2019-20 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[okokok1777]

Wow. Oh wow.

That was my reaction too.

My theory is that she was probably looking for ice time. She (and the rest of the Russian team) trained at a rink in Niigata before Pyeongchang - so she's probably somewhat familiar with the area. More over, that same rink in Niigata closed on 4/21 and the rink that she's been accused of traveling to Aomori to train at closed on 4/29. I really hope that she and her team make a statement soon - the optics are really bad right now and a clarification/explanation/apology could go a really long way.

 

[el henry]

That was my reaction too.

My theory is that she was probably looking for ice time. She (and the rest of the Russian team) trained at a rink in Niigata before Pyeongchang - so she's probably somewhat familiar with the area. More over, that same rink in Niigata closed on 4/21 and the rink that she's been accused of traveling to Aomori to train at closed on 4/29. I really hope that she and her team make a statement soon - the optics are really bad right now and a clarification/explanation/apology could go a really long way.

Honest query: isn’t an apology or explanation or clarification warranted only if the theories are correct?

What if the theories are incorrect?

 

[okokok1777]

Honest query: isn’t an apology or explanation or clarification warranted only if the theories are correct?

What if the theories are incorrect?

If you're looking at it from a self-preservation standpoint, the clarification is to protect her own image and reputation. IMO the photo is pretty strong evidence that she went to Niigata and we know that she originally went to Japan for a show in Yokohama/Tokyo. The situation has gotten pretty big - so I believe a statement giving her/her team's side of the story would be wise.

 

[Finley]

Honest query: isn’t an apology or explanation or clarification warranted only if the theories are correct?

What if the theories are incorrect?

Its looking more and more likely that the theories are correct.

That twitter thread put my attempts at backing up statements to shame. The source used is Zhenya's own social media. Her own comments, posts and stories. If you are going to insist that nothing is real unless it has been verified by forensic evidence that her social media hasn't been hacked, faked, or otherwise tampered with, that is your theory.

As for the rest - TAT, Kurakova, Piseev, Zakarian have all said she is in Japan. (Is anyone still disputing this?) TAT & Kurakova talked about an ice search. Piseev just said he believes Zakarian who backed up Evgenia's statement that she went for the ice show. All of them said what they said. I won't accuse anyone of lying. People can have multiple motives behind their decisions. They can also pick and choose which ones they announce publicly.

Is anyone still arguing that the public statements made by multiple Japanese Government Officials about traveling are just rumors?

Apologies, explanations & clarifications are choices. Silence is also a choice. Sometimes the best choice.

 

[el henry]

If you're looking at it from a self-preservation standpoint, the clarification is to protect her own image and reputation. IMO the photo is pretty strong evidence that she went to Niigata and we know that she originally went to Japan for a show in Yokohama/Tokyo. The situation has gotten pretty big - so I believe a statement giving her/her team's side of the story would be wise.

Thank you for answering. I suppose whether one thinks it is “pretty big” is a matter of opinion. For me, it is not, but I am not going to change anyone’s mind on the conclusions drawn (nor should I, everyone should have their own conclusions) and, absent new, direct quotes, they won’t change mine, so there we are.

That’s why we have a forum

 

[Finley]

If you're looking at it from a self-preservation standpoint, the clarification is to protect her own image and reputation. IMO the photo is pretty strong evidence that she went to Niigata and we know that she originally went to Japan for a show in Yokohama/Tokyo. The situation has gotten pretty big - so I believe a statement giving her/her team's side of the story would be wise.

If they go that route, they need to get it right. I have huge doubts about their ability to do that given their handling of the situation so far. It's been one massive 'own goal' after another.

If Zhenya's manager, Levan Matua, has access to her IG like he previously claimed then he needs to change the password to keep her posting anything else. If he is the one responsible for all of this then her mother needs to fire him first and sue him second.

 

[thatbeatingheart]

That was my reaction too.

