2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[fabienne1996]

If Anna continues to have her mom's body type, she's got nothing to worry about, haha...https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz_IzACISoW.

I agree on the shortcomings of her technique, though. I don't think it's owing to a lack of strength. If you ever see her up close, she's a lot more athletically built than initially meets the eye. Maybe not as much so as Sasha, but not too far off. It probably has more to do with the fact that she's been with Eteri the longest, and never learned proper technique early on as Alena did.

It's for that reason that of the three of them, I'd most like to see Anya leave Eteri. Nothing against Eteri, but I think great skaters benefit from having multiple instructors over the course of their careers, and Anna's never really had that.

Both her parents are still taller than her I think, and her father is taller than her mother, so could also be that she will get taller than her mother. Besides you can not only go after the parents but also other close blood relatives

 

[DougDorsey]

No doubt. #TeamTurberidzeForProgress know about this too, and Sambo-70's medical team most likely will keep a tight check on all the skaters during their growth and maturing phases. For me, the Tutberidze Effect should not only focus on development of the skaters to reach their maximum potential, but also in postponing their 'obsolecense' .... and that still remains to be seen, putting short term interest over mid-term interests, let alone long term interest in Russian state funded figure skating. All good intentions aside, the amount of ice, time and money isn't unlimited.

While you control weight, it's a lot tougher to control the development and shaping of the body itself, which in turn impacts a person's aerodynamism. (Some would say it's impossible to control this, but intense training does temporarily stunt growth, yet only for so long.)

 

[laybackrelaxspinfast]

If Anna continues to have her mom's body type, she's got nothing to worry about, haha...https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz_IzACISoW.

I agree on the shortcomings of her technique, though. I don't think it's owing to a lack of strength. If you ever see her up close, she's a lot more athletically built than initially meets the eye. Maybe not as much so as Sasha, but not too far off. It probably has more to do with the fact that she's been with Eteri the longest, and never learned proper technique early on as Alena did.

It's for that reason that of the three of them, I'd most like to see Anya leave Eteri. Nothing against Eteri, but I think great skaters benefit from having multiple instructors over the course of their careers, and Anna's never really had that.

I agree with that last bit. Or even having another jump specialist come in to work with just her. She doesn’t get the same type of lift in her jumps as Sasha and it would do her some good to use her legs more. It’s why Alena gets such high goes because of the height from using her legs more than her upper body. I think Evgenia’s back problems are partly due to her overuse of her upper body to pull her into jumps and again she is a skater that is very naturally thin just like Anna. It took her a whole year and a half to build enough muscle to jump from her legs effectively. It must be one of those things for naturally light skaters to snap into the jumps mainly with their arms and it just becomes habit to the point that they don’t even realise they could use their legs more and I mean if you’re landing the jumps and are not injured why would you change it? But that is where the problem arises because it will result in injury and growth will throw the technique way off.

 

[DougDorsey]

Where could she go? Abroad to some commercial rink? Perhaps after 2022 Olympics?

It's a good question. I don't think this is an Zhenya situation where Anna's entire approach needs to change. I think she just needs to work with a technician and clean up her jump fundamentals.

I wonder who would be best for this?

 

[Edwin]

While you control weight, it's a lot tougher to control the development and shaping of the body itself, which in turn impacts a person's aerodynamism. (Some would say it's impossible to control this, but intense training does temporarily stunt growth, yet only for so long.)

I know. In Russian gymnastics, tight food control and tough conditioning in the confines of Ozero Krugloye national training center makes their junior girls the best, strongest and most exciting in competitions. But after they've grown into young adolescent women, the Russians aren't standing out anymore and many suffer from permanent pain and injuries that perhaps could have been avoided by not loading them so much during <15 years of age training regimen?
Hence, delaying the onset of puberty is in RusGymFed's advantage. But since figure skating is a 'legs only' event, maintaining a stick figure shape and minimal weight is of less importance.

Taking Samodoruvova for example, she is struggling with her new shape at the moment, but already looking better and more capable compared to the start of season Open Test Skates.

Athletes fighting their own bodies always loose, first probably in motivation, second perhaps once overload injuries set in, or by trying to artificially loosing weight.

 

[laybackrelaxspinfast]

It's a good question. I don't think this is an Zhenya situation where Anna's entire approach needs to change. I think she just needs to work with a technician and clean up her jump fundamentals.

