2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[noraaa]

Would it be so bad to mabye change the music but most of the choreo stays? She clearly isn't comfortable with the sp anymore. She was at the beginning but I think that her fall and step out in the last to comps were to much and she just can't seem to relax with the programm.

I don't know... even with the choreography the same, it won't be matched exactly to the music, and I think much of the problem with her SP currently is that she hasn't had enough practice with the layout as it is and isn't comfortable enough to go on autopilot for the tech content and be able to then perform and emote with the jazz.

If she has a new program, I will reserve judgment and wait to see it in Saransk. But I would be concerned that changing to new music even with same choreography means having to think even harder, not less, and so might lead to even more mistakes and stress. But I am not Zhenya or her coach, so this is purely speculation.

 

[fabienne1996]

Mabhe she also trained another programm or her programm with different music while training , since the season began who knows, we don't really get that much information as to what she trains in tcc

I don't know... even with the choreography the same, it won't be matched exactly to the music, and I think much of the problem with her SP currently is that she hasn't had enough practice with the layout as it is and isn't comfortable enough to go on autopilot for the tech content and be able to then perform and emote with the jazz.

If she has a new program, I will reserve judgment and wait to see it in Saransk. But I would be concerned that changing to new music even with same choreography means having to think even harder, not less, and so might lead to even more mistakes and stress. But I am not Zhenya or her coach, so this is purely speculation.

 

[DenissVFan]

Switching programmes right before RusNats would be a huge risk. All she needs is to skate clean technically. Her main rival is Sofia who gets relatively low PCS (but may get more as she's a good performer) but who is very consistent. Zhenya would be better off putting the combo first in the SP than ditching the entire programme.

 

[Fluture]

Switching programmes right before RusNats would be a huge risk. All she needs is to skate clean technically. Her main rival is Sofia who gets relatively low PCS (but may get more as she's a good performer) but who is very consistent. Zhenya would be better off putting the combo first in the SP than ditching the entire programme.

I agree. I don‘t think she‘ll do it and I don‘t think it would work anyway. She‘d have to learn the new choreo, remember it and get muscle memory that she was already clearly lacking with the former SP, so I‘m afraid it would end up worse. It‘s just not enough time in my opinion.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

As you know, 4CCs tends to be a Senior B comp. as many of the tops simply decide not to go. The timing of the event and the distance between NA and Asia are always a factor. There is a difference between a 2 hour flight to a comp. versus a 22 hour flight. How many 4CC's did Ashley miss, as I lost count.

Understanding the logistics of this comp. and the stamina needed to both travel then compete are factors in the results, and not worth it for some on the eve of Worlds.

Some skaters do choose to skip 4CC to prepare for Worlds. Some choose to go as preparation. Regardless of what they choose, it doesn't diminish the importance of the competition for those who attend, nor does it diminish the importance of Euros for European skaters. Alina values Europeans enough to place it in her IG bio, where she is character limited, above her GPF medalS. And she is not the only one. Europeans is still a major ISU championship, as is 4CC, and winning it not only gives a huge boost in WR but in confidence going into Worlds.

 

[Osmond4gold]

European Championships are the oldest ISU Figure Skating competition. So it will always have prestige and relevance. Only Ilympics and Worlds can beat it. Also we’re looking at it too much from perspective of ladies with Russia. Russia hasn’t been so dominant in other disciplines at the Europeans.

But this is the Russian Ladies thread isn't it..., which is why I mentioned that 'Euros' does not have the same prestige as it once had due to the current state of competition from other countries. Beyond Caro if healthy, there appears to be a European ladies drought at this time, resulting in the comp. being a russian nationals repeat.

 

[Casual]

I think the fact that Javi didn’t compete at all on the Grand Prix and won’t be at worlds but has announced that he will compete at Europeans to close out his career shows how special that competition is to European skaters.

Or maybe he just wants to close out his career on a high note, in a weaker but still prestigious competition.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

But this is the Russian Ladies thread isn't it..., which is why I mentioned that 'IT' does not have the same prestige as it once had due to the current state of competition from other non-Russian countries at this time.

You don’t get to determine these things. Most people would consider this a prestigious event. Those skaters from smaller federations gain prestige from competing in it against the best in the world even if for nothing else but as a resume builder. Some probably even just enjoy the experience itself. I’m not sure why you’re so down on Euros and it’s participants to this extent but lots of us think the top ranked skaters participating at an event does in fact add to the prestige of the event in many ways. :agree:

 

[RingOfEndlessLight]

But this is the Russian Ladies thread isn't it..., which is why I mentioned that 'IT' does not have the same prestige as it once had due to the current state of competition from other non-Russian countries at this time.

I have lost the point you were trying to make. Europeans -- Russians -- skaters themselves -- the ISU... all, for once, agree on something: that European Championships are highly prestigious and the skaters who medal at them are very proud of this accomplishment.