My theory is that she was probably looking for ice time. She (and the rest of the Russian team) trained at a rink in Niigata before Pyeongchang - so she's probably somewhat familiar with the area. More over, that same rink in Niigata closed on 4/21 and the rink that she's been accused of traveling to Aomori to train at closed on 4/29. I really hope that she and her team make a statement soon - the optics are really bad right now and a clarification/explanation/apology could go a really long way.

Sounds like the most probable theory for me so far. I don't think it was the reason for flying to Japan in the first place, I still believe it had contractual reasons. The rink in Niigata being offered as a training base would also make sense since she's been there before and it has been used for these purposes in the past. If she is/was in fact in Niigata (the skyline on the pictures does look very similiar) I think she was there from the beginning, no need to stay in Tokyo/Yokohama two months ahead of the show.

The alleged travel to Hachinohe makes less sense to me. From the video I can't tell whether it's the same park as the one in the video Zhenya posted. But apart from that, to move places after the rink in Niigata closed she would've needed help from whoever is taking care of her, possibly someone Japanese, and this person surely wouldn't have helped her with that given the circumstances. If they did, that was highly irresponsible from everyone involved.

Anyway, I do hope she'll get a possibility to fly home to Russia soon, it's her best bet on ice time anyway given that other countries who now open certain rinks only seem do so for their own national teams.

In general I don't think she owes us any sort of statement but since she was open about this trip from the beginning I personally would like to read an explanation from her to close the topic. If the drama just dies down within a few days I'll accept that too.

P.S.: While those pictures bring a little light into the situation for me I do find it very creepy that there's people who track every step of her...

 

[Finley]

Sounds like the most probable theory for me so far. I don't think it was the reason for flying to Japan in the first place, I still believe it had contractual reasons. The rink in Niigata being offered as a training base would also make sense since she's been there before and it has been used for these purposes in the past. If she is/was in fact in Niigata (the skyline on the pictures does look very similiar) I think she was there from the beginning, no need to stay in Tokyo/Yokohama two months ahead of the show.

The alleged travel to Hachinohe makes less sense to me. From the video I can't tell whether it's the same park as the one in the video Zhenya posted. But apart from that, to move places after the rink in Niigata closed she would've needed help from whoever is taking care of her, possibly someone Japanese, and this person surely wouldn't have helped her with that given the circumstances. If they did, that was highly irresponsible from everyone involved.

Anyway, I do hope she'll get a possibility to fly home to Russia soon, it's her best bet on ice time anyway given that other countries who now open certain rinks only seem do so for their own national teams.

In general I don't think she owes us any sort of statement but since she was open about this trip from the beginning I personally would like to read an explanation from her to close the topic. If the drama just dies down within a few days I'll accept that too.

P.S.: While those pictures bring a little light into the situation for me I do find it very creepy that there's people who track every step of her...

She posted the pictures. People who are familiar with the area recognized it. I'm not saying there aren't creepers that are tracking her every step, but in this case she was one who posted the pictures on her IG where she has 800K + followers. No one deserves to be stalked but when you post something publicly you invite scrutiny and engagement from the public.

 

[thatbeatingheart]

She posted the pictures. People who are familiar with the area recognized it. I'm not saying there aren't creepers that are tracking her every step, but in this case she was one who posted the pictures on her IG where she has 800K + followers. No one deserves to be stalked but when you post something publicly you invite scrutiny and engagement from the public.

Sure, she posted two photos of flowers herself, but there's no way I would've found out where exactly there were taken myself nor would I have cared to collect all information about her possible whereabouts in one place. That's definitely no regular curiosity from the public.

 

[theharleyquinn]

She has many Japanese fans. If she hopes to have a successful show career there during and after her competitive career, it would make sense to not give anyone the impression that she's flouting and/or taking advantage of Japan's precautions. With how this has all blown up, I would not be surprised if she somewhat falls out of favor. I'm shocked that she and her team don't seem to be taking that into account.

 

[Amei]

If they go that route, they need to get it right. I have huge doubts about their ability to do that given their handling of the situation so far. It's been one massive 'own goal' after another.

