2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[flanker]

That's because Sasha and Rika had a big advantage in BV for LP against Bradie, and Rika against other medal contenders at last worlds, too.

Will Sasha have the similar advantage in LP against Anna, Alyona, and Rika(if she is back with her lutz and a potential quad) this worlds? No. A bit of, yes, if she goes for 4 or 5 quads. But it might not be enough to win. She can medal, but to win the competition the SP is very very important for Sasha.

For a medal yes, even if maybe not for gold. It only depends on how clean will be her free skate. In the short, we don't know if she will put 3A into it. During training before gala in Graz she jumped pretty clean one. If she will remain with the 2A, it will still depend on her free skate, not so much whether Bradie will be 1 point ahead after the SP.

 

[Edwin]

Many events going on simultaneously.

Anastasiya Shabotova will compete in Ukraine Junior Nationals in an hour or two, will she jump her 3A? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysQCqhDGR_k and https://ufsf.com.ua/protolkol/SEZON_2019-2020//KIE_CHEMP_Junior_04_02/SEG096.HTM

Varvara Kisel' will compete h/c in Belarus Junior Nationals, also in like two hours, will she jump her 3A-2T again? https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ4b-sS--3Kjp3EfYU5W4ng/ Overall schedule, results and protocols: http://www.figure.skating.by/competition/Belarusian_Junior_Figure_Skating_Championships_20/
Kisel's: http://www.figure.skating.by/competition/Belarusian_Junior_Figure_Skating_Championships_OoC_20/

Viktoriya Safonova will compete h/c in Chaykovskaya Cup, but the rink has been evacuated because of a security drill and the schedule is messed up. This morning, there was some very nice skating from Anastasiya Morozova, Yana Liventseva and Violetta Filopovets ( and two dozen other skaters) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTwM24ntV8M. There has been a threat, and security forces are searching the building, so it might take a while. Threats by telephone have been a real problem all over Russia of late, and are a sure way to disrupt a competition or event.

And Megasport has "February Frost" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rihqR_qAiE4

Here one can see the difference between the very best skaters and programs and the still quite good 'average rest'. 2006-2007 born girls already fully formed vs lean, trimmed and athletic girls from the top rinks.

 

[katymay]

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSkatingLesson/videos?disable_polymer=1
TSL decided to promote Russian novices? Or Elements competition format? What's going on?

No, it was a chance to stick it to Eteri. Again. They are going by the videos which are posted, most of which are Eteri students. If they had watched the competition they would know that ALL of the coaching teams had talented kids, and most had the same skill set-strong jumps, good speed, nice skating skills, outstanding spins etc.

 

[vesperalvioletta]

Many events going on simultaneously.

Anastasiya Shabotova will compete in Ukraine Junior Nationals in an hour or two, will she jump her 3A? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysQCqhDGR_k and https://ufsf.com.ua/protolkol/SEZON_2019-2020//KIE_CHEMP_Junior_04_02/SEG096.HTM

Varvara Kisel' will compete h/c in Belarus Junior Nationals, also in like two hours, will she jump her 3A-2T again? https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ4b-sS--3Kjp3EfYU5W4ng/ Overall schedule, results and protocols: http://www.figure.skating.by/competition/Belarusian_Junior_Figure_Skating_Championships_20/
Kisel's: http://www.figure.skating.by/competition/Belarusian_Junior_Figure_Skating_Championships_OoC_20/

Viktoriya Safonova will compete h/c in Chaykovskaya Cup, but the rink has been evacuated because of a security drill and the schedule is messed up. This morning, there was some very nice skating from Anastasiya Morozova, Yana Liventseva and Violetta Filopovets ( and two dozen other skaters) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTwM24ntV8M. There has been a threat, and security forces are searching the building, so it might take a while. Threats by telephone have been a real problem all over Russia of late, and are a sure way to disrupt a competition or event.

And Megasport has "February Frost" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rihqR_qAiE4

Here one can see the difference between the very best skaters and programs and the still quite good 'average rest'. 2006-2007 born girls already fully formed vs lean, trimmed and athletic girls from the top rinks.

Could you elaborate on the Kisel situation? I know she's competing separately from the other girls, but is she switching to Belarus?

