2021-2022 Russian Men's Figure Skating

[elektra blue]

Me too, but realistically, I am prepared to watch JW without the guys. Ilya vs Ilia was also my highly anticipated event, and with Popov in 3rd, I had hopes there too… anyway, this guys now will have to focus on securing exemptions from the draft, unfortunately, more than on their 3As.

you should ask @AlexBreeze about this

 

[AlexBreeze]

Is there a chance that these boys might be drafted against their will and sent to the conflict zone?

Well, at least from the point of view of the law, it's impossible unless mobilization is declared (which is not).

In any case, professional athletes don't even get full military training because that means skipping a year of training and competition. In addition, most of them are students so they literally can't be drafted.

 

[Flying Feijoa]

Well, at least from the point of view of the law, it's impossible unless mobilization is declared (which is not).

In any case, professional athletes don't even get full military training because that means skipping a year of training and competition. In addition, most of them are students so they literally can't be drafted.

Phew... well, I hope all the guys study diligently and get a place in university if they haven't already...
I suppose another way out of draft is to get some chronic injury, which is unfortunately quite likely given all the new quad jumps everyone seems to be training nowadays But study is an infinitely preferable option.

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

Good to know that there is no danger of a general draft happening, because I have to admit this rather morbid thought had also crossed my mind.
Another question I had is whether the sanctions will have any impact on the availability of boots and blades in Russia. Most of the guys skate in Edea and some use Risport, both of which are Italian brands. Are there even any Russian manufacturers of professional boots and blades? Skating stores (at least in my experience) only have a limited amount of boots on stock and rather order on demand. Many top skaters probably also have custom boots so these might be even harder to get. And how are they going to ship the stuff to Russia if no cargo planes are going?

 

[AlexBreeze]

Another question I had is whether the sanctions will have any impact on the availability of boots and blades in Russia.

That's what I'm worried about too.

Are there even any Russian manufacturers of professional boots and blades?

No, unfortunately, only boots for beginners are made here.

Skating stores (at least in my experience) only have a limited amount of boots on stock and rather order on demand.

In the store where I was, the storage was bigger than the store itself. I found pictures on their website and it looks impressive. But I'm afraid that most of those models are designed for novices or smth. I think there may be a shortage of some sizes and models if things don't change.

 

[lariko]

Gosh, I didn’t even think about boots and blades.

@CrazyKittenLady chronic illness gets the guys off too. I had a friend who had two identical triplets brothers, so one of the guys who had such a medical condition went through medical 3x

 

[Flying Feijoa]

It's worth noting that some Jackson boot models are manufactured in China, so the capacity is there. Jackson products themselves would probably fall under sanctions, but maybe some enterprising Russian business could collaborate with Chinese factories to make boots directly?

Many North American blade manufacturers basically just copy popular blade profiles from John Wilson or MK. So if required, it might be feasible to produce some domestic blade 'clones' too...

 

[lariko]

It's worth noting that some Jackson boot models are manufactured in China, so the capacity is there. Jackson products themselves would probably fall under sanctions, but maybe some enterprising Russian business could collaborate with Chinese factories to make boots directly?

Many North American blade manufacturers basically just copy popular blade profiles from John Wilson or MK. So if required, it might be feasible to produce some domestic blade 'clones' too...

I think import through China is probably more likely than kick-starting domestic production. Honestly, I just hope for transfers to start for at least some athletes. The last thing I want is nightmarish visions of Samarin marching as ‘the girls are weeping’ as the ‘Russian army’s hero’ as per his short program from last year.

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

Apparently the Channel One Cup has now been moved to Saransk (they really like their new arena) and will take place sometime at the end of March. Let's wait for the official confirmation of the dates. I wonder who of the guys will participate? It would be nice if also the juniors could compete.

 

[lariko]

Apparently the Channel One Cup has now been moved to Saransk (they really like their new arena) and will take place sometime at the end of March. Let's wait for the official confirmation of the dates. I wonder who of the guys will participate? It would be nice if also the juniors could compete.

Not Saransk again… honestly, I had never heard of the city before but I am starting to think of it as some sort of Figure Skating Bad Luck Town. At this point they probably should let juniors join in. Gosh.

Strangely, I am still receiving Channel 1 in Canada despite the talk of blocks on both sides.

 

[flanker]

Not Saransk again… honestly, I had never heard of the city before but I am starting to think of it as some sort of Figure Skating Bad Luck Town. At this point they probably should let juniors join in. Gosh.

As @moriel (I really miss her) said here several years ago, Russia is not just Moscow and SPB and the people from elsewhere don't want to be ignored

Strangely, I am still receiving Channel 1 in Canada despite the talk of blocks on both sides.

Possibly it depends on provider.

 

[lariko]

Possibly it depends on provider.

No, it's YouTube. I think they stopped RT, but not channel 1? I am not sure. But as of today, I still have access to the videos, they are not blocked.

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

Strangely, I am still receiving Channel 1 in Canada despite the talk of blocks on both sides.

It's blocked in all of Europe , but that's what vpns are for. I just have to figure out how I can save vids from youtube now, my downloader doesn't want to work through the vpn.

 

[lariko]

It's blocked in all of Europe , but that's what vpns are for. I just have to figure out how I can save vids from youtube now, my downloader doesn't want to work through the vpn.

Well, I hope I will be able to keep the access. Tbh, I am more interested in seeing the Cup, particularly if they expand the entry list than senior WC at this point.

 

[AlexBreeze]

As @moriel (I really miss her) said here several years ago, Russia is not just Moscow and SPB and the people from elsewhere don't want to be ignored

I agree, but I'm not sure they can sell all the tickets in such a short time if it's in Saransk.

 

[flanker]

I agree, but I'm not sure they can sell all the tickets in such a short time if it's in Saransk.

It's nearly three weeks from now, I hope people will find time for it.

 

[Flying Feijoa]

It's blocked in all of Europe , but that's what vpns are for. I just have to figure out how I can save vids from youtube now, my downloader doesn't want to work through the vpn.

I use VLC player to download stuff from Youtube. No risk of dodgy malware. Not sure if it works through a VPN though...

 

[Sugarpova]

I doubt they'll have male juniors @ the cup. They need marketable names

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

I doubt they'll have male juniors @ the cup. They need marketable names

But aren't the junior men the most interesting and marketable of them all? Don't tell me there are people who see this differently?

 

[flanker]

I use VLC player to download stuff from Youtube. No risk of dodgy malware. Not sure if it works through a VPN though...

There is an addon for firefox (and I expect there will be similar tools for other browsers) for downloading youtube vids.