2021-2022 Russian Men's Figure Skating

[lariko]

Gumennik is out of Golden Spin as well.

I hope he just wants to regroup/doesn’t want to risk a fluke injury before the Nationals, not injured. He does have gold and a very respectable score in DTM, so that’s understandable.

Mozalev is in Zagreb (which I cleverly deduced from his IG post with an urban landscape labeled Zagreb, Croatia) already though, so he will be throwing the dice.

 

[Tolstoj]

This was his historic first ever fully rotated quad in competition.

Figure skating at the very top is not particularly kind to jacks-of-all-trades. It disproportionately rewards outstanding qualities (such as Brown reportedly has in everything that is not jumping) despite the cries for 'balanced' package. The pendulum swings the PSCs way atm, with GoEs used to reward lower difficulty content so long as PCSs are great, so yes, the guys who are just getting into juniors will be shuffled more toward the glide and pleasure derived from watching the program.

But Russians performed unevenly in GP, with no preference really of the higher PCS guys over better jumpers.

Kolyada was the best in PCSs and went highest (above average)
Ignatov performed better/steadier than Semenenko, basically on jumps alone (above average)
Semenenko was rewarded for improving his spins and skating with more panache (above average)
Aliev's PCSs were low in first event, higher in the second event, but he overall wasn't particularly rewarded for his artistry/pleasure derived from watching him in second event. Samarin got similar assessment, at average in the event (like, literally at 20)
Mozalev's scores accurately reflected just how different he was on day 1 and day 2, scores averaging not in his favor with no benefit of doubt PCS, average (not below avg because he placed 24th/40 with only 1 event)
Kondratyuk, Gumennik and Danielian overall had unlucky performances and their PCSs went unnoticed, below average

So, it's really kinda mixed message. Honestly, I don't know what I would make of it. Jump, not jump? Spin, not spin? Glide, not glide? Perform, not to perform?

The main takeaway is that to me many russian coaches are out of touch with the boys, the preparation to the big events in seniors and Russia has some interesting talents out of juniors but if you don't lead them in the good direction, they're all straight on a path that is leading to nowhere.

You can have the most complete talent but the moment you decide to focus only on the quads and leaving out the training for spins or skating skills (or even the full runthru), the difference between him and the japanese and the americans in speed, transitions, performance,... become glaring.

Few years ago it would have been surprising to say this, but nowadays i feel like Mishin is still the only one that gets it in Russia in Men's skating. Semenenko worked on his weaknesses, if you look at where he was 3 years ago and where he is now, the growth is there.

Kolyada too, while he's still inconsistent, he does fight for the elements more now and the number of successful attempts in competition improved (if you look for instance at the quad lutz that was never happening vs the more stable 4sal now).

Aliev needs more consistency to get his PCS rise, judges still don't reward him fully for his artistry, both him and Ignatov desperately need to train full programs and those damn spins. Makar was a little snubbed because even when he skates clean, he dies completely in the free skate, you need to make it to the end, it's not a jumps competition only.

In this field at Russian Nationals, Evgeny Plushenko would still medal and get to the Olympics with only quad toes and 3a, just because the others can't skate 2 clean programs back to back.

 

[lariko]

but nowadays i feel like Mishin is still the only one that gets it in Russia in Men's skating.

Personally, I prefer Bustaeva and Smirnova’s students. I also feel that Mozalev’s team maybe lacks experience but that originality of approach and attention to details and personality is refreshing.

 

[Tolstoj]

Personally, I prefer Bustaeva and Smirnova’s students. I also feel that Mozalev’s team maybe lacks experience but that originality of approach and attention to details and personality is refreshing.

Butsaeva seems a good coach, but she is another one like Rukavicin, all her students lose points here and there, especially on spins not counting. I like Anisimov, good posture and he skates big, but his JGP season was not very good and he's already 17. (which is fine, maybe he's a late bloomer)

 

[Flying Feijoa]

Butsaeva seems a good coach, but she is another one like Rukavicin, all her students lose points here and there, especially on spins not counting. I like Anisimov, good posture and he skates big, but his JGP season was not very good and he's already 17. (which is fine, maybe he's a late bloomer)

One thing worth noting with Butsaeva, the profile of the students that she takes in is quite diverse. I think she gets a lot more 'struggling' skaters (mostly boys who got written off from other groups for whatever reason) so they all have quite different technical bases depending in part on where they came from.

Anisimov - formerly from Davydov's group, they thought he was too tall and suggested he try pairs skating instead.
Erokhov - left Tutberidze after 10 years because he was struggling with injury
Samoilov - been all over the place in terms of coaches, including stints at CSKA/Crystal/AoP
Andrusik (not really same league/age as others, but useful to illustrate a point) - ex-Davydov/Tsareva, I can guess that his tiny jumps were a factor in leaving.

I believe Murashov and Yablokov have been her long-time students, but even so they have individual quirks. Murashov's 3A is pretty wild and takes off basically backwards (kinda like Savosin's), Yablokov's is better. The latter actually has pretty good spins, especially that L4 sit with the head under knee, and has been getting StSq4 a few times at least in the SP this year.

I may be overanalysing here, but I think what Butsaeva does is take their existing strengths and add amplitude to everything. For instance, Andrusik had neat footwork but lacked power and had Satoko-style bumblebee jumps; now his ice coverage has improved, showing off his skating skills better, and he jumps a little higher, so that combining it with his pre-existing fast rotation he can even manage a quad. So, despite this very lengthy post about the heterogeneous background of Moskvich kids, I guess one hallmark is that they all skate with expansiveness (versus Rukavicin, whose boys start out OK but end up winded, or Davydov, whose skaters are neat but slow).

