2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[Max Millennial]

This thread is so toxic. Rika put down a clean 3A, clean (and great) combo & solo jump, great spins, adequate skating skills, etc. Of course someone with those qualities scores well. There's no shame in Alina being second to her and there's no reason to degrade her or her performance.

People in this very thread (rightfully) complain about how Alina was unfairly treated by fans (and media) last year because she came onto seniors with great technical skills and good performances therefore her scores rose and she got hate for it- yet you're doing the same thing to another skater in the exact same situation. Don't be a part of the problem.

Anyway, Alina did great and still got a great score (only herself and Rika have scored higher this season) and she seems to be in good condition so anything could happen in the FS.

Em you are speaking about reigning Olympic champion and the girl who had failed on her step sequence, both were exactly the year ago. So same situation...

 

[jenm]

In Helsinki Alina made a major mistake, which is why she got under 36. She skated clean here. And skater's PCS usually go up at the GPF. I would have expected Alina's PCS to be around 37.5. In fact had Rika skated poorly, I think that's what Alina would have gotten.

Rika obviously deserved a higher PCS, she was great, but her program was the same at GPFrance other than a nice triple axel. That is not worth 3 points in PCS. I would have expected her to get around 33.5-34.

We just have to agree to disagree. (IMO, I would not put Alina at 37 PCS after Rika's skate. A 2pt difference is too high for what they actually put out there so..)
A clean triple axel and a good one at that creates more impact and overall impression towards the program. Rika was on fire. Alina was little bit nervous and looked tired despite skating clean(ish).

ETA: I will refrain from commenting any more because this is the Russian ladies thread. This discussion is more appropriate for the GPF discussion thread.

 

[hippomoomin]

From this photo, their height difference is not as much as I expected. Isn't Alyona supposed to be much shorter?

https://pp.userapi.com/c852320/v852320188/6314c/XpoDgtgvdJQ.jpg :agree:

 

[chopinskate]

There's no way the judges were going for Zagitova's PCS after seeing Kihira's performance. The choreography isn't great with Kihira, but the way Zagitova's flaws are exposed in hers is mind-boggling. Zagi does have special qualities, it is true. They still need to create actual programs around those qualities instead of thinking the presence of those qualities in themselves along with reputation was going to aid her.

 

[Nocturne]

Em you are speaking about reigning Olympic champion and the girl who had failed on her step sequence, both were exactly the year ago. So same situation...

And what dies this have to do with anything?
Being Olympic Champion gives you some good reputation, but it does not automatically make you win every next competition. Otherwise why even compete...
What happened a year ago is also irrelevant, it is about what is done on the ice this very day and competition.

Both Rika and Alina are great. Great TES increaes your PCS these days so I dont understand why anyone is surprised when it happend with Zhenya, then with Alina last year and now it happens to the next girl who has the highest TES. Or is the real problem that this time it not happening to a russian girl?

 

[neusw]

From this photo, their height difference is not as much as I expected. Isn't Alyona supposed to be much shorter?

The only explanation I have for this photo is that Alena is still in her skates while everyone else is out. When standing side by side Alena looks about 2 inches shorter than Sasha, so unless she’s found some magic growing beans the heights here make no sense

 

[skatenewbie]

Zagitova clearly not on fire today despite skating clean. About Kihira PCS It has happened in 2 season consecutively. Medvedeva getting WR in her 1st senior season, then Zagitova did the same, now Kihira did the same so people shouldnt be surprised tbh.

 

[Globetrotter]

In Helsinki Alina made a major mistake, which is why she got under 36. She skated clean here. And skater's PCS usually go up at the GPF. I would have expected Alina's PCS to be around 37.5. In fact had Rika skated poorly, I think that's what Alina would have gotten.

Rika obviously deserved a higher PCS, she was great, but her program was the same at GPFrance other than a nice triple axel. That is not worth 3 points in PCS. I would have expected her to get around 33.5-34.

Hmm and you think Alina deserves like 37ish PCS? If its up to me, neither Alina nor Rika deserves more than about 33-34. I am certainly not a fan of PCS going up because of reputation, seniority and fed fave. Nonetheless, I completely get it why they scored Alina lesser than Rika. Unlike at the Olympics or previous comps, Alina was not as free - she was keeping her focus on the jumps especially the combo. So just from that, I can see why they may have marked her down in her PE.

 

[hippomoomin]

Alina is just two months older than Rika though she has a year more senior experience. I think both still have a lot of room to grow. Alina has so far handled well with post Olympic fame and pressure, not to mention her rapid growth in the past few months. Rika probably would not grow that much in the future which is her advantage.

 

[jenm]

IDK why some people are upset. For me, Alina did great and she looked satisfied and prepared for the outcome. I would rather have Alina in 2nd, smiling and happy, than seeing her win but sad about how she skated.
Second at SP in a deep field is an accomplishment. Not her best but she did what could under the circumstances. Both of their scores aren't a crime some people make it out to be.

