2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[chasingneverland]

Rumours of Alina's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Yes, not perfect but she can clearly still jump.

 

[flanker]

I think the "balance" part of the rules about "distribution of highlight elements" is actually more about "scoring balance."

Yes. you should get a few extra points for "jumping on tired legs," because it is hard and not every skater can do it.

You should also get a few points for doing a triple Axel. It is hard and not every skater can do it. You should get a few points for engaiging the audience performance-wise. Although this is more subjective, still, it's hard and not every skater can do it, or at least some do it better than others.

Each of these of these aspects of skating picks up a few points. "Balance" means that no particular skill shoiuld dominate the others in terms of points. Give a few points for tired legs, but not too many. Give a few points for intricate transitions, but not too many. I believe that this is the goal of the IJS (for better or for worse).

In a fully backloaded program with triples the jumps don't "dominate" as much as in "balanced program" with multiple quads when it comes to the score, I think. 10% is not too many even if it is for all the jumps in my view.

If we speak particularly about the DQ program, it certainly engaged me as a part of the audience and as for the transitions, there is no doubt that Alina's transitions in DQ or Black Swan topped most if not all "balanced programs". Those both programs definitely weren't simply about "jumping all the jumps in the second half but otherwise there was no value", those were fully-fledged programs with all the qualities worth of the olympic champion. Again, many so-called "balanced programs" certainly don't have that at all, but the decisive thing is definitely not just in "where the jumps are placed in the program".

 

[Mathman]

If we speak particularly about the DQ program, it certainly engaged me as a part of the audience and as for the transitions, there is no doubt that Alina's transitions in DQ or Black Swan topped most if not all "balanced programs". Those both programs definitely weren't simply about "jumping all the jumps in the second half but otherwise there was no value,"...

I think that the ISU's position would be that if Alina's program had performance merit, then she should get high scores in the Performance component (which she did). If she had excellent transitions, then she should get high scores in Transitions (which she did). If the jump layout supported and was supported by the choreography, then she should get high scores in Choreography (which she did).

So it all comes down to whether 10% of potentially all jumps is "too much" of an extra bonus on top of all that?

If we take an extreme case, suppose Alexandra Trusova does 5 quads (worth a total of 60 points), all in the second half. Is 6 extra points for "distribution" too much, or just right? It's not a big deal. In one scenario she gets 66 points total, in the other she gets 63.

In a way, I have sympathy with the ISU's general predicament vis-a-vis the whole Code pof Points scoring system. Whatever the rules are, skaters and their teams will find a way to take advantage of them to eke out one more tenth of a point, then another, then one more. This leaves the ISU continually playing cvatch-up if they want to micromanage what programs will look like. Every year they tweak the rules -- let's make a triple Axel worth a tenth of a point more, no lets' make it a temth of a point less. And still the clever athletes find ways to outsmart them.

 

[flanker]

I think that the ISU's [position would be that if Alina's program had performance merit, then she should get high scores in the Performance component (which she did). If she had excellent transitions, then she should get high scores in Transitions (which she did). If the jump layout supported and was supported by the choreography, then she should get high scores in Choreography (which she did).

So it all comes down to whether 10% of potentially all jumps is "too much" of an ectra bonus on top of all that?

If we take an extreme case, suppose Alexandra Trusova does 5 quads (worth a total of 60 points), all in the second half. Is 6 extra points for "distribution" too much, or just right? It's not a big deal. In one scenario she gets 66 points total, in the other she gets 63.

In a way, I have sympathy with the ISU's general predicament vis-a-vis the whole Code pof Points scoring system. Whatever the rules are, skaters and their teams will find a way to take advantage of them to eke out one more tenth of a point, then another, then one more. This leaves the ISU continually playing cvatch-up if they want to micromanage what programs will look like. Every year they tweak the rules -- let's make a triple Axel worth a tenth of a point more, no lets' make it a temth of a point less. And still the clever athletes find ways to outsmart them.

I think doing multiple quads in the second half would be an excellent achievement and I have nothing against it being rewarded. Whether would that deserve high marks in other aspects would depend on the choreo and performance itself.

 

[Scott512]

- Is there a some chocolate cafe here?
- No, Alina. It's only in your dreams.

Alina and sweets

What was that? Great video.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Rumours of Alina's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Yes, not perfect but she can clearly still jump.

I don't think she's ever done exhibitions without triples, including the lutz. She is still solid and would be the best skater in almost any other country, but she'd have to be as consistent as she was in 2018 to stand any chance of making the Russian team (and, even then, would need mistakes from two of Sasha, Alena (with 3A), Anna, and Kamila).

 

[flanker]

I think this should deserve bigger audience than just FF:



(Secret wish: Lilbet, please qualify for the olympics and perform that in the gala.)

