2021-22 Russian Women's Figure Skating

[Delienne]

First I do not think there was anything shameful on that interview, second it was not about one bad competition for Aliona, at that time she wasn't in a shape to deliver much better. And third, being on reserve team doesn not mean much

She participated in more competitions, than Aliona. She showed up at Nationals and placed 5th, she won silver at RCF with 2 quads.

Federation‘s formal criteria are one thing. There are also other principles in place:
1) results throughout the season
2) complexity and tech prospects of programs
3) positive dynamics (=improving throughout the season) of the season
4) consistency and reliability
5) technical and physical preparation
6) choreographical preparation
7) psychological readiness
8) level of motivation and aiming for highest results
9) how well the athlete performed compared to plans outlined to federation at the beginning of the season
10) prospects of the athlete.

but as I said, being/not being on the national team does not affect participation in competitions, future results and other opportunities. It does not determine the Olympic or world team. Literally, it is just about the money. Gubanova was on the national team, what did that change? She did not get anything out of that.
I believe aside from getting all their equipment and training funded, they also get salaries, that’s where there might be difference between main or reserve team. But realistically, nothing changes. Kolyada was on a reserve team not too long ago, then next season he was Russia‘s #1.

I meant accomplishments through the whole career; also she wasnt really brilliant during the rest of the season, she did a single really good competition; Alyona is still more consistent.
As I said it's about the message, not the founding; and if there is a chance Alyona is out, there is no reason for me to still watch ladies, considering on top of that that I didn't like all the drama and gossip surrounding these girls in media already.
I'm sorry I didn't want to sound over dramatic, I should have just wrote nothing

 

[Mariiiiskate]

I meant accomplishments through the whole career; also she wasnt really brilliant during the rest of the season, she did a single really good competition; Alyona is still more consistent.
As I said it's about the message, not the founding; and if there is a chance Alyona is out, there is no reason for me to still watch ladies, considering on top of that that I didn't like all the drama and gossip surrounding these girls in media already.
I'm sorry I didn't want to sound over dramatic, I should have just wrote nothing

National teams are not normally based on past accomplishments unless we are talking about the olympic medals like with Alina and Zhenya and back then the field wasn't as strong so you could easily rationalize placing them in Main team last season over the skaters in reserves. Maiia beat Aliona in RCF and took part in nats and ranked 5th so she deserves her spot in the main team.

 

[nussnacker]

People are really trying to make drama out of nothing.

 

[Jeanie19]

I think Anna Frolova should have made the reserve team, do you think she is staying in juniors? When is the junior team announced?

 

[Mariiiiskate]

I think Anna Frolova should have made the reserve team, do you think she is staying in juniors? When is the junior team announced?

There is still 1 more reserve spot that wasn't announced so she could potentially get that or Ksenia Tsibinova. Gulyakova took bronze in rostelecom so she too has a case for that spot as well.

 

[katymay]

Tnank you. In fact I still fight with gramatics and spelling sometimes (sometimes I have to use dictionary to write words correctly, like "it there double L in this word or not?" ), but at least I think I am usually able to express what I really mean. It was a test for me to join GS because before I was not sure about myself in this (I had very little experience in active using of english, I mostly just read or listened). But the practise here helped me very much.

And if I may I think @Jontor's english is pretty good as far as I can judge it.

Meanwhile...I'm still struggling just to learn the Russian alphabet. (I speak passable Italian, Spanish and French-but I'm going to have to admit defeat with Russian)

 

[Minz]

Look, I don’t think that Aliona is completely screwed over. Remember that this time there are only 6 girls instead of 7 (19-20). And we really don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. Due to the number of high level contenders, RusFed has to do some very strategic planning if they want to maximize GPF spots, so perhaps they have a plan on what to do about Aliona. And even if she only starts with 1 GP assignment, there is still the training camp in Novogorsk and the Test Skates. She could still get added for a second GP later.

And again, I don’t think that they are going to completely throw her under the bus. Keep in mind that there has almost never been a situation like this where there are 7 girls, all of which are fully capable of winning world medals at almost any given time.

As for Aliona’s place on the team, well I was surprised when I first saw it, but if you go by the results of the past season, well Dasha and Maiia earned it. We’ve seen both from RusFed, (think, Sofia S. in 19/20).

And there is my very long two cents

 

[[email protected]]

Meanwhile...I'm still struggling just to learn the Russian alphabet. (I speak passable Italian, Spanish and French-but I'm going to have to admit defeat with Russian)

I think that basic Russian is easier than most of languages. There are just 3 tenses: past, present, and future. It is also like in German more or less what you see is what you read. The key challenge with Russian language is cases and word endings in different cases. Unlike English that relies on ubiquitous use of prepositions Russian uses cases. And each case changes word endings. This is also true for plurals and genders. When in English you just have I,you,we,they "sit" and he,she "sits" in Russian you will have a different ending for each pronoun. I think that memorizing endings is the most difficult part. But even if you are wrong with them you will still be understood. So, don't give up!

