2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Vilord]

I'm not diminishing their toughness but just an anecdote. I skated as a kid and obviously fell all the time and got right back up. Then I went skating as a 23 year old and fell once. I didn't break anything, but I full on cried in front of everyone, couldn't get up by myself, limped around for a week. and haven't been brave enough to get back on since. Falling as a kid does not hurt.

There is defenetly truth in that falling hurts WAY more as an adult compred to a child. But as a coach of children aged 7-13 i can say that they do hurt themselfs as well from falling from time to time.

 

[Magill]

Oh yes, I am thinking along these lines. My perception is exactly that - I don't give a *** what kind of person the writer is. Otherwise all the classic Russian (as an example only) literature would be impossible to read.

Good point, unfortunately, all too true....

 

[FelineFairy]

That said, I think you put too much emphasis in good education as something that makes a person good. From my experience (I work in academia) it is not necessarily so: my ex director of research was one of the highest ranked specialist of the world in his field, one of the most erudite and intelligent person I ever met yet he was also one of the most despicable human being I ever had the displeasure of knowing.

You are right, and I have met dozens of unpleasant educated people in my professional life in higher education, but in any environment there are people with a higher standard of both knowledge and worldview. And experience, too. I don't think it is fair to expect a high standard of education and worldview of a young athlete who has devoted his life to extremely hard work. By education I mean not just knowledge and skills provided by schools, but also home upbringing, a habit to read, a desire to learn, an openness, a kind of ethics one understands when being very young (I believe understanding of ethics changes throughout life). I tend to explain and not to blame, if I can.

 

[Mathman]

I don't think Dante meant to imply that any of the skater's are perfect. That's exactly the opposite of what Dante posted.

All we have to go on is what we see and the way Anna conducts herself in public. Based on what we've seen there is every reason to believe that Anna was very well brought up and has a very good temperament. She has never displayed anything like arrogance. She is very courteous and respectful. Even when she is tired or disappointed or not feeling well. My impression is that she is very even keeled and humble.

I took away the exact opposite from what Dante and Dawn were saying. To me, Dawn's point was that we fans do not know whether Anna was well brought up or badly brought up, whether she is arrogant or not arrogant, whether she is even keeled and humble or not even keeled and humble. We are just fans of Anna's skating; we are not her not her friends, family and confidants in real life.

(Still, yeah. She seems like a sweet kid.)

 

[flanker]

I took away the exact opposite from what Dante and Dawn were saying. To me, Dawn's point was that we fans do not know whether Anna was well brought up or badly brought up, whether she is arrogant or not arrogant, whether she is even keeled and humble or not even keeled and humble. We are just fans of Anna's skating; we are not her not her friends, family and confidants in real life.

(Still, yeah. She seems like a sweet kid.)

Not knowing her (or other skater) personally we can't say for 100 % sure, but I think we can make quite informed guesses with a solid degree of probability.

 

[LiamForeman]

I don' t support bad sportsmanship either. I just ignore it. Good sportsmanship doesn't tell anything of personalities, either. Have you ever watched a tennis match? Or a press conference after it? If everyone discussed so ardently what tennis players do or say being frustrated, every single tennis player in the world would be hated.

I always laughed when Steffi Graf would win Most Sportsmanlike accolades. Umm, she was a TERRIBLE sport when she lost, and sometimes even when she didn't. But when she's winning practically everything, it's easy to be gracious and magnanimous. "My opponent played exceptionally well, she is a future star for sure, and she definitely is an amazing player" is easy to say, when you win 6-1 6-1. But it seemed to me at least when you win and sing the praises of how amazing a player is that you just beat, you're basically just puffing yourself up, because that just means you are even more wonderful and amazing. All those times Steffi refused to shake an opponent's hand or the referee showed the real unsportsmanlike Steffi. Serena is even worse with her "She didn't win the match, I lost it and just gave it to her" whenever she'd lose. Which I actually am fine with, but she's not collecting Best Sportsman accolades either and she's disliked for her poor sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is not just how you behave when you win, it's most evident when you lose. Medvedeva to me is a terrible sport. And it's not just this latest competition. She's always been arrogant and too big for her britches as my Mom would say.

 

[FelineFairy]

I always laughed when Steffi Graf would win Most Sportsmanlike accolades. Umm, she was a TERRIBLE sport when she lost, and sometimes even when she didn't. But when she's winning practically everything, it's easy to be gracious and magnanimous. "My opponent played exceptionally well, she is a future star for sure, and she definitely is an amazing player" is easy to say, when you win 6-1 6-1. But it seemed to me at least when you win and sing the praises of how amazing a player is that you just beat, you're basically just puffing yourself up, because that just means you are even more wonderful and amazing. All those times Steffi refused to shake an opponent's hand or the referee showed the real unsportsmanlike Steffi. Serena is even worse with her "She didn't win the match, I lost it and just gave it to her" whenever she'd lose. Which I actually am fine with, but she's not collecting Best Sportsman accolades either and she's disliked for her poor sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is not just how you behave when you win, it's most evident when you lose. Medvedeva to me is a terrible sport. And it's not just this latest competition. She's always been arrogant and too big for her britches as my Mom would say.

