2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Scott512]

The girl deserves a shot on the Senior GP. She’s been given awful scores at RN for very clean performances and completely passed over for international assignments she’s done more than enough to deserve while on JGP.

If she crashes and burns so be it but she deserves at least one Senior GP opportunity IMO.

Also...I think when she was at her best some of the lack of opportunity combined with arguably being underscored at home has contributed to her lack her momentum.

Very well said and makes total sense. Especially the part about her lack of momentum and why that has happened

 

[Scott512]

I don't think she exactly failed to live up to her potential, her season this year really wasn't that bad, and her placements didn't exactly reflect her performances imo. She got second at a challenger and is in the top 24 seasons best list out of everyone, even while only having two international assignments (ahead of well-regarded skaters including Konstantinova). She also imo was very underscored at RusNats, and her placement did not reflect her performance. She had one fall on a double axel, and did everything else perfectly, including repeating two lutzes and flips in the fp with a gorgeous lutz-loop combo, and performances to rival the best (she absolutely should have been ahead of Konstantinova and Samodurova, again, in my opinion). Then again at RCF she had one fall on a 3F, really not that big of a mistake in the grand scheme of things. So sure she's not the most consistent person in the world, but she was delivering a high level of tech content and wasn't exactly inconsistent. And if the world were fair she would've been sent to junior worlds last year and been given a second chance to get on the SB list for this year, and then gotten GPs instead of someone else from Russia. One bad JGP shouldn't ruin your career, and in other countries it wouldn't.

Amazing posts that explains so much. I agree with you that her performances were better than her placements and I hope that changes this year and a placements catch up to her performances.

I'm so looking forward to seeing what the Russian Federation is going to do with Anastasia this year as well as the other skaters and who gets to go where. It's also fascinating and exciting and that's the way the next season should be for the Russian ladies.

 

[esteticlove]

Are you seriously trying to say that they were trying to top Gubanova's Romeo and Juliet program? I loved that program, but she was not the first and certainly not the last to do it.... Yulia did it before Gubanova and won Jworlds with it, was Gubanova copying Yulia? You have no evidence they were trying to top Gubanova's, and this is extremely improbably given the sheer number of people to skate to it. And that coaching team gives students warhorses a lot... why does this one have to do with Guvanova?

To be honest, I am really not sure why they would even do that.
Gubanova is not Mao or Yuna. Gubanova is just another russian junior from the B team (like it or not, its a fact). Of course one of the best russian teams had nothing better to offer one of their best students than try to copy some other (weaker) junior's program.
Of course they tried to copy Gubanova's costume, and not got inspired by any of those:
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02691/swarovski-embed_2691263a.jpg
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...aX4U3_6J_T_33qJeM5duXrIfS2WBj2td0CgCg5H98HK76
or any renaissance fair dress to be fair?

Yeah, sorry for triggering you. Don't have to be that harsh :sarcasm:

First of all, I am talking about the strive to produce a better choreography and performance than another very good one in comparison. In this context it doesn't really matter how famous/successful the skater is. Yes, Gubanova might not be a great skater now. But I think that you are quite underestimating her talent because in the past two seasons she was terribly underscored even when she delivered. While she was competing with her R&J program she was,imo, in her best shape. At the JGPF, if I am not mistaken, she even set a world record with that exact program (which lasted 5 minutes or so, it was beaten by Zagitova). If you listen to the B.ESP commentators, you would also hear that they also welcomed her choreography very well because it felt light and showcased intricate musicality. I also think that most of the spectators appreciated that choreography too. Once more, I am speaking about her performance and choreography to R&J and not how good her jumps and technique were. She was considered to be far more artistic than other junior girls at that time.

At the beginning of this season, when Alena showed her R&J for the first time, there were also people on this forum commenting, for example, who were referring to Daniil for how bad it was to use some exact parts of the music, which was also in Gubanova's progam, and not to make the most of it choreographically, while it was the best part in Gubanova's skate. You see, there were also other spectators who were doing this comparison between the two of them and not any other R&J programs. Of course, this is not representative at all and very subjective. But I dare to state that in my own opinion they tried to prove that Alena is a better artist with that program than another very good artist. Is this bad in my eyes? I don't perceive the motivation to be better as bad. The problem is that this kind of cocky attitude "we are the best than anybody" - it adds to the pressure on the skaters and adds more expectations. And the skater is the one who suffers at the end if somehow those expectations are not met.

 

[Ziotic]

We are so close to knowing who RusFed will make their sacrificial lamb so that others can get two GP spots.

 

[Maju]

We are so close to knowing who RusFed will make their sacrificial lamb so that others can get two GP spots.

