2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[chasingneverland]

YY is wonderful. Sorry to hear she had Coronavirus. I hope coronavirus did not ravage Korean figure skating the way it did Russian figure skating.

Oh I don't think she did. Or at least it wasn't announced the way it was with the Russians - but that's mostly because they kept having to withdraw from events - it's hard to withdraw from events when they don't exist. I just meant that she missed out on a season of consistent training and an entire international season. She never got her jumps stable, including her 3A.

 

[Scott512]

Oh I don't think so did. Or at least it wasn't announced the way it was with the Russians - but that's mostly because they kept having to withdraw from events - it's hard to withdraw from events when they don't exist. I just meant that she missed out on a season of consistent training and an entire international season. She never got her jumps stable, including her 3A.

And Young is one of the most impressive girls out there. It seems that coronavirus often affects younger people and athletes with stronger immune systems than people much older. The whole dilemma with this virus is so confusing.the good news is we will have an Olympic season and an Olympics in the summer and then Winter Olympics next year. i hope.

 

[Dreamer57]

When is that Gala (?) by team Krustalny where we can see Alena skate one last time this season?

She has posted today that she will skate at Champions on Ice on 6th April!

Also, I saw this picture and thought of this thread:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKyrB_JVHo/

 

[Flying Feijoa]

Yes, there was a whole campaign of vilification of him, well prepared, with photos of him made-up as Rothbart (the only part where I don't find him convincing, by the way)!
A spoiler hide because it is really becoming out-of-topic, though it may help put the figure skating "Russian drama" into perspective.

Spoiler: More explanations...

I followed it more closely and while I was somehow sorry that preservation of his sanity forbade him to mentally switch Sergei Filin from the bully category (after 1½ year of the worst sort of harassment for a protective character like Tsiskaridze : the proxy one) to the victim one, facts are facts. There were embezzlements and the rebuilding of the Bolshoi didn't go well at all, and Tsiskaridze both loving his theatre and being "a born whistleblower" (as wrote Joy Womack who was at first rank though she dared to say little) said it aloud; he was already an enemy because, along with Svetlana Zakharova he had opposed in 2009 the establishment of a policy of modern/classical ballet which would be detrimental both to the company and to dancers' health, but then he became an arch-enemy, an "abcess" said Iksanov (very telling, from a theatre director). There had been also an awful campaign against the chosen artistic director, Guennadi Yanin, previously troop manager, and a great admirer of Nikolai Tsiskaridze. (When Iksanov later accused Tsiskaridze of this smear campaign, I understood many things.) And still Tsiskaridze was unmovable in his popularity, and a new member of the Presidential Culture Council. (Let's not politicise too much though, the said president being known for his total absence of liking for ballet.) Then there was all this harassment, it didn't deter him (it heavily distressed him though), and then that acid attack. When Filin then had that awful accusation "It is Tsiskaridze's fault", at first I thought he was so blinded by his hatred that he shouted the name of the man he hated most (after having appeared "the good fellow" at his side for many years, until he got power on him, then bullied him during 1½ year). But later, after having understood what meant that so very implausible accusation from Iksanov regarding Guennady Yanin, I guessed that Filin had, say, suspicions about who may be its real authors (at least, patrons), and may have considered the feud of the Bolshoi direction and patrons against Tsiskaridze, as the motivation behind the attack which made him suffer so much.
The acid attack, the vilification campaign, and the accusation and sentence of Pavel Dmitrichenko (the very vocal Union leader) "allowed" Iksanov to get rid of both Tsiskaridze and Dmitrichenko, but exposed him to be fired a few weeks later.
As I have found no other logical explanation to all the events, I am keeping with this one.
As to Tsiskaridze's nomination at the Vaganova Academy, he said the job had been proposed to him long before, but he was reluctant because of the strong Moscow/St Petersburg prejudice, which didn't fail to show when he accepted the position at last. The position was considered available because it had been years that Fateev (like him or not), the Mariinsky artistic director (and recruiter) had been complaining about the poor training of Vaganova graduates, one year of "preparation for ballet" had been added to no avail, and just a few months before (months after the acid attack), Sergei Filin himself had said the same! And indeed, when you watch graduation videos of the time, there was great talent and schooling but "something was lacking" and I couldn't say what.
So Vera Dorofeeva (not Altinai Asylmuratova, whose resignation was clearly not planned at all) was fired (later Tsiskaridze uncovered embezzlement by the way, and more wrongdoings have been suspected) and replaced by Nikolai Tsiskaridze, and very clearly he managed to "put back on track" the institution (which was not very much astray anyway, but it takes a great professional to do it so fast).
It was probably ordered by the Kremlin, some may not like it or even oppose it for no other motive, but as the decision was the right one, it's fine with me.

Oh my, Russian theatre really is wild Rather than 2 sides there seem to be many...

