2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Flying Feijoa]

You are definitely misinterpreting my words. I am absolutely not telling anyone to stay out of any conversation. No matter what their opinion might be. Maybe I could have phrased it better - If you don't like a conversation you are not required to participate in it or even read it. I used the example of black tights. I have nothing to contribute on that subject and I don't care, so I just scroll on by. What I don't do is post about how tedious it is to read about tights and would people please stop posting about things I don't care about.

She didn't generate drama. People on this thread are generating drama.

But this above post is all the other person said regarding the drama (controversy). It's not especially rude (and they aren't either, on the spectrum of behaviour here). They weren't personally telling you that you shouldn't post about it, they just expressed their opinion that the situation is less controversial than it's made out to me. This view is as valid as yours and doesn't affect your right to express your own view here.

You suggesting people 'cease their contribution' reads a lot like 'stop responding'. That probably isn't what you meant. If that is what you meant then my response to that is - No.

I actually gave two suggestions (see below), depending on whether people want to keep talking about the controversy or not. If they don't, it dies out. If they still want to talk about it, it's their right to talk (as stated in my last post).

She can't generate all that drama by herself, so perhaps if the people here cease their contribution there will be no drama.

That said, if you like participating in 'drama', then by all means do so.

I accept that I might have been thrown off by your phrasing, and mistakenly thought that you were shutting down someone's different opinion (that Alina/Zhenya are just human girls caught in an awkward situation, which you may or may not agree with). Likewise, you might have misinterpreted me as trying to shut down the opinion of everyone who wants to discuss the controversy. Well, we all make mistakes.

Anyway, the original poster seems to not mind much. Maybe something to emulate.

 

[alexocfp]

Just saw the press conference with English subtitles.

Wow.

I had to increase the room temperature because I was getting frostbite watching it. Do we have a ice emoji here?

 

[Skatesocs]

I had to increase the room temperature because I was getting frostbite watching it. Do we have a ice emoji here?

It's a skating forum.

 

[Vilord]

Sasha does need to though - it's part of the World's team selection process as well as everyone else that qualified and isn't already named - so essentially the entire RusNats team (except for Anna)/pretty much all of the RusNats competitiors.

The question does sasha actually have to go? I know they only named the rusNats camps to the team but the general consensus was that that was because of men and Ice dance where several favourites where missing. Out of the Seniors Sasha has been clear no2 this season in 4 out of 5 competitions so far.

Would they actually leave her home if she didnt go? Somehow I dont think so but its RusFed so who knows...

Somehow I find it unlikely that both Liza T and Aliona would show up and score even close to the Level of sasha (or Anna and kamilla) which is what I think it would take to push her of the team.

 

[Zora]

I hope they're sensible with Sasha next year. I doubt they'll keep the Romeo and Juliet, I dont think its gotten rave reviews. I've said I hope they keep the short and keep working on her facial expressions, no need to start from square one again. For the long, I would ditch the attempt at elegance because she's going to be focused on her jumps no matter what. I'd just go for full on dynamic and let her do her thing.

I would love her to go for a Rika Hongo style program... like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TUj_ecgwU or this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3NSFxpHw7Q
Brilliant choices for an athletic type of skater.

 

[Dawn825]

I agree. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Aliona. However, she's hurt the most by Kamila getting quads because Kamila is also artistic with lovely lines. It's like how Anna can be considered the balance between both Aliona and Sasha's strengths (artistry vs quads) but without being as strong in either (and with her own weaknesses namely skating skills and lutz edges but she's not alone in that). However, Kamila does that even better, without the edge issues of the others and now with a 3A. Kamila is also younger with less injuries or illnesses than the others.

If I were a judge I'd still give Kostornaia higher performance and interpretation points because she uses her face more. But Kamila clobbers her in content right now for sure. It's also hard to say right now whether Anna or Sasha has stronger quads, with Anna being so consistent and Sasha not being, plus the injury. Next season might be a different story, but I don't expect Anna to suddenly be a hot mess or Sasha to commit to a consistent quad layout. Idk about Anna's weaknesses either...she didn't get edge calls internationally in '19-'20, no reason to assume she'll start getting them next year. And she got in the 8s for SS, while Kamila was getting 7s. Kamila will get a senior boost, but unless that boost takes her into the 9s, it's not gonna make much difference. Anna might also get boosted just from her reputation, so I can't predict who will come out on top in PCS internationally, or whether it will be a significant enough margin to really impact a showdown.

 

[Skatesocs]

I would love her to go for a Rika Hongo style program... like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TUj_ecgwU or this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3NSFxpHw7Q
Brilliant choices for an athletic type of skater.

I loved her!!

 

[alexocfp]

So it looks like that final world spot is down to 2 gals.

