Final Cup of Russia

[Thrashergurl]

I love Alena and hope she redeems herself in the LP.
However, this is one of the reasons why I’d be hesitant to crown Kamila the Olympic champion. Alena dominated last year and everyone (including me) fell in love with her skating. This season, for various reasons, hasn’t been her best.

 

[Shayuki]

With Anna and Sasha already nominated that would mean catching up on an 11 points lead, meaning a meltdown for Kamila. Rather unlikely.

Kamila Valieva will not be at worlds.

Neither will Daria Usacheva. Nor Maia Khromykh.

 

[chasingneverland]

Man I really wanted Aliona to go to Worlds especially since Liza (although I love her) has already been to worlds. And with Kamila moving up next year, this was looking to be Aliona’s only shot.

Don't sleep on Daria or Maiia or Ksensia for that matter either..

 

[readernick]

What? Kostornaya was not anywhere near Usacheva in terms of skating skills today.

I also don't think she stands out in comparison to Usacheva, in fact I think Usacheva just has better skating skills period, even when Kostornaya is in form.

I disagree. She was messy but she builds speed from nothing. She does it without effort. Daria is also a standout, and her StepSeq was cleaner. However, she doesn't get quite as much speed from one push.

 

[chasingneverland]

With Anna and Sasha already nominated that would mean catching up on an 11 points lead, meaning a meltdown for Kamila. Rather unlikely.

I think they mean a spot on the World's team..not a gold medal..

And Kamila, Daria, and Maiia are irrelevant for this year's World's team as they're not age eligible.

 

[EdgeCall]

Kamila Valieva will not be at worlds.

Neither will Daria Usacheva. Nor Maia Khromykh.

Oh, right! Sorry, I forgot.

 

[Skatefan15]

I also wanted her for worlds. But I'm not at all sure this was her last chance.

If she gets her 3A (once she’s recovered from covid of course) then she could make the case for future world teams. But at the same time, she’s stated many times that she plans to retire after the Olympic season to pursue a career as a neurosurgeon, so we will see.

 

[LadyB]

It's so sad to think that last year she was the favorite to take the gold at worlds and finally she will maybe never even go at worlds

That's what I mean when I say Russian skating girls life's are very short. They always need to enjoy the moment. Now here, gone tomorrow. The fiercest competition of them all.

 

[chasingneverland]

I love Alena and hope she redeems herself in the LP.
However, this is one of the reasons why I’d be hesitant to crown Kamila the Olympic champion. Alena dominated last year and everyone (including me) fell in love with her skating. This season, for various reasons, hasn’t been her best.

The difference is Kamila is younger which helps. Not that she'll be OGM but she shouldn't be in danger of NOT making the team. Also last year Aliona didn't dominate - she won GPF and Euros. But she didn't win RusNats and she came second to Anna in every FS.

 

[Tyranid]

Kostornaia not performing so we'll with Rudkovskaya & husband. Leaves so much for Liza T.... SEVEN pts behind Liza after the short. Also, too hard to get PCS advantage in national events; too many skaters get high scores and you cannot go above 10/10... Again, love both of 'em, may the best go to Worlds.

 

[Baron Vladimir]

See the issue with this statement?

Yeah, she is great with speed, flow, gliding, but steps and turns and multidirectional skating (which are also a part of SS), things most visible in the step sequence, are sometimes not that good.

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

I love Alena and hope she redeems herself in the LP.
However, this is one of the reasons why I’d be hesitant to crown Kamila the Olympic champion. Alena dominated last year and everyone (including me) fell in love with her skating. This season, for various reasons, hasn’t been her best.

That's just how it goes in figure skating, it happened before and it will happen again. One season you are the big star and everybody's darling, next season nothing goes right for you. At least Aliona still seems to have all the support from RusFed, they didn't kick her aside as they did other skaters before her.

 

[readernick]

The difference is Kamila is younger which helps. Not that she'll be OGM but she shouldn't be in danger of NOT making the team. Also last year Aliona didn't dominate - she won GPF and Euros. But she didn't win RusNats and she came second to Anna in every FS.

I would just say no one should crown the champion yet. Things change quickly domestically and internationally. We really don't know who will be on the Olympic team. I would put the most money on Kamila, but the favorites the previous year certainly haven't won gold at the last two Olympics

 

[Shayuki]

I disagree. She was messy but she builds speed from nothing. She does it without effort. Daria is also a standout, and her StepSeq was cleaner. However, she doesn't get quite as much speed from one push.

Usacheva executes turns and steps far more effortlessly and maintains her momentum significantly better. Kostornaya struggles and has to swing hard. I also looked at their programs again and don't see what you're describing at all.

 

[Jontor]

Protocols are out

https://fsrussia.ru/results/2021/cor2021_final/eMC_K_Scores.pdf

Liza got a q on her 3T
So did also Sofia.
Nugumanova got < on her Lutz and 2nd Loop. First Loop got a q.

They really held up Alëna with PCS. Same PCS as Daria.

 

[elektra blue]

dancers on ice!

 

[chasingneverland]

I would just say no one should crown the champion yet. Things change quickly domestically and internationally. We really don't know who will be in the Olympic team. I would put the most money in Kamila, but the favorites the previous year m certainly haven't won gold at the last two Olympics

Oh agreed! There is a difference though. I'm not crowning a champion but I don't think Kamila should have any difficulty making the team - assuming Anna, Sasha, and (probably Liza) keep 3 spots and no one gets injured. Aliona was never a lock to with the OGM or even the World's medal last year - Anna and Sasha could both beat her. And it's not winning that everyone is concerned about - it's MAKING THE TEAM!! That's where the difference lies - Kamila should make it.

 

[LadyB]

And now for Vika and Nikita!!!!! At last!

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

I'm here for SinKats!

 

[elektra blue]

striped high waisted pants...