Spoiler: More ballet stuff

As an outsider with limited information, I can only state my belief (regarding the root of the dispute over the direction of the company) that the Bolshoi benefited a lot from performing new works - creations, reconstructions or good stuff from outside. Ratmansky's Flames of Paris and the Bright Stream have become signature Bolshoi productions. To me, apart from their drama (on stage, I mean), this openness to innovation is what sets them apart stylistically as a company from the Mariinsky (who built their identity around the preservation of classical traditions, but sometimes get criticised for stagnation). In the last decade they've stayed on that route (Taming of the Shrew, Nureyev etc.) and it definitely doesn't look to have hurt them in terms of classical technique. Striking a balance between new and old is a challenge most companies have to face, with some faring better than others (e.g Royal under Kevin O'Hare, though nobody's immune to detractors). Perhaps in Russia the involvement of politicians and businessmen escalates things...

Regarding Vaganova, thanks for the clarification about Dorofeeva. At least my perception of the opposition to Tsiskaridze at Vaganova is that it's not simply that they don't trust Moscovites, but they're afraid of losing the stylistic identity of the St Petersburg school (a style that some might consider antiquated). Although there are many Vaganova alumni among the teaching staff and artistic director so personally I don't think it's a huge concern... The only difference I noticed when I visited a few years ago was a weird class leotard colour scheme and a ban on Gaynors (sensible). I'm just not a fan of government directly interfering with school management. It would be great if he is universally welcomed, and if he put a stop to alleged embezzlement, although both of these points come from his own accounts. P.S. not sure what Filin was complaining about since Smirnova came to the Bolshoi in 2011...

 

[colormyworld240]

Alina definitely has enough time to get into form if she starts in the next few months. She would win medals for sure, but none of the big prizes. Just for fun, which would be the easiest quad for Alina?

I say 4T. Her Toe-jumps are better than edge jumps. The obvious answer is 4F but the rotation is harder.

Alina said her least favourite jumps were the 3T and 3S, so a 4T wouldn't be the easiest quad for her.

She said she likes 3Lz, 3Lo (her first triple), and 3F the most.

 

[Amei]

Alina said her least favourite jumps were the 3T and 3S, so a 4T wouldn't be the easiest quad for her.

She said she likes 3Lz, 3Lo (her first triple), and 3F the most.

I don't think there is necessarily a correlation between favorite and easiest jump.

 

[JazzUp]

Moscow government is considering naming one of the new metro stations in the south-western part of the city "Sambo-70" (out of three options, 'Sambo-70' got overwhelming support from the public)

 

[iamchrislao]

right? she can't even rully rotate a solo lutz (her best jump) anymore and she's completely lost her other jumps bar the 2a..... do these people really think she could even hit 150 in her current state, let alone 220-240? hilarious

Add to that the question of motivation and the psychological burden—u think that with the title, results are expected of u. I think being the world’s best last season produced the aliona kostornaia we got this season. A part of me is thankful that the needed kick didnt happen during the olympic season (let’s be honest here, at this rate in russian ladies, one gets to compete in only 1 oly games).

 

[colormyworld240]

I don't think there is necessarily a correlation between favorite and easiest jump.

Of course there is. Who would have their favourite type of jump as the one they struggle with the most?

In any case, I’m pretty sure Alina said her favourites were also the ones she’s most comfortable with.

 

[dante]

Moscow government is considering naming one of the new metro stations in the south-western part of the city "Sambo-70" (out of three options, 'Sambo-70' got overwhelming support from the public)

As a side note, Khrustalny is located at the metro station Konkovo, which literally means "Skate's". Though etymologically it involves horses rather than skates.

 

[nussnacker]

Some good combos from Sadkova at Elements on Novice nationals. She’s doesn’t have to “save” them anymore, looks like she’s more comfortable when landing her Lz. Also landed Lz-Lo, but it scored less than her Lz-T, hence was invalidated.

 

[Dawn825]

Of course there is.

Yes and no. From my recollection, I've never heard a skater at Alina's level when asked say their favorite jump was triple-toe or triple-sal, almost definitely because they're the easiest and the skater doesn't want to sound lame. Also, when a jump gets too easy it stops giving you any satisfaction to land it, and so wouldn't be your favorite. Your favorite jump is going to be one you're good at but also has to be sufficiently hard enough that you feel good about yourself for being good at. So not always the easiest. It's definitely possible that the toe and sal are uncomfortable jumps for Alina, but even if they weren't she would never say they were her favorite jumps.

 

[gliese]

Yes and no. From my recollection, I've never heard a skater at Alina's level when asked say their favorite jump was triple-toe or triple-sal, almost definitely because they're the easiest and the skater doesn't want to sound lame. Also, when a jump gets too easy it stops giving you any satisfaction to land it, and so wouldn't be your favorite. Your favorite jump is going to be one you're good at but also has to be sufficiently hard enough that you feel good about yourself for being good at. So not always the easiest. It's definitely possible that the toe and sal are uncomfortable jumps for Alina, but even if they weren't she would never say they were her favorite jumps.

