2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[chasingneverland]

OK, so we'll find out the Russian Team soon. It looks like 6 plus 3 on Reserve. So, in order the top 6 should be Shcherbakova, Valieva, Trusova, Tuktamysheva, Usacheva, and who? Kostornaia over Khromykh? One of those two will have to be on reserve. I guess the other two on Reserve would be Medvedeva and Sinitsina?

Russia team usually goes by top 6 at Russian Nationals. However, this year is weird and there were withdrawls. That said,

I think the main team is: Anna, Kamila, Sasha, Liza, Daria, and probably Aliona. (I think they'll go with the reigning Euros and GPF champion especially as she was first alternate for Worlds.)

I think the reserve is: Evgenia (if she comes back), Maiia, and Liza N.

I know Liza N pretty much thought she had made the Russian National team at Russian Nats. I think they might give her a reserve. It won't be Kensia S. She's shown nothing all year.

As for funding in Russia, if you're on the National team essentially everything is covered. If you're not...it's essentially all out of pocket. That includes things like coaching, training, costumes, etc. So it's not just pay for an international spot, it's the fact they're already paying just to get to that spot.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

Oh I agree completely. I fervently argued in the lead up to the RusCup final that Liza N had absolutely no chance of getting sent to World's. And that they were going to ding her on everything. And it was true.

However, I DO think she is ahead of other people who have no chance BECAUSE AFTER the RusCup Final after they did ding her they still named her as an alternate to Word's and WTT. And the WTT was named after World's happened.

Do I think she's going to get 2 spots? NO Not likely. I don't think anyone after Evgenia or Maiia are getting 2 spots. I just think she's next in line. She might get 1. Admittedly the might get 1 is better than a whole host of other people.

As for the international experience of Anna F, Ksenia S has MUCH more international experience and that's not helping her.

As for Anastasia G, she has an outside shot but that's because of her coach. Mishin will send her and Sofia S to all the senior B's. And Mishin's name holds some weight.

I guess that does make it more likely for Liza N to get at least one spot if one is available. I'd say she is definitely high up in the list, I just don't think it would be reasonable per se to put her over Kseniia, though I love both skaters, simply because Liza N even at her best probably can't podium at a GP, while Kseniia certainly could.

But we don't know about the international experience not helping Kseniia yet. She hasn't competed at any big events this year so I don't know how she would stack up PCS wise. But clearly I think RusFed would rather back Frolova than Tsibinova, again, as show by the fact that clean Frolova was 11 points higher than clean Tsibinova and also by the fact that Frolova with 2 mistakes was higher than Tsibinova with 1 mistake, and by five points too.

Sofia S is much more plausible than Anastasia G I think, one because of WS and two because Sofia is generally consistent-ish, while Guliakova can be inconsistent. Also to note, in the 19/20 season, Maria Sotskova was given a GP due to WS even though there were clearly some better options on the SB list (Gubanova, Sakhanovich were the first to pop into mind). I feel like the chances of getting a GP due to WS is higher than due to SB but I'm not sure if I'm just remembering incorrectly or something.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

It won't be Kensia S. She's shown nothing all year.

Again, she's had two competitions. One with 3Lz+3Lo and a 4T attempt. Yes the other competition went awry, but again 4T attempt that was UR sure, but UR and not downgrade. Also, to note, Liza N got 204.63 at RusNats, which was perhaps her best competition EVER. Kseniia got 200.16 (202.16 but minus two bonus points) at a competition where she 1. popped a flip in the SP - gained no points for that jump and 2. popped her 4T attempt and 3. got measly PCS (I mean come on! 7.60 for SS?). She got 202.96 at RusNats last year when she had 3Lz+combo and measly PCS! Kseniia even got 195.11 at a competition where she fell 3 times and had measly PCS! Liza N has only gotten above that once this season, and that was with her best ever competition. Like there's a clear discrepancy in scoring potential here. I totally agree with your logic here, but I don't agree that Kseniia has "shown nothing all year".

