2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating
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- Nov 19, 2020
Sofia Samodelkina said in an interview that for her a competition day is kind of like a break from her busy schedule. She just goes to the rink, warms up, and skates -- instead of spending six hours on the ice practicing.
I realize there are many other factors: for example, think how much more exhausting it is to do full run-throughs of a program, as we saw in Anna's case, and also think about the emotional pressures. But I thought Sofia's perspective was striking.
I realize there are many other factors: for example, think how much more exhausting it is to do full run-throughs of a program, as we saw in Anna's case, and also think about the emotional pressures. But I thought Sofia's perspective was striking.
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2018
Kamila and Daria should skip Junior Nats. It’s pointless for them and could only hurt them.
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- Nov 12, 2011
why does it matter what kind of house these girls live in or who pays for it? as long as it provides shelter, warmth and safety then who cares?
If they're going to do a team event, why not be creative and have some kind of theme to it? Or have everyone come out with one new program?
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Figure skating promoters really need to watch out for oversaturating events without offering something really new to the audience. Which is why I think the whole figure skating season needs to be revamped to encourage more programs per year while making it more normal to reuse older programs.
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Figure skating promoters really need to watch out for oversaturating events without offering something really new to the audience. Which is why I think the whole figure skating season needs to be revamped to encourage more programs per year while making it more normal to reuse older programs.
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- Dec 22, 2018
I think these competitions are actually a good thing, at least for the seniors. It is difficult for an athlete to maintain monotonous training, without any immediate goal or even the distraction of travel and meeting the audience and other people. Jason Brown has been talking about how mentally taxing this is in his latest interview. Athletes need competitions to stay in top form.
Despite all the new competitions, so far the Russian ladies have had fewer chances to compete than in previous seasons. Normally, they would have two GPs, one GPF for some, a Challenger, Rusnats and Euros before Worlds. There was also the Youth Olympics, Russian Cup final or WTT for some. This year they have had only 2 stages of the Russian Cup, one GP and Rusnats, and some skaters did not go to all of those. EC will definitely not happen, so there is nothing wrong with replacing it with an event. All I am saying is that they are used to competing more and, if healthy, more competitions are actually beneficial.
Despite all the new competitions, so far the Russian ladies have had fewer chances to compete than in previous seasons. Normally, they would have two GPs, one GPF for some, a Challenger, Rusnats and Euros before Worlds. There was also the Youth Olympics, Russian Cup final or WTT for some. This year they have had only 2 stages of the Russian Cup, one GP and Rusnats, and some skaters did not go to all of those. EC will definitely not happen, so there is nothing wrong with replacing it with an event. All I am saying is that they are used to competing more and, if healthy, more competitions are actually beneficial.
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- Apr 17, 2018
I do want to see Kami, Dasha and Maiia at Junior Nats, but I do think it would be more reasonable for them to miss it. If they did go, I think more people would watch the event and then the super talented Akatieva, Samodelkina, Petrosyan, Osokina, Muravyeva, Zhilina and Berestovskaya could also get more fans and recognition (as a few of them would have gotten if there was a JGP). But, on the other hand, maybe increasing pressure at such a young age is more detrimental than the extra fans are beneficial.
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- Feb 27, 2014
Those 3 are outstanding but they're only treated as seniors because of the pandemic messing up the season.
Hurt them? They are only 14 and need to skate especially in this abbreviated season.
I don't really see a downside for them. Other than if one of the Sofias edges them out.
Akatieva won silver at Jr. Rusnats last year I believe behind KV and ahead of Dasha. She does triple axles and quads and could beat Maya and Dasha. EG may doesn't want that.
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- Feb 10, 2018
Implying the fear of defeat in junior competition on the skaters is not my way how to support them.
Both Sofias are strong contenders but Kamila at full power as we saw her at nationals is damn good and this is just underestimating her true power. And honestly it's also underestimating the power of Anna and Sasha if someone implies that currently Sofias are more serious competitors for her than the top seniors 
Kamila did big improvement in presentation where Sofias currently still lack on her. In the two or more years it can be different but in this moment clean Kamila can be hardly beaten by the juniors. She can have a bad day but such possibility is there everytime no matter on the level of competition. After all any competitor must have adequate level of self-confidence, not to start being afraid of losing.
People tend to forget how tough, competitive and determined those girls are, despite their (deceptive
) fragile appearance. If they weren't they wouldn't be so damn good.Both Sofia's are brilliant, but I disagree with you. If Kamila skates to her own level, neither one has a chance (higher GOE's and PCS's)
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- Feb 24, 2012
There are so many good Russian female skaters and upcoming juniors able to challenge for the olympics - Aliona, Anna, Sasha, Liza, Kamila, Maia, Dasha, and that doesn't include Evgenia (is she too injured to compete still?), Zagitova who looks like she isn't returning. Assuming they have three spots for the Olympics this is going to be a mad dash.
Again I disagree. And even if you were right, it still wouldn't be enough.
On another topic: I seem to remember that Daria Sadkova was 2nd reserve and Alina Gorbachova 3rd reserve for Junior Nationals. Do I get this right or...?
I want these two girls in, so this is another reason I want Eteri to take the 14-year-olds out. Sadkova especially for me.
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- Apr 17, 2018
Yeah, I know she'd win with a landslide (I actually posted about that a few weeks ago) but I actually think it would be more difficult in terms of technical content.Implying the fear of defeat in junior competition on the skaters is not my way how to support them.
Kamila did big improvement in presentation where Sofias currently still lack on her. In the two or more years it can be different but in this moment clean Kamila can be hardly beaten by the juniors. She can have a bad day but such possibility is there everytime no matter on the level of competition. After all any competitor must have adequate level of self-confidence, not to start being afraid of losing.
