- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
Agree about Sotskovashe has been doing a lot of ice shows recently, so maybe that is in her future?
Oh, I figured! I just wanted to make it clear: the majority of posters can recognise tone and what’s appropriate for a thread and what isn’t. If a fan fest is having a more analytical and critical discussion, I may chime in if I have something to add, but walking into other people’s happy place just to rain on a parade... nah. I do think that a Russian Ladies General Fan Fest thread might be a good idea and solve a number of problems, but I’d check with the moderators first. Also, use the ignore function if you don’t need a regular reminder that Russia didn’t have a podium finish in women’s singles at Worlds last year. ([emoji849])
Sotskova’s short this season is one of my favourites. Go get that show money, Masha!
Aha! The “human Ambien” term is spreading! My mission on this earth is complete!
Sotskova and Konstantinova both have superb basics: skating skills, glide, speed, edgework, posture, etc. The “classic cleanliness” — yes, there’s also an element of self-assurance in their deportment and their movement that I very much enjoy. To me, they show some of the best of the Russian skating tradition. That’s some 6.0 technique.
To be honest, I remember a lot of posts during the pre- and post- Olympic era full of complaints that if it weren’t for the Russian federation propping up Masha, we could have had more Eteri students for the OWG and WC teams, that Masha has hideous Tanos, etc. Nothing about her skating skills. And, yes, she is URing quite a bit this season, which is almost certainly related to the fact that she’s experienced a change in height, but to say she’s done forever is crazy — a description that matches both Alina and Masha. But Masha doesn’t get the same benefit of the doubt or defense, which was what I meant by my comment that she doesn’t seem to be especially well-loved by most posters. (Which is fine. I have strange taste. Just acknowledging the reality.)
I dislike how URs are handled in the current scoring system, but that’s a different topic. Regardless, I hope Masha either leaves competitive skating proud of her achievements or is able to fix her rotation issues. She does have solid jump technique in most respects — and a true blue, clear-outside-edge Lutz — but I don’t know what can or will be done to deal with the UR issue. Actually, I’m strapped for examples of skaters who fixed chronic URs, particularly after a change in height. (I’m not talking about a higher chance of URing a particularly problematic jump or a jump late in the programme, but a clear issue with gaining the height or speed to complete rotation in air.) In fact, I’m only coming up with examples to the country — Mao fought the battle for in-air rotation to the end of her competitive career, for example.
Maybe. Again, drawing a blank on examples of chronic URs after a significant change in height being “fixed,” or at least meaningfully reduced. And it doesn’t seem like the Russian federation is interested in Masha — it seems like they’ve moved the few chips they had on her to the 3A. Which is fair. That’s life. And looking at the probabilities... it’s the smart choice. All that aside, I really hope Masha keeps skating, competitively or otherwise.