 

[chasingneverland]

I guess that does make it more likely for Liza N to get at least one spot if one is available. I'd say she is definitely high up in the list, I just don't think it would be reasonable per se to put her over Kseniia, though I love both skaters, simply because Liza N even at her best probably can't podium at a GP, while Kseniia certainly could.

But we don't know about the international experience not helping Kseniia yet. She hasn't competed at any big events this year so I don't know how she would stack up PCS wise. But clearly I think RusFed would rather back Frolova than Tsibinova, again, as show by the fact that clean Frolova was 11 points higher than clean Tsibinova and also by the fact that Frolova with 2 mistakes was higher than Tsibinova with 1 mistake, and by five points too.

Sofia S is much more plausible than Anastasia G I think, one because of WS and two because Sofia is generally consistent-ish, while Guliakova can be inconsistent. Also to note, in the 19/20 season, Maria Sotskova was given a GP due to WS even though there were clearly some better options on the SB list (Gubanova, Sakhanovich were the first to pop into mind). I feel like the chances of getting a GP due to WS is higher than due to SB but I'm not sure if I'm just remembering incorrectly or something.

The issue is less that potential then if the powers that be in Russia have seen consistency. Liza N went to every competition they've asked her to this year and actually did better than expected. Kseniia S missed essentially the entire season, admittedly due to injury but others were injured and ill this year too, including Liza N. If fact, arguably this is the one year where injury is probably a less good reason to the Fed than any other year.

Also, depending on who you believe the Fed didn't even accept her application to compete in the Cup Final and in a year where they made exceptions for everything.

I meant international experience helping Kseniia within the Fed.

 

[chasingneverland]

Again, she's had two competitions. One with 3Lz+3Lo and a 4T attempt. Yes the other competition went awry, but again 4T attempt that was UR sure, but UR and not downgrade. Also, to note, Liza N got 204.63 at RusNats, which was perhaps her best competition EVER. Kseniia got 200.16 (202.16 but minus two bonus points) at a competition where she 1. popped a flip in the SP - gained no points for that jump and 2. popped her 4T attempt and 3. got measly PCS (I mean come on! 7.60 for SS?). She got 202.96 at RusNats last year when she had 3Lz+combo and measly PCS! Kseniia even got 195.11 at a competition where she fell 3 times and had measly PCS! Liza N has only gotten above that once this season, and that was with her best ever competition. Like there's a clear discrepancy in scoring potential here. I totally agree with your logic here, but I don't agree that Kseniia has "shown nothing all year".

I know she competed at Prizes. What else did she compete at this year?

And I'm saying Kseniia has shown nothing TO the FEDERATION. Let's be honest, they're not watching small domestic competitions. They're not making decisions based on that.

Also keep in mind, the Federation DOES NOT care about potential as much as they care about consistency and results in competitions that matter.

Ksenia S NEEDS to win a Cup event.

 

[Pale]

Well its not a cheap sport and probably difficult for skaters with very little international success to get sponsors when sponsors have household names they can attach their brand to. When Nugumanova was announced about getting a sponsorship with I think Mercedes, someone brought up that it probably had more to do with her becoming a social media star in Russia during the pandemic than her skating career.

You might want to scope out Anastaisia Tarakanova's Fan Fest there might be a link to the interview she did a couple of years ago talking about how her parents at that point had shelled out a lot of money for the sport at that point. She talked about needing money for off-ice training, on-ice training with the fishing pole, to name a few I remember and got a GoFundMe account going to try and help costs. The gist of what I got from Tarakanova's story was that if you aren't on the national team then funding your career is all on you. I'm sure there are plenty of Russian parents that would love to send their kids to competitions with no Fed backing, but they might not necessarily be able to afford to do it.

My understanding is that national team members have all costs covered. If you are not on the team then it comes down to your local federation/club. Since they have their own funding too.
Tarakanova said she needs 40000$+ just for one season. She explained that should go for extra training sessions. Improving spins, learning quads, etc. Quite frankly that is a lot of money and personally i think it is not justified. That is not something every skater has to pay for.

