2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[karina17]

Wait, does this mean that we won’t see Usacheva on the jgp?

Hopefully we will. Maya Khromykh said in an interview that she would be on the JGP this season, and she's not listed on the junior team either.

 

[SkateSkates]

It surprises me that Usacheva isn‘t on the team. I thought Eteri’s new junior trio would be a lock! But I guess there‘s still Junior test skates, right? And Alena Kostornaya wasn‘t even supposed to get JGP events two years ago but was so good at a national event that they gave her an assignment nevertheless. So, I‘d say it‘s still very likely that we‘ll see Maya and Daria on the JGP.

I would assume all the age eligible girls on the junior main, reserve and girls team will be invited to the test skates. The assignments, as always, will be decided based on competition readiness. I am surprised Safonova wasn’t named at all but glad to see Frolova will receive funding. There may even be other skaters on the local teams (ie Moscow or St. Petersburg team) who are invited. Who knows but we will find out in August!

 

[moriel]

Zagitova is a World Champion.
Samodourova is an European Champion.
Medvedeva got Bronze at Worlds.
Scherbakova is the current National Champion (seniors).
Trusova is the current National Champion (juniors).
Kostornaia is the winner of the JGPF and also medalist at both National Championships.
Tuktamisheva - had a strong season aaaand..they owe her that one for the drama around Worlds.

I don't see how they could excuse not including anyone of these on the team.

Team is about funding. Government funding.
Opening an extra slot is not exactly trivial and envolves some bureaucracy.

It is why, by the end of last season, people were discussing who would be dropped.

 

[moriel]

Hopefully we will. Maya Khromykh said in an interview that she would be on the JGP this season, and she's not listed on the junior team either.

junior team is more fluid, since rusfed can wd and replace on the fly, while in seniors you get the GPs and fed cannot switch you later.

In juniors, lately, they quite strictly follow the policy of giving 1 JGP to each skater, and then giving a second one to whoever they think has better JGPF chances. And this means more ladies get to do the JGPs, of course, because quite a few get just 1 and dont get the second if they underperformed.

 

[Fluture]

Rules on team are not really transparent.

When easy, they take the nationals results, but sometimes they don't.

My thoughts here:
- Zagitova: they couldnt leave the OG and WC out of the team.
- Medvedeva: they couldnt leave the OS and World Bronze medalist out of the team.
- Tuktamysheva: Arguably russian #2 this season, GPF medalist, sort of beat Kihira at WTT, has 3A. No way to leave her out of the team.
- Samodurova: she beat Medvedeva at Rusnats, and won Gold at Euros.
There is no doubt about those 4, and no way to really drop one of them from main team for whoever else.

Then, there is 3A, who took the podium at Rusnats. Again, no way to drop one of them from main team. Yes, if it would go down to a choice between Zagitova/Medvedeva/Tuktamysheva and one of 3A, they would maybe drop one of 3A, but Konstantinova or whoever else, just nope.

The 7 girls above are also hold the top 7 international scores among russian ladies.

So i suppose the main team is logical. There is no reason to replace any of those girls with other russian skaters. There is nothing to argue about.


Reserve now is a bit trickier.
Konstantinova: #1 senior at Rusnats, fed's darling. So far, they gave her all the chances. While other skaters outperformed her internationally, I suppose she is in reserve because rusnats result + fed support.
Gubanova: Notice that there is not a single CSKA representative in the team so far, its all hogged by Tutberidze (4), Mishin (2) and Orser (1). My guess is that they chose Gubanova over lets say Sakhanovich or Tarusina because Gubanova is coached by Buyanova.


Of course those are just guesses.


As for GPs, considering there are 9 skaters, 7 in main and 2 in reserve, and 18 spots... It kind of clicks.
Would make sense Rusfed to try giving all their skaters 2 GPs, to maximize GPF chances.

Thanks for the detailed response. It sort of does make sense, even if the rules aren‘t that transparent. I also agree about the GP assignments. It just seems too obvious to have 9 girls on the main/reserve team with 18 spots... looks like they‘ll all get two. Honestly, it will be nice to see Gubanova finally get a bit of attention even if it‘s just because she‘s the sole CSKA representative now. She deserves it. I‘m sad for Sima, though. I can see why the fed wouldn‘t give her a spot, especially after her performance at the Russian Cup Final and with the number of girls they have but still...

Another question: Some posts here said Usacheva and Khromykh were on the girls‘ team? (Akatieva as well) What kind of team is this? A spot below the junior nationals team? And if so, why is Usacheva there but Frolova made the junior reserve team? I saw Frolova at junior Nationals this season and she was really good but imo, not comparable to Usacheva and Khromykh. (Even though Usacheva was pretty inconsistent in the later half of the season)

 

[moriel]

They have a team for 10-15 girls and boys , and a team for juniors (13-19)


All people in all teams:

Main, Seniors
Zagitova, Kostornaia, Medvedeva, Samodurova, Trusova, Tuktamysheva, Shcherbakova

Main, Juniors
Valieva, Vasilieva, Kanysheva, Sinitsina, Tarakanova, Tarusina

Main, Girls (10-15)
Akatieva, Usacheva, Khromykh

Reserve, Seniors
Gubanova, Konstantinova

Reserve, Juniors
Frolova

Reserve, Girls
Zhilina, Samodelkina

 

[moriel]

07.08.2005 Frolova
Akatieva was born in 2007, and Usacheva and Khromykh in 2006

Its kind of about age.

