2018-19 Russian Ladies' figure skating

[Vandevska]

I wasn't trying to be combative. I admire Medvedeva for trying to fix her technique. But if you believe in her, why can't you believe in Aline, too? That's the point I was trying to make.

I agree Alina's options seem more limited, as she seems to have a less strongwilled personality than Medvedeva, and I doubt RusFed would be willing to send her abroad given Medvedeva's struggles. But I also think Alina is a stronger overall skater than Medvedeva. Mishin could be fun. I'm convinced Alina has a hidden diva insider her.

I sort of have a hard time believing in either. Earlier I was joking about Med winning Worlds

 

[grey19]

I have never posted in this thread before and haven't read it in a while, but today I changed my mind. Well, to the EC. I still believe in Alina, but I think she needs to have a loong and good rest, phisically and mentally. And I also want to mention her spins, they are always perfect, no matter what.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

I have never posted in this thread before and haven't read it in a while, but today I changed my mind. Well, to the EC. I still believe in Alina, but I think she needs to have a loong and good rest, phisically and mentally. And I also want to mention her spins, they are always perfect, no matter what.

Agree her spins are phenomenal. She and Satoko are for me the best spinners currently in seniors.

 

[BillNeal]

Glad to see people start to see the reality of the situation. Wasn’t it just less than a month ago that people were being super critical of Zhenya for making the switch and reworking her jump technique?

Anyway, congrats to Sofia! With this win, I don’t see how the Fed can justify not sending her to Worlds.

 

[Vandevska]

Okay, just to clear some things: I don't think that Alina is a lost cause, after all I thought she would win today. I just don't understand why she suddenly needs to change a coach? My comment was more to defend Eteri, not dump on Alina. My point was, if after all she DOES have issues that are somehow unfixable, I don't think there's necessarily another coach who could help more.

 

[NAOTMAA]

Now that Sofia is a champion of a major senior international event I hope Mishin starts giving her super cool nicknames like he does with Liza!

 

[esteticlove]

Yes, Alina has beautiful spins. She has tons of good qualities despite her problems. In terms of WC - I think that Sofia and Alina should have already secured their spots for Worlds. At the end of the day, they were selected for the senior National Team and they both showed that it was the right decision by getting medals at Euros - gold and silver. The question is whether Liza has her form back. It would be probably wise to send her to some regional competition or to this so called skate off. Not really to choose among the 2 alternatives and her, but just to see in what condition her skating is. Last year Zhenya skipped Nationals and her spot for Euros was secured but she proved that it was prepared.

 

[Heleng]

I like a skate-off idea, with Sofia being exempt because she has proven she is consistent. But I also think it is more opportunity to unfairly boost Konstantinova.

Really wish you’d give it a rest.

 

[DaNiCG]

Evgenia didn't fix her technique just because, she suffered a lot. Im not even her fan but I know how strong mentally she was and look how this season played for her, her consistency is/was gone. Alina is...not as strong as Evgenia was, mentally, that's what she is showing now (btw Im not talking about her results but about her as a whole).

Can it be possible for her to fix her technique? of course theres a chance, will it happen? is she strong enough? not physically, but mentally. That's the question.

 

[Ziotic]

I’m more confused as to why people seem to be shocked when a Russian lady starts to decline. It’s been happening for years now; Yulia, Adelina, Radionova, Pogorilya, Medvedeva, Sotskova, and now Zagitova. Other than Tukt and her 3A they have all been passed over for a younger model. It’s the nature of the sport in Russia, once their jumps start to fail it’s on to the next.

Maybe it’s a not a bad thing, we get new stars, but then there becomes no room for the old.

As harsh as it may seem, I’m certain that in 4 years time; 3A supremacy will be nothing but a memory.

 

[rachno2]

I don't get this "Alina isn't strong mentally" discourse. I agree she doesn't have Medvedeva's iron-willed consistency, but she is a great competitor nonetheless. Just look at what she did at the Olympics: not only did she deliver three clean skates under tremendous pressure, but she added the lutz-loop combo in the individual free skate after missing it the first time. She was clearly exhausted at Worlds, so I don't really consider that a failure of her nerves. I agree she is struggling with pressure, but she always fights her way through her programs. I think she's more tenacious than people are giving her credit for.