 

[nussnacker]

Ksenia definitely has higher ceiling, than Sofia S. and Liza N. I do think Rusfed would book 2 GPs and 3 Challengers for Sofia though, because she’s a former European champ.
Sofia hasn’t been doing well in recent couple of years, and I‘m not confident she can skate 2 clean programs with just her regular content. She’s been having pops and URs for 2 seasons, and if earlier she was super consistent, now she’s not as consistent as she used to be.
Neither Liza nor Sofia are likely to add new jumps, and both will always be at risk of getting called for URs.
Ksenia on the other hand surely can skate a regular program content clean, her jumps are big, normally without URs, and is already adding quads in her programs.
I wish they’d give Ksenia a chance, I do think it will be strategically smarter to do so. Ksenia is a better component skater too.

 

[chasingneverland]

Ksenia definitely has higher ceiling, than Sofia S. and Liza N. I do think Rusfed would book 2 GPs and 3 Challengers for Sofia though, because she’s a former European champ.
Sofia hasn’t been doing well in recent couple of years, and I‘m not confident she can skate 2 clean programs with just her regular content. She’s been having pops and URs for 2 seasons, and if earlier she was super consistent, now she’s not as consistent as she used to be.
Neither Liza nor Sofia are likely to add new jumps, and both will always be at risk of getting called for URs.
Ksenia on the other hand surely can skate a regular program content clean, her jumps are big, normally without URs, and is already adding quads in her programs.
I wish they’d give Ksenia a chance, I do think it will be strategically smarter to do so. Ksenia is a better component skater too.

I agree. Completely.

I just don't think they have any great desire or motivation to do so. They already have too many girls for too few spots. They're not in ANY danger of not having girls to qualify to the GPF and win. In fact, they very well could qualify six girls to the GPF without even looking at their National team reserve, much less girls off of it. They're not looking to fill spots. In fact, they're probably looking to simplify routes for their main contenders. They already have around 7 strong candidates for 3 Olympic spots, ALL with better current results and reputation.

 

[nussnacker]

Adelia tried 4Lo on the show!

𝑻𝑬𝑨𝑴 𝑻𝑼𝑻𝑩𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑫𝒁𝑬 𝑭𝑨𝑵 💥 on Instagram: "Ультра-c прыжки от ребят: 💥Коля 4Т 💥Майи 4Т 💥Камила и Софья 4Т 💥Морис 4Т 🇷🇺И.... Большой вопрос! А знаете, какие прыжки прыгает Аделя Петросян? Это четверка или тройка? 🇬🇧And.... Big question! Do you know wha

246 likes, 10 comments - _team_tutberidze_ on April 18, 2021: "Ультра-c прыжки от ребят: 💥Коля 4Т 💥Майи 4Т 💥Камила и Софья 4Т 💥Морис 4Т 🇷🇺И.... Большой вопрос! А знаете, какие прыжки прыгает Аделя Петросян? Это четверка или тройка? 🇬🇧And.... Big question! Do you know what jump is jumping...

www.instagram.com

Quite UR/DG, but since she tried it, looks like she’s learning it at the moment.

 

[olygreece]

I know she competed at Prizes. What else did she compete at this year?

And I'm saying Kseniia has shown nothing TO the FEDERATION. Let's be honest, they're not watching small domestic competitions. They're not making decisions based on that.

Also keep in mind, the Federation DOES NOT care about potential as much as they care about consistency and results in competitions that matter.

Ksenia S NEEDS to win a Cup event.

I agree. Completely.

I just don't think they have any great desire or motivation to do so. They already have too many girls for too few spots. They're not in ANY danger of not having girls to qualify to the GPF and win. In fact, they very well could qualify six girls to the GPF without even looking at their National team reserve, much less girls off of it. They're not looking to fill spots. In fact, they're probably looking to simplify routes for their main contenders. They already have around 7 strong candidates for 3 Olympic spots, ALL with better current results and

Ksenia competed only once this season,BUT i noticed that at this competition Gorshkov was part of the TP,which,to me,indicates some interest from the federation in her and her condition.

