2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Scott512]

I love her skating so much. But I think her height makes her jumps much more difficult to rotate cleanly. Maybe she should've moved to Mishin after leaving Eteri?

It's so sad. I remember when she was being celebrated as the next big superstar. But the depth + difficulty of the field makes it incredibly difficult for ladies to justify continuing in the sport when they are "old" and haven't yet been able to reach the top (unlike "old ladies" Zhenya and Liza, for example). Plus, she has struggled with injuries.

I just read her interview (via Google translate), and she sounds like a very intelligent + studious young woman who has a good idea of what she wants her future to look like. A lot of skaters struggle with that post-retirement, but she is taking her education very seriously. I hope this is a happy ending for her, though I will miss her a lot.

For sure being so tall for Polina and Maria Sotskova for that matter is an issue when it comes to jumps and rotation. Think about it they are both about 13 inch taller than Alysa Liu and about 8 or 9 inch taller than 3A.

Will we ever see a world champion or european Champion or Olympic champion taller than 5 ft 6 in in the future? It would be hard to pull off because the top skaters are going to be doing quads and triple axels. But why does everyone have to be an Olympic champion or world champion or european champion? Most aren't. One of my favorites is Nastya Gubanova. She is not at the very highest level of figure skating but I would just as soon watch her skate than anyone else. I think Polina could have skated for many more years even if she didnt get to the highest level because she was too tall. I just hope she's happy in retirement.

 

[moriel]

I hope you find at least one interview that you referred to in your first post quoted here (which is what Vandevska was asking about, please correct me if I misunderstood). I am interested to read any of those, too.

Considering the time passed, and the number of material published about Medvedeva, I will not search any further.
I provided you with (1) more than instance of Medvedeva herself where is is obviously frustrated about her mistakes, says that mistakes are a pattern (not a fall as in "ice is slippery", but keep happening in training too), and states that she got to train more (2) a quote of an unidetified fed person that said the reason medevdeva changed programs was the fact she could not skate it clean.

That is some evidence, i suppose other people can google for more if they have spare time =)

 

[Payako]

Guys please do not underrate anastaia Gubanova..Yes she doesn't have such career but that doesn't mean she's not a good skater.
She should have gone to junior worlds for 2 times and she would make medals.But corrupt Rusfed kicked her and sent Konstantinova to jworlds for 2times and even senior worlds and Euro.Then she messed up.Even though people are not giving attention to her.Gubanova is special gem.She's the one who really can listen to music and skate.
unlike awkward miming,over face expressions etc.I've never seen such skating skill at her age.Definitely she has the "best skating skill quality" among all ladies now.She can skate to any kind of music.It doesn't matter what music she skate to.If it's classic or jazz whatever.She always nailed it.
Just watch her swan, romeo and juliet,Summertime etc.We have our own taste to programs but It's true that Gubanova's SS is way better than Kostornaia.
I just want her to get GP tickets.But Rusfed keep underscoring her.There was Cupfinal.But giving medvedeva 37 pcs and gubanova 32 pcs?This is joke I just die laughing
What are you even doing Buyanova?Now you have a talented skater.You had a power to send her Euro.But you didn't.She could be european champion.It's so sad she is just wasting time.Please nastya move country.Rusfed do not deserve you

 

[NoviceFan]

In some interviews from the fed, if i am not mistaken, rusfed folks mentioned that Med kept making mistakes, and that led the team to change the program.
They also mentioned that Zhenya was overtraining it, because she kept trying to skate it clean.

Considering the time passed, and the number of material published about Medvedeva, I will not search any further.
I provided you with (1) more than instance of Medvedeva herself where is is obviously frustrated about her mistakes, says that mistakes are a pattern (not a fall as in "ice is slippery", but keep happening in training too), and states that she got to train more (2) a quote of an unidetified fed person that said the reason medevdeva changed programs was the fact she could not skate it clean.

That is some evidence, i suppose other people can google for more if they have spare time =)

To be fair to you, you did have a disclaimer in your first post. It is great to have a disclaimer - after all, who can remember everything perfectly?

Although I have to say, the "evidence" you provided do not support the assertion that the federation itself said that the she "kept making mistakes" and was "overtraining it" because "she kept trying to skate it clean." (I tried to look around a little bit, but did not find any articles/interviews/PR of such tenor.)

Anyway, moving on. Happy Friday to all.

 

[melgirl25]

Considering the time passed, and the number of material published about Medvedeva, I will not search any further.
I provided you with (1) more than instance of Medvedeva herself where is is obviously frustrated about her mistakes, says that mistakes are a pattern (not a fall as in "ice is slippery", but keep happening in training too), and states that she got to train more (2) a quote of an unidetified fed person that said the reason medevdeva changed programs was the fact she could not skate it clean.

That is some evidence, i suppose other people can google for more if they have spare time =)

She was still making a lot of mistakes skating to AK. Remember the GP season? In the Japanese documentary before the Olympics they show footage of her falling all over the place on jumps and spins. This is before Europeans. Her foot was still fractured at this time and that was something they just had to deal with. I think a big reason the program changed was because AK was more relevant to her at the time. Eteri - "She wanted to express many emotions of a woman". I think her team saw that it would lend itself to a much better Olympic program. If we are looking for sources of how her season progressed, I would suggest that documentary as a source. Anyway, my point is that I think the program changed for other reasons besides being able to backload all her jumps.