I wonder who would be best for this?

That is where the problem is though, all of those great technicians already have loyalties to other rinks. Which means if she wants that kind of input she would need to switch rinks because the best of the best are not about to start selling their secrets to one another at this point in ladies single skating. I think it would be silly for Anna to switch rinks entirely unless she could guarantee all other needs would be met also. I think the only option for that would be Rika’s coach, but she is definitely not about to start training a Russian lady. Brian has Evgenia so that’s not an option.

 

[DougDorsey]

I agree with that last bit. Or even having another jump specialist come in to work with just her. She doesn’t get the same type of lift in her jumps as Sasha and it would do her some good to use her legs more. It’s why Alena gets such high goes because of the height from using her legs more than her upper body. I think Evgenia’s back problems are partly due to her overuse of her upper body to pull her into jumps and again she is a skater that is very naturally thin just like Anna. It took her a whole year and a half to build enough muscle to jump from her legs effectively. It must be one of those things for naturally light skaters to snap into the jumps mainly with their arms and it just becomes habit to the point that they don’t even realise they could use their legs more and I mean if you’re landing the jumps and are not injured why would you change it? But that is where the problem arises because it will result in injury and growth will throw the technique way off.

The funny thing is that, despite her flaws, I actually find Anya's jumps more exciting and satisfying than Sasha's. I can't put my finger on why. (But, yeah, Alena's 3A is the best jump in figure skating right now, hands down.)

I agree with you on Anna needing a jump specialist. Again, though, I don't think this is a Zhenya situation. Anna has the natural athleticism and fitness, so I think this would be an easier and potentially faster situation to remedy than Zhenya's. (Plus, while Zhenya is also thin, she has a more voluptuous body type than Anya, which doesn't help.)

 

[VenusHalley]

Well, her mother is thin, but not stick thin as Anna. If she gets like her mom, the jerky-back jumping technique will not work anymore.

 

[DougDorsey]

Well, her mother is thin, but not stick thin as Anna. If she gets like her mom, the jerky-back jumping technique will not work anymore.

I don't think Anna is going to bear three children, let alone one, before her figure skating career is over.

 

[jvpiter]

Very happy for Alyona and Alina and Team Tutberidze!

I’ve seen some people comment on IG saying they don’t like Alyona’s FS because it’s ‘immature’ and ‘juniorish’, but I actually really like it and she seems to have a lot of fun with it. It’s so over the top and campy and a joy to watch! The movie came out with I was around her age, so I can definitely relate to being sixteen and (secretly) obsessed with Twilight.

What an interesting season this is shaping up to be…

 

[laybackrelaxspinfast]

The funny thing is that, despite her flaws, I actually find Anya's jumps more exciting and satisfying than Sasha's. I can't put my finger on why. (But, yeah, Alena's 3A is the best jump in figure skating right now, hands down.)

I agree with you on Anna needing a jump specialist. Again, though, I don't think this is a Zhenya situation. Anna has the natural athleticism and fitness, so I think this would be an easier and potentially faster situation to remedy than Zhenya's. (Plus, while Zhenya is also thin, she has a more voluptuous body type than Anya, which doesn't help.)

On a brighter note. I can’t wait to see her firebird performance at the Grand Prix final! It’s really quite something. I remember getting complained at for suggesting firebird for Alina in here before the season started but Anna ended up with it and it has turned out to be one of the best programs from the team this season!

 

[DougDorsey]

On a brighter note. I can’t wait to see her firebird performance at the Grand Prix final! It’s really quite something. I remember getting complained at for suggesting firebird for Alina in here before the season started but Anna ended up with it and it has turned out to be one of the best programs from the team this season!

First Rondo Capriccioso and now Firebird. I don't think there's another active skater who does major classical works better than Anna. (And 2.8mm viewers seem to agree, haha...https://youtu.be/KbYmPOhHZss.)

To carry such canonical work on her tiny little shoulders at such an age. Bless her.

 

[Edwin]

First Rondo Capriccioso and now Firebird. I don't think there's another active skater who does major classical works better than Anna. (And 2.8mm viewers seem to agree, haha...https://youtu.be/KbYmPOhHZss.)

To carry such canonical work on her tiny little shoulders at such an age. Bless her.

And don't forget the iconic routines staged for and performed by younger Anna in the juniors. She is a very artistic skater for sure.