:’) funny but true

 

[Happy Skates]

We are so close to knowing who RusFed will make their sacrificial lamb so that others can get two GP spots.

We need a separate predictions game for this

 

[colormyworld240]

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?

In terms of SS, I think Tarakanova is the best. She has deep, flowing edges, and tons of speed. While being graceful skaters like Kostornaia and Gubanova gets mixed up with having good skating skills (and sometimes they do go hand in hand, like with those two), you can be less graceful but have better skating skills. I think Tarakanova has the best bladework.

And in terms of artistry, I don’t see anyone having more than Shcherbakova, not even Valieva. That musicality isn’t something I’ve ever seen in FS, and is something that is very limited even amongst the most talented dancers. Her ability to interpret music really shows that it speaks to her. Even when she takes a big fall, she always gets back on the next note, not like she’s catching up, but like she naturally reacts to the rhythm and nuances.

 

[Skater Boy]

I am so confused. Konstanova,Kostonoria, Trusova, Gubanova, Pankenova, Scherbakova (I have buthchered the names are those kind of the newer seniors who puberty may hit. Then you have Zagitova who might be dealing with puberty now, Evgenia, Liza, Maria and Sofia. I guess there is absolutely no room for Alena Leonova then???

 

[Scott512]

I am so confused. Konstanova,Kostonoria, Trusova, Gubanova, Pankenova, Scherbakova (I have buthchered the names are those kind of the newer seniors who puberty may hit. Then you have Zagitova who might be dealing with puberty now, Evgenia, Liza, Maria and Sofia. I guess there is absolutely no room for Alena Leonova then???

You spelled everyone's name right except stanislovas. Please try again. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jontor]

We need a separate predictions game for this

There is also scenarios with lots of girls getting just one spot

 

[Scott512]

Yeah, sorry for triggering you. Don't have to be that harsh :sarcasm:

First of all, I am talking about the strive to produce a better choreography and performance than another very good one in comparison. In this context it doesn't really matter how famous/successful the skater is. Yes, Gubanova might not be a great skater now. But I think that you are quite underestimating her talent because in the past two seasons she was terribly underscored even when she delivered. While she was competing with her R&J program she was,imo, in her best shape. At the JGPF, if I am not mistaken, she even set a world record with that exact program (which lasted 5 minutes or so, it was beaten by Zagitova). If you listen to the B.ESP commentators, you would also hear that they also welcomed her choreography very well because it felt light and showcased intricate musicality. I also think that most of the spectators appreciated that choreography too. Once more, I am speaking about her performance and choreography to R&J and not how good her jumps and technique were. She was considered to be far more artistic than other junior girls at that time.

At the beginning of this season, when Alena showed her R&J for the first time, there were also people on this forum commenting, for example, who were referring to Daniil for how bad it was to use some exact parts of the music, which was also in Gubanova's progam, and not to make the most of it choreographically, while it was the best part in Gubanova's skate. You see, there were also other spectators who were doing this comparison between the two of them and not any other R&J programs. Of course, this is not representative at all and very subjective. But I dare to state that in my own opinion they tried to prove that Alena is a better artist with that program than another very good artist. Is this bad in my eyes? I don't perceive the motivation to be better as bad. The problem is that this kind of cocky attitude "we are the best than anybody" - it adds to the pressure on the skaters and adds more expectations. And the skater is the one who suffers at the end if somehow those expectations are not met.

Interesting post and you make many pertinent points. I thought the ISU made sure the sport was heading more in an artistic direction with air changes last summer.. Yet that did not help the scores of the most artistic lady out there Anastasia Gubanova. Especially in her Homeland. Perplexing. Let's see if that happens again this upcoming season. Let's see what the second season with the same coach does for her consistency this year. Inconsistency has been Anastasias main weakness the last 2 years. And yes her artistry is rare and wonderful. Great skating skills too. But let's see if she can strengthen her weaknesses this next season that will be important. She should get higher PCS scores too but we thought that last season.

I'm also interested to see if Alena Kostornaia another wonderfully talented natural skater who feels the music can have a healthy season her first senior season and add a triple Axel at some point. A lot of people think she is the total package and I agree. But she still has to do it. Obviously it will be interesting to see what happens with Anna and Sasha and Alina too. I can keep going on naming Russian names. Lol. The competition will be insane. But I hope everyone acts sanewly here.

 

[Jontor]

I am, as most are, disappointed to hear of Tsurskaya's retirement, if only for the fact that I'll miss her unique presence and ability. I'm happy for her that she made a decision that, while difficult, feels right for her.

