2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[chopinskate]

I like that she is going all the way with it. Bradie change it and I understand that's a smart move and will be smart for Alina too. But sometimes pride interferes and kicks smartness aside.

I think the main reason why she‘s not ditching it is that it‘s her signature combo and she won the Olympics with it. I wonder why she doesn‘t do a 3F-3Lo, though. The few I‘ve seen were always fully rotated and beautiful. Anna Shcherbakova switched to this combo too in the FS, after 3Lz-3Lo didn‘t work out a few times. And 3F-3Lo is just as impressive of a combo.

I don't think it's (just) pride, it's to make sure her BV is maximum without a 3A. If she were to ditch the +3Lo, that would be even more ground to Kihira at this point. But point is, if she keeps URing, then that's lower BV than a 3Lz+3T anyway. When she's fine as she is in practice, it rotates.

What could help her, though, might be to ditch a few of all these transitions into and out of the jumps for the time being and focus on entering them with more speed. She seems to be a bit slower than last year and I think that‘s mainly why she‘s been underrotating lately.

Yes, one of the reasons. Not to bring in uninvited guests, but I think her growth spurt has thrown her off and she hasn't regained it. Or her injury.

 

[zounger]

I don't think it's (just) pride, it's to make sure her BV is maximum without a 3A. If she were to ditch the +3Lo, that would be even more ground to Kihira at this point. But point is, if she keeps URing, then that's lower BV than a 3Lz+3T anyway. When she's fine as she is in practice, it rotates.

Agree, but I guess they still have the hope that she will overcome those problems. Maybe they see it happening on practices, but doesn't translate in competitions.

 

[Scott512]

Last year I really couldn't stand Stasya because she was bombing everywhere and much better skaters like Polina and Gubanova lost their chances at an international competition. This year I watched her for the first time when she had that clean FS and I actually like her. But the poor thing really needs a break from all the negativity.

Its a brutal sport there's no doubt about it physically and mentally. Stasya really suffers hurt and pain when she doesn't do well. I am torn between her and Nastya G has my second favorite and I guess I would choose Nastya because she does not have the struggles the way Stasya sometimes does. Nastya is very unloved by the Federation. Sad

 

[Vandevska]

But at the practices at nationals she was also very clean and consistent! I think this isn‘t her problem. The problem are her nerves and the pressure. She has to keep these under control.

Sure, but I don't think that the situation is as dire as people are making it to be. Obviously anything could happen, but I genuinely see her winning today.

When she is fresh relaxed, she rotates it. When the Lutz landing though is not ideal then the problems start.

I don't think that this is quite true. She's had a problem in about half of the skates in this season and I don't think any of those were truly related to her being tired. Especially because she's been called for < on the flip and the lutz too.

 

[Vandevska]

Its a brutal sport there's no doubt about it physically and mentally. Stasya really suffers hurt and pain when she doesn't do well. I am torn between her and Nastya G has my second favorite and I guess I would choose Nastya because she does not have the struggles the way Stasya sometimes does. Nastya is very unloved by the Federation. Sad

Hey hey choose Alena as your second favourite

 

[zounger]

I don't think that this is quite true. She's had a problem in about half of the skates in this season and I don't think any of those were truly related to her being tired. Especially because she's been called for < on the flip and the lutz too.

Depends a lot on the landing of Lutz too. But if she can jump as high in the Loop as in Rosetelecom or Nebelhorn. I don't see her particularly underotate. The day before in SP her jump height was for 2Lo. I don't think that this jump height on the loop is her norm though.

 

[Fluture]

I don’t see any drama, she is in the reserve list, so they have to stand by. With Liza‘s recovery uncertain and with Stasia possibility for a meltdown, she have to be ready. It would be grossly unfair to take Sofia‘s ot Alina‘s spots, but if Stasia and Liza withdraw, she has to go.

Liza has been landing 3As recently and given the time there is left to Worlds... she‘ll be fine. It‘s Sofia‘s spot that could be in danger and that‘s where the drama begins. Unless Liza withdraws (which is unlikely) I just don‘t see Zhenya at Worlds. I don‘t know how often I need to say it but... Zhenya for Universiade.

