2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Amei]

I mean she usually does. Although World's is a different thing. And she had the BV to beat both Kamila and Sasha. Although then she wasn't even doing runthroughs. She might not here - depending on what Sasha goes for.

It's funny. People keep saying Sasha's the underdog. But Sasha's never been. She's been named as the one to beat since she was 14. It's always been true that if she lands everything she's capable of - she wins. (Regardless of what everyone else does.)

I think its a bit funny, the general consensus im getting on the board is that Shcherbakova is doomed - shes in falling practice and she wont have an audience to draw energy from - and this thing is Trusova's to lose - even though she appears to be going max out on quads which she has yet to successfully handle - But if you look at their records of delivering the last 2 years its more likely the opposite come competition time...Shcherbakova has the record of delivering and Trusova the record of having problems.

 

[Jontor]

This is good for Sasha - she hates skating last and won't have to land a 3A after Rika. It's interesting for Anna...(depends on how Sasha does but Anna does just tend to skate regardless of how others do (or don't) perform)

But skating first is never good. It means you have to hold back a little in the warm up so you don't waste all your stamina.

So not good for both Liza and Sasha.

 

[Tolstoj]

The things that actually hurts Anna the most is falling so many times in front of the judges. But Sasha's fallen too.

It's easier to understand a fall on a quad, especially when you have that many planned in your program.

that definitely won't do any favors for her scoring.

She was in Group 6 even last time at Worlds 2015, and she won.

I think Worlds here will brought up some known facts in Russia were a bit overlooked this season:

1) Bonus spin is a Russia's only rule, no such thing at international competitions.

2) 3A vs 2A is a big clear advantage technically, you can't make up 6 points in components that easily.

But really Trusova could win it in the free alone with that insane bv.

 

[nussnacker]

Team Tut are expressing their support for Russian athletes on WC with a funny dance

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMxFDuHI1Cg/

 

[karina17]

Sasha's full run-through from the first practice today!

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMxCPxmopwZ/?igshid=1rvxpqutayqux

There'll be another practice later.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

This is maybe a bit out of topic.
Top Ladies these Worlds have already nearly as many ultra-C jumps as top Men, though there are fewer "quadsters" among Ladies than among Men. At Olympic, with the arrival of Kamila Valieva, Maiia Khromykh, maybe Alysa Liu and maybe a few others, the top Ladies quad field is likely to be rather similar to Men.
Yet they have this odd 0.8 factor when it comes to components, which makes that Ladies nowadays are even more than Men, encouraged in the quads race — because if they don't have ultra-C jumps, they won't be able to catch up scores with components, these maxing at 80 instead of 100 for Men.
I don't know if it can be fixed before next Olympics, but I would be shocked if ISU wouldn't consider that problem for next Olympic cycle.

 

[Scott512]

But skating first is never good. It means you have to hold back a little in the warm up so you don't waste all your stamina.

So not good for both Liza and Sasha.

Interesting point. I think she will be fine.

It's all going to come down to the free skate. Nobody is gonna put up 90 points in the SP.

 

[Scott512]

I think its a bit funny, the general consensus im getting on the board is that Shcherbakova is doomed - shes in falling practice and she wont have an audience to draw energy from - and this thing is Trusova's to lose - even though she appears to be going max out on quads which she has yet to successfully handle - But if you look at their records of delivering the last 2 years its more likely the opposite come competition time...Shcherbakova has the record of delivering and Trusova the record of having problems.

True.

 

[Jontor]

Sasha's full run-through from the first practice today!

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMxCPxmopwZ/?igshid=1rvxpqutayqux

There'll be another practice later.

Great stuff! A couple of quads seemed a little under but that's OK as long as she doesn't pop them or fall.

I think she might need to land 4 quads to win, or 3 quads if she lands the 3A in the short.

This is going to be exciting!!

 

[silveruskate]

Sasha's full run-through from the first practice today!

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMxCPxmopwZ/?igshid=1rvxpqutayqux

There'll be another practice later.

Nice about the quads, but I think people forgot what a 5 quad program by Sasha looks like. Unfinished choreography or none. I always believed FS as a sport should reward the technical primarily and I hope she wins if she delivers, but PCS to me shouldn't be over 66 if clean.

 

[silveruskate]

I think its a bit funny, the general consensus im getting on the board is that Shcherbakova is doomed - shes in falling practice and she wont have an audience to draw energy from - and this thing is Trusova's to lose - even though she appears to be going max out on quads which she has yet to successfully handle - But if you look at their records of delivering the last 2 years its more likely the opposite come competition time...Shcherbakova has the record of delivering and Trusova the record of having problems.

I disagree. Before, Anna was seen as the clear favourite but now there's more uncertainty. Everyone knows of Anna's ability to bring it when it matters so I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to think she's doomed.

 

[Jontor]

This is maybe a bit out of topic.
Top Ladies these Worlds have already nearly as many ultra-C jumps as top Men, though there are fewer "quadsters" among Ladies than among Men. At Olympic, with the arrival of Kamila Valieva, Maiia Khromykh, maybe Alysa Liu and maybe a few others, the top Ladies quad field is likely to be rather similar to Men.
Yet they have this odd 0.8 factor when it comes to components, which makes that Ladies nowadays are even more than Men, encouraged in the quads race — because if they don't have ultra-C jumps, they won't be able to catch up scores with components, these maxing at 80 instead of 100 for Men.
I don't know if it can be fixed before next Olympics, but I would be shocked if ISU wouldn't consider that problem for next Olympic cycle.

