2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[flanker]

Possibly the best and most apropos thing I've ever read on this forum. Gonna borrow that if you don't mind

You're welcome

 

[Skatesocs]

At least I can say I have never seen a poster here hate on any other skater, not just as a skater but as a person too, as "you-know-who" hates on Anna.

Edge of the Flutz, unknowingly given, you will renew your mother. Degrees of pre-rotation, willingly given, you will revive your mistress. Sponsors of bad technique, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe.

 

[Lzbee]

Edge of the Flutz, unknowingly given, you will renew your mother. Degrees of pre-rotation, willingly given, you will revive your mistress. Sponsors of bad technique, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe.

Oh no that sounds like a summoning incantation

 

[Fried]

I definitely spend too much time in the discussions like that today's one, which honestly makes no result convenient to anyone. And of course I admit that sometimes I finish with words that would like not to be said. One important person of czech cultural world, Jan Werich, actor, comedian, writer, once said: "If you spend 5 minutes arguing with a nitwit, two nitwits are arguing." That's how it works here, me definitely not excluded. Still, I think those talks are not provoked by me nor "Anna fans" as suggested in some recent posts.

It is very kind of you that you hereby provide a second proof of the correctness of my thesis. Arrogance (my opponents are idiots) paired with victim role (these force me to be like I am).
Have you ever considered going into politics? You would be successful if I look at developments around the world.

 

[chasingneverland]

You don't even have to. It just crossed my mind that I am glad that I ended up not among Anna's but Sasha's fans. Here in GS there are hardly any. I now know why. There are more pleasant places.

You ended up as someone's fan?? lol

Also, I would say everyone has had more than their fair share of criticism.

 

[flanker]

It is very kind of you that you hereby provide a second proof of the correctness of my thesis. Arrogance (my opponents are idiots) paired with victim role (these force me to be like I am).
Have you ever considered going into politics? You would be successful if I look at developments around the world.

 

[chasingneverland]

I'm not sure if they'll 100% give 2 spots to Zhenya. Maybe? We'll have to see I guess.

I think we will have to wait until Russian Cup Final to see if Maiia or Liza or Kseniia deserve more spots.

Personally I think giving 3A+Liza+Daria+Kamila two spots makes sense as of right now. With the rest of the six spots I think Kseniia deserves two, Liza N deserves at least one (preferably two) and Maiia also deserves at least one (preferably two). Giving spots to Maiia and Kseniia make the most sense to me since they can challenge for the podium in most fields with their best form (even without quads/3As Kseniia could podium in some fields). Like, take Cup of China last year, Kseniia with her JGP Egna score would've been second (they were calling URs at that event but Kseniia has no URs and edge issues!).

On that note, can Russia host Rostelecom next year or no because of the ban? If they can the best strategy might be to have a TBD at Rostelecom and give it to the skater who does really good at test skates/challengers/first GP.

I think all of Anna, Sasha, Kamila, Aliona, Daria, and Liza will get two spots too. Then I think they'll give one spot to Maiia, Liza N, Sofia, Stanislava, and Kseniia (and Alina and Evgenia if they're still competing.) And then who gets two will be based on who does best in their first one and has the best chance at the GPF.

 

[chasingneverland]

Not from RusNats, though. I don't remember if she medalled at last Europeans. This would count for international master of sports as well.

She got a silver at 2020 Euros so she definitely medalled. (None of the 3A was age eligible before that.)

 

[LiamForeman]

Possibly the best and most apropos thing I've ever read on this forum. Gonna borrow that if you don't mind

That reminds me of what I usually say to end an ongoing circular argument: "If you want me to agree with you, fine. I agree. Now we're both wrong. Let's move on...."

 

[LiamForeman]

6 spots left: 2 most definitely go to Medvedeva unless she decides to retire. Additionally, if Zagitova attempts a come back she'll be given 2 spots. So that's 2-4 spots left - my guess is they are a toss up between Khromykh, Nugumanova, Samodurova and Guliakova. .

Alina is NOT coming back. And neither is Med. Neither deserve any GP spots, are you serious? Med especially. To give either of them a GP spot is wrong. It's obvious they are staying non-retired to receive funding, but that's ridiculous. Why doesn't RusFed just PAY them separately to still be "non-retired stars" while not throwing away GP spots to them? Med said after the team event that she is stepping away from skating to focus on her health, which she needs to do. I don't think she means a week or two either. She's already WAY behind the other girls due to her injury, and the time she's taking off will be time her competitors continue training quads and 3axels. There isn't any time to do that, then get back what she once had, and then try to learn ultra-c elements which she'll never get anyway. I just find it frustrating the RusFed indulges their 2018 Olympic stars when they are totally irrelevant now in terms of fighting for Olympic spots.

