2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[drivingmissdaisy]

I think nationals are fine. There is no age limit needed, since it is the strongest against the strongest. However, I do think that maybe international competitions should have an age minimum of maybe 16 bc I just hate seeing so many gifted skaters burn out after one or two senior seasons. Because most coaches don't train for longetivity, and I just think that is a terrible waste of talent

I used to support age limits, but it really achieves nothing now except making people question whether the WGMist or OGMist is really the best in the world or just the best person over 16. The gifted skaters burning out has more to do with the strength in Russia more than anything else IMO. Had Adelina been from any country other than Russia or Japan, she probably could have made more World teams. Liza also would have made a few more teams skating for another country, and Evgenia probably could have been the second American woman going to Worlds had she skated for us. I don't think these World and Olympic champions want to punish themselves training when the most they can achieve is a Grand Prix medal.

 

[Osmond4gold]

I think some are missing the point, that skating is about total packaging including quality of jumps, skating skills, musicality and speed. This is a preference for many. Longevity is key and today we have a former Russian skating star and coach speaking about his preferences regarding the current state. Being '16 and done' as we have witnessed the past quad, is not a smart strategy and perhaps some need to reconsider their training moving forward.

 

[Elessar]

So far, ive seen only 2 russian opinions on this:
1. Gross
2. then i want men to skate in revealing clothing and want to see only beefy guys with sexy abs and lots of stuff in their pants, lol

Got it. Thanks. Incidentally, I believe Plushenko still has access to a foam suit he can use to satisfy proponents of #2.

 

[Giltedge]

Yulia exercising her blades in Harbin

https://www.instagram.com/p/Br-cXT7FSKw/

 

[Amei]

Yulia exercising her blades in Harbin

https://www.instagram.com/p/Br-cXT7FSKw/

:thumbsup: It's nice to see her getting back on the ice in show skating. Hopefully we get some good quality videos of her actual performances.

 

[moriel]

I think some are missing the point, that skating is about total packaging including quality of jumps, skating skills, musicality and speed. This is a preference for many. Longevity is key and today we have a former Russian skating star and coach speaking about his preferences regarding the current state. Being '16 and done' as we have witnessed the past quad, is not a smart strategy and perhaps some need to reconsider their training moving forward.

Are you talking about Zhulin?
In that case, plz make sure you include terms such as misogynistic and objectification in your post. Because he is, from now on, a guy who watches FS to see almost undressed women from now on, not an expert.

Sorry, whatever Zhulin says has no weight for me after his last interview.

Just nope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsXX_5bvHrw

- - - Updated - - -

Kostornaia is better than 99% any age ladies field. And she was better at 14 too. Pick your aspect of skating. And she is already better than any 16+ 18+ 20+ 30+ and so on...
And to be honest. People are not a wine which become better with the age. Most of the time it's an opposite.

I don't care how old skater is. If these skaters are good. Figure skating is not sopposed to be some kind of a brothel. It is supposed to be a sport.
I would prefer to watch some 10-12 y.o skaters over most 18+ skaters like (Nagasu, Meité, Lecavelier, Hongo, Alaine, Hicks and so one)
cause in reality... no, they're not better... just becouse they passed the 18+ mark.

ohhhh yeah, i love how people talk as if skaters suddenly gained +10 SS and +10 Performance/Interpretation as soon as they turn 18.

 

[alpaca]

Kostornaia is better than 99% any age ladies field. And she was better at 14 too. Pick your aspect of skating. And she is already better than any 16+ 18+ 20+ 30+ and so on...
And to be honest. People are not a wine which become better with the age. Most of the time it's an opposite.

I don't care how old skater is. If these skaters are good. Figure skating is not sopposed to be some kind of a brothel. It is supposed to be a sport.
I would prefer to watch some 10-12 y.o skaters over most 18+ skaters like (Nagasu, Meité, Lecavelier, Hongo, Alaine, Hicks and so one)
cause in reality... no, they're not better... just becouse they passed the 18+ mark.

I definitely agree with this. I absolutely love watching Alena Kostornaia skate over most other skaters, regardless of what their age is. At the end of the day, figure skating is a sport, and one does not get bonus points for being older than the others. However, at the same time, I would like to see some reform in ladies skating in which training allows for skaters to thrive beyond ages 16, 17 while still continue being competitive and pushing the sport forward. We'll see in time how Sasha and Anna push the sport with their quads, and if Alena's skating will allow for competitive longevity, and the same for the other girls. This is why I'm really glad Alina continues to compete even after her OGM, and continues to push herself as we see in some of the videos (although, I would like for her to care for her health too and stay healthy!), and Zhenya, continuing to experiment and trying things that have been unprecedented in ladies skating in Russia, as well as have the drive to continue skating competitively. Zhenya's ability and accomplishments of staying at the top for multiple seasons is already huge in it of itself. Not to mention Liza, who continues to show that hard work, passion, determination, and the right training indeed allows for one to prevail through struggles (even if that means falling out of top contention for a season or so). I genuinely hope they all succeed with whatever success may be for them and allow for more girls to continue to be motivated to skate in a competitive world like Russia's ladies figure skating.

 

[Scott512]

So I'm hearing Alina is already a lock for the 2022 Olympic team...but in women's hockey?!?

https://www.instagram.com/p/Br-YL-ghd8V/

Kidding aside, sometimes you can tell just by seeing someone with a hockey stick in their hands that they would make a damn good player, and she has that appearance. Perhaps not a surprise given her father...https://d.pr/DZr0vy. I'd love to see her on the ice playing.

