2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[TripleAxelQueens3]

I would expect this strategy from the federation as well, except for I think Kamila is more likely to be paired up with Aliona, as they tend to 1) secure their favorite junior with "guaranteed" wins by assigning her an easy competitor (Zhenya-Sasha as of 19/20); 2) continue to promote the senior with international reputation with the least favorite junior with no killer jumps (Alina-Aliona as of 19/20). If the fed is going to stick with the observations and results this season, Aliona (so far not in her top forms, with little sign of getting her 3A back) is more likely the one to be paired up with Kamila.

The only thing is that Anya/Liza/Sasha cannot meet each other, and thus Kami either has to meet two of them (meaning one of Sasha/Anya thus reducing their potential to get the final possibly which would be bad for Russia) or just Liza. And just Liza is probably the option Rusfed will opt for. With that in consideration, I feel like Liza/Kami/Aliona would be a difficult pairing to keep for two events simply because if things go as planned, then at least one of them won't get to go the GPF. Depending on who they meet, it's possible two of them might not get to go.

I also don't see them sending Sasha and Maiia together, unless they have a third option in someone consistent like Daria. But again, with those three together that also wildly reduces the chances for the Russian that finishes last. Sasha and Maiia are both still wildcards and if both don't do well at a competition that too would be bad for Russia.

Oh Russia will have so much difficulty in assigning GP spots. All their ladies have all the potential to win the GPF but alas I don't think more than four Russians will qualify. Near-russian GPF sweeps would look bad for the ISU.

 

[MaggieLin]

So Anna is going to WWT! (tbh I hope the girl gets some rest...)
I hope Sasha gets the second spot. It will give her another chance to show the fed what she’s capable of - Liza already pretty much did at worlds. Sasha also seems more relaxed during these team competitions (at JO 2019) and can probably finally pull of a 5 quad program plus, Anna and Sasha will have such a fun time together haha

 

[MaggieLin]

Side note: novice Japanese lady Mao Shimada successfully landed 4T in competition (GOE+2.61)! She has landed 3A< in competition before. Definitely huge potential there. She’s in the same age group with Rubtsova (a year younger than Akatyeva, Sadkova, etc)

 

[Dawn825]

I think Anna already said she was going to. Sasha or Liza for the second spot, most likely.

I thought someone said that anyone who went to Worlds couldn't go to WTT because of quarantine stuff? Am I imagining things?

 

[chasingneverland]

The only thing is that Anya/Liza/Sasha cannot meet each other, and thus Kami either has to meet two of them (meaning one of Sasha/Anya thus reducing their potential to get the final possibly which would be bad for Russia) or just Liza. And just Liza is probably the option Rusfed will opt for. With that in consideration, I feel like Liza/Kami/Aliona would be a difficult pairing to keep for two events simply because if things go as planned, then at least one of them won't get to go the GPF. Depending on who they meet, it's possible two of them might not get to go.

I also don't see them sending Sasha and Maiia together, unless they have a third option in someone consistent like Daria. But again, with those three together that also wildly reduces the chances for the Russian that finishes last. Sasha and Maiia are both still wildcards and if both don't do well at a competition that too would be bad for Russia.

Oh Russia will have so much difficulty in assigning GP spots. All their ladies have all the potential to win the GPF but alas I don't think more than four Russians will qualify. Near-russian GPF sweeps would look bad for the ISU.

That's why I think they'll pair Kamila and Liza (Kamila wins this most likely), Anna and Maiia (even with quads for Maiia Anna's PCS will be MUCH higher), and Sasha and Aliona (maybe Daria here too but Daria and Aliona have very similar strengths.) But Eteri will also probably not want Kamila, Anna, and Aliona at the same events.

 

[chasingneverland]

I thought someone said that anyone who went to Worlds couldn't go to WTT because of quarantine stuff? Am I imagining things?

The US said they weren't sending the same teams. (Although I think some of them were packing for both World's and WTT). Also I think Canada said something similar - because they had different quarantine restrictions so would need to quarantine twice. Russia didn't say anything of the sort haha.

 

[flanker]

So Anna is going to WWT! (tbh I hope the girl gets some rest...)
I hope Sasha gets the second spot. It will give her another chance to show the fed what she’s capable of - Liza already pretty much did at worlds. Sasha also seems more relaxed during these team competitions (at JO 2019) and can probably finally pull of a 5 quad program plus, Anna and Sasha will have such a fun time together haha

I would be rather if Anna wouldn't go, honestly.

 

[chasingneverland]

I would be rather if Anna wouldn't go, honestly.

Me too. I would like her to go home and rest. But she already said she would, so she most likely is.