 

[Supernovaimplosion]

Alina is NOT coming back. And neither is Med. Neither deserve any GP spots, are you serious? Med especially. To give either of them a GP spot is wrong. It's obvious they are staying non-retired to receive funding, but that's ridiculous. Why doesn't RusFed just PAY them separately to still be "non-retired stars" while not throwing away GP spots to them? Med said after the team event that she is stepping away from skating to focus on her health, which she needs to do. I don't think she means a week or two either. She's already WAY behind the other girls due to her injury, and the time she's taking off will be time her competitors continue training quads and 3axels. There isn't any time to do that, then get back what she once had, and then try to learn ultra-c elements which she'll never get anyway. I just find it frustrating the RusFed indulges their 2018 Olympic stars when they are totally irrelevant now in terms of fighting for Olympic spots.

Evgenia and Alina may not be Olympic challengers anymore, but at their best, they're definitely Grand Prix medal challengers. Even though they're unlikely to go to the worlds anymore, at their best, they're still among the best in the worlds. A lot of grand prix competitors are irrelevant for Olympic spots
Edit: Obviously, it depends on their competitive shape

 

[Finley]

Alina is NOT coming back. And neither is Med. Neither deserve any GP spots, are you serious? Med especially. To give either of them a GP spot is wrong. It's obvious they are staying non-retired to receive funding, but that's ridiculous. Why doesn't RusFed just PAY them separately to still be "non-retired stars" while not throwing away GP spots to them? Med said after the team event that she is stepping away from skating to focus on her health, which she needs to do. I don't think she means a week or two either. She's already WAY behind the other girls due to her injury, and the time she's taking off will be time her competitors continue training quads and 3axels. There isn't any time to do that, then get back what she once had, and then try to learn ultra-c elements which she'll never get anyway. I just find it frustrating the RusFed indulges their 2018 Olympic stars when they are totally irrelevant now in terms of fighting for Olympic spots.

Follow the money.

 

[Amei]

Alina is NOT coming back. And neither is Med. Neither deserve any GP spots, are you serious? Med especially. To give either of them a GP spot is wrong. It's obvious they are staying non-retired to receive funding, but that's ridiculous. Why doesn't RusFed just PAY them separately to still be "non-retired stars" while not throwing away GP spots to them? Med said after the team event that she is stepping away from skating to focus on her health, which she needs to do. I don't think she means a week or two either. She's already WAY behind the other girls due to her injury, and the time she's taking off will be time her competitors continue training quads and 3axels. There isn't any time to do that, then get back what she once had, and then try to learn ultra-c elements which she'll never get anyway. I just find it frustrating the RusFed indulges their 2018 Olympic stars when they are totally irrelevant now in terms of fighting for Olympic spots.

Well my post that you quoted, I didn't say they "deserved" a spot, I said that they would get a spot. And while they may not be contenders for Olympic/World/Europeans spots in Russia, certainly in terms of Grand Prix medals they can still be contenders, it's not like Khromykh, Nugumanova, Samodurova or Guliakova are Olympic team contenders either; I'm sure if Medevedeva (though she's been injured) and Zagitova committed to competition training in head to head face-offs on their performances could place ahead of Khromykh, Nugumanova, Samodurova and Guliakova, who all have issues as well.

Alina is NOT coming back. And neither is Med. Neither deserve any GP spots, are you serious? Med especially. To give either of them a GP spot is wrong. It's obvious they are staying non-retired to receive funding, but that's ridiculous. Why doesn't RusFed just PAY them separately to still be "non-retired stars" while not throwing away GP spots to them? Med said after the team event that she is stepping away from skating to focus on her health, which she needs to do. I don't think she means a week or two either. She's already WAY behind the other girls due to her injury, and the time she's taking off will be time her competitors continue training quads and 3axels. There isn't any time to do that, then get back what she once had, and then try to learn ultra-c elements which she'll never get anyway. I just find it frustrating the RusFed indulges their 2018 Olympic stars when they are totally irrelevant now in terms of fighting for Olympic spots.