 

[Scott512]

Rules on team are not really transparent.

When easy, they take the nationals results, but sometimes they don't.

My thoughts here:
- Zagitova: they couldnt leave the OG and WC out of the team.
- Medvedeva: they couldnt leave the OS and World Bronze medalist out of the team.
- Tuktamysheva: Arguably russian #2 this season, GPF medalist, sort of beat Kihira at WTT, has 3A. No way to leave her out of the team.
- Samodurova: she beat Medvedeva at Rusnats, and won Gold at Euros.
There is no doubt about those 4, and no way to really drop one of them from main team for whoever else.

Then, there is 3A, who took the podium at Rusnats. Again, no way to drop one of them from main team. Yes, if it would go down to a choice between Zagitova/Medvedeva/Tuktamysheva and one of 3A, they would maybe drop one of 3A, but Konstantinova or whoever else, just nope.

The 7 girls above are also hold the top 7 international scores among russian ladies.

So i suppose the main team is logical. There is no reason to replace any of those girls with other russian skaters. There is nothing to argue about.


Reserve now is a bit trickier.
Konstantinova: #1 senior at Rusnats, fed's darling. So far, they gave her all the chances. While other skaters outperformed her internationally, I suppose she is in reserve because rusnats result + fed support.
Gubanova: Notice that there is not a single CSKA representative in the team so far, its all hogged by Tutberidze (4), Mishin (2) and Orser (1). My guess is that they chose Gubanova over lets say Sakhanovich or Tarusina because Gubanova is coached by Buyanova.


Of course those are just guesses.


As for GPs, considering there are 9 skaters, 7 in main and 2 in reserve, and 18 spots... It kind of clicks.
Would make sense Rusfed to try giving all their skaters 2 GPs, to maximize GPF chances.

What you wrote makes sense to me and probably everyone else.

So Nastya finally gets a break because of who her coach is? It's about time she got a break!

Does this mean people on the national list will get two grand prix spots including Stanislava and Anastasia? If you take the nine skaters and gave them two spots each that's 18. I think it's also possible Gubanova gets 1 Grand Prix spots and 3 or so Challenger events. One thing is for sure it will be interesting and exciting.

 

[moriel]

What you wrote makes sense to me and probably everyone else.

So Nastya finally gets a break because of who her coach is? It's about time she got a break!

Does this mean people on the national list will get two grand prix spots including Stanislava and Anastasia? If you take the nine skaters and gave them two spots each that's 18. I think it's also possible Gubanova gets 1 Grand Prix spots and 3 or so Challenger events. One thing is for sure it will be interesting and exciting.

I would say that the list means that:
- main team will get 2 spots adamant 100% sure unless they are injured.
- reserve team is very likely to get 2 spots, because if they were chosen for funding, they probably will be chosed to be submitted too.

 

[Scott512]

Which is funny because I was just browsing through the 2015-16 and 2016-17 Russian ladies team and each year people were sure that the bloodbath could not become any worse. Well, it did, year after year and it‘s not likely to stop if we look at the current Juniors field. I can‘t say that I‘m not excited but it also scares me. There‘s three spots for those girls at Worlds/Europeans. Currently Russia has more than twice as much who are capable of winning/medaling. What are they going to do with all those ladies? GP assignments are going to be tough. Where you will end up can very much decide whether you‘re going to the final or not.

Yes it is kind of scary with so few spots available at events

 

[SkateSkates]

Team is about funding. Government funding.
Opening an extra slot is not exactly trivial and envolves some bureaucracy.

It is why, by the end of last season, people were discussing who would be dropped.

Well there are only 5 men on the main team, so perhaps that is how they solved the problem. Still evens out to 12 overall between men and ladies.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

I would say that the list means that:
- main team will get 2 spots adamant 100% sure unless they are injured.
- reserve team is very likely to get 2 spots, because if they were chosen for funding, they probably will be chosed to be submitted too.

Do you think Gubanova and Konstantinova will each get 2? Or could it even be 2 each for the 7 main, 2 for either Gubanova OR Konstantinova, 1 for the other, and 1 for Tarusina? Since it's about funding, and Tarusina is CSKA and has the highest SB of these three? Or does being in the junior team eliminate her chances?

Also, nothing for Safonova

 

[moriel]

Do you think Gubanova and Konstantinova will each get 2? Or could it even be 2 each for the 7 main, 2 for either Gubanova OR Konstantinova, 1 for the other, and 1 for Tarusina? Since it's about funding, and Tarusina is CSKA and has the highest SB of these three? Or does being in the junior team eliminate her chances?

Also, nothing for Safonova

Tarusina is in junior team, which for me is a clear indication that they have no intention of letting her do senior GP this season. If they wanted to, she would likely be in the senior reserve, not in junior main team.
Tarusina is CSKA, but she is not coached by Buyanova. That is a big difference.