 

[DougDorsey]

And don't forget the iconic routines staged for and performed by younger Anna in the juniors. She is a very artistic skater for sure.

Yes, but let's just forget that this ever happened...https://d.pr/i/NfxPKZ.

 

[colormyworld240]

Regarding body type, imo Sasha has the most ideal one for jumping; builds muscle easily to give her huge jumps, but her muscles are very lean and she has very low body fat so she can also rotate quickly.

Then you have someone like Anna who is very thin so she can rotate fast, but it is hard for her to build muscle for power and jump height. She is very similar to Evgenia's body type. You can tell even now Evgenia's legs are still not as muscular as other girls who are shorter than her - like Alina.

Alena I think has a similar body type to Alina (also similar to Liza, Pogorilaya). Athletic build but not completely lean muscle, higher body fat. They can get power for jumps, but don't rotate as quickly. I think this body type is also more prone to having difficulty with jumps if they grow a lot. I think this body type fills out more in puberty and rotation speed is the thing that goes the quickest. They can compensate this with jump height, but will need a lot of adjustment (and time) as it's a huge change. Alena is very small, though - shorter than Anna and Sasha? So maybe she won't grow very much, but only time will tell.

I think another body type is having bulky muscle, with little body fat, though I don't think any of the Russians fall under this category right now.

 

[silveruskate]

I'm in complete disagreement about the body types for all of the 3A. No one can predict what will happen just by looking at a few similar traits. By this method, Aliona should have small jumps like Yulia and Sofia as they all have the same body, yet we can see the results for ourselves...

 

[anonymoose_au]

The just concluded GP qualifying rounds showed that #TeamMishin's approach doesn't cut it anymore.

We'll have to wait and see what they bring to the ice in Russian National Championships, but them and their supporters in FFKKR having to swallow a bitter pill of disappointment cannot be ruled out. Also the CSKA faction will be malcontent over the dominance of Sambo-70 in female single skating. The other disciplines might balance things out a little, here Sankt Peterburg, the other Moscow rinks and even those strong regional centers bring their best skaters to the Grand Prix's and National Championships.

But female single skating is strongly in the hands of #TeamTutberidzeForProgress at the moment, with a good outlook of keeping that grip firm in the years to come.

This makes no sense? If anything it shows the bias of judges.

Liza jumps big - jumps aren't the be all and end all, you need transitions.

Sofia jumps small, but with transitions and suddenly it's oh jumps are so important! By the way where's your 3A?

The fact Alina came into the SP in 4th despite a popped toe and messy Lutz, while Sofia was in 7th with a clean skate is ridiculous.

The whole thing stinks to high heaven.

 

[DougDorsey]

I think another body type is having bulky muscle, with little body fat, though I don't think any of the Russians fall under this category right now.

Zhilina. But she's from outerspace, not Russia, so I'm not sure if she counts.

You make a lot of good points. The one thing I don't agree with, though, is the comparison of Anna to Evgenia. Both are thin, yes, but Evgenia is curvier, which adds difficulty. And while Evgenia's gotten into fantastic shape, I think Anna has a more naturally toned and athletic body.

Alena = Tara Lipinski? This game is fun.

 

[Edwin]

Alyona received a ±10 kgs glass vase, and sings proudly the national anthem

Is she wearing handcrafted earrings gifted by a fan?

And most of the spectators stayed behind for the decoration, giving the medalists huge cheers. Well done to Japan audiences again for being so supportive start to end.

Eteri Georgiyevna and Daniil Markovich out on the ice too, taking pictures for posterity and the Wall of Distinction in Sambo-70.

 

[flanker]

This makes no sense? If anything it shows the bias of judges.

Liza jumps big - jumps aren't the be all and end all, you need transitions.

Sofia jumps small, but with transitions and suddenly it's oh jumps are so important! By the way where's your 3A?

The fact Alina came into the SP in 4th despite a popped toe and messy Lutz, while Sofia was in 7th with a clean skate is ridiculous.

The whole thing stinks to high heaven.

Not again. Sofia had UR on 3T and her jumps are second lowest among the top ladies only after Satoko this season. Level of transitions incomparable and Mishin's attitude to components is overally weird. You're dissatisfied with the 3 points difference, OK, but that won't change a thing on today's result. Get over it.