Around the time of the Zagitova decision to not participate in Test skates, I was 1 of the loudest people griping that its unfair she's on the national team and getting funding for her "training" even though she was on this break and it didn't (still doesn't) appear like she is going to compete.... Its stinky especially when figure skating is sport that athletes have to stop pursuing because they can't afford it. And I still don't like the thought that a skater on the National team can be on a break from competition for a non-injury can get funding (Medvedeva at this point has been injured or sick that's prevented her from competing, she's not taking a break to do non-competition things), but from what's been said, as long as they are National team members the Fed and their coach gets a cut of any money they make. Medvedeva has been injured, given the injury, illness and coaching change it makes sense at this point to not attempt to go to a competition; shutdown her season and focus on next year, but she did initially intend to compete. The running theory on Zagitova is that at least 1 of her sponsorship contracts doesn't allow her to retire (that was said about Lipnitskaia as well), which I hope is true because from what gets said she has to give her coaches and the Fed a cut of her money as long as she stays an active athlete; if its not true that a sponsorship contract is preventing her from retiring then I hope that her parents or a business manager is advising her long and hard to think about going ahead and officially retiring because she's giving money away by staying active.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

I think all of Anna, Sasha, Kamila, Daria, and Liza will get two spots too. Then I think they'll give one spot to Maiia, Liza N, Sofia, Stanislava, and Kseniia (and Alina and Evgenia if they're still competing.) And then who gets two will be based on who does best in their first one and has the best chance at the GPF.

No Alyona??
Can countries have TBD spots not at home events? I don't remember them being able to do so.
I don't know if I'd give Stasya a spot over Tsibinova or Frolova or even Guliakova.

 

[lopsilceci]

At this point it seems that RusFed benefits more from keeping Alina and Evgenia on the team (financially and popularity-wise), than they do from being in it.

Maybe there's a clause on the contract that members of the national team have to give a cut of sponsorships to the federation or something.

But, as it was said before, they were included on this season's team based on their results of the previous season, so, if they decide to come back next season, I suppose they will be included as reserves, not as part of the main team, like with Kolyada this season.

 

[Scott512]

2 spots for Sinitsyna and Nugumanova please

1 each. There are too many skaters for everyone to get 2 spots.

 

[Finley]

At this point it seems that RusFed benefits more from keeping Alina and Evgenia on the team (financially and popularity-wise), than they do from being in it.

Maybe there's a clause on the contract that members of the national team have to give a cut of sponsorships to the federation or something.

But, as it was said before, they were included on this season's team based on their results of the previous season, so, if they decide to come back next season, I suppose they will be included as reserves, not as part of the main team, like with Kolyada this season.

RusFed gets a cut of everything.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

Alina is NOT coming back. And neither is Med. Neither deserve any GP spots, are you serious? Med especially. To give either of them a GP spot is wrong. It's obvious they are staying non-retired to receive funding, but that's ridiculous. Why doesn't RusFed just PAY them separately to still be "non-retired stars" while not throwing away GP spots to them? Med said after the team event that she is stepping away from skating to focus on her health, which she needs to do. I don't think she means a week or two either. She's already WAY behind the other girls due to her injury, and the time she's taking off will be time her competitors continue training quads and 3axels. There isn't any time to do that, then get back what she once had, and then try to learn ultra-c elements which she'll never get anyway. I just find it frustrating the RusFed indulges their 2018 Olympic stars when they are totally irrelevant now in terms of fighting for Olympic spots.

She did not say that she will step away from skating. She said will focus on recovery, that does not have to exclude skating, just likely means less intense training time than usually. Zhenya has been doing recovery (physiotherapy etc.) + skating for months now, had at times more physiotherapy than ice time especially in October. In December/January she upped her ice and training time a little in order to prepare for thr New Years ice shows and the Cup and is obviously now back to focusing more on recovery, that does not mean she will step away from the ice for months. She has an ice show in 3 weeks and the Champions on Ice tour in April, both require some amount of training, less training than for competitions, but still a few hours per week. Sasha Samarin also ended his season prematurely to focus on his recovery after struggeling with both a back injury and Covid and I doubt he means no ice time for months with that. Just likely calm training to let the body heal.
Aliona was also still skating in January depsite still focusing on recovery after being sick.

