2017-18 State of Russian Ladies skating

[whatif]

Yeah, you can stick a fork in Pogo. No way she is making the team with the amount of politicking is going this year. I am putting my bet on Sotskova as the number three.

 

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Yeah, you can stick a fork in Pogo. No way she is making the team with the amount of politicking is going this year. I am putting my bet on Sotskova as the number three.

It is hard to argue, though, that Maria was quite convincing in Finlandia while Anna skipped test skates, challengers, and now FS in Russian Cup. Hence, politics aside if the choice is to be made now Maria is clearly Russia's number 3. However, we have GP series as a prequel to Nationals. May be Anna will shine like she can. Internationally she is still a bigger brand. Whoever gets into the final will be treated favorably at the Nationals - that's my POV.

 

[NAOTMAA]

You can argue politics all you want but the results they put on the ice speaks for itself. Maria has been solid and has so far this season done everything asked of her. Alina is establishing herself wonderfully and is likely only to go up in the eyes of everybody involved nationally and internationally and Evgenia is Evegenia. Anna hasn't done anything since that mega meltdown at last years worlds. That's the last impression the Russian fed. has of her! Her years of inconsistency are likely not to be forgotten either. Can you blame them if they don't currently have her penciled in for the Olympics until the GP and nationals finally settle things?

The season is still very young but she'll have to make a very strong case during nationals and the GP to overcome where things stand now and politics are not to blame. I know Anna is a big fan favorite but she isn't the poster child for "unfair treatment by their fed." like many claim.

 

[tars]

My Russian Cup impressions:

Seniors:
1. Re: score/feds - Stanislava "The Olympian" Konstantinova?
2. Guliakova should have won LP distinctly with that amazing skate - says Stasya's uber.
3. Sima - she visibly lost weight and fights with Plushy for her place on crowdy Russian ice, still it'll be nearly impossible with her technical problems to get into the top GP group.
4. Alina Soloviova - in good shape, fighting like Sima, 3-4 years ago one of the best Russian novices, very nice performer with weak jumps unfortunately.
5. Tsurskaya - her talent is obvious, but it's hard to say what physical shape she's in and what are the decisions behind doctor's doors, I can only express the concern her long program could potentially put whole Olympic audience to sleep.

Juniors:
1. Kanysheva - neat, vivid and elegant skater, but not very engaging to watch, more pleasing to watch than Tarakanova anyway. Who else, hearing her fs music recalled Shcherbakova/Trusova dance-off?
2. Kurakova - lovely, adorable blonde, with sincere, wide smile, performing, having fun, jumping pretty high, still no love from the judges through the years - wonder why?
3. Vasilieva - she's hanging in there, some strong performances followed by poor outcomes lately, not a very good scheme for 13yo girl in that crazy competitive environment.


ps. I encourage everybody complaining about Stasya's body proportions to use glasses. :agree:
https://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/beauty/1440111.html

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

What about this amazing position?
https://media.giphy.com/media/3ov9jKLiAXauvBv8Na/giphy.gif

(I'll stop spamming, bye! :shock2: )

Awesome!! It's the Pretzel Leg Flamingo Spin.

 

[MedoLove]

I just caught up with the competitions, I can not believe that Sofia won Alena, omg. It was a great competition, Sofia is a strong girl, her technique in jumping is great, congratulations to Mishin.


We already have finalists, and there are 5 Russians, Trusova is still my favorite. I really don't want a Russian sweep for the final, I would like to see Kihira also on the podium, it's more fun when there is more competition between countries.But this russian little girls are monsters ( Trusova-Alena-Sofia , is probably the podium)


I bet my soul in Trusova.
---------------------------
I'm really sad about Anna's injury, she was still hurt in the competition. I love that Polinaand Sima are returned, and that girl Konstantinova I did not know, she was a strange event, I like her speed. But, I wish and hope that Anna will recover, and do her best in Canada and Russian nationals. I need to see Anna on the Olympic team.

 

[hippomoomin]

I don't get why Konstantinova annoyed so many people here. She has nice long lines, she skates with deep edge, deeper than most Russian ladies, and she is very fast. Her posture can be improved but I don't see hers worse than Redionova a few years ago. For me, she has a unique style that keeps me watching, similar to how I felt about Anna P. a few seasons ago.
She does not have a powerful coach, right? If she does not have something to offer, Russian judges must be drunk every time they (over)scored Konstantinova.