I'm somewhat convinced that both Gubanova and Konstantinova will get 2 spots each.
Tarusina stays in juniors. Sakhanovich had a good performance on a CS, once, but overall she was not stellar last season. She didn't even make the St Petersburg team, i think.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

Tarusina is in junior team, which for me is a clear indication that they have no intention of letting her do senior GP this season. If they wanted to, she would likely be in the senior reserve, not in junior main team.
Tarusina is CSKA, but she is not coached by Buyanova. That is a big difference.


I'm somewhat convinced that both Gubanova and Konstantinova will get 2 spots each.
Tarusina stays in juniors. Sakhanovich had a good performance on a CS, once, but overall she was not stellar last season. She didn't even make the St Petersburg team, i think.

Ah ok, thanks

Also: 10 of the 21 girls on the team are coached by Eteri :eeking:

 

[LenaRadiFan]

They have a team for 10-15 girls and boys , and a team for juniors (13-19)


All people in all teams:

Main, Seniors
Zagitova, Kostornaia, Medvedeva, Samodurova, Trusova, Tuktamysheva, Shcherbakova

Main, Juniors
Valieva, Vasilieva, Kanysheva, Sinitsina, Tarakanova, Tarusina

Main, Girls (10-15)
Akatieva, Usacheva, Khromykh

Reserve, Seniors
Gubanova, Konstantinova

Reserve, Juniors
Frolova

Reserve, Girls
Zhilina, Samodelkina

Ladies that didn't make the team like for exanple Sakhanovich or, theoretically Radionova(I haven't given up all hope yet) can still qualify for nationals through russian cup right? It just means they don't get funding right?

 

[moriel]

Ladies that didn't make the team like for exanple Sakhanovich or, theoretically Radionova(I haven't given up all hope yet) can still qualify for nationals through russian cup right? It just means they don't get funding right?

Team is just about funding.
Without getting international assignments, qualify for nationals is a bit tricky (see how Sakhanovich didn't qualify this year) because you got to beat folks at russian cups event (and strong juniors quite commonly do those), but can happen.

 

[Happy Skates]

Tarusina is in junior team, which for me is a clear indication that they have no intention of letting her do senior GP this season. If they wanted to, she would likely be in the senior reserve, not in junior main team.
Tarusina is CSKA, but she is not coached by Buyanova. That is a big difference.


I'm somewhat convinced that both Gubanova and Konstantinova will get 2 spots each.
Tarusina stays in juniors. Sakhanovich had a good performance on a CS, once, but overall she was not stellar last season. She didn't even make the St Petersburg team, i think.

This is what I originally thought, and it fits because there are 9 girls on the main/reserve team. But IIRC, Panenkova (and Samodurova?) weren't on the main senior team last year right? But at least Panenkova was on the junior main team (I think) and both ended up getting two spots. I do think it means that Konstantinova and Gubanova will be submitted (yay Nastya!!!), but maybe there is still hope for Tarusina? She could also end up being the person that replaces someone if injured, but to do so she would have to not go on the JGP. I do see the point though, as she was higher than Gubanova at both nationals and on the SB list yet is still on the junior team, so they do seem to be indicating something.

 

[Scott512]

Thanks for the detailed response. It sort of does make sense, even if the rules aren‘t that transparent. I also agree about the GP assignments. It just seems too obvious to have 9 girls on the main/reserve team with 18 spots... looks like they‘ll all get two. Honestly, it will be nice to see Gubanova finally get a bit of attention even if it‘s just because she‘s the sole CSKA representative now. She deserves it. I‘m sad for Sima, though. I can see why the fed wouldn‘t give her a spot, especially after her performance at the Russian Cup Final and with the number of girls they have but still...

Another question: Some posts here said Usacheva and Khromykh were on the girls‘ team? (Akatieva as well) What kind of team is this? A spot below the junior nationals team? And if so, why is Usacheva there but Frolova made the junior reserve team? I saw Frolova at junior Nationals this season and she was really good but imo, not comparable to Usacheva and Khromykh. (Even though Usacheva was pretty inconsistent in the later half of the season)

Very well said. And your spelling of the Russian girls last names is amazing. Not easy.

Will the nine senior girls get the 18 Grand Prix spots? It seems possible and not as far-fetched as I thought it was a week or so ago.

 

[Happy Skates]

Wait, does this mean that we won’t see Usacheva on the jgp?

No don't worry, she (and Kromykh) are listed on the novice team, and it just mean they don't have as much funding as the junior team. But believe it or not, Shcherbakova was in the same position one year ago. And also, there's only like 6 girls listed on the junior team, and they invite a lot more than that to test skates. Usacheva will definitely be invited to test skates.

 

[SkySkater]

Ehh last year both Samodurova and Panenkova were both of the main junior team if I recall correctly and they both got assignments though Samodurova was only assigned one to originally. Does anyone have the team lost from last year because if I remember correctly Serafima and Alena Leonova were on that team and neither of them got assignments initially though I could be completely wrong about that though. Regardless I don’t think that is an absolute guarantee that Tarusina won’t get a senior Grand Prix—isn’t she above Gubanova in the ranking.