 

[neusw]

I actually don’t have a problem with the rapid PCS rises for new seniors, because it’s a pattern of behavior for several years from the judges (since Yulia), suggesting that there’s a fundamental change in how PCS is evaluated these days. I think judges have much better knowledge/name recognition of juniors than they did in the past, and will award them senior PCS in proportion to their previous ranking amongst juniors. I did think her GOEs were a bit generous, so I would’ve had Rika about 1 point lower and Alina about half a point higher, so a 3 point gap instead of 4.5. Probably won’t make a difference after the free anyway.

 

[madison]

I actually don’t have a problem with the rapid PCS rises for new seniors, because it’s a pattern of behavior for several years from the judges (since Yulia), suggesting that there’s a fundamental change in how PCS is evaluated these days. I think judges have much better knowledge/name recognition of juniors than they did in the past, and will award them senior PCS in proportion to their previous ranking amongst juniors. I did think her GOEs were a bit generous, so I would’ve had Rika about 1 point lower and Alina about half a point higher, so a 3 point gap instead of 4.5. Probably won’t make a difference after the free anyway.

I don t think that there are reasons for the judges to hold down Rika's PCS. She has great SS - better than Zagitova, she ' s musical and a good performer. I am actually happy that the judges score these accordingly. It would not be fair to hold her back favouring Alina just because she has better reputation.

 

[Sam L]

I feel like Alina was robbed in PCS, she should've been scored higher.

 

[Vandevska]

This thread is getting even more ridiculous every time I think the ridiculousness has been maxed out.

Alina looked kinda sleepy to me, might be the jet lag that had its influence. As some other people said, not as sharp as in some previous competitions. And you just can't deny that there were some (minor) technical issues. Not gonna comment on the combo, but the axel wasn't great.

The juniors were much more exciting for me. I really like this new costume from Trusova, and the interactions after the skate, - sooo cute. I just wish the coaches weren't looking so glum after the points were shown. Also, you really can't deny that she has good skating skills too.
I was sooo happy for Alena Kostornaia ^_^

Good luck to all Russian ladies on Saturday too ^_^

 

[Fluture]

I can only say one thing about this whole discussion:

Rika deserved her PCS. Every single point of it.

And Alina acted graciously in defeat and it‘s not like it‘s the end of the world. There‘s still the FS and who says Rika will stay clean there? Alina is experienced at being at the top. Is Rika? She always came back from a bad SP to win the title this season, never has she been the one to beat in the FS. I wish best luck to both of them. They both did very well in the SP and deserved their placements and score.

 

[flanker]

I can only say one thing about this whole discussion:

Rika deserved her PCS. Every single point of it.

And Alina acted graciously in defeat and it‘s not like it‘s the end of the world. There‘s still the FS and who says Rika will stay clean there? Alina is experienced at being at the top. Is Rika? She always came back from a bad SP to win the title this season, never has she been the one to beat in the FS. I wish best luck to both of them. They both did very well in the SP and deserved their placements and score.

Alina being second after SP is definitely not the end of the world. It's just that some people behave as if it would be the end of Alina

 

[flanker]

The difference between Kihira and Zagitova in PCS is only a difference of 0.68 ... are we in Canada or Japan?

To be fair, japanese judge gave Alina higher pcs than Rika.

 

[serephy]

Gubanova/Gulyakova/Sotskova have skated their SP at Golden Spin.

Gubanova - 69.56 (2nd place)
Gulyakova - 67.85 (3rd place)
Sotskova - 60.35 (5th place I think)

 

[Fluture]

Alina being second after SP is definitely not the end of the world. It's just that some people behave as if it would be the end of Alina

But they always did that, even when she was winning everything. (And I’ll say it again: Alina still has a great chance to get the gold here. She is only a few points behind) That‘s not what I meant. I meant that now screams start that Alina is underscored and Rika overscored even though Alina still got the highest PCS of the day. I mean, I love Alina but this score was fair. And I doubt she‘s particularly upset about losing to Rika in the SP or thinks her score is too low. I bet she‘s more motivated than ever to show her best in the FS now. I‘m personally looking forward to it. Both girls have great chances. And I like them both which is probably also an advantage.

 

[moriel]

This thread is getting even more ridiculous every time I think the ridiculousness has been maxed out.

Alina looked kinda sleepy to me, might be the jet lag that had its influence. As some other people said, not as sharp as in some previous competitions. And you just can't deny that there were some (minor) technical issues. Not gonna comment on the combo, but the axel wasn't great.

The juniors were much more exciting for me. I really like this new costume from Trusova, and the interactions after the skate, - sooo cute. I just wish the coaches weren't looking so glum after the points were shown. Also, you really can't deny that she has good skating skills too.
I was sooo happy for Alena Kostornaia ^_^

Good luck to all Russian ladies on Saturday too ^_^

Alina actually said she overslept and nearly missed the bus from the hotel.

As for the scores... Alina doesn't have to win everything on her way to 2022 ^^