2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[DenissVFan]

The problem is max 3 entries at each challenger. Assuming they give Tarakanova, Vasilieva and Tarusina a later season challenger to get a higher senior SB score (all are eligible) that hardly leaves spots left for any of the other ladies who did qualify for nationals last season like both Maria’s, Gulyakova, Leonova, Liza N, Gubanova etc.

Leonova didn't even get a Challenger last season despite qualifying for nationals (she got a replacement GP, though), so I don't see her getting one this year either.

 

[SkateSkates]

Leonova didn't even get a Challenger last season despite qualifying for nationals (she got a replacement GP, though), so I don't see her getting one this year either.

I don’t either, what I meant is that if the Russian fed was maxing out their challenger spots they could have sent Leonova etc to US Challenger. But since they aren’t, and if the JGP ladies who are age eligible will get later assignments, that leaves no space for the non-GP skaters who qualified for nationals last season. It’s unfortunate for them they won’t have the opportunity to earn a high SB.

 

[ramed]

For the past couple of years, getting a visa to enter the US (even for temporary professional or athletic events) has been getting harder. Not sure that has anything to do with it, but it seems within the realm of possibility. There have been several articles written about the difficulty travelers from certain regions have faced getting their visas processed on time or at all. From a 2018 Washington Post article: "A year ago, obtaining a U.S. tourist visa could take less than a week. Now, it comes with an eight-month delay."

I personally know a few authors who couldn't get visas to attend conferences in the US very recently. They had all their paperwork in order and had attended the same event in years prior but they were still either denied outright or delayed by months. I wouldn't be surprised if this sort of thing is having an impact on assignments.

After Svetlana Kuznetsova (two times Grand Slam champion, including US Open) was unable to participate in Washington Open 2019 and defend her 2018 champion title, it's hard to make any predictions. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/07/25/svetlana-kuznetsova-will-not-defend-citi-open-title-because-us-visa-issues/ She's been waiting for her visa since February (!)

 

[DenissVFan]

I don’t either, what I meant is that if the Russian fed was maxing out their challenger spots they could have sent Leonova etc to US Challenger. But since they aren’t, and if the JGP ladies who are age eligible will get later assignments, that leaves no space for the non-GP skaters who qualified for nationals last season. It’s unfortunate for them they won’t have the opportunity to earn a high SB.

I got it. I wanted to say that it's not the first time there's such an issue. Even someone like Leonova didn't get a Challenger last year, which doesn't bode well for her, Talalaikina, Nugymanova, Guliakova or Panenkova this year, which is a pity. RusFed obviously prioritises the main national team but it'd be nice to see those other skaters on the Challenger circuit.

 

[Orlov]

That's not fair. They should withdraw her and assign someone else.

For whom "not fair"? For Alysa? Sinitsina, of course, is a very difficult opponent, but do not be so discouraged. Alysa still has a good chance.

 

[IndiaP12]

There is not any Russian ladies at US classic. I know the elevation is problematic, but the competition seems weak. I wish they sent Sima or Leonova to this event.

What about the elevation at JGP Courchevel? 1850 ish which is more than SLC. I wonder if it will be difficult to cope with for the skaters

 

[vesperalvioletta]

For whom "not fair"? For Alysa? Sinitsina, of course, is a very difficult opponent, but do not be so discouraged. Alysa still has a good chance.

It's not like Alysa is infallible anyway. Maybe it's an unpopular opinion, but I wouldn't give her 3A or her 4Lz much positive GOE even when clean, and her skating skills leave something to be desired.

I see Sinitsyna as much more well-rounded.

 

[Orlov]

It's not like Alysa is infallible anyway. Maybe it's an unpopular opinion, but I wouldn't give her 3A or her 4Lz much positive GOE even when clean, and her skating skills leave something to be desired.

I see Sinitsyna as much more well-rounded.

Alysa is definitely a very strong opponent. But I do not like such exaltation a priori. She has not had international starts yet (although maybe she did, but I don’t know about that, then correct me) and international judges may not be as generous as the American judges at home competitions. I recently watched both of her programs from the American national ... umm ... the impression is contradictory, let's say (although perhaps she will progress over the summer). On the other hand, Sinitsina’s performance at the JWC and her fourth place do not reflect the true picture of affairs. I think that if Sinitsyna will skate the same level as at the Russian Championship among juniors, and Alysa will not progress and will skate as primitively as at the Championship of America - the victory will be for Sinitsina.

 

[NaVi]

Alysa Lui has been extremely consistent with her 3A... very little(practically zero) chance she loses.

 

[Azikin]

Alysa is definitely a very strong opponent. But I do not like such exaltation a priori. She has not had international starts yet (although maybe she did, but I don’t know about that, then correct me) and international judges may not be as generous as the American judges at home competitions. I recently watched both of her programs from the American national ... umm ... the impression is contradictory, let's say (although perhaps she will progress over the summer). On the other hand, Sinitsina’s performance at the JWC and her fourth place do not reflect the true picture of affairs. I think that if Sinitsyna will skate the same level as at the Russian Championship among juniors, and Alysa will not progress and will skate as primitively as at the Championship of America - the victory will be for Sinitsina.

Only that for the sake of diversity at the finals, they might be inclined to push someone a little bit, like last year..

 

[hippomoomin]

I am catching up with the junior test skate and I have to say, I fall in love with Ksenia Sinitsyna. I am a fan of Eteri's girls but Ksenia Sinitsyna surprisingly was my fav at the test skate, especially her LP. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and her skate is so smooth. The way she was in no rush to finish those (stylish) movements is very unique. I also want to give her choreographer huge credit. Wiki says it is a combination of two piece of music but the lady's chanting at the beginning is definitely edited in, which shows how much work/thinking her team puts into the program. To be honest, I remember her at JGP last year and really thought she was quite generic.