Yes, I was also thinking of Serena Maybe I was not clear enough. I can recognise bad sportsmanship. I believe Serena is a terrible sport. But: 1) I have seen quite a lot of tennis players who were generally considered good sports to reveal their dark sides, so Serena is just one among them all; 2) If I were an ardent tennis fan, I would much prefer discussing the game to discussing her unpleasant press conferences.

 

[flanker]

I always laughed when Steffi Graf would win Most Sportsmanlike accolades. Umm, she was a TERRIBLE sport when she lost, and sometimes even when she didn't. But when she's winning practically everything, it's easy to be gracious and magnanimous. "My opponent played exceptionally well, she is a future star for sure, and she definitely is an amazing player" is easy to say, when you win 6-1 6-1. But it seemed to me at least when you win and sing the praises of how amazing a player is that you just beat, you're basically just puffing yourself up, because that just means you are even more wonderful and amazing. All those times Steffi refused to shake an opponent's hand or the referee showed the real unsportsmanlike Steffi. Serena is even worse with her "She didn't win the match, I lost it and just gave it to her" whenever she'd lose. Which I actually am fine with, but she's not collecting Best Sportsman accolades either and she's disliked for her poor sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is not just how you behave when you win, it's most evident when you lose. Medvedeva to me is a terrible sport. And it's not just this latest competition. She's always been arrogant and too big for her britches as my Mom would say.

You reminded me a moment I truly loved Evgenia. At 2016 worlds when she hugged sad Anna Pogo (who was robbed of silver medal IMO ) after the score of Wagner was announced. Of course, it was a moment she already knew she's a world champion and in such moment it is easy to be gratious for everyone (and don't mean just skaters, but everyone, including my little self). I was still a greenhorn to figure skating but in that moment I thought "what a perfect sport, people are so nice and supportive to each other."

 

[Zagipatra]

Only if the wrong girl wins.

And in this case no one girl/person won. It. Was. A. Team.

Every single team member needed to skate to the best of their ability to get as many points as possible. Kamila and Anna may have sealed the deal, but they didn't do it alone. Their scores built onto the scores of their teammates.

Neither Alina nor Zhenya won. Their teams won. Both teams received almost the same amount of prize money. Both teams got lots of love from the crowd. The judges were generous to both teams.

Alina and Zhenya's role was to create a team spirit and a fun environment. They both did that. To quote one of the media: "Everyone that wanted to have fun, had fun."

When Alina sat down at the press conference she said she was as happy as she had ever been in her life. For her team. Then the press conference started and you could tell she was just trying to get through it. I thought she kept it together and didn't say anything more than she had to. Then Ermolina said what she said.

Even then Alina wouldn't have opened her mouth but someone from the media prompted her to speak. She actually asked Ermolina: "Can I?" Ermolina said 'yes' and, two provoking interruptions later, found out Alina isn't 15 anymore.

Alina's potential retirement means she's not under their thumb anymore. Or she won't be very soon. They better enjoy their cut of her Puma and Shiseido money while they can. If I were her I wouldn't sign another major contract until I knew no-one else would profit from it. RusFed supported her for 3 years until she won the Olympics. They've had 3 years since to take their cut of her of post Olympic earnings. Hopefully everyone feels fairly compensated at the end of the day.

I'd like to think that Eteri and RusFed wouldn't make the same mistake twice. But you never know. I hope whoever wins Gold in Beijing learns from Alina's experience and doesn't allow herself to be silenced and her victory to be minimized and dismissed. Start practicing now: "I am the Olympic Champion. This is my Gold Medal. I won it."

I don't think she will announce it very soon because her Puma contract might be in danger if she announced it. Also, retiring would mean that she won't be supported by the Fed anymore.

Regarding the awkward moment between E & A, can't wait for the Champions on Ice shows

 

[Finley]

I don't think she will announce it very soon because her Puma contract might be in danger if she announced it. Also, retiring would mean that she won't be supported by the Fed anymore.

Regarding the awkward moment between E & A, can't wait for the Champions on Ice shows

My point was that I think she can support herself now.

Remember when the director of Sambo70, Layshev, said Alina was doing better than Sambo70 now?

 

[Finley]

You reminded me a moment I truly loved Evgenia. At 2016 worlds when she hugged sad Anna Pogo (who was robbed of silver medal IMO ) after the score of Wagner was announced. Of course, it was a moment she already knew she's a world champion and in such moment it is easy to be gratious for everyone (and don't mean just skaters, but everyone, including my little self). I was still a greenhorn to figure skating but in that moment I thought "what a perfect sport, people are so nice and supportive to each other."

Oh my sweet summer child .....

 

[flanker]

Oh my sweet summer child .....

