2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[colormyworld240]

I think I have never seen Team Tutberidze as emotional as after Anna's skate...?
At the Olympics I saw Eteri touched after Evgenia's free and one other time while Alina was skating a SP after her mother had passed, but this today?
Eteri and Daniil crying, Dudakov fist pumping in 3 different directions, a group hug - it really goes to show what a difficult journey it must have been for Anna to skate tonight and how much the whole team had invested into making happen exactly what happened. What a moment!

And Anna was also very emotional after the skate, while she's normally quite calm and collected.

But aside from all that, this might have been the most expressive Anna has ever been on the ice. I have no doubt that this was the most passionate she's ever been about a competition. It sounds like her coaches and parents really wanted to withdraw her (and I don't know if it was the correct decision for her health but they could've broken her spirit if they completely forced her without her consent).

Alena said that while Anna is soft spoken and polite, she has a very strong will and we saw that today. So far it seems like the high pressure competitions add to her passion so if she makes the Olympics, I hope she'll be even more expressive than she was here.

 

[Thrashergurl]

Alena is in a different situation than Anna. Alena switched coaches and was off the ice for a significant amount of time. Then she had Covid. Anna had pneumonia. She didn’t really have any significant time off from training, and the same coach throughout. All reports stated she was off ice for 2 weeks.
I imagine all factors contributed to Alena withdrawing.

 

[icybear]

Literally how do people expect men with no quads to take medals when they wouldnt even win in the ladies field. Theres's no thrill or tension in watching their programs

 

[Ophelia]

And both these girls may probably know their own capacities better than internet posters or, as I say in the original post, adults around them that apparently always know their bodies better than themselves simply cause they are older.

OR these girls are both reckless and short-sighted.

 

[FelineFairy]

Anna says she refused to listen to anyone (parents and coaches included) who advised her to withdraw.

Щербакова: в день произвольной программы на ЧР все предлагали сняться

Фигуристка Анна Щербакова рассказала, что в день произвольной программы на чемпионате России в Челябинске тренеры и родители предлагали ей сняться с... РИА Новости Спорт, 26.12.2020

rsport.ria.ru

Anna's father says her character is made of steel but is not inherited, it probably comes from the space.

Папа Щербаковой заявил, что у дочери характер из космоса

Папа Анны Щербаковой Станислав Щербаков отметил, что у дочери железный характер.

www.sport-express.ru

 

[Fluture]

if she makes the Olympics, I hope she'll be even more expressive than she was here.

There‘s no way Anna won‘t be on the OG team unless she‘s injured. She‘s a three time National champion and very consistent under pressure.

The second spot will likely go to Kamila, she showed today that she can withstand pressure as well.

Third spot‘s a bit more open, it will depend on whether Sasha can skate like she did today and whether Aliona has her 3A back. It‘s going go be heartbreaking if it ends up those two having to battle it out for the final spot.

I‘d say Liza, Daria and Maiia have outside chances. But well, we all know it, a lot can change in a year. I‘m just not sure that it will, this time.

 

[silveruskate]

So a while back I said the chances of all of Anna, Sasha, and Kamila going clean were close to 0. And now we're here.

And remember my analysis! These girls will turn into steel by the time the Olympics comes around.

 

[NAOTMAA]

Daria too. I thought at least one would succumb to the pressure (and/or illness or injury). They were phenomenal.

Poor Daria. Her skating here would have destroyed the competition in just about every other national championship in the world EXCEPT for this one.

I wish they had a pewter medal at Russian nationals like they do at the US because she deserves it. She really should be happy with herself no matter what, she did fantastic. I hope she gets her own 3A/quad soon

 

[chasingneverland]

Poor Daria. Her skating here would have destroyed the competition in just about every other national championship in the world EXCEPT for this one.

I wish they had a pewter medal at Russian nationals like they do at the US because she deserves it. She really should be happy with herself no matter what, she did fantastic. I hope she gets her own 3A/quad soon

She's working on a 3A. She was absolutely remarkable. She closed out 4 clean, beautiful skates, under pressure.

 

[colormyworld240]

There‘s no way Anna won‘t be on the OG team unless she‘s injured. She‘s a three time National champion and very consistent under pressure.

The second spot will likely go to Kamila, she showed today that she can withstand pressure as well.

Third spot‘s a bit more open, it will depend on whether Sasha can skate like she did today and whether Aliona has her 3A back. It‘s going go be heartbreaking if it ends up those two having to battle it out for the final spot.

I‘d say Liza, Daria and Maiia have outside chances. But well, we all know it, a lot can change in a year. I‘m just not sure that it will, this time.

No one, not even Anna, is guaranteed a spot at the Olympics until the nationals going into it. Anything can happen in 1 season. Liza was very consistent and had amazing tech up until 2014 then she didn't make the team. Elena had a world medal, national title, etc. and she didn't make it in 2018. For all we know, Daria could come out with three 3As and 2 quads next year and take it all (I'm not even a fan of hers).

