2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Jontor]

If anyone is interested, Aliona and Elizaveta N. have been named as alternates. A bit surprising, I expected RusFed to choose Tsibinova or Samodurova, but they probably followed the results of Nationals. Not that Nugu is likely go to Sweden, but it shows that federation has trust in her and maybe will give her a place in the national team next season.

That's kind of surprising. For sure, Tsibinova, if clean, has more scoring potential internationally than Nugumanova. Even if she is less known. And she is also much more consistent than Nugu. Someone has mentioned before that Tsibinova doesn't have the international tech score required. But I have checked, due to the pandemic they have changed the rules this year. So it's the last two seasons that counts, and Tsibinova won Tallinn Trophy last year well within the tech requirements. Also, you don't even need that competition result, you just have to send a video to the ISU to get the skater admitted. Maybe RusFed missed all this information?

And it's inconsistent when you look at the men. I can understand Aliev as 1st alernate, but Gumennik as 2nd? He only placed 7th at nationals. Ignatov was second. RusFed really doesn't have much faith in Makar do they? And I have to say I agree, he has the stamina of sloth taking a nap...

 

[Jeanie19]

That is Daria.

She is a phenom of dance in my opinion. I've been really interested in this question of how dance "translates" to figure skating. There are moments when Daria (this Daria, Daria Sadkova) really "shows" her dance ability on the ice. I really see it in the movement of the arms and the head.

It doesn't seem like that same "translation" happens as often for Anna, but maybe that's because the programs she has this year don't allow it? This is just a tentative thought experiment, by the way; I'm not very far along in my opinions here.

There are also lots of great dance videos out there with Zhenya.

Edited: oh, and just in case, I'm a big Anna fan; I just see a different "spirit" in her dancing and in her skating.

Daria was my favorite, too. I've never seen her skate, is there a video? And how old is she?

 

[ruga]

That's kind of surprising. For sure, Tsibinova, if clean, has more scoring potential internationally than Nugumanova. Even if she is less known. And she is also much more consistent than Nugu. Someone has mentioned before that Tsibinova doesn't have the international tech score required. But I have checked, due to the pandemic they have changed the rules this year. So it's the last two seasons that counts, and Tsibinova won Tallinn Trophy last year well within the tech requirements. Also, you don't even need that competition result, you just have to send a video to the ISU to get the skater admitted. Maybe RusFed missed all this information?

And it's inconsistent when you look at the men. I can understand Aliev as 1st alernate, but Gumennik as 2nd? He only placed 7th at nationals. Ignatov was second. RusFed really doesn't have much faith in Makar do they? And I have to say I agree, he has the stamina of sloth taking a nap...

It was me who mentioned the lack of minimum TES, but I was quickly corrected She does have them, but maybe RusFed doesn't want to risk by sending a girl who has barely any international experience. In this case, Sofia would make sense as she has competed in GP events, GPF and has won Europeans, while Nugu and Tsibinova compete mainly domestically. However, 2 skaters withdrawing is an extremely unlikely situation, so maybe RusFed just picked whoever was first in line from Nationals.

 

[brakes]

Daria was my favorite, too. I've never seen her skate, is there a video? And how old is she?

Click competitions, there are links to SP/FS videos. Toggle languages in right upper corner.

Daria Sadkova | Садкова Дарья Андреевна

А Б В Г Д Е Ё Ж З И Й К Л М Н О П Р С Т У Ф Х Ц Ч Ш Щ Э Ю Я Команды синхронного катания Дата рождения: 26 июня 2008 Регион: Москва | Республика Марий Эл Вид: Одиночное катание Клуб: ЦФК Этери Тутберидзе (Москва) СШ по ЛВС […]

allskaters.info

 

[Jontor]

If anyone is interested, Aliona and Elizaveta N. have been named as alternates. A bit surprising, I expected RusFed to choose Tsibinova or Samodurova, but they probably followed the results of Nationals. Not that Nugu is likely go to Sweden, but it shows that federation has trust in her and maybe will give her a place in the national team next season.

Oh also, I doubt they will give Nugumanova a National Team place next year. It's just too crowded already.

This season we had six ladies plus 3 reserves.

Next season we will have:

Zagitova
Medvedeva
Shcherbakova
Trusova
Kostornaia
Valieva
Usacheva
Khromykh
Tuktamysheva

That's nine already. And then we have Sinitsyna, and Samodurova who still is high in the World rankings list.

I don't see any room for Nugumanova in there I'm afraid.

 

[Magill]

Daria was my favorite, too. I've never seen her skate, is there a video? And how old is she?

Now I know who she is (don't know how old)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1__-dhu6tk&t=9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kouyJlllIc8
Enjoy!

 

[Scott512]

I was impressed by Maria Zakharova again. She really goes all in on her programs. She creates a momentum that carries through the program from beginning to end, and I find that important.

Is she the girl that finished 4th? Her personality in the kiss and cry was joyful.


Who are her coaches? They look like models.

Where were the fans? So disappointed these girls skating in front of like 50 people in an arena that seats 10,000 or whatever.

Petro was disappointed in her skate. She will need an ultra jump next season. But for a season that was a cluster you know what because of covid she did well.

