I agree with u that Medeveda and Zagitova have their sports secured. I also am inclined to agree that Tsurkaya will likely not get is since the don't see them giving all three spots to Eteri's students. Plus I don't know how she could even effectively manage three competitors at the Olympics but who knows. While I think that third spot is likely between Elena and Maria I don't think Maria is really leading anything. She got a silver medal in what was a fairly weak competition in Canada. Even Maria second assignment is not the toughest of fields, but for a couple of skaters. Elena had unfortunately tough GP assignments this season and has not been horrible. She looked better than she has in awhile and has improved with each showing. Her scores for GP Russia with her coming in fourth were still higher than Maria's silver medal score. Granted, Maria had a decent score in an earlier B event. I think this is going to come down to who Tat and Buionova decide the love more. I just think this will largely be a political decision. If Elena was still being coached by Goncharenko I would give the advantage to Maria, but with them both having the same coach I see it going either way. That's just my two cents.
2017-18 State of Russian Ladies skating
- Thread starter moriel
- Start date
I agree with u that Medeveda and Zagitova have their sports secured. I also am inclined to agree that Tsurkaya will likely not get is since the don't see them giving all three spots to Eteri's students. Plus I don't know how she could even effectively manage three competitors at the Olympics but who knows. While I think that third spot is likely between Elena and Maria I don't think Maria is really leading anything. She got a silver medal in what was a fairly weak competition in Canada. Even Maria second assignment is not the toughest of fields, but for a couple of skaters. Elena had unfortunately tough GP assignments this season and has not been horrible. She looked better than she has in awhile and has improved with each showing. Her scores for GP Russia with her coming in fourth were still higher than Maria's silver medal score. Granted, Maria had a decent score in an earlier B event. I think this is going to come down to who Tat and Buionova decide the love more. I just think this will largely be a political decision. If Elena was still being coached by Goncharenko I would give the advantage to Maria, but with them both having the same coach I see it going either way. That's just my two cents.
I don't understand people's dislike for a fully backloaded program, I really don't. In Alina's case, it matches the music and it is thrilling to watch. Would people prefer a program that is 7/0, because that is a lot more annoying IMO. Some people even say that they should make rules to restrict this. That is, restrict the skater from getting more points, which makes absolutely no sense to me. AND it's not easy, everyone would do it if it was, it is not because they care about the "artistic" construction of the program.
I'm wondering how those people would promote the change with good reasoning. Didn't Canadians propose the idea which led to COP? Now some people are not happy about COP because some 'outsiders' get higher scores using the rule?
I like Anna's skating - but would they really send her to the Olympics, the girl has a reputation for when the lights are brightest to become the Splat queen. That was what everyone said the over the top reaction to her Worlds FS was last year because it most likely meant her chances at the Olympic team were greatly harmed.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2017
I would say Maria is ahead of Elena even at the moment, she has better technicality, already has arm variations and has a good track record. I agree that their coaches will decide at the end, but if I were their coach I would have trusted Maria more based on what I have seen up until now.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
I don't think the Russian Fed is too concerned about who gets the third spot, as the skater won't be doing the team event nor be a contender for an individual medal (most likely). I could see Polina having a slight edge over the others so that she can gain the experience, but I think the Russian Fed will go with the Nationals result like it does most of the time.
The thing is that the nationals result usually seems to work in accordance to fed's plans - see last years nationals: the juniors who could potentially go to Olympics were overscored compared to rest.
So I totally can imagine the fed will pick lets say 2 favs for the 3rd spot, and then use nationals to select between them, and not "let the strongest of the 5+ candidates win".
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2014
People need to see Maria live; she impresses more in person with her fluidity and elegance. She's a smart girl and she knows what she needs to improve. I hope she will win more fans over time. Anna P. wasn't that popular at the beginning either but now she is well loved.
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2012
For me, Maria won my fav in her first junior year, but died down over the years, mostly because of the program choice. But I believe that tall skaters tend to have better visual impact on audience when seen alive. She is probably the tallest elite female skater of all time, taller than Polina, and Kostner, taller than more than half of the elite male skaters too.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2017
I think new "Daughter of Russia" has arrived. 
https://pp.userapi.com/c824603/v824603835/15df8/2PmDmXHjT3k.jpg
Russian skating internet went crazy for Alina. 'Official' story is Zhenya being miles ahead, Alina needing to learn a lot, gaining experience, respect the older colleague, but you can feel deep inside nobody would mind big Olympic surprise to happen.
https://pp.userapi.com/c824603/v824603835/15df8/2PmDmXHjT3k.jpg
Russian skating internet went crazy for Alina. 'Official' story is Zhenya being miles ahead, Alina needing to learn a lot, gaining experience, respect the older colleague, but you can feel deep inside nobody would mind big Olympic surprise to happen.
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2017
I would agree.
But Buyanova seems to blatantly favor Elena.
If I were Maria, I'd be kind of upset, but whatever works for them.
I think Buyanova will be happy with either of them going to the Olympics, first.
Then second, both fed and buyanova, i´m pretty sure, will want to send to Olympics whoever performs better and will place better at the Olys in their oppinion.
If both perform around same level - for example, if Maria doesnt get into GPF, then it could come to Buyanova's personal preferences, whatever they are.
Now, if Maria performs obviously better than Elena - for example, medals on her second GP and gets into GPF, and performs decently there - she will be chosen no matter who Buyanova likes more or likes less.
As for Buyanova favouring Elena right now, i think its more like she is happy she got 2 baskets now, which increases her chances of sending at least one of her students to Olympic games.
I don't think Anna is quite out of it yet. She's put herself in a massive hole after SC, but if she performs well at her next GP and decently at Russian Nationals (top 3!) then the federation will need to reconsider.
At this stage though, I'd give the 3rd spot to Sotskova as well. I agree with people saying she is rather bland, but I love her, I see the potential. Somebody get Lori Nichol to work with her!!!
At this stage though, I'd give the 3rd spot to Sotskova as well. I agree with people saying she is rather bland, but I love her, I see the potential. Somebody get Lori Nichol to work with her!!!
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2014
If you are trying to make her less bland, then I could see suggesting Shae-Lynn Bourne, Misha Ge, Benoit Richaud maybe...but Lori Nichol??? :rofl2:
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2017
How tall is Maria?
Like 5'8
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2017
So around 173cm. Yeah, she's really tall the figure skating average!
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2016
Is there a link to the protocols for the ladies lp at COC?
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2016
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2016
A lot of people would mind. Alina is hardly everyone's favourite.I think new "Daughter of Russia" has arrived.
https://pp.userapi.com/c824603/v824603835/15df8/2PmDmXHjT3k.jpg
Russian skating internet went crazy for Alina. 'Official' story is Zhenya being miles ahead, Alina needing to learn a lot, gaining experience, respect the older colleague, but you can feel deep inside nobody would mind big Olympic surprise to happen.