I've been calculating Ladies and Men with different factoring for a couple of seasons and it turns out - the factoring doesn't change much.

Ladies results with the same factoring as Men won't make a difference. You have to raise it to 1.2 or even 1.4 for the PCS to really matter.

 

[macy]

She was in Group 6 even last time at Worlds 2015, and she won.

I think Worlds here will brought up some known facts in Russia were a bit overlooked this season:

1) Bonus spin is a Russia's only rule, no such thing at international competitions.

2) 3A vs 2A is a big clear advantage technically, you can't make up 6 points in components that easily.

But really Trusova could win it in the free alone with that insane bv.

That might be true, but that was 6 years ago. Liza won silver at Rus Nats that year and went to worlds with Pogorilaya and Radionova. she was one of the very top competitors there. she's likely fighting for places 4-5 now even with a 3A and is clearly Russia's 3rd lady here. of course a medal isn't completely out of the conversation, but she's not going in as a gold medal contender this time. i just don't think it's quite the same.

 

[macy]

I think its a bit funny, the general consensus im getting on the board is that Shcherbakova is doomed - shes in falling practice and she wont have an audience to draw energy from - and this thing is Trusova's to lose - even though she appears to be going max out on quads which she has yet to successfully handle - But if you look at their records of delivering the last 2 years its more likely the opposite come competition time...Shcherbakova has the record of delivering and Trusova the record of having problems.

Aliona was the same in practice all last season and she won every international competition she was at. she even cried once or twice. these girls know when to put it together when it matters.

 

[melsh]

I think it's just the psychological strategy that Anna always puts up. With such difficult jumps to deliver, going as the favourite is too much to handle. She has to accomplish something historical, winning Worlds with quads. no lady has ever done that. I can't even imagine the pressure. I wouldn't be surprised if putting herself in the position of the chaser is her way to the gold.
It's very likely she will deliver.
Trusova is the opposite, she's facing the same huge pressure like Rambo, perhaps to prove to herself that she's not scared. But usually the fear that she tries to suppress comes out at the wrong moment.

 

[Tolstoj]

That might be true, but that was 6 years ago. Liza won silver at Rus Nats that year and went to worlds with Pogorilaya and Radionova. she was one of the very top competitors there. she's likely fighting for places 4-5 now even with a 3A and is clearly Russia's 3rd lady here. of course a medal isn't completely out of the conversation, but she's not going in as a gold medal contender this time. i just don't think it's quite the same.

Idk i think after Rostelecom Cup gold medal and considering the inconsistency from Trusova and Kihira + Shcherbakova's current state, she could be the underdog for the gold medal or a spot in the podium, depending on the callers also, how strict they'll be particularly on Anna's jumps.

When you have the 3A i think you are in contention, only 3 ladies will attempt it. Practices also can influence judges, if they see the other top skaters falling over and over while she is landing things.

It's really hard to predict anything given the weird state of this season with an ongoing pandemic.

 

[lopsilceci]

Sasha didn't really change that much since she left Eteri. I mean, it's been less than a year since her coaching change...

Her programs are a very different style from her older programs and I think that's the big change that people see now, but her qualities as a skater and personality have always been the same: powerful skating, strong jumps, hard-working, resilient and always pushing the limits. That's always been Sasha.

I think even if she had stayed with Eteri and had these same softer programs, some people, like Meghan Duhamel, would see her as nothing but Eteri's jumping puppet.
Now she's a strong individual lady in control of her own destiny and it's so brave of her to go for 5 quads and 3A.

I'm not saying Sasha is not improving but just think it's weird that the tune about her (and really anyone who leaves Eteri) has changed and it's not really that Sasha herself changed, it's really mainly her programs and her coach.

 

[Amei]

Idk i think after Rostelecom Cup gold medal and considering the inconsistency from Trusova and Kihira + Shcherbakova's current state, she could be the underdog for the gold medal or a spot in the podium, depending on the callers also, how strict they'll be particularly on Anna's jumps.

When you have the 3A i think you are in contention, only 3 ladies will attempt it. Practices also can influence judges, if they see the other top skaters falling over and over while she is landing things.

It's really hard to predict anything given the weird state of this season with an ongoing pandemic.

Shcherbakova said something similar in an interview given the lack of international season

 

[Jontor]

The standings after the short will be very important. The top 3 will go last in the free and have an advantage.

So, if Sasha, Rika and Liza lands their 3A's, it's very likely that they will be the top 3. But they have to be clean overall.

This is a disadvantage for Anna who will have to skate her free earlier.

But on the other hand, I think the short is Bradie's chance. She skates second to last in the short, and if she can go clean, and the 3A ladies make mistakes, she can also be top 3 going into the free.

So many scenarios...

 

[DSQ]

Sasha didn't really change that much since she left Eteri. I mean, it's been less than a year since her coaching change...

Her programs are a very different style from her older programs and I think that's the big change that people see now, but her qualities as a skater and personality have always been the same: powerful skating, strong jumps, hard-working, resilient and always pushing the limits. That's always been Sasha.

I think even if she had stayed with Eteri and had these same softer programs, some people, like Meghan Duhamel, would see her as nothing but Eteri's jumping puppet.

I'm not saying Sasha is not improving but just think it's weird that the tune about her (and really anyone who leaves Eteri) has changed and it's not really that Sasha herself changed, it's really mainly her programs and her coach.

You might be right about people not warming to Sasha had she stayed with her old coach but her skating has improved a lot.

Her posture is better and she doesn’t bob as much when she does crossovers.