 

[Vandevska]

@Moriel, thanks for trying anyway.

Obviously this is just a speculation, but I think that on top of not liking the music, they might have been aware of the foot discomfort (or maybe even pain by that time) so maybe they decided to take it a bit easy.

This is long overdue though, so we probably shouldn't be doing a woulda-shoulda-coulda on it.

 

[colormyworld240]

And even if they were... skaters are not going to say "oh Alina already did it, I shall not try".

It's not like skaters stopped skating to Carmen, Swan lake, Bolero and whatnot after others had memorable produced memorable programs of these. The music does not belong to skaters, everybody can come and try. They may not do great job of it... but it is still their prerogative.

Except he didn’t say that the music belonged to him or Alina or that no one else is allowed to skate to them. He said that his goal was to make them the greatest programs to this music, so much so that no one else would be able to do it better ie. legendary that no one would want to follow them. As a choreographer, this should be your goal. What else should it be? That he wants to make the most mediocre or awful programs ever to this music and that everyone would want to skate to them in following seasons because anything will shine in comparison? And he said he believes Alina could skate to them the best. Would it be more wise to chose music that others would suit more, then give that to Alina? If that’s the case then I’d definitely be on board with Alina leaving that team. Fortunately, it is not.

 

[DanseMacabre]

I personally don't get all of the hullaballoo over this quote from Daniil.

It’s the off season and people are desperate for something to make a hullabaloo about, haha.

 

[NadezhdaNadya]

Guys please do not underrate anastaia Gubanova..Yes she doesn't have such career but that doesn't mean she's not a good skater.
She should have gone to junior worlds for 2 times and she would make medals.But corrupt Rusfed kicked her and sent Konstantinova to jworlds for 2times and even senior worlds and Euro.Then she messed up.Even though people are not giving attention to her.Gubanova is special gem.She's the one who really can listen to music and skate.
unlike awkward miming,over face expressions etc.I've never seen such skating skill at her age.Definitely she has the "best skating skill quality" among all ladies now.She can skate to any kind of music.It doesn't matter what music she skate to.If it's classic or jazz whatever.She always nailed it.
Just watch her swan, romeo and juliet,Summertime etc.We have our own taste to programs but It's true that Gubanova's SS is way better than Kostornaia.
I just want her to get GP tickets.But Rusfed keep underscoring her.There was Cupfinal.But giving medvedeva 37 pcs and gubanova 32 pcs?This is joke I just die laughing
What are you even doing Buyanova?Now you have a talented skater.You had a power to send her Euro.But you didn't.She could be european champion.It's so sad she is just wasting time.Please nastya move country.Rusfed do not deserve you

Agree completely! Gubanova is currently the best Russian skater! Much better than Medvedeva, Zagitova, Trusova, Scherbakova and even Kostornaya. I agree completely that she has better SS skills than Kostornaya. And If Kostornaya is so celebrated, why Gubanova isn't?

 

[Mathman]

Guys please do not underrate Anastaia Gubanova.

Thanks for joining Golden Skate, and welcome!

Personally, I don't fault the Russian Federation for anything. They have an "embarrassment of riches" -- too many amazing skaters and not enough opportunities to showcase all of them as they deserve.

 

[fabienne1996]

She was still making a lot of mistakes skating to AK. Remember the GP season? In the Japanese documentary before the Olympics they show footage of her falling all over the place on jumps and spins. This is before Europeans. Her foot was still fractured at this time and that was something they just had to deal with. I think a big reason the program changed was because AK was more relevant to her at the time. Eteri - "She wanted to express many emotions of a woman". I think her team saw that it would lend itself to a much better Olympic program. Anyway, if we are looking for sources of how her season progressed, I would suggest that documentary as a source. Anyway, my point is that I think the program changed for other reasons besides being able to backload all her jumps.

Yes and as you said she had a fractured ankle when skating at this point. No wonder she fell. I would say anyone would fall when having to land time and time again on a fractured ankle.

 

[Scott512]

Guys please do not underrate anastaia Gubanova..Yes she doesn't have such career but that doesn't mean she's not a good skater.
She should have gone to junior worlds for 2 times and she would make medals.But corrupt Rusfed kicked her and sent Konstantinova to jworlds for 2times and even senior worlds and Euro.Then she messed up.Even though people are not giving attention to her.Gubanova is special gem.She's the one who really can listen to music and skate.
unlike awkward miming,over face expressions etc.I've never seen such skating skill at her age.Definitely she has the "best skating skill quality" among all ladies now.She can skate to any kind of music.It doesn't matter what music she skate to.If it's classic or jazz whatever.She always nailed it.
Just watch her swan, romeo and juliet,Summertime etc.We have our own taste to programs but It's true that Gubanova's SS is way better than Kostornaia.
I just want her to get GP tickets.But Rusfed keep underscoring her.There was Cupfinal.But giving medvedeva 37 pcs and gubanova 32 pcs?This is joke I just die laughing
What are you even doing Buyanova?Now you have a talented skater.You had a power to send her Euro.But you didn't.She could be european champion.It's so sad she is just wasting time.Please nastya move country.Rusfed do not deserve you