Great stick work by Zagitova! Alina Zagitova that is. Unbelievable puck control. She's a left-handed shot like her daddy too. Awww.

 

[Skater Boy]

I do think Kaetlyn's jumps are far superior to a lot of skaters. She has good flow, hight and amplitude when she is on. Her jumps are not forced or tiny but of course she is no longer skating right now

 

[malya]

I don't get people complaining 'russian skaters have no longitivity'. Everybody and their mother just parrots the same talking points because of the many sucessful juniors that dont always keep their jumps but let's look what country the 2 most sucessful 'older' skaters this season are from:

1) Tuktamysheva, 22 - consistently got GPS and was part of the team even with mediocre results. Complete resurgence thanks to her 3A this season. She was the OLDEST competitor among the top ladies in the gpf and got a medal.

2.) Alena Leonova is ancient for the sport even by international standards. She is still consistently training with joy. With some luck, she got the replacement spot at GP NHK and skated great and scored 194+!! A score that would see her on the GP next season for any other country. Alena also did good at RusNats and many countries would be happy to have a woman like her compete for them at worlds. Yes, her jump content is outdated to compete at the very top but she skates no worse than she did in her teens and that IS longitivity.

 

[Osmond4gold]

Have you actually read all his comments on the topic? There are some valid arguments for raising the age limit but HIS are not. His priority is not the correct lutz technique but the stage of development of female bodies. According to him, a skater's accomplishments have to be sanctioned by men. He mentioned Kaetlyn, btw, and he prefers watching her over the youngsters because with her he has something to look at, not because of her jumps or her speed. I find this offensive.

Thanks DenissVFan, ...yes I am aware and there was no need for him to go there. I too wished he would have just stuck with skating.

 

[Scott512]

I don't get people complaining 'russian skaters have no longitivity'. Everybody and their mother just parrots the same talking points because of the many sucessful juniors that dont always keep their jumps but let's look what country the 2 most sucessful 'older' skaters this season are from:

1) Tuktamysheva, 22 - consistently got GPS and was part of the team even with mediocre results. Complete resurgence thanks to her 3A this season. She was the OLDEST competitor among the top ladies in the gpf and got a medal.

2.) Alena Leonova is ancient for the sport even by international standards. She is still consistently training with joy. With some luck, she got the replacement spot at GP NHK and skated great and scored 194+!! A score that would see her on the GP next season for any other country. Alena also did good at RusNats and many countries would be happy to have a woman like her compete for them at worlds. Yes, her jump content is outdated to compete at the very top but she skates no worse than she did in her teens and that IS longitivity.

Its because some prominent Russian skaters stop being competitive very young in recent years but a lot of that is due to injuries ans issues like Yulia, Pogo and Adelina. I'm pretty sure this happens and other countries besides Russia. But maybe not in the eyes of the media and the Hysteria something keeps hitting fans.

You make a pertinent point about Leonova and Liza and I sense that Medvedeva will be skating competitively well into her 20s still competing still enjoying her craft. I sense the same thing with zagitova to I think she will be skating competitively when she's 20 and I bet one of her dreams is to skate in a Russian Nationals with her little sister Sabina in several years.

 

[malya]

Its because some prominent Russian skaters stop being competitive very young in recent years but a lot of that is due to injuries ans issues like Yulia, Pogo and Adelina. I'm pretty sure this happens and other countries besides Russia. But maybe not in the eyes of the media and the Hysteria something keeps hitting fans.

You make a pertinent point about Leonova and Liza and I sense that Medvedeva will be skating competitively well into her 20s still competing still enjoying her craft. I sense the same thing with zagitova to I think she will be skating competitively when she's 20 and I bet one of her dreams is to skate in a Russian Nationals with her little sister Sabina in several years.

I agree, I can see Alina and Zhenya skating for a long time. In Russia you have to accept you may not get to the main starts every season but if you want to keep competing every season is a new cut and you get a new chance. Just look at Liza. Many countries have amazing jumpers coming up from juniors, but I don't understand why they are supposed to stop the devellopment of the other skaters... Everybody can and should train and compete for himself first of all.

 

[Orlov]

I love this video, but didn't realize until now that the music is DAFT PUNK. Funny.

She's a sweetheart, for sure...https://youtu.be/xIqQKYPmDg0. (I also like in this how Alena seems more mischievous and youthful than the other girls despite being three years their senior. What a personality.)

Драсьте! This is marvelous!

So strange, on ice Alena is so mature, and here she is so childish

 

[Scott512]

I agree, I can see Alina and Zhenya skating for a long time. In Russia you have to accept you may not get to the main starts every season but if you want to keep competing every season is a new cut and you get a new chance. Just look at Liza. Many countries have amazing jumpers coming up from juniors, but I don't understand why they are supposed to stop the devellopment of the other skaters... Everybody can and should train and compete for himself first of all.

Some prominent names in the future even if they're not skating competitively can do very well in shows make nice money stay in the Limelight and enjoy their careers. I think Liza will give hope to many skaters to hang around.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

:shame:

 

[moonkat]

Age limit can prevent injuries from extra training specifically for the Olympics.
Might as well increase the age limit to 21. Any complaints would then be discrimination.
Maybe label the divisions like football/soccer
ex: U 15

 

[DenissVFan]

What would he say about other winter sports where athletes compete in uniforms, helmets and goggles...

 

[ancientpeas]

Before we go completely far afield let's not get into Zhulin's love life. That is what Wikipedia is for.

Back to Russian Ladies please.

 

[GS Forum Staff]

Off Topic

Stay on Topic Please.

Any discussion of Zhulin's love life has no place in the Russian Ladies thread.