The Sofias are right on target.

 

[Scott512]

Oh also, I doubt they will give Nugumanova a National Team place next year. It's just too crowded already.

This season we had six ladies plus 3 reserves.

Next season we will have:

Zagitova
Medvedeva
Shcherbakova
Trusova
Kostornaia
Valieva
Usacheva
Khromykh
Tuktamysheva

That's nine already. And then we have Sinitsyna, and Samodurova who still is high in the World rankings list.

I don't see any room for Nugumanova in there I'm afraid.

Alina wont be on that list. I don't think she'll go through another season not skating competitively that would be 2 seasons in a row and yet still stay on a national team.

 

[Amei]

Sadkova does reminds me of Anna. Both have incredible musicality and dance ability. Anna's dance ability was some what hindered by her skating skills in the past but she surely improved a lot in that regard. I wish they'd try something differnent with Anna's SP next season - she can totally handle a faster / non-classical music.

Given that next year is an Olympic season I highly doubt we see anything too "different" in terms of programs.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

Watched some of the even younger skaters -
Sofia Vazhanova is a grace to watch. Those jumps are a bit iffy hmm... is she late 2008? Who's the coach?
Nastya Zinina - is it just me or she grew a lot this season? Her height worries me...and those legs...look like they're extending out of the screen Anyway, always enjoyed her performance - glad she still has 3F3T in her pocket despite the growth spurt.

Her Allskaters page says that Vazhnova is coached by Lilia Biktagirova. I have no idea who that is but I assume she's a CSKA coach, since Vazhnova is a CSKA skater. Yeah, I think Vazhnova is quite a talent artistically, very mature and skates with attention to detail and purpose. She's always been a bit of a question mark jump-wise but I hope they get her together since she has the artistry to be a star IMO. I really like both of her programs this season (well.... she had the SP last season too but still).

I think Zinina has definitely grown recently - I hope it doesn't impact the jumps too much since she is a lovely skater! Great basics and good flow across the ice.

 

[Jontor]

Alina wont be on that list. I don't think she'll go through another season not skating competitively that would be 2 seasons in a row and yet still stay on a national team.

I agree. And that goes for Zhenya too. But this is where the Figure Skating world is not fair. Once a star, always a star, and the sport needs its stars. So although they haven't showed us anything this season, I would not be surprised to see them still on the National Team next season. All due to political and financial reasons...

 

[Novalis]

Click competitions, there are links to SP/FS videos. Toggle languages in right upper corner.

Daria Sadkova | Садкова Дарья Андреевна

А Б В Г Д Е Ё Ж З И Й К Л М Н О П Р С Т У Ф Х Ц Ч Ш Щ Э Ю Я Команды синхронного катания Дата рождения: 26 июня 2008 Регион: Москва | Республика Марий Эл Вид: Одиночное катание Клуб: ЦФК Этери Тутберидзе (Москва) СШ по ЛВС […]

allskaters.info

So, in this link her date of birth is visible: June 26th 2008. She's twelve.

In less than 4 months we get to have a fan fest for her. Hurray!

 

[Zora]

Akatieva - many say she'll be a weaker performer but I disagree. Her performing style tends to be more reserved but she has loads of potential. Her programs this season are just so incredibly awful, and I couldn't believe she managed to sell them so well in this competition.

Really? I am usually not a fan of Team Tutberidze choreography, but I thought the free program was one of their better works. Especially in the beginning the jumps were very well timed to the music, Akatieva expressed every change in the music beautifully, the transitions, which often feel out of context in TT choreos suddenly had entries or exists matching to the music, so they didn't feel random anymore (maybe not the cantilever), there was a change in the spin to the music which I thought was well done... I really enjoyed that program. The short program was also enjoyable.
I think she is still a bit reserved, but her musicality is great and I like that her programs have a lighter mood.

 

[chasingneverland]

That's kind of surprising. For sure, Tsibinova, if clean, has more scoring potential internationally than Nugumanova. Even if she is less known. And she is also much more consistent than Nugu. Someone has mentioned before that Tsibinova doesn't have the international tech score required. But I have checked, due to the pandemic they have changed the rules this year. So it's the last two seasons that counts, and Tsibinova won Tallinn Trophy last year well within the tech requirements. Also, you don't even need that competition result, you just have to send a video to the ISU to get the skater admitted. Maybe RusFed missed all this information?

And it's inconsistent when you look at the men. I can understand Aliev as 1st alernate, but Gumennik as 2nd? He only placed 7th at nationals. Ignatov was second. RusFed really doesn't have much faith in Makar do they? And I have to say I agree, he has the stamina of sloth taking a nap...

She has the tech score - she got it at Tallin. They know she does - but Liza N beat her at Russian Nats and at the only stage they were at together so the record is actually 2-1. (And they sent Liza N to Rostelecom.) And it's a moot point - neither are going and both score about the same. Also scoring potential internationally is intrinsically linked to how well you're known.

As for Petr he was 2nd at the Cup Final and 3rd at Rostelecom. (But once again it's a moot point. Neither are going.)