 

[lariko]

That’s what I like about Butsaeva’s camp. Maybe they are not going to produce the next champion of champions, but they had already produced memorable performances and that’s just in 2 Covid years. Anyway, am gonna go see if there is Zagreb stream somewhere because I am worried.

 

[AlexBreeze]

Misha's White Crow is back. Mishin says that Kolyada needed a break from this program otherwise it could have become "a tattered annoying crow"

Коляда вернул программу «Белый ворон» после этапа Гран-при в Сочи

Михаил Коляда вернулся к прошлогодней программе «Белый ворон» (на музыку к фильму «Нуреев») сразу после возвращения с этапа Гран-при в Сочи.

matchtv.ru

 

[pearly]

Misha's White Crow is back. Mishin says that Kolyada needed a break from this program otherwise it could have become "a tattered annoying crow"

Коляда вернул программу «Белый ворон» после этапа Гран-при в Сочи

Михаил Коляда вернулся к прошлогодней программе «Белый ворон» (на музыку к фильму «Нуреев») сразу после возвращения с этапа Гран-при в Сочи.

matchtv.ru

I thought that was what was going on. I expected it to return even closer to the Olympics, though.

 

[lariko]

White Crow back is good news.

I am watching Golden Spin, and I just thought that Ignatov didn’t do any challenger events, or did he?

 

[AlexBreeze]

Danya Samsonov is officialy WD from the RusNats

Ученик Тутберидзе Самсонов не выступит на чемпионате России

По информации «Матч ТВ», фигурист Даниил Самсонов не примет участие во взрослом чемпионате России.

matchtv.ru

 

[lariko]

Danya Samsonov is officialy WD from the RusNats

Ученик Тутберидзе Самсонов не выступит на чемпионате России

По информации «Матч ТВ», фигурист Даниил Самсонов не примет участие во взрослом чемпионате России.

matchtv.ru

I hope he can start fresh next season, health permitting.

 

[removof]

I suppose that Artem Kovalev replace Samsonov?

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

I feel so bad for Samsonov. He was so good on the junior circuit, and now he's not going to compete this season. I hope he can recover and heal quickly.

 

[lariko]

I suppose that Artem Kovalev replace Samsonov?

If there is enough time for replacement. Samsonov always WD last minute.

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

Oh dear, the withdrawals are starting. Though Samsonov's withdrawal was kind of expected, I guess Kovalev was already preparing for RusNats. I wonder how it will play out with GP spots for Samsonov next season, I don't think the "returning skater" rule applies if he never even competed in a GP event.
Anyway, I hope there will be no more withdrawals from RusNats due to injuries or Covid scares. Somehow I am more invested in this competition than in previous years, maybe because there is no clear leader yet and it is an Olympic season? I'm lighting so many candles every day for Zhenya S. and the Moskvich guys, it's like a minor fire hazard.

 

[lariko]

Oh dear, the withdrawals are starting. Though Samsonov's withdrawal was kind of expected, I guess Kovalev was already preparing for RusNats. I wonder how it will play out with GP spots for Samsonov next season, I don't think the "returning skater" rule applies if he never even competed in a GP event.
Anyway, I hope there will be no more withdrawals from RusNats due to injuries or Covid scares. Somehow I am more invested in this competition than in previous years, maybe because there is no clear leader yet and it is an Olympic season? I'm lighting so many candles every day for Zhenya S. and the Moskvich guys, it's like a minor fire hazard.

I really looking to the Nationals back to back, hopefully most of them will be as available as Russians. I think among the men, I am going to root the most for Aliev, Ignatov and Mozalev (hope springs eternal, right?)

I might have to buy more balloons soon.

 

[Flying Feijoa]

I'm lighting so many candles every day for Zhenya S. and the Moskvich guys, it's like a minor fire hazard.

Just be careful not to drop any in the hay when you're at the stable, we need those dark horses safe and sound!

 

[vorravorra]

Danya Samsonov is officialy WD from the RusNats

Ученик Тутберидзе Самсонов не выступит на чемпионате России

По информации «Матч ТВ», фигурист Даниил Самсонов не примет участие во взрослом чемпионате России.

matchtv.ru

How do you withdraw from something without fulfilling the criteria for being there? But I suppose criteria were never something that applied to Samsonov. He'll probably "withdraw" from Junior Nationals next.

 

[lariko]

How do you withdraw from something without fulfilling the criteria for being there? But I suppose criteria were never something that applied to Samsonov. He'll probably "withdraw" from Junior Nationals next.

I was wondering as well, given that he didn’t skate in his GP assignments, but I assume he had an official approval to be there.

 

[vorravorra]

I was wondering as well, given that he didn’t skate in his GP assignments, but I assume he had an official approval to be there.

I've seen another interpretation that it wasn't an official withdrawal, at least not at that point, just a response to various lists that showed up with Samsonov's name of it. The Fed must have known he wouldn't compete.

Samsonov's been having serious problems for around two years now. I wonder what the chances are of him coming back at this point. Kondratiuk did after missing around as much due to the same problem. But now Samsonov will have to make his way up starting from CoR just as everyone else. He made a name skating well for his age but he's no longer a boy wonder, he'll be 17 next season and one of many. Maybe he would follow the well-trodden path of TT's men and turn up in Butsaeva's camp.