People tend to forget how tough, competitive and determined those girls are, despite their (deceptive
In RusNats, there are two (Liza on a good day, but clearly those were not good days so I counted her out) skaters that can really challenge her technically. In Juniors there are four. She'd still win due to PCS/GOEs, but those juniors won't be stuck in the 7s for long. Zhilina with max tech content and generous-ish GOEs/PCS could reach 167 for the FS, making a pretty good total of like 246; Akatieva with max tech content and generous-ish GOEs/PCS could reach 246; Samodelkina with max tech content and generous-ish GOE/PCS could reach 247; Valieva with a fifth stage performance would be around 246 as well...
I guess I should've specified technically since like Zhilina will get 7s in PCS and Akatieva and Samodelkina 8s while Valieva will enjoy 9s. So, yeah of course she would win since she's objectively the best there in terms of being a full package, but technically? The amount of quads/3As we'll most likely see at junior nats is 12 by 4 people (or maybe 14 at max). At RusNats it was 10 by four people. And the level of consistency on those 3As have been rather high...
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2018
But it's true that Akatieva has a pretty consistent 3A? You can't disagree with a fact. She has a 5/6 landing rate (with the only fall being at her very first competition of the season).
I would love to see Sadkova and Gorbachova at junior nats though (especially Gorbachova since she had a bronze but had to WD from her other event... I think both could be dark horses and it would be sad to see them not even get to go).
I just wonder that if Kami and Dasha WD, would Maiia and Anna Frolova as well? Or would they still compete?
Yes, Akatieva has a very solid 3A, and MORE solid than Kami's. But I think Kami's 3A is more stable than people think. And yes she fell in RusNats, but in practise the percentage is apparently very high. So that was the thing.
If Maya and Anna F are not invited to go to the team event then I suppose they could go. Maya doesn't need to though, because I think she's in the National team and GP for next season. No reason to fight with the juniors. But could they still give Anna JGP spots?
The schedule for Junior Nationals is out: Ladies skate 3rd and 4th of February
The first pdf is the timetable (cyrillic)
Krasnoyarsk time is 4 hours ahead of Moscow!
So, Krasnoyarsk time:
Feb 2nd:
19.30-21.00 The Draw
Feb 3rd:
14.00-16.30 Boys SP
16.45-17.15 Opening
17.30-20.00 Girls SP
20.15-22.25 Dance (Rhythm)
Feb 4th:
14.00-16.45 Boys FP
17.00-18.45 Pairs SP
19.00-20.45 Girls FP
22.00-22.30 Award Ceremony
Feb 5th:
12.30-14.50 Dance Free
15.05-17.05 Pairs FP
17.30-18.00 Award Ceremony
The first pdf is the timetable (cyrillic)
Krasnoyarsk time is 4 hours ahead of Moscow!
So, Krasnoyarsk time:
Feb 2nd:
19.30-21.00 The Draw
Feb 3rd:
14.00-16.30 Boys SP
16.45-17.15 Opening
17.30-20.00 Girls SP
20.15-22.25 Dance (Rhythm)
Feb 4th:
14.00-16.45 Boys FP
17.00-18.45 Pairs SP
19.00-20.45 Girls FP
22.00-22.30 Award Ceremony
Feb 5th:
12.30-14.50 Dance Free
15.05-17.05 Pairs FP
17.30-18.00 Award Ceremony
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- Joined
- Apr 26, 2018
That makes me wonder how they‘ll make up the National team for next year. Right now, there‘s just so many candidates. Trusova, Shcherbakova, Valieva and Kostornaya, who‘ll surely be in. Then there‘s Tuktamysheva, who only finished 7th at RusNats but won Rostelecom, is a former World Champion and able to land 3A and 4T. Daria and Maiia are promising juniors who finished 4th and 5th at Senior Nationals respectively. Zagitova and Medvedeva are wildcards who could, theoretically, return.
I fear that someone like Nugumanova will get the short end of the stick here, despite performing so brilliantly at RusNats and getting 6th (!) place. I would be so sad and disappointed for her if she was to miss her two explicitly stated goals (get a senior international GP and make the national team), despite having earned them... But I fear it‘s going to happen.
Actually, it does kind of matter, for practical reasons only. Being able to relax and spend your breaks directly next to the rink and not having to commute every day, is a pretty big factor. Sure, athletes shouldn‘t focus on the luxury and I doubt they are. But just being able to live within walking distance of the rink takes out a certain amount of stress.
So, those cottages actually seem like a rather good idea, though the “queen of quads“ door handle is tacky and very much Plushenko-esque of course.
Correct me if I‘m wrong but isn‘t there something similar in Russia to what Plushenko‘s trying here; in Rhythmic Gymnastic? As in, all athletes living in one place, studying there, only going home for the weekends? It seems to be pretty successful, so, who knows, maybe the Angels academy will do similarly well, once their structure is fully completed and thought out?
I‘d give them a few years, though what we see right now admittedly isn‘t very encouraging. Ryabova and Konstantinova leaving so close after another, with both stating the exact same reasons? Well, okay then... (also doesn‘t bode well for Stasya‘s career - is there anyone else that could take her?)
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- Mar 16, 2019
I thought maybe she could follow Tarakanova and work with Ksenia and Adian? The only coaches I can think of...
Not sure Rukavitsyn would be down, but he’s also a possibility. Not every coach would be up for a salvage mission, everyone wants a talented athlete on their rise, so Stasya is in a difficult position.
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