And even if she didn't go she wouldn't be resting - it's during Eteri's tour.

 

[happycamper2554]

The US said they weren't sending the same teams. (Although I think some of them were packing for both World's and WTT). Also I think Canada said something similar - because they had different quarantine restrictions so would need to quarantine twice. Russia didn't say anything of the sort haha.

Thats Canada due to Their Quarantine rules. Hubbell said she packed for WTT so if they were assigned to WTT they could go.

 

[chasingneverland]

Thats Canada due to Their Quarantine rules. Hubbell said she packed for WTT so if they were assigned to WTT they could go.

Yeah, that's why I mentioned Canada's quarantine rules. There just isn't time to do both quarantines. Russia doesn't have that so they can go.

 

[starlight97]

I would be rather if Anna wouldn't go, honestly.

I and many others will agree with you.
But I think we need to keep in mind that these girls want to use as many opportunities as they can and they will never say no to an event just to "stay home and relax", unless there is a bigger event on the horizon that requieres that (aka Anna not going to the Cup Final to preapare for Worlds).
I also think many of them by now are aware that they have a very short half-life in this sport and that their careers won't go on for that much longer. Meaning that many of the opportunities they get may be the last times they get that opportunity.
The Russian Ladies are sadly not the French Ice Dance couple who has 0 rivalry within their country and can just decide to sit out Worlds this year because they felt like it and they know they've had many Worlds already and will have more Worlds to come.
Look at what happened to Alena.

 

[Scott512]

I actually hope everyone's going to be on their best behaviour because it's Olympic season and there won't be any drama (until Nationals and Olympics when it will all go nuclear).

Best behavior here at this forum or with the athletes themselves?

EG girls get along well. The only drama will be from who gets to go to the Olympics but there won't be any backbiting or infighting with Those talented ladies. The media will try to Stir the pot but the athletes and we fans can not fall for it.

 

[bubblecherry]

Congrats to Anna on being WC. I’ve wanted her to win it all season long and she was finally able to clinch the title. Congrats to the Russian sweep as well, but what a disappointing event and disappointing skates from the podium.

I think I realized that I don’t enjoy this trio of Anna, Sasha, and Liza. I love the Russian ladies, but I really hope there will be a change in the Russian team next year, because I just did not get the feelings I needed from these 3. It wasn’t very exciting. That’s just a personal opinion, though, they all did their job and got their medals.

 

[Scott512]

Wasn't an argument.

And I said you're saying they're not but it's a negative implication and connotation. It's an incredibly dangerous mindset in figure skating (and other sports) that has lead to disordered eating, etc. and shouldn't be perpetuated.

And also, in many ways Sofia looks like the exact same as she looked then. The difference is that Russian ladies is deeper. And even when she won Euros, it certainly wasn't expected. At the beginning of the season, it was thought to be Alina, Evgenia, and probably Liza as the frontrunners.

It's scary How deep the Russian ladies talent pool is. They could field 3 or 4 really good teams of 3 ladies.

Russia waited decades to have great ladies and now they have too many.

 

[Minz]

The only thing is that Anya/Liza/Sasha cannot meet each other, and thus Kami either has to meet two of them (meaning one of Sasha/Anya thus reducing their potential to get the final possibly which would be bad for Russia) or just Liza. And just Liza is probably the option Rusfed will opt for. With that in consideration, I feel like Liza/Kami/Aliona would be a difficult pairing to keep for two events simply because if things go as planned, then at least one of them won't get to go the GPF. Depending on who they meet, it's possible two of them might not get to go.

I also don't see them sending Sasha and Maiia together, unless they have a third option in someone consistent like Daria. But again, with those three together that also wildly reduces the chances for the Russian that finishes last. Sasha and Maiia are both still wildcards and if both don't do well at a competition that too would be bad for Russia.

Oh Russia will have so much difficulty in assigning GP spots. All their ladies have all the potential to win the GPF but alas I don't think more than four Russians will qualify. Near-russian GPF sweeps would look bad for the ISU.

I think that there is a possibility that we could have an all Russian GPF. They have insane content and enough girls that if someone falters, it can still be saved.

Content of potential Russian Team Members:

Sasha: 3+ quads in FS, plus a potential 3A in SP and FS.
Kamilla: 2-3 quads in FS, plus 3A in SP and FS
Maiia: 2 quads in FS
Anna: 2(+?) quads in FS
Aliona: potential 3A. (Also skating skills that have earned the respect of an international panel.)
Daria: ??- Not sure about quads and 3A yet, but she has looked very strong and I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets something by the fall.
Liza: 3A in SP, 2 3A’s in FS, plus a potential quad

Plus all of these ladies are doing 2-3, 3-3/3-4/3-eu-3/ combinations in their FS.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

I think that there is a possibility that we could have an all Russian GPF. They have insane content and enough girls that if someone falters, it can still be saved.

