to anyone in what i said and it has zero to do with Adelina's national titles which were won at a time Russian ladies skating wasn't even close to being as competitive as it is now.

 

[Thrashergurl]

wasn’t there some talk that Zhenya was in talks with Plushenko? But Eteri stopped that from happening?

Time will tell what happens with Zhenya. Right now I don’t see much hope for her to come back on a competitive level.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

wasn’t there some talk that Zhenya was in talks with Plushenko? But Eteri stopped that from happening?

No. There were no talks with Plushenko. Considering how Plushenko loves to talk about who he tried to get into his rink (e.g. Alina) we would have known if there were negotiations between him and Zhenya.

 

[FelineFairy]

A national title is not worth anything internationally. It didn't make Anna win anything important so far. Adelina Sotnikova was a 4 time national champion, did anybody care? But based on your logic, she is basically a world champion Saying that winning RusNats is like winning worlds is an offensive statement and is diminishing other skaters , who also have a chance of winning worlds. And then you guys wonder why the Russian skaters get so much hate....

Even if some fans exaggerate the value of a national championship, even if other fans supporting skaters from other championships feel offended, it will not change two things: 1) the recent extreme competitiveness of the said championship and 2) the meanness of giving any skater "so much hate". I sometimes wonder if fans who express that hatred on Internet pages would do the same if they met at competitions live. I really doubt it. Those who don't spare strong words on a forum would most probably turn out to be polite and sweet.

 

[Vilord]

Liza and Sofia skate each other’s programs

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

I love the personalities and friendship of Liza and Sofia. Thanks for bringing this video here and spreding some joy.

 

[trkvy]

 

[silveruskate]

Internationally I can see Anna gaining 5 points on PCS for sure if we consider her status in Russia now and Russian scores. But will she be backed by the ISU? We know her first senior season Aliona was definitely backed ahead of her. 5 more PCS would have flipped EC 2020.

Anna with breathing difficulties has more stamina than 2019 Anna, if we look at the -3S combo especially, her jumps look better. I see jump GOE being so important. If she gets international jump GOE close to Russian then she's the favourite.

Kamila already gets high jump GOE internationally. She has unquestioned edges, and her quad (IMO) is seen as more of a true quad than Anna's. If ISU backs her they can push her jump GOE and PCS up, and they can even make a greater distance between her and Anna's spin GOE.

 

[Rus Skating World]

No. There were no talks with Plushenko. Considering how Plushenko loves to talk about who he tried to get into his rink (e.g. Alina) we would have known if there were negotiations between him and Zhenya.

This season he even dropped a hint about Rika Kihira

 

[Amei]

Internationally I can see Anna gaining 5 points on PCS for sure if we consider her status in Russia now and Russian scores. But will she be backed by the ISU? We know her first senior season Aliona was definitely backed ahead of her. 5 more PCS would have flipped EC 2020.

Anna with breathing difficulties has more stamina than 2019 Anna, if we look at the -3S combo especially, her jumps look better. I see jump GOE being so important. If she gets international jump GOE close to Russian then she's the favourite.

Yesterday I pulled Shcherbakova's total points for her quads so BV +/- GOE. Below is the breakdown, her quad scores are not drastically increased at Nationals when you look at her International quad scores if you are looking at clean quad vs. clean quad. Her solo quad lutz got about 1 point higher GOE at Nationals and the 4lz+3T got about .66 point higher GOE.

Shcherbakova's quads last year:
Lombardia Trophy: 4Lz = 14.03 -- Total points = 14.03
Skate America: 4lz+3t = 18.66; 4lz = 14.79 -- Total points = 33.45
Cup of China: 4lz+3t = 12.48; 4lz = 12.16 --- both of these jumping passes were given an edge call and the 4lz in the combination was called under-rotated -- Total points = 24.64
GPF: 4lz+3t = 19.15; 4lz = 8.81; 4F = 5.50 - the flip was a fall and the solo lutz was called under -- Total points = 33.46
Nationals: 4lz+3t = 19.97; 4lz = 15.94; 4F = 10.06 - the flip had a step out - Domestic scoring -- Total points = 45.97
Europeans: 4lz+3t = 19.31; 4lz = 2.95; 4F = 9.30 - the flip was called under and the solo lutz was downgraded and a fall. -- Total points = 31.56

 

[flanker]

Internationally I can see Anna gaining 5 points on PCS for sure if we consider her status in Russia now and Russian scores. But will she be backed by the ISU? We know her first senior season Aliona was definitely backed ahead of her. 5 more PCS would have flipped EC 2020.

Anna with breathing difficulties has more stamina than 2019 Anna, if we look at the -3S combo especially, her jumps look better. I see jump GOE being so important. If she gets international jump GOE close to Russian then she's the favourite.

Kamila already gets high jump GOE internationally. She has unquestioned edges, and her quad (IMO) is seen as more of a true quad than Anna's. If ISU backs her they can push her jump GOE and PCS up, and they can even make a greater distance between her and Anna's spin GOE.

Well, at Europeans Anna would have won even with the fall from the second 4Lz, if her 4F wouldn't have been marked as UR. Also every single time she won the free skate no matter who her competitors were last season. Her quads are currently very stable (not a single mistake since the start of the season) and her Lutz edge became much better. So unless there would be some true hostility from the ISU I don't think she should be afraid of that. Of course, the reality can still surprise me, but I truly believe that if she will show such skate as she did on saturday, no one of the responsible people of ISU in his right mind could make any objection about it.