This statement is under the assumption that 3T or 3S is actually the easiest jump. It's not for so many elite skaters. As an advanced skater myself, I've found the easiest jump is whatever jump is most natural to a skater and the favorite is usually also that jump.

 

[Fluture]

From my recollection, I've never heard a skater at Alina's level when asked say their favorite jump was triple-toe or triple-sal,

Evgenia Medvedeva. Who, by the way, has also mentioned more than once that the 2A - generally considered to be the easiest jumps - is in fact the most difficult for her.

As for Alina - her 3T looks fine to me. But the 3S was always visibly uncomfortable - even when she was landing it well, it was smaller and shakier than her other jumps. Her lutz and flips are just easier for her and I don’t think it’s a pride thing - not to mention that she doesn‘t strike me as a person to be concerned about something like this anyway - it’s just a fact.

 

[macy]

This statement is under the assumption that 3T or 3S is actually the easiest jump. It's not for so many elite skaters. As an advanced skater myself, I've found

Evgenia Medvedeva. Who, by the way, has also mentioned more than once that the 2A - generally considered to be the easiest jumps - is in fact the most difficult for her.

As for Alina - her 3T looks fine to me. But the 3S was always visibly uncomfortable - even when she was landing it well, it was smaller and shakier than her other jumps. Her lutz and flips are just easier for her and I don’t think it’s a pride thing - not to mention that she doesn‘t strike me as a person to be concerned about something like this anyway - it’s just a fact.

yes to both of these. it's funny because you usually learn an axel first before doubles, but axels are a really difficult jump for a lot of people even though they are considered "easier" than doubles because of the half revolution less. personally i never liked them, i had a wild free leg that liked to waxel.

different skaters can like different jumps for different reasons and it makes sense to have a favorite jump either because you like the challenge of it and how it feels when you land it or because it's your easiest jump and it's like a knife through warm butter for you. i'd probably assume the majority of favorite jumps are the latter. mine was a salchow because it was easiest for me and i could do it in my sleep. i never had to think about the jump when i was doing it, and when the time came it was the first triple i started trying.

toe loops are generally seen as one of the easiest jumps next to a salchow but for me it was one of the hardest, mainly because i was taught a toe axel when i was young and didn't know how to do a proper toe loop. i had to re learn it many years after my body was used to the toe axel technique and that was HARD to fix.

 

[alexocfp]

Moscow government is considering naming one of the new metro stations in the south-western part of the city "Sambo-70" (out of three options, 'Sambo-70' got overwhelming support from the public)

They should also put a video at the station of Eteri telling you not to litter and to obey all the rules. Or else.
Haha

 

[Lunalovesskating]

Evgenia Medvedeva. Who, by the way, has also mentioned more than once that the 2A - generally considered to be the easiest jumps - is in fact the most difficult for her.

As for Alina - her 3T looks fine to me. But the 3S was always visibly uncomfortable - even when she was landing it well, it was smaller and shakier than her other jumps. Her lutz and flips are just easier for her and I don’t think it’s a pride thing - not to mention that she doesn‘t strike me as a person to be concerned about something like this anyway - it’s just a fact.

Another example would be Eunsoo, Salchows are the most difficult jumps for her, she often has issues landing it and said it is her least favorite jump, but she has no issues with her Flips or Lutz.

 

[nussnacker]

Also Matteo I believe said that Salchow is a hard jump for him, even a triple. Hence, he learned 4Lo instead of 4Sal.
Nathan also dislikes axels, and it is sn uncomfortable jump for him.

 

[silveruskate]

Yes and no. From my recollection, I've never heard a skater at Alina's level when asked say their favorite jump was triple-toe or triple-sal, almost definitely because they're the easiest and the skater doesn't want to sound lame. Also, when a jump gets too easy it stops giving you any satisfaction to land it, and so wouldn't be your favorite. Your favorite jump is going to be one you're good at but also has to be sufficiently hard enough that you feel good about yourself for being good at. So not always the easiest. It's definitely possible that the toe and sal are uncomfortable jumps for Alina, but even if they weren't she would never say they were her favorite jumps.

I agree with saying your best difficult jump that you're good at is your favourite. It isn't even about pride, everyone wants to flex sometimes. I'm sure Alina would say 3Lz-3Lo was her favourite combo when no one else was doing it. So it doesn't necessarily mean her Toe/Sal are hard if she says Lz/F is her favourite.

But if she specifically said 3T/3S were here least favourite like colormyworld240 said, then that's another story.

 

[kolyadafan2002]

Of course there is. Who would have their favourite type of jump as the one they struggle with the most?

In any case, I’m pretty sure Alina said her favourites were also the ones she’s most comfortable with.

Remember there is also fear factor with certain jumps e.g. some might find 3T easier but also be more scared of how they feel on the takeoff etc.

And also in terms of easiness, you have "easiest" in terms of consistency, "easiest" in terms of energy taken to jump the jump etc.
You might jump a 3S easy for example, but it has much less height than a 3Lo that you do etc.