If Alina wants to retire after this season, then that's her prerogative. She has accomplished what the vast majority of people can only dream of. But I think if she wants to continue, it's worth a shot and she should be encouraged.

 

[Lechat]

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.

It’s Eteri’s fault if Alina is falling. She yelled at her but she also need to be scolded her teaching doesn’t work anymore with Alina. She has to stop asking Alina to jump and re jump during the practice until she can’t jump anymore before an important competition.

 

[Autumn Leaves]

With Alina right now I think the problem is mostly mental. Today and yesterday she looked healthy and consistent (with only minor mistakes) during the long practices; she probably jumped 100 times.

 

[lesnar001]

I don't get this "Alina isn't strong mentally" discourse. I agree she doesn't have Medvedeva's iron-willed consistency, but she is a great competitor nonetheless. Just look at what she did at the Olympics: not only did she deliver three clean skates under tremendous pressure, but she added the lutz-loop combo in the individual free skate after missing it the first time. She was clearly exhausted at Worlds, so I don't really consider that a failure of her nerves. I agree she is struggling with pressure, but she always fights her way through her programs. I think she's more tenacious than people are giving her credit for.

If Alina wants to retire after this season, then that's her prerogative. She has accomplished what the vast majority of people can only dream of. But I think if she wants to continue, it's worth a shot.

Her adding that combo late in the program was amazing.
That was her Gold Medal moment for sure.

Nice to see it recognized here.
Thank you.

 

[readernick]

I don't get this "Alina isn't strong mentally" discourse. I agree she doesn't have Medvedeva's iron-willed consistency, but she is a great competitor nonetheless. Just look at what she did at the Olympics: not only did she deliver three clean skates under tremendous pressure, but she added the lutz-loop combo in the individual free skate after missing it the first time. She was clearly exhausted at Worlds, so I don't really consider that a failure of her nerves. I agree she is struggling with pressure, but she always fights her way through her programs. I think she's more tenacious than people are giving her credit for.

If Alina wants to retire after this season, then that's her prerogative. She has accomplished what the vast majority of people can only dream of. But I think if she wants to continue, it's worth a shot.

I think they mean in comparison to Medvedeva not that Zagitova is weak. Medvedeva’s technique started to fail after her first senior season, just like Zagitova. But, strength of will kept her going almost mistake free for two more years. Among Eteri skaters only Med has ever shown that kind of mental strength. Alina is not weak. She is a fighter. But, the strength needed to leave Eteri like Med did is beyond the reach of most people.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

so does this mean Sonya will 100% be on the world team?

 

[EdRoz]

There is no reason for Alina to change the coach, she will not find better, Eteri coach nr. 1 in women's figure skating,
Alina just should follow the advice of the coach ,and she knows it, Eteri led her to victory at the Olympics

 

[DaNiCG]

I don't get this "Alina isn't strong mentally" discourse. I agree she doesn't have Medvedeva's iron-willed consistency, but she is a great competitor nonetheless. Just look at what she did at the Olympics: not only did she deliver three clean skates under tremendous pressure, but she added the lutz-loop combo in the individual free skate after missing it the first time. She was clearly exhausted at Worlds, so I don't really consider that a failure of her nerves. I agree she is struggling with pressure, but she always fights her way through her programs. I think she's more tenacious than people are giving her credit for.

You were comparing how Evgenia could fix her technique and Alina could do the same, but you forgot to add how hard it was for Evgenia. I added what you lacked, like her consistence and her mental game. As you said Alina is strong, very, but compare her to Evgenia, (like you were doing at the beginning)


I just kept playing in the comparison game you created

 

[melgirl25]

More importantly, where is there a video of Mishin’s fist pump? Just watched Sofia’s skate and didn’t see it. This happen?

 

[Lechat]

There is no reason for Alina to change the coach, she will not find better, Eteri coach nr. 1 in women's figure skating,
Alina just should follow the advice of the coach ,and she knows it, Eteri led her to victory at the Olympics

She doesn't need to change coach but her coach needs to change her method. It’s heartbreaking to see her doing well during practice until she can’t jump anymore. Alina doesn’t have the same stamina like last year, she’s growing and she’s older now.