Content of potential Russian Team Members:

Sasha: 3+ quads in FS, plus a potential 3A in SP and FS.
Kamilla: 2-3 quads in FS, plus 3A in SP and FS
Maiia: 2 quads in FS
Anna: 2(+?) quads in FS
Aliona: potential 3A. (Also skating skills that have earned the respect of an international panel.)
Daria: ??- Not sure about quads and 3A yet, but she has looked very strong and I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets something by the fall.
Liza: 3A in SP, 2 3A’s in FS, plus a potential quad

Plus all of these ladies are doing 2-3, 3-3/3-4/3-eu-3/ combinations in their FS.

Yes I think it's 100% possible but I'm also quite certain that the ISU would not be in support of that. Actually, now looking at how they scored Rika and Kaori at Worlds, I suppose they would be okay with five Russians one non-Russian but six Russians seems way too uniform.

I think it will all depend on who goes where. If for example, Liza is paired with Kami for both events, and Maiia/Alyona with quad/3A and Rika at her events, she might not qualify if everyone else goes clean.

 

[JazzUp]

pre-gala chat about a SBS jump:

 

[ramed]

I think I realized that I don’t enjoy this trio of Anna, Sasha, and Liza. I love the Russian ladies, but I really hope there will be a change in the Russian team next year, because I just did not get the feelings I needed from these 3.

I'm curious if your opinion is based primarily on Stockholm observations. This comp was at best poor man's Russian Nationals (which was freely available with Ted Barton's commentating as a live YouTube stream and hopefully is still available). Had you watched that ladies event, methinks your opinion would be different, especially about Anna and Sasha. Also, too bad Kamila Valieva wasn't eligible for Stockholm... Still, the quality of competition at Stockholm is understandable, considering all restrictions and the prehistory of 2021 Championship.

 

[Jontor]

Considering that she was injured and therefore unable to practice either the 4F or the 4S (or the 3A for that matter) for awhile, I also think that played a role in their consistency as well. And she's been inconsistent on all 3 jumps even before injury. Her 4Lz and 4T ARE more consistent.

Also she CAN'T do both two 4Lz AND two 4T's. She'll Zayak. You're only allowed to repeat one quad (one in combo) and one triple (one in combo) (or two triples.) So she HAS to do either two 4Lz's, one 4T, one 4F, and one 4S OR two 4T's, one 4Lz, one 4F, and one 4F to bring her total to 5 quads. So actually she HAS to do the 4S AND the 4F, if she's determined to do 5 quads. Even if she does 4 quads, she HAS to do either the 4F (which she's getting edge calls on now but is worth more) or the 4S (which is inconsistent). As both the 4Lz and 4Ts are more stable, she backloads both and the 4Lz is worth more so she that's the one she chooses to repeat. But backloading them increases the chances that she misses them because she's more tired and then struggling to get the rotation in - and when she under-rotates them even if she doesn't fall she actually loses points compared to if she were to do her 3F+1Eu+3S and 3Lz+3T/3Lz+3Lo and 3Lz in the bonus section. So actually bringing in more quads DOES change the type of quads AND the layout she's forced to do.

Oh yes. I forgot about that. You can't repeat two quad jumps. So I was wrong earlier when I suggested a two 4Lz + two 4T program.

I still think she should concentrate on those two quads though. And work on the 3A. If she had that in the long, a three quad +3A would go a long way. And she could finally go clean.

A five quad program is just not realistic. Those "runthroughs" we've seen where she has landed them was not complete runthroughs. She gets to rest after each jumping pass. If you add the spins, steps and choreo into the runthrough, the stamina will quickly disappear. And that's what we see at competitions.

 

[Scott512]

Congrats to Anna on being WC. I’ve wanted her to win it all season long and she was finally able to clinch the title. Congrats to the Russian sweep as well, but what a disappointing event and disappointing skates from the podium.

I think I realized that I don’t enjoy this trio of Anna, Sasha, and Liza. I love the Russian ladies, but I really hope there will be a change in the Russian team next year, because I just did not get the feelings I needed from these 3. It wasn’t very exciting. That’s just a personal opinion, though, they all did their job and got their medals.

Why not?

Those three will be joined by KV and aliona hell-bent on revenge next season and Maya and Dasha and evgenia and Alina! Get your popcorn ready.