Can’t lie and say that I don’t have any rooting interest because I do: hope Liza gets it. Because it’s going to be the last major international competition for her. A few skaters become age eligible later this year and that sound you hear is the door slamming shut.

And I’m not trying to be a troublemaker but Liza did win the head to head, woman to woman battle last time they faced off.

Ok, maybe I am a troublemaker after all. Haha

 

[chasingneverland]

Milla a typo.Kamila.

Yes the Olympic spot is so valuable and there may only be one spot available were up for grabs..

But all of that is next season to to be sided in December at nationals January at Europeans not now and now is for worlds this year and the 3rd spot is still up for grabs. The 1st 2 spots are solidified whether they've been announced or not

It's naive to think the RusFed won't take all of this into account. And that's why Kamila poses the most threat to Aliona. Because her stock has been hurt the most this season and she didn't get the Worlds title she likely would have last year.

On the other hand, Anna has won yet another RusNats (showing a clean 2 quad FS) and Sasha has landed her 3A and shown a clean 2 quad FS, neither of which Aliona has done. Basically last year Aliona was considering the number 1. This year, while she's probably going to Worlds if they happen there are questions.

That's why looking into the next year hers is the spot that's the most vulnerable and the one that Kamila will most likely take AS THINGS STAND - obviously that can change.

Also as it stands, Anna and Sasha are likely on the world's podium - barring meltdowns, while Aliona would need some help (without her 3As) to outscore Rika. That will also improve their position going into next year.

And Kamila has already shown she can outscore them all.

 

[macy]

It's naive to think the RusFed won't take all of this into account. And that's why Kamila poses the most threat to Aliona. Because her stock has been hurt the most this season and she didn't get the Worlds title she likely would have last year.

On the other hand, Anna has won yet another RusNats (showing a clean 2 quad FS) and Sasha has landed her 3A and shown a clean 2 quad FS, neither of which Aliona has done. Basically last year Aliona was considering the number 1. This year, while she's probably going to Worlds if they happen there are questions.

i don't think things are so certain at this point, even if it might look that way. a lot can happen in a year.

i would be really surprised if Aliona doesn't come back guns blazing with her 3As next season. anyone can get injured at anytime. anyone can start having jump/puberty problems at any time. anyone can start losing consistency at any time.

if there's one thing that is certain, its that historically our predictions are usually never very accurate.

 

[chasingneverland]

The question does sasha actually have to go? I know they only named the rusNats camps to the team but the general consensus was that that was because of men and Ice dance where several favourites where missing. Out of the Seniors Sasha has been clear no2 this season in 4 out of 5 competitions so far.

Would they actually leave her home if she didnt go? Somehow I dont think so but its RusFed so who knows...

Somehow I find it unlikely that both Liza T and Aliona would show up and score even close to the Level of sasha (or Anna and kamilla) which is what I think it would take to push her of the team.

I think they also left Sasha off because of Rostelecom. However, I think she's done enough since then that she's going as neither Aliona or Liza have looked better than her even with her injury and she has the potential to outscore everyone.

 

[Dawn825]

I would love her to go for a Rika Hongo style program... like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TUj_ecgwU or this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3NSFxpHw7Q
Brilliant choices for an athletic type of skater.

Good ideas. She also did O Fortuna, that's got a similar vibe to the beginning of Sasha's R+J.

 

[chasingneverland]

i don't think things are so certain at this point, even if it might look that way. a lot can happen in a year.

i would be really surprised if Aliona doesn't come back guns blazing with her 3As next season. anyone can get injured at anytime. anyone can start having jump/puberty problems at any time. anyone can start losing consistency at any time.

if there's one thing that is certain, its that historically our predictions are usually never very accurate.

That's why I said as things stand. And there is also the likely chance that all of Kamila, Anna, Sasha, Daria, and Liza upgrade going into next season. In fact, ALL have said that they plan too. So it's ALSO possible that even with Aliona getting her 3As back that's not enough. Also yeah injuries, etc can happen but that ALSO applies to Aliona.

I FULLY expect Aliona to get her 3As back. However, I'm not sure that's enough..

And yes OGM are harder to predict. But for ALL three spots to change. That's really really really unlikely. Because the thing is, even with minor injuries they're MORE likely to go because of where they stand with the RusFed and international judges. It's WHY Evgenia went to Worlds rather than Liza. And the truth is Kamila, Anna, and Sasha have a higher scoring potential than anyone else. (Even if Aliona gets her 3As back because her advantage wasn't/isn't the 3As - it's her skating skills/PCS and she's losing the advantage she had there as Kamila, Anna, and Sasha improve and built their reputations. Besides this year Kamila and Sasha HAVE 3As. Last year she was the only one at the top with them. That's not true anymore.)

