2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[alexocfp]

Except she has never won ANY major INTERNATIONAL title... you know the ones with at least a modicum of unbiased judging.
I’m not saying she couldn’t, just that she hasn’t.

Whose field is tougher? Russia’s Nationals or the Worlds?

Russian National Champion is a de facto international title.

And it looks like the rich get richer with regards to Kamila’s arsenal.

But, it’s way too premature to call anyone a lock for any Olympic golds.

Because, firstly it’s a year away, which translates into an eternity in skate years, and secondly, in sports you never ever discount those with the fighting spirit. Anna is a competitor times 10 and Kamila is driving her to improve too. That’s good for us viewers that’s for sure.

Anna is in the shadows and background so to speak. Quietly doing her thing. Count her out at your own risk.

Legends should never be counted out. Yes, winning 3 Nationals in that country for the first time in a generation makes you a legend.

And that doesn’t even take into account the ailments she skated with.

 

[flanker]

Fair enough if you think quads should be allowed

They should. There is literally no reason why 3A is allowed and quad isn't. It's no different as if let's say 4S was allowed but 4F wasn't, it just gives the advantage of particular skaters over other ones.

 

[Finley]

5:00 A TV camera with a sticker "Alina" on it.

Alina Cam!

 

[Finley]

The *real* question left over from the Channel One Cup: what is Alina Zagitova doing with this vacuum cleaner?

Giving it a test run for the next day?

 

[alexocfp]

I just hope that before and after the Olympics, it doesn’t turn into a one or the other scenario.

We have that already with the last Olympic 1-2 finishers.

I am a fan of both. And even though Kamila’s skate was my favorite from Nationals, I respect Anna immensely and was happy she won.

They each bring something different to the table. So don’t make me choose sides. Haha

 

[flanker]

I just hope that before and after the Olympics, it doesn’t turn into a one or the other scenario.

We have that already with the last Olympic 1-2 finishers.

I am a fan of both. And even though Kamila’s skate was my favorite from Nationals, I respect Anna immensely and was happy she won.

They each bring something different to the table. So don’t make me choose sides. Haha

Last time I wasn't choosing sides before the olympics and tried not to choose sides for some time even after the olympics

Seriously, Anna and Kamila are my two favourites of the competitive skaters (together with Daria, but her chances to qualify are unfortunately significantly lower) so I want to see them both at the olympics and skating the best they can there.

 

[Dawn825]

But you are diminishing other skaters, as if they are not worth to be in the same competition as her. Nobody cares about national champions. Being on top in your own country doesn't mean much. You have to win stuff on the international stage to be somebody.

I'm not sure if maybe you used harsher words than you intended. Countries definitely care about their national champions and Anna's national titles mean a lot in Russia. I assume the point you're trying to make is that international titles are objectively more significant in the sport, and that being a world champion will always be more prestigious than being a national champion, no matter how tough the domestic field.

 

[dhjh811]

They should. There is literally no reason why 3A is allowed and quad isn't. It's no different as if let's say 4S was allowed but 4F wasn't, it just gives the advantage of particular skaters over other ones.

Ok, never said they shouldn't.

 

[starlight97]

Since Kamila is the next in a long row of these Russian girls, and the pattern has been proven time and time again, I assume she will "retire without retirering" either directly after or 1-2 seasons after the Olympics.
So Daniil PLEASE, give this girl the FS she deserves, what a waste it would be to make her skate this Bolero in the Olympic season

 

[yume]

Considering Russia's depth and being the source of almost all major International competition winners, winning Russian nationals is a huge deal. And in order to have a chance to win International competitions placing well/winning nationals is necessary.

Team Eteri's depth i would say because almost all Russia's golds from the last 3 seasons (not counting the current one) come from her. Only Mishin's girls won some golds (2). Eteri's girls won 18 golds out of 20 (only counting GPs, GPF, euros, worlds, olys).

 

[renebaebae]

FS (bonus track - K&C prayers and swears)

She won.

wow that's crazy. They are giving her the same PCS points as Veronica Zhilina ~60 when she was getting ~46 for this exact same program just a few months ago and she's no where close to Zhilina's SS. The Eteri bonus lives on.