Another thing I noticed from the test skate is most ladies seem very fast, and with pretty good skating skills. It is very noticeable from Maya who improved dramatically over the past few months.

 

[[email protected]]

There is not any Russian ladies at US classic. I know the elevation is problematic, but the competition seems weak. I wish they sent Sima or Leonova to this event.

Obtaining a US visa is close to nightmare these days. I bet that this is the most important reason of little Russian presence.

 

[Orlov]

Alysa Lui has been extremely consistent with her 3A... very little(practically zero) chance she loses.

I will not argue with you, the season will show everything. May be you right, may be don't. I had no intention of belittling Alysa. I just wanted to say that such reaction - "Oh my god it's not fair" - it's overreaction, for me.

 

[Jeanie19]

For whom "not fair"? For Alysa? Sinitsina, of course, is a very difficult opponent, but do not be so discouraged. Alysa still has a good chance.

I really like Sinitsina and I want her to make JGPF and junior worlds. Alysa is guaranteed junior worlds , so I'm not worried for her.

 

[katymay]

I am catching up with the junior test skate and I have to say, I fall in love with Ksenia Sinitsyna. I am a fan of Eteri's girls but Ksenia Sinitsyna surprisingly was my fav at the test skate, especially her LP. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and her skate is so smooth. The way she was in no rush to finish those (stylish) movements is very unique. I also want to give her choreographer huge credit. Wiki says it is a combination of two piece of music but the lady's chanting at the beginning is definitely edited in, which shows how much work/thinking her team puts into the program. To be honest, I remember her at JGP last year and really thought she was quite generic.

Another thing I noticed from the test skate is most ladies seem very fast, and with pretty good skating skills. It is very noticeable from Maya who improved dramatically over the past few months.

I love her too. I loved her last year at Russian Nats. I does seem though, that they have sacrificed her against Alysa. Yes, Ksenia is the better skater, but the best she can do is 2nd in both of her JGP's. Alysa has the tech numbers. On the other hand: Since Trusova and Rika burst on to the scene, skaters have been put on notice that either you are able to do a 3A or a quad, or you will no longer be competitive. It is sad to see beautiful skaters winnowed out, but it is what it is.

 

[NaVi]

Obtaining a US visa is close to nightmare these days. I bet that this is the most important reason of little Russian presence.

I doubt the visa issues have much to do with it... I can't ever remember a Russian ladies skater skating at that event. They probably just don't want to intrude on the US's territory... don't want to deal with the judges likely selected there... and it's just a long and expensive distance to travel.

 

[flanker]

I would say that worlds was a lesson about predictions and writing somebody off before competition has even started.

 

[Fluture]

I will not argue with you, the season will show everything. May be you right, may be don't. I had no intention of belittling Alysa. I just wanted to say that such reaction - "Oh my god it's not fair" - it's overreaction, for me.

Well, I‘m going to explain to you why I thought it was unfair. The thing is, while I like Alysa, I think she‘s not as strong of a skater like Sinitsyna or Tarakanova, which aren‘t even the top ladies in Russia. I know she has the 3A and the 4Lz and I know she‘s been pretty consistent with that but her skating skills, speed and other jumps leave a lot to be desired IMO. She‘s young of course and can and will improve but I‘m worried that, considering how much attention she already got in the US, she‘ll be pushed hard. If they inflate her scores by not calling her URs for example or giving her very high PCS from the very beginning, there‘s very little Sinitsyna can do. That‘s why people say it‘s unfair. Not because they underestimate Sinitsyna or think of her as weaker. They just know the judges. And at junior events, URs are traditionally ignored and we all know how PCS follow TES and reputation. Sinitsyna might have been at Junior Worlds but Alysa is Senior National Champion and the attention she‘s got now that she‘s an Olympic hopeful surpasses hers in pretty much every aspect. As good as Sinitsyna is, she‘s just seen as one of a bunch of Russians whereas Alysa is already a star in her country. So, I fear that it will take a lot of mistakes by Alysa for Sinitsyna to be allowed to beat her.

This isn‘t Alysa‘s fault, of course, she‘s a talented young girl and I‘m actually pretty worried about her. She‘s not even had her junior debut yet and is already considered a star in the making and someone who will win many medals in the future, possibly Olympic ones. She might or she might not but it‘s not particularly fair to put these expectations on her. (and imo, that’s the same as when people call Kamila the next OGM already. Let the kids breathe, they’re, what, 13?) I wish she‘d be given time to improve at her own pace. And these 4Lz landings scare me every single time.... But that‘s kinda off-topic anyway.

Well, but this is why people talk about it being unfair to Sinitsyna. Not because she‘s incapable of beating Alysa, of course, everything can happen. But because her path to the JGPF has been made unnecessarily harder than that of some of the girls who don‘t have to compete against Alysa or have to face her just once. I thought after test skates they‘d see Sinitsyna as their second best skater that‘s why I was surprised why they‘d risk having her win only two Silver medals.

 

[Orlov]

I really like Sinitsina and I want her to make JGPF and junior worlds. Alysa is guaranteed junior worlds , so I'm not worried for her.

And what prevents Sinitsina from getting into JGPF? Even if she has two silver, she will end up in the finals. If she will be good on junior national - she will get to the JWC, Alysa certainly has nothing to do with this.

 

[nussnacker]

I don't get all of these discussions, the list isn't even finalized.
Certainly Alysa isn't unbeatable, and more likely than not the list for that jgp is going to change anyways, there's still a lot of time.
The first list is rarely left without changes.