Still, part of me wants those my pioneering times back

 

[Finley]

I always laughed when Steffi Graf would win Most Sportsmanlike accolades. Umm, she was a TERRIBLE sport when she lost, and sometimes even when she didn't. But when she's winning practically everything, it's easy to be gracious and magnanimous. "My opponent played exceptionally well, she is a future star for sure, and she definitely is an amazing player" is easy to say, when you win 6-1 6-1. But it seemed to me at least when you win and sing the praises of how amazing a player is that you just beat, you're basically just puffing yourself up, because that just means you are even more wonderful and amazing. All those times Steffi refused to shake an opponent's hand or the referee showed the real unsportsmanlike Steffi. Serena is even worse with her "She didn't win the match, I lost it and just gave it to her" whenever she'd lose. Which I actually am fine with, but she's not collecting Best Sportsman accolades either and she's disliked for her poor sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is not just how you behave when you win, it's most evident when you lose. Medvedeva to me is a terrible sport. And it's not just this latest competition. She's always been arrogant and too big for her britches as my Mom would say.

 

[dante]

we fans do not know whether Anna was well brought up or badly brought up, whether she is arrogant or not arrogant, whether she is even keeled and humble or not even keeled and humble.

Still, there is a staggering distinction in how easily she expresses complex thoughts and feelings. Sorry, but I have to take advantage of being a Russian speaker.

More so, every smart teenager normally thinks of himself as the only conscious being on Earth.



People don't say such things straight, but I too was once such a smart kid surrounded by dozens of the same indistinguishable unique personalities, and I can see this worldview in the eyes and words of young folks. Meanwhile, I see no teenage traits at all in how Anya talks or behaves. I don't claim to know how her mind works, but if I can judge about people at all, then I guess she deserves more respect from me than an average random athlete.

By the way, nice to see you Mathman.

 

[JazzUp]

I don't think she will announce it very soon because her Puma contract might be in danger if she announced it.

With Alina Puma's KPI went through the roof (according to one of their top managers); she's their global ambassador, and was named the face of their new collection worldwide - months after she announced her break. So no, don't think that her contract is 'in danger'.

Also, retiring would mean that she won't be supported by the Fed anymore.

Alina's not supported by RusFed, she's supporting them with her contract %, I believe

 

[Thrashergurl]

With the talk of Ashley starting up, let’s not forget that Ashley has been supporting her fellow skaters on more than one occasion.

 

[lesnar001]

With the talk of Ashley starting up, let’s not forget that Ashley has been supporting her fellow skaters on more than one occasion.

I remember 2014 Nationals - and she gave Christina Gao a hug right after she had a rough skate.
And this was just as Ashley was taking the ice for her own program.
I thought that was a nice moment.

 

[Amei]

Oh my, this thread is wild.
So Medvedeva felt she was set up to lose and verbalized it. She said they’re all winners and Alina stressed that HER team won.
Does that sum up all the drama?
I doubt these 2 are seriously fighting over it almost a week later. Wasn’t Zhenya winking after making comments? They’re both extremely competitive and wanted their team to win, but come on.....do you honestly think this silly press conference was that important to either of them?
I feel sorry for both these girls. Alina won the Olympics by a very slim margin and maybe she feels insecure because it was so close despite her backloading and many people suggesting it was so close that they should both have gold. Maybe Medvedeva doesn’t like losing to Alina, but let’s not forget that she lost to her at Worlds also. So all of our opinions are speculation. I just don’t know that the girls deserve all the drama and negativity.
I feel sorry for Kamila and Anna if Kamila gets gold at the Olympics. I see this situation all over again. There is no villain.

I repeat what I said a few days ago - I think too many people are over-analyzing this press conference, Medvedeva and Zagitova are media personalities, keeping people interested in them and getting more clicks means that they get invited to do more things which means more paychecks and possibly higher paychecks. I find it incredibly unlikely that either of them are stupid and didn't realize that the whole situation of them being pitted against each other as coaches was done to capitalize on 2018 Olympic drama as soon as the format was announced, so they knew the drama was going to happen and based on that press conference they nudged it along.

Alina won the Olympics by a very slim margin and maybe she feels insecure because it was so close despite her backloading and many people suggesting it was so close that they should both have gold. Maybe Medvedeva doesn’t like losing to Alina, but let’s not forget that she lost to her at Worlds also.

I don't think any athlete that's been at a high level likes to lose to anyone.

 

[Giltedge]

Another great victory for Rita Bazyliuk in the February Traceries tournament.

Congratulations to Rita and Polina, Sergei, Daniil and Eteri

Here she is with her long programme.

 

[Scott512]

I don't think she will announce it very soon because her Puma contract might be in danger if she announced it. Also, retiring would mean that she won't be supported by the Fed anymore.

Regarding the awkward moment between E & A, can't wait for the Champions on Ice shows

It will be fine there are no real problems between the 2 that will affect the shows.

I don't think alina needs the funding anymore. She makes millions of dollars a year. I think she will need to commit to skating and a couple events next to still receive funding.