 

[Minz]

The main drama is who is going to make Russian Olympic Team even though there won't be Russian Olympic Team - something like Olympic athletes from Russia, version #2.

It will be the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) for Beijing.

 

[Jeanie19]

2021–22 ISU Challenger Series - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

From Wikipedia the list is:

• Lombardia (Italy)
• Autumn Classic (Canada)
• Nebelhorn (Germany)
• Nepela (Slovakia)
• Finlandia (Finland)
• Asian Open (China)
• Denis Ten (Kazakhstan)
• Ice Challenge (Austria)
• Warsaw Cup (Poland)
• Golden Spin (Croatia)

With 8/10 events in Europe hopefully Russia will send out Sinitsyna, Nugumanova, Frolova, Samodurova and co. if they don’t get GP spots (as Samodurova will move off the world standing list when it resets). But looking at 19-20 season it doesn’t seem very likely:

• 2019 Autumn Classic: Medvedeva
• Lombardia: Samodurova, Shcherbakova, Tuktamysheva
• Nepela: Trusova, Sotskova, Konstantinova
• Finlandia: Kostornaia, Tuktamysheva, Samodurova (withdrew)
• Ice Star: Samodurova
• Warsaw Cup: Sakhanovich, Nugumanova
• Golden Spin: Tuktamysheva, Samodurova, Konstantinova (withdrew)

Out of 16 assignments, one went to a skater who didn’t get a GP - Nugumanova. Samodurova and Tuktamysheva both got three, but Guliakova in the same training team did not get any as she was not on the national team. Nugumanova got one because she won the Russian Cup Stage. Note that Guliakova and Sakhanovich (+Usacheva and Khromykh on the junior level) did get an international assignment to the Denis Ten Memorial but it was not a Challenger that year and didn’t count for that all-important Season’s Best score.

All that being said assuming Zhenya and Maya both get two spots leaving one spot + host spot open, I hope Sinitsyna gets the one spot and then the host spot will be between Samodurova, Nugumanova, and Frolova with the other two given challengers. But I doubt Rusfed will do this

These are the Challengers, what about senior B's. Evgenia has been to one Senior B as a junior, Ice Star. Liza has been to many.
It would be nice to see more skaters at them.

 

[nussnacker]

Instagram

www.instagram.com

Girls having fun in Sochi

 

[DSQ]

Don’t know if this has already been posted, but did anyone notice that Anna had a very slight outside edge on her lutz? It was a somewhat combination of flat-outside ish, and it’s not perfect but it was much better.
I know this picture is blurry, but look at the video feeds

I did notice this and I was happy to see her improve between WC and WTT. Liza as well.

 

[siela]

I have seen many good quad toe loops by Kamila, but this one is a true thing of beauty. Simply gorgeous. Cannot imaging a better one

 

[LiamForeman]

The smoothest landing on a quad I have ever seen. Her 3axel is the same way. She's amazing.

 

[Novalis]

I have seen many good quad toe loops by Kamila, but this one is a true thing of beauty. Simply gorgeous. Cannot imaging a better one

My fave Kami quad toe is the Channel 1 Cup second 4T. This is awesome as well

 

[flanker]

Morals of the season.

Have a spirit:

Value everyone:

 

[flanker]

Friends will be friends:

Say goodbye at the end:

And everything will be fine. Good luck for the next season!

 

[sclloyd]

OK, so we'll find out the Russian Team soon. It looks like 6 plus 3 on Reserve. So, in order the top 6 should be Shcherbakova, Valieva, Trusova, Tuktamysheva, Usacheva, and who? Kostornaia over Khromykh? One of those two will have to be on reserve. I guess the other two on Reserve would be Medvedeva and Sinitsina?

I think because Kostornaia has an international reputation and was the alt for worlds she’s more likely to be on the main team than Daria, also. I’d say that the competition for the last spot would be between Maia and Daria, not Maia and Aliona, especially because Daria and Aliona, as far we’re aware, have the same technical cap. I guess the question is, can the RusFed take all seven? Is there a reason that the national team needs to be six?