2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[brakes]

I tried to find it, and the one I found she says something like “Don’t tell her that (inaudible part) Olympic Champion”.
It sounded like there might be part of the conversation missing there, so I am not sure if the phrase flying around is even complete. But anyways, she could’ve been more assertive about Alina’s win in any scenario. I think at that point she was probably trying to salvage whatever was left of her relationship with Evgenia, and that was all in vain regardless.

It was one of post-Olympic meetings, state medal awards ceremony I think. Reporter asked Alina how she feels as OC or sth like that and Eteri intervened.
Whatever her purpose was (maybe focusing on upcoming Worlds?), it came out very, very ugly. I won't ever forget Alina's face at that moment. And I really would like to forget.

 

[Scott512]

wow i never knew Eteri said this, what a slap in the face, and from your own coach at that. makes me wonder why Alina has stuck with her after that.

Because Alina is better than us. She lets things roll off her back that the average person would not.

She knows how to be strong and stand up for herself now.

Alina stuck with EG so she could keep winning and she won everything as a junior and senior by age 16. That's never been done before by that age and it will never been done again.

 

[Scott512]

It was one of post-Olympic meetings, state medal awards ceremony I think. Reporter asked Alina how she feels as OC or sth like that and Eteri intervened.
Whatever her purpose was (maybe focusing on upcoming Worlds?), it came out very, very ugly. I won't ever forget Alina's face at that moment. And I really would like to forget.

I think EG was trying to keep Alina motivated for worlds. I hope that was her reasoning. I think she was also trying to keep Zhenya in the fold.

People always ask why is Alina so loyal to this coach? It's because Eteri was going to bounce Alina from TT and then reconsidered at the last second and she kept Alina and the rest is history. Remember Alina brought EG flowers with tears in her eyes to say good bye. Eteris motherly instincts kicked in and kept her. If Alina really did leave who knows what she would have accomplished probably not nearly as much and Zhenya would be Olympic champion.

 

[Scott512]

I tried to find it, and the one I found she says something like “Don’t tell her that (inaudible part) Olympic Champion”.
It sounded like there might be part of the conversation missing there, so I am not sure if the phrase flying around is even complete. But anyways, she could’ve been more assertive about Alina’s win in any scenario. I think at that point she was probably trying to salvage whatever was left of her relationship with Evgenia, and that was all in vain regardless.

I think that was a big part of it Nuss. EG had to straddle a fine line.

I don't understand Russian but if the translation is correct that's not a good look from EG to her Olympic champion. But I suppose it is possible something was left out of what she said.

Remember the pressure on Zhenya and Alina was immense. Russian sports was being dragged through the mud worldwide for the PED scandal and these 2 girls came up huge and showed great Russian pride to the world. Russia won only 2 goals at those went to relent pics one was Alina's and 1 was the hockey teams gold. That was it as far as OAR and gold went.

 

[starlight97]

As badly as everyone behaved back then towards her, including coach, federation, Evgenia, other skaters commenting they were rooting for her competitor - in the end Alina had the last laugh. And she's still laughing.
She won every Gold there is and now is a celebrity with huge brand deals, ice shows, mainstream media interest and the likes. Apart from the fact that she is a beautiful young woman now, with an equally beautiful personality- something rare in the diva world of skating.
I'm not Russian but I think she is having more commercial deals and appearances in high profile events than Medvedeva? At least I see more in English-language internet. Which would make her the most popular female Figure Skater around currently, if you leave aside Yuna Kim's exceptional status in Korea.

 

[Ziotic]

Because Alina is better than us. She lets things roll off her back that the average person would not.

She knows how to be strong and stand up for herself now.

Alina stuck with EG so she could keep winning and she won everything as a junior and senior by age 16. That's never been done before by that age and it will never been done again.

I mean couldn’t Kamilla do it in her first senior year, especially if she wins worlds that year?