 

[Finley]

But this above post is all the other person said regarding the drama (controversy). It's not especially rude (and they aren't either, on the spectrum of behaviour here). They weren't personally telling you that you shouldn't post about it, they just expressed their opinion that the situation is less controversial than it's made out to me. This view is as valid as yours and doesn't affect your right to express your own view here.

I actually gave two suggestions (see below), depending on whether people want to keep talking about the controversy or not. If they don't, it dies out. If they still want to talk about it, it's their right to talk (as stated in my last post).


I accept that I might have been thrown off by your phrasing, and mistakenly thought that you were shutting down someone's different opinion (that Alina/Zhenya are just human girls caught in an awkward situation, which you may or may not agree with). Likewise, you might have misinterpreted me as trying to shut down the opinion of everyone who wants to discuss the controversy. Well, we all make mistakes.

Anyway, the original poster seems to not mind much. Maybe something to emulate.

It seems we have found common ground: I agree that they are human girls caught in an awkward situation. I also agree that readernick does not seem to mind much. She didn't even bother responding to my post. This is definitely something to emulate if you want the conversation to come to an end.

For clarity's sake (we seem to struggle with that when it comes to each other's exact meanings) I almost always respond when someone replies to me. Even if it is just a brief random comment or an emoji or something. That's just me. Not trying to get the last word. It just feels polite.

I also want to clarify that I wasn't hating on tights. They are very important part of the costume. It's just they fall in the category of things I don't know enough to have an opinion about. Fortunately for this thread there are lots of those topics here.

 

[chasingneverland]

Milla a typo.Kamila.

Yes the Olympic spot is so valuable and there may only be one spot available were up for grabs..

But all of that is next season to to be sided in December at nationals January at Europeans not now and now is for worlds this year and the 3rd spot is still up for grabs. The 1st 2 spots are solidified whether they've been announced or not

It's naive to think that these results won't play a role in deciding the team next year.

 

[Supernovaimplosion]

Good ideas. She also did O Fortuna, that's got a similar vibe to the beginning of Sasha's R+J.

Sasha should do something like the 1812 Overture. Classical but powerful. If they didn't change the rules, 1812 overture would be perfect for a backloaded program.
One of the quad girls should skate to Wonder Woman just so every international media outlet can refer to her as "the real Wonder Woman".

 

[lappo]

I would love her to go for a Rika Hongo style program... like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TUj_ecgwU or this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3NSFxpHw7Q
Brilliant choices for an athletic type of skater.

I agree with you regarding Sasha's future program! I also would love her to do a Gladiator program (not a mellowed one like Daleman's attempt a few years ago, I was thinking of something similar to Yagudin's one or, if we can draw inspiration from other sports, from this Bessonova's epic club routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2qTIyjmx_A&ab_channel=xXnasnikXx).
I still think that her best programs so far have been Big Spender and Kill Bill though I also appreciate her short this year (and her attempt at challenging herself with a lyrical music). I do hope though that they play to her strenght next year and give her two programs who can make the "Russian rocket" stand out among her competitors.

 

[Dawn825]

It also occurs to me that Plushenko's full investment is in Sasha, she is his project and the one by whom his success will be measured. He desperately wants her at the Olympics. I think he doesnt want Aliona to make him look bad but I don't think he cares about her getting to the Olympics much. Especially since he knows her spot would cost Trusova. Aliona's coach is clearly Rozanov. If Trusova and Kostornaia end up basically tied for that 3rd spot, the Federation would probably pick Sasha so Plushenko doesnt flip his lid.

 

[Magill]

Just saw the press conference with English subtitles.

Wow.

I had to increase the room temperature because I was getting frostbite watching it. Do we have a ice emoji here?

yeah, BUt tbh you didn't even need to speak Russian to sense the Ded Moroz lovely presence in the room ...

 

[colormyworld240]

Maiia really needs a pivotal skate to up her confidence. I thought Daria was the one left out last season when Kamila and Alysa were having all the hype, but winning the Denis Ten cup seems to have really upped her confidence. I'm sure it was also difficult after nationals when everyone was talking about the "amazing final 3" when actually she was the last to go, but everyone already celebrated the winners and she was an after thought. Like "oh, it's not over yet? But the stars already skated." She got another confidence boost here, skating last and clean with the whole team rushing out to her. The audience cheered for her contribution rather than being still in shock from Sasha/Kamila/Anna because her skate did matter. It's an extremely powerful thing to feel valued.

It's a very different dynamic from Sasha/Alena/Anna because even though Anna bombed JGPF, she still managed to win a big competition before the end of the season and it was even more powerful because of the "redemption". That didn't happen for Maiia last year or this year, where as Daria had her moments. I wouldn't want to be in Maiia's shoes, I can't imagine what she's feeling. It's a shame she didn't go clean here, it could've changed her entire mentality.