 

[Edwin]

Could you elaborate on the Kisel situation? I know she's competing separately from the other girls, but is she switching to Belarus?

Seems like this is happening. She is competing hors de concours, but has the best difficulty and posted the highest scores overall. Hope she jumps her 3A-2T combination.

From yesterday's live stream chat: Kisel' has a BLR passport, has competed in some BLR open competition previously, and is in Urmanov's training group. ISU waiting period for a 2006 born skater?

It still quite confusing.

 

[vesperalvioletta]

Seems like this is happening. She is competing hors de concours, but has the best difficulty and posted the highest scores overall. Hope she jumps her 3A-2T combination.

From yesterday's live stream chat: Kisel' has a BLR passport, has competed in some BLR open competition previously, and is in Urmanov's training group. ISU waiting period for a 2006 born skater?

It still quite confusing.

Thanks! That is very unusual.

 

[Edwin]

Shabotova had a not so good short program, but still scored the highest.

Safonova is warming up now. And she acquitted herself well in her free program.

Along with Kamila Sultanmagomedova, who is scheduled to compete in Saransk, training will start tomorrow in Saransk. So she'll be on the night train most likely.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

Shabotova had a not so good short program, but still scored the highest.

Safonova is warming up now. And she acquitted herself well in her free program.

Along with Kamila Sultanmagomedova, who is scheduled to compete in Saransk, training will start tomorrow in Saransk. So she'll be on the night train most likely.

Awww, poor Shabotova.

How has Safonova done?

 

[Edwin]

Awww, poor Shabotova.

How has Safonova done?

RE: Shabotova, growth, training situation, few chances to compete at her level, there could be many reasons. Let's wait how she does tomorrow. In TES, she has only one other skater to worry about, Andriychuk.

Safonova did well, but they forgot to post her scores in the broadcast, and it was never announced by the hall speaker. The box showed 66.55 in elements.

Kisel' did fairly well too, but no triksels, and a perhaps a couple of < ! too. Waiting for the protocols. BLR might need her, however, for apart from Romashova and Balykina their juniors look weak.

 

[Vilord]

I think what would be best (and most likely) for Sasha is to be in 4th-6th in the short so she gets to skate in the first half of the last group and that Rika, Anna and Aliona are 1-3 so that she gets to skate before her main competition. I expect this last group to be completed by Mariah Bell and either YY, Tenell or one of the Japanese girls.

 

[lpt]

No, it was a chance to stick it to Eteri. Again.

Funny they didn't even upload gold and silver medalists who jumped 3A and 4T, because those are not Eteri's.

 

[Edwin]

BLR protocols are out:
domestic girls: http://www.figure.skating.by/compet...Championships_20/BJFSC20_Ladies_FS_Scores.pdf , with Romashova (158.23 total) getting lots of ! and worse.
Kisel's (173.15 total) : http://www.figure.skating.by/compet...ionships_OoC_20/BJFSCo20_Ladies_FS_Scores.pdf , and strictly judged too.

Still, Safonova, Shabotova and Kisel' created a new life situation for themselves. Their future is now very much in their own hands and not dependent on the results of other, stronger, domestic competitors.
One would assume BLR and UKR fed will cater well to them, but of course, it is still a somewhat difficult situation, competing and living/training daily in places far apart.

 

[brakes]

Many events going on simultaneously.

Anastasiya Shabotova will compete in Ukraine Junior Nationals in an hour or two, will she jump her 3A? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysQCqhDGR_k and https://ufsf.com.ua/protolkol/SEZON_2019-2020//KIE_CHEMP_Junior_04_02/SEG096.HTM

Very neat internet page by Ukrainian Federation. Easy access to scores/protocols/photos/videos. :agree:

Shabotova leads by 10 with 60 points after short.

 

[Alex65]

Watching these transitions under a different flag, my feelings double. On the one hand, I am happy for these young girls who have received new opportunities for their international career. On the other hand, it will be sad if it is like in the biathlon of Russian women, where the ex-Russians Domracheva and Kuzmina become the winners of the World Cup and OG, and girls who speak for Russia cannot.

 

[Edwin]

Very neat internet page by Ukrainian Federation. Easy access to scores/protocols/photos/videos. :agree:

Shabotova leads by 10 with 60 points after short.