Wow you just made an incredible first post on Golden Skate forum. I agree with some of your comments and disagree with some of your comments. You think Nastya is better than Alena? That's hard to believe even though they're both beautiful figure skaters who feel the music naturally. I like them both equally I always enjoy seeing them skates. Alena normally scores much higher than Anastasia in competitions. Anyway I agree with you that Gubanova is generally under scored especially in her homeland and she should have gone to Junior worlds and Senior worlds but they chose Stanislava instead. Anastasia likely would have done better than Stanislava did in those events and I agree that the rusfed has held her back at this point. But she is only 16 years old and still has time on her side.

As for Anastasia possibly changing countries I've broached that subject a few times on this message board because of how she's always been overlooked by the Russian Federation. If she is mature enough and wants to change citizenships to skate in European championships and World Championships and Olympics then she needs to consider changing countries like Lilbet did. But it's also a good chance changing countries would not feel right for her even if she got greater opportunities. If she really loves Russia and has no connections to any other country I can't see her changing citizenships.

I feel sad that Polina retired. But if her heart really isn't in it then I guess I can't blame her. I'm sort of worried about Dasha too. These girls are so young but the competition is so tough and so deep just in their own country.

On a side note this Russian ladies thread have you been rocking and rolling the last couple days!

 

[NadezhdaNadya]

Thanks for joining Golden Skate, and welcome!

Personally, I don't fault the Russian Federation for anything. They have an "embarrassment of riches" -- too many amazing skaters and not enough opportunities to showcase all of them as they deserve.

And I do - how are Stanislava and Sofiya better than than Anastasya?
Are quads that important - what about artisty? I do not appreciate Tutberidze methods much... All these prerotated jumps, less artisty, not fair! She is leading ladies figure skating into a bad place!!!

 

[NadezhdaNadya]

Now this is amazing skating:
https://youtu.be/3B_Xkc1zRac

 

[Scott512]

And I do - how are Stanislava and Sofiya better than than Anastasya?
Are quads that important - what about artisty? I do not appreciate Tutberidze methods much... All these prerotated jumps, less artisty, not fair! She is leading ladies figure skating into a bad place!!!

Anna Alena and Sasha are eteri pupils you know. And those girls aren't going anywhere near a bad place. Like you though I do love artistry..

 

[Ykai]

Now this is amazing skating:
https://youtu.be/3B_Xkc1zRac

Love her skating, what spectacular step sequence towards the end of the program, amazing!

Thank you for posting the link.

 

[Scott512]

Now this is amazing skating:
https://youtu.be/3B_Xkc1zRac

That was sensational. Great music choice too with that jazzy piece. I do wonder what programs nastya will skate to this season.

 

[nussnacker]

And I do - how are Stanislava and Sofiya better than than Anastasya?
Are quads that important - what about artisty? I do not appreciate Tutberidze methods much... All these prerotated jumps, less artisty, not fair! She is leading ladies figure skating into a bad place!!!

I'm sorry but that dig was unnecessary.
Anastasia doesn't have anything near to a textbook technique either and prerotates her toe jumps in the exact same way.
The artistry is subjective.

We may argue whether or not she was underscored in her short at FCR, she still didn't skate her long cleanly, so there's not much to talk about there.
Anastasia's problem this season was skating clean, she wasn't landing her jumps when she needed to so she really only has herself to blame.
She was given JPG assignment last year and she placed 4th, so she lost her chance there.
Her chance this year was Tallin trophy, which she needed to win, or at least score near 200 and she didn't.

Sakhanovich used her chance and got 200+ and a gold, Gubanova didn't.
I might agree about Stanislava being not any better than Gubanova, Sofia IS better, simply because she doesn't fall.
She made it into JGPF last year (something Gubanova couldn't do) and GPF this year and that's quite an achievement.

 

[moriel]

To be fair to you, you did have a disclaimer in your first post. It is great to have a disclaimer - after all, who can remember everything perfectly?

Although I have to say, the "evidence" you provided do not support the assertion that the federation itself said that the she "kept making mistakes" and was "overtraining it" because "she kept trying to skate it clean." (I tried to look around a little bit, but did not find any articles/interviews/PR of such tenor.)

Anyway, moving on. Happy Friday to all.

There was like 1 article, but i just dont seem to find it now =( Plus i dont remember when it was published (it was not when she switched but possibly a bit later that year) =(((

 

[Payako]

First thank you for warm welcome.
I do not agree with embarassment of riches for treating gubanova like that.Konstantinova is not that amzaing skater and she skated bad in junior national.But favorism sent her jworlds.what i feel so bad is they did terrible things to her.she was such a little girl.There's no reason for such little girl has suffered these.what makes me sad was her crying(junior national FS).that was heartbreaking.Figure skating is a sports.As I'm a fan of sports.I just wanted fairness and sportsmanship.Am i being too hopeful?