They already said they were looking at everything this season. (Stages, Rostelecom, RusNats, Cup Final.) And regardless it super doesn't matter. Anna, Sasha, Liza T, Mikhail, and Evgeni would have to break something that they can't skate through not to go. And even then we're talking about the second alternates. (Four people would have to break - two of Anna, Sasha, and Liza T and both of Mikhail and Evgeni - for this even to be a discussion.)

 

[Scott512]

I agree. And that goes for Zhenya too. But this is where the Figure Skating world is not fair. Once a star, always a star, and the sport needs its stars. So although they haven't showed us anything this season, I would not be surprised to see them still on the National Team next season. All due to political and financial reasons...

Zhenya will try hard to compete next season. She will have a spot on the national team or so I would think. Alina shows no interest in competing again. I wish she would and I want her to but if she doesn't have it in her to train and compete then that's OK too.

 

[Amei]

I agree. And that goes for Zhenya too. But this is where the Figure Skating world is not fair. Once a star, always a star, and the sport needs its stars. So although they haven't showed us anything this season, I would not be surprised to see them still on the National Team next season. All due to political and financial reasons...

Hopefully they are only put on the reserve team, that's what happened to Kolyada after he had to miss a season and he is far more competitive in Russian men's skating than Zagitova and Medvedeva are for Russian ladies skating

 

[ruga]

Oh also, I doubt they will give Nugumanova a National Team place next year. It's just too crowded already.

This season we had six ladies plus 3 reserves.

Next season we will have:

Zagitova
Medvedeva
Shcherbakova
Trusova
Kostornaia
Valieva
Usacheva
Khromykh
Tuktamysheva

That's nine already. And then we have Sinitsyna, and Samodurova who still is high in the World rankings list.

I don't see any room for Nugumanova in there I'm afraid.

Big doubts about Zagitova. I think she can technically ask for a place there, but if she's not planning compete, it won't be fair to include her. Same about Medvedeva, though she has expressed her wishes to compete recently. At this point it's clear that Anna, Alexandra, Elizaveta, Aliona, Kamila, Maiia, Daria will be there (but there are usually 6 spots in the main team, so the question remains about one who will be in reserve). Other 2 spots (if neither Alina nor Evgenia come back) will probably go to Nugumanova, Frolova, Samodurova or Sinitsyna. The first two are most likely IMO, but we will see what federation decides.

 

[chasingneverland]

Big doubts about Zagitova. I think she can technically ask for a place there, but if she's not planning compete, it won't be fair to include her. Same about Medvedeva, though she has expressed her wishes to compete recently. At this point it's clear that Anna, Alexandra, Elizaveta, Aliona, Kamila, Maiia, Daria will be there (but there are usually 6 spots in the main team, so the question remains about one who will be in reserve). Other 2 spots (if neither Alina nor Evgenia come back) will probably go to Nugumanova, Frolova, Samodurova or Sinitsyna. The first two are most likely IMO, but we will see what federation decides.

There is also Guliakova and some others but I don't think they get spots. Samodurova potentially will get reserve because she is still ranked 10th in the world. That will change some after World's but not a lot..many many many beneath her aren't making it to World's either.

EDIT: With Alina I think THEY asked and insisted she stay on rather than she asked. I do think if she asked they would give it to her (at least reserve). Even with all the younger skaters moving to seniors no one other than Med has her star power. (Although that might change some depending on what Anna and Sasha do at World's but even still it's World's not the OLYMPICS.) I mean look at the Channel 1 Cup - Kamila turned in an OGM worthy skate - at the level none of the others can match (currently) and it was almost overshadowed by the Alina/Evgenia drama.

 

[Jontor]

Zhenya will try hard to compete next season. She will have a spot on the national team or so I would think. Alina shows no interest in competing again. I wish she would and I want her to but if she doesn't have it in her to train and compete then that's OK too.

Yes, I'm sure Zhenya will try hard next season. I remember after 2018 Olympics she said she won't give up and that she will get the gold next time. But, assuming Russia has three spots for Olympics, I find it very hard for Zhenya to grab that 3rd spot. She needs to beat four Eteri girls, Kostornaia and Trusova, and Tuktamysheva. The tech she had when she won her Worlds doesn't cut it anymore, and her tech has not been getting any better, it has in fact gotten worse. She is a PCS skater, but you can't rely on that.

All that said, I wonder if Zhenya has revised her Olympic dreams. Maybe she has realised it's not very probable anymore...or maybe she has not...

 

[Jontor]

Big doubts about Zagitova. I think she can technically ask for a place there, but if she's not planning compete, it won't be fair to include her. Same about Medvedeva, though she has expressed her wishes to compete recently. At this point it's clear that Anna, Alexandra, Elizaveta, Aliona, Kamila, Maiia, Daria will be there (but there are usually 6 spots in the main team, so the question remains about one who will be in reserve). Other 2 spots (if neither Alina nor Evgenia come back) will probably go to Nugumanova, Frolova, Samodurova or Sinitsyna. The first two are most likely IMO, but we will see what federation decides.

I totally agree with you. Zagitova and even Medvedeva seems not fair to be on the team. But this sport isn't fair when it comes to politics and financial stuff. They are the stars after all...