Gala Competition "Russian Challenge" 2023

[Mariiiiskate]

Trankov really looks pissed ....
I dont get it he got an award, what exactly was said during that speech

 

[alexocfp]

I swear, if this doesn’t become a regular event on the calendar, I may rob a few banks, build a rink and run it myself.

 

[Jeanie19]

I swear, if this doesn’t become a regular event on the calendar, I may rob a few banks, build a rink and run it myself.

If you do, new rule. The jury vote speakers can only talk for 2 minutes.

 

[JimR]

There is Valieva hysteria and Russians love their maidens martyred, so… I guess?

Kamila was very good, I would put her and Sonya 1 and 2 in any order. Clearly the best. I feel sorry for Sonya 3% of the vote hopefully she connects with fans like past skaters have (she's not doing anything wrong she's a shy 15 year old). I'm sure she will in time.

 

[alexocfp]

4 hour event and it feels like it was half an hour.

This is one of my favorite events ever, up there with the Russian championship of a few years ago.

Who knew we needed Eurovision on ice? Haha

 

[alexocfp]

So I missed breakfast and lunch. Totally worth it. Haha

 

[thatdarncat]

Wow that was really fun, so great to see so many Legends of skating in one place, its a shame they don't have Pro Ams anymore.

 

[alexocfp]

You better bonus the person or people that came up with this.

And a thank you to the ISU, who also made it possible if they really think about it. Haha

 

[JimR]

4 hour event and it feels like it was half an hour.

This is one of my favorite events ever, up there with the Russian championship of a few years ago.

It was great, and I'm sure if Trankov is pissed they will offer him some extra money for an appearance fee next year. It's like all 24 entries expected to win.

I don't think any of the top three deserved the podium, except maybe Yagudin in 3rd at best, but I don't begrudge it. It's completely subjective. It's not like any of them performed badly they all performed well.

 

[JimR]

You better bonus the person or people that came up with this.

And a thank you to the ISU, who also made it possible if they really think about it. Haha

It's true. I think just have the Russians turn up every 4 years for the Olympics and skate domestically between that would be the best solution to everything.

 

[thatdarncat]

It was great, and I'm sure if Trankov is pissed they will offer him some extra money for an appearance fee next year. It's like all 24 entries expected to win.

I don't think any of the top three deserved the podium, except maybe Yagudin in 3rd at best, but I don't begrudge it. It's completely subjective. It's not like any of them performed badly they all performed well.

Maybe they can all have some birthday cake and champagne to cheer them up

 

[EdgeCall]

I hope the skaters who didn't get a trophy are not disappointed for long. The challenge they faced was particularly difficult. What do you do when you can do more or less anything but have no real pointers to what will bring you the win? It was to a large degree a guessing game and some ideas just didn't work out. But the overall level of creativity was really impressive.

 

[alexocfp]

So I’m guessing the post event drama has only begun.

I figured this unclear scoring system was going to cause some chaos. It was literally a free for all.

 

[alexocfp]

I watching the award ceremony again. A lot of them look like schoolchildren waiting for the teacher to hand out paper stars to them. Haha

 

[Jeanie19]

I hope the skaters who didn't get a trophy are not disappointed for long. The challenge they faced was particularly difficult. What do you do when you can do more or less anything but have no real pointers to what will bring you the win? It was to a large degree a guessing game and some ideas just didn't work out. But the overall level of creativity was really impressive.

One more award. Most creative and Matvei wins.

 

[thatdarncat]

Its interesting that all the winners are retired skaters, maybe they got placed as a nod to their retirement? And Alexei finally won a Russian competition

 

[lariko]

Kamila was very good, I would put her and Sonya 1 and 2 in any order. Clearly the best. I feel sorry for Sonya 3% of the vote hopefully she connects with fans like past skaters have (she's not doing anything wrong she's a shy 15 year old). I'm sure she will in time.

I disagree. She never did anything for me save for her junior Girl on the Ball program, and with every appearance it’s less and less.

 

[lariko]

I hope the skaters who didn't get a trophy are not disappointed for long. The challenge they faced was particularly difficult. What do you do when you can do more or less anything but have no real pointers to what will bring you the win? It was to a large degree a guessing game and some ideas just didn't work out. But the overall level of creativity was really impressive.

Yeah, it was hard to say what was winning, but I think cleaner, less object-burdened skates were ahead. Also, simpler musical/emotional concepts, I think. Honestly, I liked the competition and hope they will do it again.

Kolyada probably demonstrated the best how they only need the ice if they are good at it. Well, he did have an umbrella.

 

[Smith16]

What a fun idea! The ISU totally needs to steal this idea. What a great way to get more exposure for the sport and the athletes.

 

[lariko]

Also, B/K were really smart to sit this one out given how hard they put down M/G and T/M