If Zhenya's manager, Levan Matua, has access to her IG like he previously claimed then he needs to change the password to keep her posting anything else. If he is the one responsible for all of this then her mother needs to fire him first and sue him second.

What's Evgenia's mother have to do with this - if this Matua is her manager then her mother is not; Evgenia is a 20 year old adult, whatever dumb things she posts on social media are her responsibility. Social media is a remarkable tool it can do well by a lot of people, Evgenia herself has probably financially benefited from the social media age with sponsor-posting, but the last couple days remind me of an old expression "give him enough rope to hang himself" and that's what social media also gives people.

 

[Amei]

Sure, she posted two photos of flowers herself, but there's no way I would've found out where exactly there were taken myself nor would I have cared to collect all information about her possible whereabouts in one place. That's definitely no regular curiosity from the public.

Umm, except for the fact that the majority of the world has been on some type of lockdown/stuck at home restrictions, people have to occupy their time some way not all of it's going to be productive, and if this some famous landmark that's not exactly some 'she posting this from the 4th floor of hotel xyz' creepiness.

 

[Finley]

What's Evgenia's mother have to do with this - if this Matua is her manager then her mother is not; Evgenia is a 20 year old adult, whatever dumb things she posts on social media are her responsibility. Social media is a remarkable tool it can do well by a lot of people, Evgenia herself has probably financially benefited from the social media age with sponsor-posting, but the last couple days remind me of an old expression "give him enough rope to hang himself" and that's what social media also gives people.

You're right.

 

[el henry]

The interview with Kurakova was published yesterday.
You are of course free to read "Zhenya went to Japan while the country was still open. She was going to spend 2 weeks in quarantine there and then skate. But now the skating rinks are closed there too." as "Znenya went to Japan while country was still open to perform later in Prism on Ice. But then the show was cancelled."

You are also free to read it as "Zhenya went to Japan for Prism on Ice, while Satoko - playing major character in the show, Japanese citizen, Jason, Yuka Sato - the show choreographer, Japanese citizen, they all didn't chose to travel to Japan for the show. But then the show got cancelled, which came as a big surprise and was totally unexpected."

Thank you, I missed this post, and yes I do choose to read it as she travelled for the show and the show got cancelled. All conclusions at this point are simply conclusions, and that would be mine. Of course, others are free to have different conclusions.

 

[KOBOT37]

I will be very surprised if Alina goes anywhere anytime soon.

She has something almost no one in FS had in this century- Mainstream following. Eteri certainly learnt after painful lesson of Lipnitskaya (who also had nice prospect of becoming mainstream star but was horribly miss-managed after Sochi) affair and marketed her much better. A pretty girl who won every title in FS and prefers drinking tea with her grandma over celebrity events, with a story, it sells.

Retiring and selling tickets at shows is the most rational decision for most Olympic champions, but Alina can stay competitive and sell collections and clothes, she can make tons of money competing and I doubt she will pass on that.

Shiseido and Puma want Alina to be at Nebelhorn, not at Navka Show

 

[Edwin]

Eteri Georgiyevna is a trainer, not a PR manager or agent.

She doesn't own the commercial, portrait or legal rights to any of the skaters, for the minor children these belong to the parents I'd think.

Alina however, will soon be a legal adult and required to pay income taxes over her personal income. Let hope she'll get good legal and fiscal counceling, for she will be under scrutiny by the anti-fans and their alliances in the social media underworld and yellow pages.

It would be wise of Alina to have a professional PR manager and agent who is not her trainer. There are certain conflicts of interest and their unavoidable consequences which can make things ugly for both.
Alina's active figure skating career will come to an end sooner or later, and with that, Tutberidze's involvement too.
All things considered, Alina seems to have been excellently managed up to today. She has become a very valuable icon of pureness in sports, I'd hate to see that image getting tarnished.
Here is a lovely montage of clips that are both funny and inspiring https://vimeo.com/413128891

I do think Navka's shows are more important for the domestic image of Alina. But with Navka's enterprises comes a certain connection to the government of Russia, which foreign commercial companies might want to avoid?