 

[chasingneverland]

I still can't get over this. Kamila and Sofia A are unreal.

 

[chasingneverland]

I think this should deserve bigger audience than just FF:



(Secret wish: Lilbet, please qualify for the olympics and perform that in the gala.)

I sooo want Lilbet to make the Olympics. (Also lol at Eteri having like potentially 5 skaters there.)

 

[chasingneverland]

I don't think she's ever done exhibitions without triples, including the lutz. She is still solid and would be the best skater in almost any other country, but she'd have to be as consistent as she was in 2018 to stand any chance of making the Russian team (and, even then, would need mistakes from two of Sasha, Alena (with 3A), Anna, and Kamila).

It was in response to people saying she should do exhibitions without jumps.

 

[flanker]

I still can't get over this. Kamila and Sofia A are unreal.

New discipline, synchronized jumping

 

[chasingneverland]

I love them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNVk_qJpu1f/

 

[Ziotic]

I sooo want Lilbet to make the Olympics. (Also lol at Eteri having like potentially 5 skaters there.)

IAM will have WAY more than 5!

 

[flanker]

IAM will have WAY more than 5!

Potentially three russian ladies, Lilbet and Morisi. Is there a way how to get more?

 

[chasingneverland]

Potentially three russian ladies, Lilbet and Morisi. Is there a way how to get more?

No. If Morisi had placed high enough to qualify 2 men to the Olympics then Nika might have gone for Georgia. But other than that she only has Daniil who is technically senior eligible next year but probably isn't completely healthy enough, competitive enough, and would only be 16. He's not getting one of the 2 men's spots haha. In fact, I don't even think he'll be senior next year.

 

[chasingneverland]

IAM will have WAY more than 5!

Yes, but comparatively they coach more teams. And more nationalities. Eteri only coaches (for the most part) Russia so is limited by their spots haha. In fact she had to stop nonRussian skaters for the 2014 Olympic season.

 

[chasingneverland]

Better version of Alina's Inner Light (she gets on the ice 3 minutes in and starts about 5 minutes in):

And her Cleopatra:

 

[Briananing]

I think team tutberidze needs to look for some other designers though. I mean we can't only relied on Ryabenko. Atleast for variety purpose, especially when Olga seems to have burn out for the past few seasons. I feel like i have seen countless version of Alina new dress from Olga past works. She is an OGM, they need to package her better.

Bobkova used to do Mao costumes, the Sochi FP dress is the most memorable imo. She also has been doing zhenya costumes for these past 2 years and i think she is doing a pretty good job so far . It would be a nice addition to have bobkova as the team designer as well.

 

[starlight97]

I think team tutberidze needs to look for some other designers though. I mean we can't only relied on Ryabenko. Atleast for variety purpose, especially when Olga seems to have burn out for the past few seasons. I feel like i have seen countless version of Alina new dress from Olga past works. She is an OGM, they need to package her better.

Bobkova used to do Mao costumes, the Sochi FP dress is the most memorable imo. She also has been doing zhenya costumes for these past 2 years and i think she is doing a pretty good job so far . It would be a nice addition to have bobkova as the team designer as well.

Of course an additional designer would be great, the Eteri girls deserve only the best of everything for their work and results.
But, I cannot say that their costumes are bad overall, actually I find them very nice, tasteful and fitting the program most of the time.
I especially liked both of Anna's dresses and Kamila's SP this season. And not sure who did Alina's Cleopatra but that was one of the most beautiful costumes I've seen, I don't think Yuna would have been ashamed to wear that and she is the icon of amazing costumes. So they're not in dire need, could just be a nice touch to have some fresh air.

The one who truly desperately needs a new designer is Liza.. but we've been seeing those abominations since 2015 so I don't think that's gonna happen.

EDIT: Speaking of costumes, does anybody know why they make Kamila's skirts longer than everyone else's? It's definitely not coincidence, could it have sth do to with her super long legs? Cause I would be showcasing them instead. Or to make her look more floating than she is already? Maybe even extra traditional parents weighing in?

 

[esteticlove]

EDIT: Speaking of costumes, does anybody know why they make Kamila's skirts longer than everyone else's? It's definitely not coincidence, could it have sth do to with her super long legs? Cause I would be showcasing them instead. Or to make her look more floating than she is already? Maybe even extra traditional parents weighing in?

To me it seems that this is Kamila's own choice, which obviously was also approved by the coaches. There were some shows in the past years where she skated in similar dresses. I think this season was the first time to try it out in competition, though. I have the impression that she really stands out with her exceptional taste for her costumes, especially among the youngsters. I didn't like her costumes from her first junior year because they were too basic and pretty much like what the other girls were wearing. However, from her galas and also programs pre-Eteri she has shown some great dresses, that's why I think that as long as she has the freedom of choice, she would go with either something floral or light and floating.