Shabotova is their standout skater, only one other junior girl seems capable of the same elements at the moment. Ukraine federation must surely struggle to make ends meet in figure skating without government support and/or powerful sponsors. So sustaining a recruiting, training and development program akin to Russia's is almost impossible.

So, like Belarus, the option to lease/rent/buy 'surplus' Russian skaters is tempting ...

Watching these transitions under a different flag, my feelings double. On the one hand, I am happy for these young girls who have received new opportunities for their international career. On the other hand, it will be sad if it is like in the biathlon of Russian women, where the ex-Russians Domracheva and Kuzmina become the winners of the World Cup and OG, and girls who speak for Russia cannot.

It is tough choice: what to do with your wealth as FFKKR, when there are only limited quota available? These are still not fully developed skaters, nor are they skaters in decline. The girls have their future in their own hands now, and they hopefully make best use of the opportunities presented to them.

 

[brakes]

Shabotova is their standout skater, only one other junior girl seems capable of the same elements at the moment. Ukraine federation must surely struggle to make ends meet in figure skating without government support and/or powerful sponsors. So sustaining a recruiting, training and development program akin to Russia's is almost impossible.

So, like Belarus, the option to lease/rent/buy 'surplus' Russian skaters is tempting ...

I remember visiting some Ukrainian fs forum several months ago and there was big discussion regarding financing and organization of figure skating going for some time already. There are many devoted fs athletes/coaches/parents and fans, but the country is very poor, so they have to discuss spending every single hryvna thoroughly.

 

[brakes]

Tutberidze and Plushenko expected in Saransk for Junior Nats:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzA8f_a4MZE

Sofia Titova celebrates her Younger Novice Moscow Championship with coaches Plushenko and Mikhailov:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eanRqf5YQvw

 

[Manitou]

Watching these transitions under a different flag, my feelings double. On the one hand, I am happy for these young girls who have received new opportunities for their international career. On the other hand, it will be sad if it is like in the biathlon of Russian women, where the ex-Russians Domracheva and Kuzmina become the winners of the World Cup and OG, and girls who speak for Russia cannot.

Kurakova would never stand a chance to qualify even for a participation at Russian Nationals. She would never even dream about walking in the Olympic Opening Ceremony as a Russian. Now she has guaranteed participation in all Euros, Worlds and Olympics for the rest of her youth. On her own pace and comfort. No stress at all. She has all the time in the world.
And she is not even far from Russia. Even culturally.
Talking about smart decisions at the right time...

 

[flanker]

Kurakova would never stand a chance to qualify even for a participation at Russian Nationals. She would never even dream about walking in the Olympic Opening Ceremony as a Russian. Now she has guaranteed participation in all Euros, Worlds and Olympics for the rest of her youth. In her own pace and comfort. No stress at all. She has all the time in the world.
And she is not even far from Russia. Even culturally.
Talking about smart decisions at the right time...

And that's why I don't like the quotas

What's it for an international competition. When the athletes just get the money and flag from a foreign country, but do not repesent the true school, style, attitude of that particular country, the "international perspective" is just a mere formality. When at least the athletes have roots there (Paganini, Lilbet etc.), it's understandable, but when there is no true bond, than the attitude of some federations (notably Israel, where the amount of "poached" skaters exceeds any other country, but of course there are many more countries who do that) reminds me the work of headhunters in bussiness.

 

[Manitou]

And that's why I don't like the quotas

What's it for an international competition. When the athletes just get the money and flag from a foreign country, but do not repesent the true school, style, attitude of that particular country, the "international perspective" is just a mere formality. When at least the athletes have roots there (Paganini, Lilbet etc.), it's understandable, but when there is no true bond, than the attitude of some federations (notably Israel, where the amount of "poached" skaters exceeds any other country, but of course there are many more countries who do that) reminds me the work of headhunters in bussiness.

I know, there were several threads already about that. The point is it's difficult to remove the quotas from the Worlds, but what actually IS POSSIBLE is increasing the range of Grand Prix. Making Grand Prix the main prize and most prestigious event. Just like in all other sports. But figure skating is a very slow reforming body, so there is no hope for a change soon.