Evgenia has said in every interview so far that has the intention to compete once she has recovered, she repeated that once again in her instagram livestream this week after the Cup.
I would love it if people would stop constantly accusing skaters of trying to play games for money. Sometimes skaters get injured, sick etc. and have to sit out despite wanting to compete. Happens. Does not mean they want to retire. Misha was also sick the whole 2019/20 season, had to sit out every competition and get surgery. People also did send him into retirement, however he came back after the year long recovery, because he wanted to compete, he was even put on the reverse team. I remember even someone from RusFed, I think Lakernik, saying during the 2020 off-season that Misha's prime was over and that it's too late for him.. Look who currently has the last laugh... Misha

Also newsflash, only 3 girls will make it to the Olympics next season despite there being 18 GP spots. Does that suddenly mean that all of the other 6-10 skaters who could get two GP spots have to retire because apparently unless you qualify for the Olympicy/Worlds it is not worth continuing skating? Nonsense. If a skater wants to continue competing, why should they stop? There are dozens upon dozens of talented Russian skaters who continue to skate for many years despite having lower chances of qualifying for Worlds.
Also it is largely the ISU's decision who gets GP spots. The Top 24 SB list and WS list determines GP spots.
Evgenia is in the Top SB 24 list and Top 24 WS list, according to ISU's rules she has rightfully earned one GP spot and can earn a second one, if RusFed gived her one. It is also likely that the ISU will reuse these lists from the 2019/20 season, due to the lack of international competitions this season, more likely if Worlds gets cancelled. So if she wants to use that GP spot she has every right to.

 

[Scott512]

I think all of Anna, Sasha, Kamila, Daria, and Liza will get two spots too. Then I think they'll give one spot to Maiia, Liza N, Sofia, Stanislava, and Kseniia (and Alina and Evgenia if they're still competing.) And then who gets two will be based on who does best in their first one and has the best chance at the GPF.

I like her a lot and she looks like she could play a superwoman in the movies but I can't see Stasya getting a GP event. She has dropped the ball too many times and these GP events are super valuable.

Guliakova was alternate for the worlds that never were last year. She has been pretty mediocre this year but I think she could get GP event.

Talalakuna also needs a GP event. She's tall and has a beautiful flow as she showed at nationals.

 

[Scott512]

She did not say that she will step away from skating. She said will focus on recovery, that does not have to exclude skating, just likely means less intense training time than usually. Zhenya has been doing recovery (physiotherapy etc.) + skating for months now, had at times more physiotherapy than ice time especially in October. In December/January she upped her ice and training time a little in order to prepare for thr New Years ice shows and the Cup and is obviously now back to focusing more on recovery, that does not mean she will step away from the ice for months. She has an ice show in 3 weeks and the Champions on Ice tour in April, both require some amount of training, less training than for competitions, but still a few hours per week. Sasha Samarin also ended his season prematurely to focus on his recovery after struggeling with both a back injury and Covid and I doubt he means no ice time for months with that. Just likely calm training to let the body heal.
Aliona was also still skating in January depsite still focusing on recovery after being sick.

Evgenia has said in every interview so far that has the intention to compete once she has recovered, she repeated that once again in her instagram livestream this week after the Cup.
I would love it if people would stop constantly accusing skaters of trying to play games for money. Sometimes skaters get injured, sick etc. and have to sit out despite wanting to compete. Happens. Does not mean they want to retire. Misha was also sick the whole 2019/20 season, had to sit out every competition and get surgery. People also did send him into retirement, however he came back after the year long recovery, because he wanted to compete, he was even put on the reverse team. I remember even someone from RusFed, I think Lakernik, saying during the 2020 off-season that Misha's prime was over and that it's too late for him.. Look who currently has the last laugh... Misha

Also newsflash, only 3 girls will make it to the Olympics next season despite there being 18 GP spots. Does that suddenly mean that all of the other 6-10 skaters who could get two GP spots have to retire because apparently unless you qualify for the Olympicy/Worlds it is not worth continuing skating? Nonsense. If a skater wants to continue competing, why should they stop? There are dozens upon dozens of talented Russian skaters who continue to skate for many years despite having lower chances of qualifying for Worlds.
Also it is largely the ISU's decision who gets GP spots. The Top 24 SB list and WS list determines GP spots.
Evgenia is in the Top SB 24 list and Top 24 WS list, according to ISU's rules she has rightfully earned one GP spot and can earn a second one, if RusFed gived her one. It is also likely that the ISU will reuse these lists from the 2019/20 season, due to the lack of international competitions this season, more likely if Worlds gets cancelled. So if she wants to use that GP spot she has every right to.

Wow a Luna sighting in RLT!

Well said and I agree with you about Evgenia. Many of the girls will not even sniff the Olympic team next year but they will get a GP event or two. EG will want Zhenya to get GP events if she is healthy enough to compete.
That will be the deciding factor.

People have also been screaming for years where TT s mature skaters. Well let's see Zhenya fill that role next season. Even though she already did In the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Zhenya does not have to skate like 3A or KV to matter. I want to see her skate next season and I hope she does it her health is good enough.