 

[atsumiri]

ps. I encourage everybody complaining about Stasya's body proportions to use glasses. :agree:
https://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/beauty/1440111.html

even here. On her "best pics" every third pic with the body in horizontal position.....

she just can't keep her back straight and every 10sec.... she is like this or this or this and her jumps with her body tilted forward everytime

 

[FSGMT]

Tsurskaya falling on 3F and only 2Lz. The rest is clean. Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxI-WJrDJV4

I think she is noticeably slower now, she used to gain so much speed with just a couple of crossovers! Decent skate technically speaking though, there's still room for improvement of course but she completed five clean triples and two double axels so there's not too much to worry about. If she keeps up this kind of skating she can be a medal contender in the GPs. For the Olympic team she'll surely need clean skating, so we'll see.

 

[Sweet Dream]

I agree that Konstantinova's posture is so strange that not many people can really appreciate her habitually rushed skating. Whenever you have high hopes for her, she would very likely fall apart in the FS. Such an unusual skater.

The 3rd spot is wide open, but Maria is the only ideal candidate, imo. We'll see.

 

[Sam L]

Tsurskaya falling on 3F and only 2Lz. The rest is clean. Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxI-WJrDJV4

Her jumps are so awesome. I like the program I think she can definitely build on this.

 

[Totentanz]

I feel Polina deserves a better free program...

I think so. It’s a generic choreography with fake emotions, nothing special The program begins so cold and Polina looks so senseless. She is doing the moves like she was requested to do so, that's why I call it faking emotions. Second half is better, she looks little bit more connected to the program. Unfortunately with this program Polina won’t stand out unless she hits all the jumps and gets an applause for that.

I’m really sad to say that it looks like her senior debut won’t make the same impact as the previous prodigies from Russia. I don’t follow their team closely but I think they should have paid more attention to her at this very important season. Maybe it's because of the injury but clearly they could put more effort in her new LP.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

I agree that Konstantinova's posture is so strange that not many people can really appreciate her habitually rushed skating. Whenever you have high hopes for her, she would very likely fall apart in the FS. Such an unusual skater.

The 3rd spot is wide open, but Maria is the only ideal candidate, imo. We'll see.

Maria's the only candidate? I would agree if Polina was still out, but she's back with a vengeance!

 

[tars]

I forgot one thing: I wonder why having all those top choreographers and Plushy supervising her, Pankova spent 80% of her free skate in one corner of the rink...

 

[acronycal0730]

I think I will like Konstantinova better if she ditch tanos, the 90 degree arm position is horrible. She does want to sell her program but I can't really enjoy her skating because of her stiff posture and labored jumps... Also she bombed a lot. Not sure why RUS fed inflate her that much.

Polina is obviously slow in second half. Compared to SP, this FS is bland and boring. Also sadly, Anna withdrew.

Can we say Masha's third spot is a lock?

 

[Spirals for Miles]

I wouldn't say Masha's spot is a lock... there's Polina. And if Anna gets her skates together, the fed will have no choice but to put her on the team if she skates well at nationals. But I'm betting on the third spot going to either Polina or Masha.

Masha also doesn't have the most exciting music, but I think Polina's suits her well. You never know, Stasya might make the team, but the way things are looking right now, JGP wise, I don't think that is a safe lock.

 

[voolfee]

I'm betting on the third spot going to either Polina or Masha.

I don't think that Russian fed will give third spot to the Tutberidze's student. More likely this place will be occupied by Maria. She improved in skating and jumps.

 

[Ares]

I think I will like Konstantinova better if she ditch tanos, the 90 degree arm position is horrible. She does want to sell her program but I can't really enjoy her skating because of her stiff posture and labored jumps... Also she bombed a lot. Not sure why RUS fed inflate her that much.

Polina is obviously slow in second half. Compared to SP, this FS is bland and boring. Also sadly, Anna withdrew.

Can we say Masha's third spot is a lock?

I'd say that only Medvedeva is a lock. I know about Zagitova but things may change still. Pogorilaya is a more complete skater when on imo and it's not like that each of them never bombed.. I am annoyed that people cross her off.

 

[plushyfan]

I forgot one thing: I wonder why having all those top choreographers and Plushy supervising her, Pankova spent 80% of her free skate in one corner of the rink...

The answer is obvious.. The academy's rink is smaller that is not standard now. Plushy was negotiating the land where he will build the new ice rink one- two month ago.. Probably the problem will be solved. You don't forget this is the first season of the Academy. Plus I don't think Pankova's choreography was made by Emanuel Sandhu..

 

[silverfoxes]

I'd say that only Medvedeva is a lock. I know about Zagitova but things may change still. Pogorilaya is a more complete skater when on imo and it's not like that each of them never bombed.. I am annoyed that people cross her off.

There are a lot of competitions between now and February. Trying to predict the Oly team based on a few B competitions and a Cup of Russia is just silly.