I was pleased to hear in her interview that Eteri encourages her students to visit the theater and take in cultural experiences. I've always gotten the impression that the arts are much more highly valued in Russia than here in the US, so I suppose it just makes me happy to know that they're getting to take those things in.

Polina is a perfect example of a Russian skater who would have been a superstar in any other country. She almost made the world team in 2018. She was 3rd after the short at RusNat and just one point after Sotskova, but mistakes in the long dropped her to fifth overall and 2nd alternate after Konstantinova. So when Medvedeva withdrew from Worlds the spot went to Konstantinova instead. I wonder how the Polina-story would have been if she had succeeded at Nationals that year and gone to Europeans, Olympics and Worlds...I guess it was not meant to be.

 

[RingOfEndlessLight]

I am so confused. Konstanova,Kostonoria, Trusova, Gubanova, Pankenova, Scherbakova (I have buthchered the names are those kind of the newer seniors who puberty may hit. Then you have Zagitova who might be dealing with puberty now, Evgenia, Liza, Maria and Sofia. I guess there is absolutely no room for Alena Leonova then???

*Konstantinova
*Kostornaia (or Kostornaya - the original spellings use the Cyrillic alphabet, after all)
*Panenkova

I'm not sure it's fair to say that there's no place for Leonova, but I do not personally believe she will be competitive on the global level this upcoming season. I'd be delighted for her if she managed to surprise us!

 

[ruga]

We are so close to knowing who RusFed will make their sacrificial lamb so that others can get two GP spots.

My guess is: Sakhanovich or Sotskova will be the sacrifice, with 3A, World's team and Liza with two spots and Sotskova/Sakhanovich, Gubanova, Tarusina and Konstantinova with one each; (Sotskova has the lowest season's best and moved away from CSKA, Sakhanovich has high SB, but couldn't even qualify to Nationals)
Also, a scenario where Konstantinova gets two spots is possible. Then both Sotskova and Sakhanovich will get no spots.

 

[Scott512]

My guess is: Sakhanovich or Sotskova will be the sacrifice, with 3A, World's team and Liza with two spots and Sotskova/Sakhanovich, Gubanova, Tarusina and Konstantinova with one each; (Sotskova has the lowest season's best and moved away from CSKA, Sakhanovich has high SB, but couldn't even qualify to Nationals)
Also, a scenario where Konstantinova gets two spots is possible. Then both Sotskova and Sakhanovich will get no spots.

How does Stasya not have two grand prix spots with the way she skated almost making the Grand Prix final and being a contender for worlds and finishing 4the at Europeans and 4th at Russian Nationals first of any Russian senior lady?

 

[Fluture]

We are so close to knowing who RusFed will make their sacrificial lamb so that others can get two GP spots.

When will we find out again? I forgot the exact date.

If I had to bet, I‘d say Konstantinova will totally get two spots. Sotskova doesn‘t have the Buyanova-bonus anymore but she has the reputation - went to Olympics, silver from RusNats and GPF. I would say both Tarusina and Gubanova deserve a chance at a senior GP. No idea how the fed will handle the situation in that case, though. Maybe they’ll try to push Tarusina into juniors again so they can split the remaining three spots between Sotskova and Gubanova. I cannot see Sakhanovich getting one, she isn‘t particularly popular with the fed, nor is her coach and she couldn‘t qualify for RusNats.

 

[Jontor]

How does Stasya not have two grand prix spots with the way she skated almost making the Grand Prix final and being a contender for worlds and finishing 4the at Europeans and 4th at Russian Nationals first of any Russian senior lady?

Well, she is the 11th and last girl of the Russian ladies on the SB list top 24. But I agree, Konstantinova has by now a well known reputation and she is 9th on the world ranking list - she will most likely get two spots.

 

[anna gabriela]

I know the GP assignments are decided on the 19th and 20th, but will we know before then who RusFed have submitted?

 

[Ziotic]

I know the GP assignments are decided on the 19th and 20th, but will we know before then who RusFed have submitted?

Doubtful. Also not submitting all the names means that’s if anyone drops out for illness or injury then they won’t have people to replace them.

So maybe they will submit everyone and just suffer the consequences of having more than expected do just one event.

 

[LRK]

I am so confused. Konstanova,Kostonoria, Trusova, Gubanova, Pankenova, Scherbakova (I have buthchered the names are those kind of the newer seniors who puberty may hit. Then you have Zagitova who might be dealing with puberty now, Evgenia, Liza, Maria and Sofia. I guess there is absolutely no room for Alena Leonova then???

I seriously doubt puberty is about to "hit" Stanislava. She's 18, soon 19.