 

[Skatesocs]

I saw a video on YouTube of this Paolo Castillo woman who did a video on the rivalry between Alina and Evgenia.

LOL. Yeah, YouTube decided to sic this person's videos onto my recommended too, lol. IDK why it thinks I care about all this "tea" bs. My recipe is better. And tangible.

 

[Scott512]

LOL. Yeah, YouTube decided to sic this person's videos onto my recommended too, lol. IDK why it thinks I care about all this "tea" bs. My recipe is better. And tangible.

It's kind of frustrating that that happens but this is how YouTube operates and I guess it has to do with algorithms or something like that.

 

[Scott512]

I mean couldn’t Kamilla do it in her first senior year, especially if she wins worlds that year?

Yes. I actually thought of that after I wrote my post but then I thought there's so much more competition now than there was for Alina and Zhenya it's unbelievable. The odds are not on KVs side no matter how good or great she becomes.

 

[Tonight's the Night]

There was some list published in Russia recently of the "greatest" current athletes or the "most influential," or "most admired," or something like that? Anyhow, Alina was at the top of the list, and I remember hearing it said that this perhaps showed that Alina is to present-day Russia what Michael Jordan (basketball player) was to the United States in the 1990s, or what Messi is to Argentina. Can someone familiar with Russian culture explain this? I do get the sense that Yuna has this status in South Korea; I'd be curious if it's similar for Alina in Russia, even if not quite as intense. I'm curious also because I'm curious about the role of figure skating in general within Russian culture.

 

[GBs mom]

This board has taken a kinder, more supportive tone recently and I'm into it

 

[ruga]

This board has taken a kinder, more supportive tone recently and I'm into it

It's calm before the Cup Final storm

 

[dhjh811]

There was some list published in Russia recently of the "greatest" current athletes or the "most influential," or "most admired," or something like that? Anyhow, Alina was at the top of the list, and I remember hearing it said that this perhaps showed that Alina is to present-day Russia what Michael Jordan (basketball player) was to the United States in the 1990s, or what Messi is to Argentina. Can someone familiar with Russian culture explain this? I do get the sense that Yuna has this status in South Korea; I'd be curious if it's similar for Alina in Russia, even if not quite as intense. I'm curious also because I'm curious about the role of figure skating in general within Russian culture.

Wow, if she actually is I'll be shocked. Michael Jordan and Messi have reached untouchable status in their respective sports. Don't follow basketball much, but Messi is almost worshipped as a demi-god in Argentina and is widely regarded as the best player of all time across Europe, Asia, South America, etc. If Alina's reached that level of fame and god-like status in Russia, great for her because that's truly amazing.

 

[Tonight's the Night]

Wow, if she actually is I'll be shocked. Michael Jordan and Messi have reached untouchable status in their respective sports. Don't follow basketball much, but Messi is almost worshipped as a demi-god in Argentina and is widely regarded as the best player of all time across Europe, Asia, South America, etc. If Alina's reached that level of fame and god-like status in Russia, great for her because that's truly amazing.

I don't know if that's really what it was and I don't want to misrepresent! I just remember some survey of "the most admired athlete" and she ranked first. Now I should really see if I can find it...

Edit: well there's this, from our forum:

Alina Zagitova

While we are comparing the uncanny similarities between two of Russia's most successful athletes, I bring you another - One of Khabib's strongest qualities, and one that is often brought up in interviews with the people around him, is his humility. He always emphasizes the importance of staying...

www.goldenskate.com

But I can't find original sources.
Some kind soul from the RLT will be along soon to help out, maybe....

 

[AshWagsFan]

Just to be clear, the Russian Cup Final is being streamed on Channel One, right?