 

[Fluture]

Sure, but I don't think that the situation is as dire as people are making it to be. Obviously anything could happen, but I genuinely see her winning today.

I see her genuinely winning today too. I don‘t know why people suddenly think Sofia has much of a chance. I mean, I love this girl, she radiates pure joy and confidence and an Euros win would be such a great surprise for her but she can only do this if Alina makes major mistakes. Just because she bombed at Nationals doesn‘t mean she‘ll do it again now. I think she’ll be clean today, maybe one UR. I wish both of them good luck today and may the better win. As of now, I firmly believe it will be Alina.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

How much longer until the ladies start the fs at Europeans? It’s 9:15 am Eastern time here in the states. I can’t wait!!

 

[Vandevska]

I see her genuinely winning today too. I don‘t know why people suddenly think Sofia has much of a chance. I mean, I love this girl, she radiates pure joy and confidence and an Euros win would be such a great surprise for her but she can only do this if Alina makes major mistakes. Just because she bombed at Nationals doesn‘t mean she‘ll do it again now. I think she’ll be clean today, maybe one UR. I wish both of them good luck today and may the better win. As of now, I firmly believe it will be Alina.

I don't understand either. Even with that FS at RusNats she still finished above Sofia with a couple of points to spare.

On another note, thinking about Zhenya at Worlds scares me too. I think the only thing that would give me a piece of mind if they do send her, is if at Cup of Russia she has a clean SP with 73+ points and an FS like the one in RusNats

 

[DenissVFan]

Go Sofia

 

[Fluture]

I don't understand either. Even with that FS at RusNats she still finished above Sofia with a couple of points to spare.

On another note, thinking about Zhenya at Worlds scares me too. I think the only thing that would give me a piece of mind if they do send her, is if at Cup of Russia she has a clean SP with 73+ points and an FS like the one in RusNats

I agree completely. Alina not winning is very, very unlikely. Sofia is great and she‘ll use every chance she‘s given but still... Alina won‘t give her a chance to take that second Euros title away from her. Not after losing at Nationals. I think she‘ll fight.

About Zhenya. I can only scream Universiade and WTT until someone in RusFed hears me.

 

[chopinskate]

How much longer until the ladies start the fs at Europeans? It’s 9:15 am Eastern time here in the states. I can’t wait!!

It's begun

 

[fabienne1996]

I don’t see any drama, she is in the reserve list, so they have to stand by. With Liza‘s recovery uncertain and with Stasia possibility for a meltdown, she has to be ready. It would be grossly unfair to take Sofia‘s ot Alina‘s spots, but if Stasia and Liza withdraw, she has to go.

I think the competition next month zhenya wil go to is cup of russia. And again rumors are that there at/after this competiton the worlds team will be decided. And yes it could even be that rusfed decides on alina.liza and zhenya. Or it could be alina liza and sofia.

 

[Scott512]

Hey hey choose Alena as your second favourite

She is 3rd! Very close to second.

Alena's skating will last. She is amazing.

 

[Autumn Leaves]

I think the competition next month zhenya wil go to is cup of russia. And again rumors are that there at/after this competiton the worlds team will be decided. And yes it could even be that rusfed decides on alina.liza and zhenya. Or it could be alina liza and sofia.

I doubt that they would replace Sofia with Zhenya, especially if Sofia skates well today, because Sofia has been much more consistent the entire season. The only chance for Zhenya to go is in a team Alina, Sofia, Zhenya in the case that Liza decides to withdraw (small chance) AND they decide to replace Konstantinova.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

Stanislava Konstantinova is totally gonna get bronze. Trust me.

 

[chopinskate]

He?

He doesn't seem to be a native English speaker. His intent was clear, give him a break

 

[chopinskate]

Konstantinova will (probably) finish deservedly off the podium. Good.

 

[Vlad Karigov]

Samodurova is the champion...