Puma leisure sports wear and Shiseido premier brand makeup products, they are mainly associated with Alina as a personality and athlete, much less as a skater?
Boots and blades, skating apparel would be a more logical choice of advertising at figure skating events like Nebelhorn, which I doubt has the standing or power to even attract Puma and Shiseido. Plus, it is sort of good for Alina's future business and media interest to broaden her spectrum and not stick to FS alone.

 

[KOBOT37]

Eteri Georgiyevna is a trainer, not a PR manager or agent.

no she isn't. That is just not true.

She is much more than just a coach, reading up few interviews from girls from Khrustalny is enough to understand that. Eteri has been absolutely involved in making Alina Zagitova- A brand and deserves praise for her huge commercial success, while what happened to Yullia after Olympics is also to a margin, her fault,but considering that she was her first superstar, mistakes are understandable. Eteri is both a coach and a manager and is very successful in both fields.

Puma leisure sports wear and Shiseido premier brand makeup products, they are mainly associated with Alina as a personality, much less as a skater?

That doesn't work like that Personality is obviously very important part of a puzzle but insane demand (at least in Russia) what is on products advertised by her will go down if it won't be connected with Alina Zagitova- A FS superstar. She needs to stay relevant and show-skating isn't enough for that.

Alina's active figure skating career will come to an end sooner or later, and with that

obviously it will, but she can still make considerable amount of money from FS before it happens.

not stick to FS universally.

what else is she going to do ? Show skating won't attract nearly as much attention as competitive skating, becoming movie star probably will but I doubt that is on table, yet.

Alina seems to have been excellently managed up to today.

Sure and Eteri and her team at Khrustalny deserve credit for that.

P.S Not only Alina, but all of 4A are well managed, even Kamila is becoming a household name, at the age of 13

 

[JazzUp]

Sure, she posted two photos of flowers herself, but there's no way I would've found out where exactly there were taken myself

That might just mean you haven't ever parked your car at the Asahi Alex Ice Arena parking lot (where that pic of the flower with the landmark BSN building in the background was taken) in Niigata; others have, and they recognized the view immediately from the picture.

 

[thatbeatingheart]

Umm, except for the fact that the majority of the world has been on some type of lockdown/stuck at home restrictions, people have to occupy their time some way not all of it's going to be productive, and if this some famous landmark that's not exactly some 'she posting this from the 4th floor of hotel xyz' creepiness.

That might just mean you haven't ever parked your car at the Asahi Alex Ice Arena parking lot (where that pic of the flower with the landmark BSN building in the background was taken) in Niigata; others have, and they recognized the view immediately from the picture.

Both of you are completely missing my initial point, it's not about a presumably famous landscape that happens to be recognized by some, but the detailed research and records of her location and what she might be doing. I've in fact seen assumptions about which hotel she's staying at based on the furniture seen in the background of her posts. Are you seriously suggesting this behaviour is okay because people are currently bored? This is not a fanpage posting news, official photos and fanart, which is something you might do to occupy your time.

 

[Edwin]

Both of you are completely missing my initial point, it's not about a presumably famous landscape that happens to be recognized by some, but the detailed research and records of her location and what she might be doing. I've in fact seen assumptions about which hotel she's staying at based on the furniture seen in the background of her posts. Are you seriously suggesting this behaviour is okay because people are currently bored? This is not a fanpage posting news, official photos and fanart, which is something you might do to occupy your time.

You are absolutely right, many of this is borderline stalking, some even worse and pretty scary given the aggression certain anti-fans display. One can hope Medvyedeva doesn't feel stressed like a doe being hunted by bloodhounds.

Why does #TeamTutberidzeForProgress maintain the lowest profile possible and 'silence is golden'? Just to prevent this kind of behaviour by their anti-fans, antagonists and even real enemies that want to bring them down.

Medvyedeva is no rookie, she could and should have known about the consequences, yet she hardly seems to learn from her earlier and other persons' mistakes in their social media conduct. If she seeks this kind of attention, her PR agent or manager should give her some advice for she herself is now powerless to give it a positive turn.