 

[Shayuki]

Messi? Jordan? Come on, that's ridiculous. Sure Alina was good, but she only did well for, what, 1 season in juniors and 2 seasons in seniors? One worlds gold, one olympic gold. Messi and Jordan on the other hand dominated a sport for long careers, well over a decade and running for Messi, and are global faces of their respective sports. Zagitova will be a temporary phenomenon - not someone who we will think about 2 decades from now when we think of the greatest skater of all time. Jordan or Messi(Or Christiano Ronaldo) will not be temporary but will be legends of their respective sports.

 

[Amei]

Wow, if she actually is I'll be shocked. Michael Jordan and Messi have reached untouchable status in their respective sports. Don't follow basketball much, but Messi is almost worshipped as a demi-god in Argentina and is widely regarded as the best player of all time across Europe, Asia, South America, etc. If Alina's reached that level of fame and god-like status in Russia, great for her because that's truly amazing.

Don't mean to be the sour-puss of the lovefest happening here, but Michael Jordan regarded as the greatest ever and the gold standard of his sport, because Jordan in his prime in today's game would still be the top athlete of his sport (I don't follow soccer/football so can't speak to Messi). Pick a 'prime' Zagitova performance against today's Russian ladies, she wouldn't be on the podium, much less the gold medal spot. Perhaps 'fame' wise she might be Jordan/Messi status (don't live in Russia so IDK), but untouchable in regards to their actual sport, her prime performance has already been surpassed.

 

[Tonight's the Night]

Messi? Jordan? Come on, that's ridiculous. Sure Alina was good, but she only did well for, what, 1 season in juniors and 2 seasons in seniors? One worlds gold, one olympic gold. Messi and Jordan on the other hand dominated a sport for long careers, well over a decade and running for Messi, and are global faces of their respective sports. Zagitova will be a temporary phenomenon - not someone who we will think about 2 decades from now when we think of the greatest skater of all time. Jordan or Messi(Or Christiano Ronaldo) will not be temporary but will be legends of their respective sports.

I agree, I agree... Just wondering about these surveys in Russia and other measurements of "admiration." What I at least really want to know is: is ladies figure skating the biggest thing in Russia? The main event? The marquee show?

The question about Alina is primarily a way of trying to gauge that. She can be the most popular athlete in Russia currently without having the same immortal greatness-status as Lionel Messi. I for one did not mean to open up the hornet's nest of the greatness debate!

 

[brakes]

Messi? Jordan? Come on, that's ridiculous. Sure Alina was good, but she only did well for, what, 1 season in juniors and 2 seasons in seniors? One worlds gold, one olympic gold. Messi and Jordan on the other hand dominated a sport for long careers, well over a decade and running for Messi, and are global faces of their respective sports. Zagitova will be a temporary phenomenon - not someone who we will think about 2 decades from now when we think of the greatest skater of all time. Jordan or Messi(Or Christiano Ronaldo) will not be temporary but will be legends of their respective sports.

Agreed on Jordan (absolute legend and sport changer), but Messi is 'just' one of the best footballers in history and I think Alina is one of the best figure skaters in history as well. Alina won everything she possibly could, Messi doesn't have the most important title in his sport - World Championship, Alina left big impact by changing the rules of backloading jumps in the programs, Messi has longevity on his side obviously, but he had poor seasons as well. I personally think Ronaldinho Gaucho was much greater talent, innovator and most of all - a World Champion, same Pele and Maradona.
I think in female figure skating reality, which is incomparable to football, Alina did her best and can be compared to Messi as figures in their respective sports.

 

[Baron Vladimir]

Perhaps 'fame' wise she might be Jordan/Messi status (don't live in Russia so IDK), but untouchable in regards to their actual sport, her prime performance has already been surpassed.

And why do you think Jordan/Messi prime performance is not surpassed today (or its going to be) by the younger athletes? Because Mbappe is already a better soccer player than Messi was in his age. And there are quite of them comparing to Michael. I'm pretty sure Lebron is a better basket player, just the game is/was different. I think all the new athletes in the world of sport will surpass the older ones in terms of an athletic performance. But some of the old records (defined by some exact number) may still stand, which is fine too.