 

[brakes]

"Do not ever underestimate the heart of a champion." - Rudy Tomjanovich

 

[sparklestan]

wow that's crazy. They are giving her the same PCS points as Veronica Zhilina ~60 when she was getting ~46 for this exact same program just a few months ago and she's no where close to Zhilina's SS. The Eteri bonus lives on.

Imo Daria is ahead of Veronika when it comes to musicality and performance, especially facial expression, so I guess it evens out

 

[renebaebae]

Imo Daria is ahead of Veronika when it comes to musicality and performance, especially facial expression, so I guess it evens out

?? Ahead in what way? Zhilina has MUCH better skating skills, better flow, better speed, better transitions and better jumps. Even Zhilina 2 years ago had better musicality than Daria is showing. Facial expression is not really a part of PCS as much if not Valieva wouldn't be getting the PCS she had been getting. Moreover, I just re-watched that FS and her face was literally the same throughout (which isn't really a bad thing but it negates your point).

 

[brakes]

Zhilina 2 years ago had better musicality than Daria is showing.

 

[renebaebae]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01qV2ImxchA

yes. musicality.

 

[sparklestan]

?? Ahead in what way? Zhilina has MUCH better skating skills, better flow, better speed, better transitions and better jumps. Even Zhilina 2 years ago had better musicality than Daria is showing. Facial expression is not really a part of PCS as much if not Valieva wouldn't be getting the PCS she had been getting. Moreover, I just re-watched that FS and her face was literally the same throughout (which isn't really a bad thing but it negates your point).

I admit that I haven’t had the time to watch the performances posted earlier so I’m just going by how she skated in the fall.

Veronika skates with music playing, but I don’t feel that she really listens or reacts to the music- this year at least, I think she performed better with her last years routines.

Daria PERFORMS to the music and seems to understand the highs and lows of the notes. She also has this intangible quality that makes me believe that she truly LOVES skating. I also see this quality in Anna Shcherbakova and Adelia Petrosyan.

Darias skating skills are not bad- just unrefined, but so are Veronika’s. She’s actually pretty fast and gains speed quite effectively.

Jumps and jump technique should not play into PCS, but Daria has a nice spring to her jumps despite then being a bit uncontrolled.

 

[sinus]

Facial expression is not really a part of PCS as much if not Valieva wouldn't be getting the PCS she had been getting.

Valieva has beautiful facial expression https://imgur.com/a/X2yf21r. Maybe you are from the culture where "facial expression" means a permanent smile. She is not.

 

[nussnacker]

wow that's crazy. They are giving her the same PCS points as Veronica Zhilina ~60 when she was getting ~46 for this exact same program just a few months ago and she's no where close to Zhilina's SS. The Eteri bonus lives on.

A lot skaters in that competition got higher, similar or slightly lower PCS, and majority is pretty young. Don’t have 3-3 kind of young. In fact, everyone in top 10 got PCS over 50.

 

[renebaebae]

I admit that I haven’t had the time to watch the performances posted earlier so I’m just going by how she skated in the fall.

Veronika skates with music playing, but I don’t feel that she really listens or reacts to the music- this year at least, I think she performed better with her last years routines.

Daria PERFORMS to the music and seems to understand the highs and lows of the notes. She also has this intangible quality that makes me believe that she truly LOVES skating. I also see this quality in Anna Shcherbakova and Adelia Petrosyan.

Darias skating skills are not bad- just unrefined, but so are Veronika’s. She’s actually pretty fast and gains speed quite effectively.

Jumps and jump technique should not play into PCS, but Daria has a nice spring to her jumps despite then being a bit uncontrolled.

well, maybe you should watch the performance then lol.

Anyway this isn't just about Zhilina. Do you think she's doing this "PERFORMS to the music and seems to understand the highs and lows of the notes." ~ 16 points better than she was doing last 8 months ago with the same music and program?

Valieva has beautiful facial expression https://imgur.com/a/X2yf21r. Maybe you are from the culture where "facial expression" means a permanent smile. She is not.

yh she started having expressions this season and no I don't mean a smile. Her girl on the ball program is a beautiful program but she skated that program almost blank-faced for 2 straight years and she still got the best PCS in the junior world. Facial expressions don't dictate PCS points.