And your opinion is... what, that to you personally the Euro medals are not impressive? I mean, okay, everybody technically is allowed an opinion... but..........

 

[Osmond4gold]

I have lost the point you were trying to make. Europeans -- Russians -- skaters themselves -- the ISU... all, for once, agree on something: that European Championships are highly prestigious and the skaters who medal at them are very proud of this accomplishment.

And your opinion is... what, that to you personally the Euro medals are not impressive? I mean, okay, everybody technically is allowed an opinion... but..........

If you followed the discussion, some here believed that Euros were more prestigious than other comps. that involved skaters from all continents and nations. For me, the GP Final, the Worlds and the OGs were much more inclusive in terms of competitors and are known as being the Big 3 events of skating.

Euros, with all due respect, in particular the ladies event...not so much.

 

[RingOfEndlessLight]

If you followed the discussion, some here believed that Euros were more prestigious than other comps. that involved skaters from all continents and nations. For me, the GP Final, the Worlds and the OGs were much more inclusive in terms of competitors and are known as being the Big 3 events of skating.

Euros, with all due respect, ....not so much.

Yes, thank you -- you've said the above. What I was missing was the point, re: Russian ladies.

Could we distill it to the following? : "I personally, in my minority opinion, do not value that competition, so I choose not to include it in an ultimately arbitrary list of 'Big' competitions, and thus I feel more comfortable with the level of accomplishment of certain skaters."

If not, please feel free to elucidate actual point.

 

[hippomoomin]

I hope so. No program can be worse than her current sp.

That's an instagram video with some claims that it is her new program. Don't know if it is true but I like what I see here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrVbd3OBWkF/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=44s3wb74viff

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I hope so. No program can be worse than her current sp.

More funny than true but I’d certainly welcome a new program. Anna Tarakanova did it this season.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

If you followed the discussion, some here believed that Euros were more prestigious than other comps. that involved skaters from all continents and nations. For me, the GP Final, the Worlds and the OGs were much more inclusive in terms of competitors and are known as being the Big 3 events of skating.

Euros, with all due respect, in particular the ladies event...not so much.

If you are referring to me, I called Euros a big competition in addition to Worlds/Olympics/GPF. Because it is. So is 4CC.

Back on track - I wonder what Zhenya's layout for nationals will be... :think:

 

[DenissVFan]

Anna Tarakanova did it this season.

Is she skating to Believer too?

 

[Lunalovesskating]

Back on track - I wonder what Zhenya's layout for nationals will be... :think:

I hope they are smart and put the combo in the short at the beginning. We clearly saw the last few competitions that putting the combo at the end is too risky

 

[Mrs. P]

If you followed the discussion, some here believed that Euros were more prestigious than other comps. that involved skaters from all continents and nations. For me, the GP Final, the Worlds and the OGs were much more inclusive in terms of competitors and are known as being the Big 3 events of skating.

Euros, with all due respect, in particular the ladies event...not so much.

In the eyes of the ISU, Euros IS a big competition, considered one of four championship events, along with 4CC, Jr. Worlds and Worlds. European Championships have a storied history and there's a reason that Javier Fernandez has decided to retire after competing at Europeans one last time, rather than Worlds.

In any case, Alina should be proud of her titles including Euros, Olympics and GPF (last season).

 

[plushyfan]

If you followed the discussion, some here believed that Euros were more prestigious than other comps. that involved skaters from all continents and nations. For me, the GP Final, the Worlds and the OGs were much more inclusive in terms of competitors and are known as being the Big 3 events of skating.

Euros, with all due respect, in particular the ladies event...not so much.

Maybe for you now..but the ECH has long history. There were many great skaters in the past who participated there. That is very important for the skaters, for the ISU, etc.

 

[Vandevska]

I don't understand why we can't compare Alina and Alena? So what if they're not competing against each other? Just because some of us like Alena better and think she's better (at least in some ways) it doesn't mean that it's wrong and that people should be so butthurt. We can't all have the same favourites.

 

[noraaa]

I don't understand why we can't compare Alina and Alena? So what if they're not competing against each other? Just because some of us like Alena better and think she's better (at least in some ways) it doesn't mean that it's wrong and that people should be so butthurt. We can't all have the same favourites.

I agree with you that it should definitely be allowable to respectfully compare aspects of two Russian skaters in the Russian ladies' thread even if one is senior and the other a junior. But I also think that at a certain point it becomes unproductive to constantly compare skaters because you like x aspect better on one than the other (not saying you are doing this at all, just a bigger observation!!) when they have never been directly compared in competition. I think after RusNats it will be much more productive because they have competed against each other and been scored by the same panel of judges, so the criteria for scoring is the same, rather than 2 different panels on 2 different days.