The advantage of cases, though, is that unlike many other languages word order does not play a big role in Russian. Endings tell the story, hence, you can build a phrase the way you like. It's nothing like in German or English.

 

[Amei]

I think Anna Frolova should have made the reserve team, do you think she is staying in juniors? When is the junior team announced?

I think its because of her nationals placement.

 

[flanker]

I think Anna Frolova should have made the reserve team, do you think she is staying in juniors? When is the junior team announced?

Senior ice dance and pairs are still not finished, I guess we will see full list incl. juniors very soon.

 

[macy]

Look, I don’t think that Aliona is completely screwed over. Remember that this time there are only 6 girls instead of 7 (19-20). And we really don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. Due to the number of high level contenders, RusFed has to do some very strategic planning if they want to maximize GPF spots, so perhaps they have a plan on what to do about Aliona. And even if she only starts with 1 GP assignment, there is still the training camp in Novogorsk and the Test Skates. She could still get added for a second GP later.

And again, I don’t think that they are going to completely throw her under the bus. Keep in mind that there has almost never been a situation like this where there are 7 girls, all of which are fully capable of winning world medals at almost any given time.

As for Aliona’s place on the team, well I was surprised when I first saw it, but if you go by the results of the past season, well Dasha and Maiia earned it. We’ve seen both from RusFed, (think, Sofia S. in 19/20).

And there is my very long two cents

being the chronic overthinker/anxious person i am, i can't help but have a feeling the way the funding was distributed does have some underlying meaning to whose baskets RusFed is putting their eggs into. just like the team competition earlier this year--no it didn't have any "official" weight, but people can see what kind of shape the skaters are in, and it might not officially count for anything, but it still matters.

all i really know at this point is Aliona needs to make a case for herself from the very moment she arrives at test skates. she has to show up everywhere she competes and prove she's back, consistent, reliable, and with a 3A.

 

[[email protected]]

all i really know at this point is Aliona needs to make a case for herself from the very moment she arrives at test skates. she has to show up everywhere she competes and prove she's back, consistent, reliable, and with a 3A.

everyone has. 8 skaters and just 3 spots. Nothing is decided.

 

[Lechat]

Well Alena did skip 3 important competitions and didn’t make the worlds so it’s understandable. Maia and Dasha earned their place in the main team, they medaled in each competition.

 

[Minz]

all i really know at this point is Aliona needs to make a case for herself from the very moment she arrives at test skates. she has to show up everywhere she competes and prove she's back, consistent, reliable, and with a 3A.

No, from the minute she arrives in Novogorsk. Remember that’s the national team training camp. The test skates is for the public, but for the RusFed officials, the wheels will be turning from the moment this summer break is over.

 

[silveruskate]

If Daria or Maiia were in the reserves there wouldn't be talk about only one GP assignment. Same logic here. As it is with Fed backing. Whoever comes back with stable 3As/quads will be backed and whoever doesn't, not so much.

 

[Jontor]

I am a little bit surprised that Alyona is on the reserve team and Maiia is not. But it's fair.

Also, a little surprised that Nugumanova got her reserve spot. I wasn't sure RusFed would go there, but glad they did. It shows how important Russian Nationals is.

I feel sorry for Sinitsyna, but we knew she would never be named on the team. Unfortunately she might not get a GP spot either.

National Team is important but it doesn't say anything about GP spots. I haven't forgotten two seasons ago when Gubanova was on the reserve team but didn't get any GPs anyway.

 

[Minz]

If Daria or Maiia were in the reserves there wouldn't be talk about only one GP assignment. Same logic here. As it is with Fed backing. Whoever comes back with stable 3As/quads will be backed and whoever doesn't, not so much.

I think we sort of knew this would happen, but we didn’t want to think/say it.

Russia has too many girls.

There are two ways to choose a team: results in the moment, and overall results. Both have worked. Neither are 100% foolproof. There was a ruckus over Karen being chosen over Amber for this years worlds. It turns out USFS made the right call. They’ve also sent Polina Edmunds to her first senior international competition, which was the Olympics. She did pretty good.

All of these girls could win world medals.
There is no easy way to choose.
So RusFed let the results choose.

I am both excited for this season and dreading this season.
7 Girls
3 Olympic spots
1 Olympic Gold.

 

[Novalis]

7 Girls
3 Olympic spots
1 Olympic Gold.

There's 2 Olympic golds. And one of them will probably be shared with 2 girls. At the moment I would choose: Kamila SP, Anna FP for the team event.

 

[nussnacker]

Anna Shcherbakova keeps inspiring Russian boys to dance:

https://www.instagram.com/p/COvf20KJkcA

https://www.instagram.com/p/CO2ls8upxtH/

Kondratyuk is really feeling it!

 

[Fluture]

There's 2 Olympic golds.

There could potentially be even 3 golds. You never know what happens in the individual event and quads are a risky business. The third best Russian might very well be the best on a given day.