And I don't know about Kamila, this competition has slightly changed how I see her. She withstood the pressure in that she landed her jumps, and her spins were gorgeous, but her performance seemed off. I normally love her, even the Bolero, but I found her so flat here, including the SP. Maybe I'm just comparing her to Anna and it's an unfair standard, but they did essentially get the same PCS. I didn't think she created a moment aside from the tech, and it wasn't complete. Honestly, I think I preferred Sasha (maybe biased because it's the first time she had a clean FS in a long time and it's been a journey for her).

 

[chasingneverland]

Literally how do people expect men with no quads to take medals when they wouldnt even win in the ladies field. Theres's no thrill or tension in watching their programs

Did we watch the same competition?!?! What do you mean no thrill or tension??

 

[NAOTMAA]

Kamila brought so much sass to Bolero! Her gaze at the end of the program! Most effortless quads she’s ever done. She really gave it all tonight.

She really attacked that program and took no prisoners. If you stood in her way she would have run you down.

Back in the day when they filmed ballet performances the Soviets use to speed up the video to make it look like their dancers were dancing difficult moves at a higher speed. It was for propaganda to say their dancers were better then those in the West. That's what Kamila looked like to me today. Like compared to everyone else skating someone was speeding her up. She was super impressive

 

[Znowflake]

Alena also wanted to compete. Her coach withdrew her, despite her wanting to be here.

I agree with Plushenko here. He was prudent and put his skaters health first in a crazy year where who knows what will happen with Worlds. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion - Yes Anna was brilliant today but I hope there isn’t a huge health cost to this decision. None of the coaches seemed concerned before the SP until after there was an outcry. They obviously knew what her condition was prior to coming here. Were they crying because they were involved in another scandal or were they genuinely concerned about Anna. Who knows. Congrats to her but she really shoudn’t have skated and the “responsible” adults around her should have stopped her.

 

[chasingneverland]

I agree with Plushenko here. He was prudent and put his skaters health first in a crazy year where who knows what will happen with Worlds. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion - Yes Anna was brilliant today but I hope there isn’t a huge health cost to this decision. None of the coaches seemed concerned before the SP until after there was an outcry. They obviously knew what her condition was prior to coming here. Were they crying because they were involved in another scandal or were they genuinely concerned about Anna. Who knows. Congrats to her but she really shoudn’t have skated and the “responsible” adults around her should have stopped her.

Oh I agree completely. Anna was stunning here and I'm glad such a magical moment happened; however, that doesn't change the fact that it was a very risky decision and we don't know the long term effect it will have. Regardless, I hope she (and Sasha, and Liza, and Alena) get some much needed rest. While I love watching Anna and Sasha, I feel like they've locked in their spots to Worlds and I hope they won't go to the Cup of Russia finals. I'm also not sure if Kamila should either, but I'm sure she'll want to - it's her last "big" competition this year, especially as i'm not sure she'll go to junior nationals and quite frankly don't see the point. (Could be an Anna situation where she does extremely well at Seniors and then takes 3rd at Juniors as there are several novice skaters who could beat her although with a 3A and 2 quads, I do think her PCS/spins will easily keep her in first should she be clean but I think they're preparing her for the Olympics next year.) Which means Cup of Russia's highlight might be Alena, Liza T, and Liza N battling it out for the last spot to worlds (if it's still happening) with appearances from Daria, Maiia, Sofia, and Anastasia G, among others. I am looking forward to that final.

 

[Amei]

No one, not even Anna, is guaranteed a spot at the Olympics until the nationals going into it. Anything can happen in 1 season. Liza was very consistent and had amazing tech up until 2014 then she didn't make the team. Elena had a world medal, national title, etc. and she didn't make it in 2018. For all we know, Daria could come out with three 3As and 2 quads next year and take it all (I'm not even a fan of hers).

I think what Fluture is saying and i think a decent opinion is that it will be extremely hard for Shcherbakova to be left off the Olympic team even if she doesn't win Nationals next year because face it the other top competitors for the team she has consistently beaten them.

 

[lariko]

I agree with Plushenko here. He was prudent and put his skaters health first in a crazy year where who knows what will happen with Worlds. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion - Yes Anna was brilliant today but I hope there isn’t a huge health cost to this decision. None of the coaches seemed concerned before the SP until after there was an outcry. They obviously knew what her condition was prior to coming here. Were they crying because they were involved in another scandal or were they genuinely concerned about Anna. Who knows. Congrats to her but she really shoudn’t have skated and the “responsible” adults around her should have stopped her.

I agree, plus the difference between her short and free may throw another shade on Russian sport that is already under so much suspicion for substance abuse. The danger to her heart could be significant.

 

[Scott512]

Well Kamila is still a junior - she's only 14 years old. Only Anna has ever done better at her first senior nationals at 14, placewise, and Kamila's skates here would have beaten hers. (She beats Alena and Sasha's debuts already.) This is also not the important year nor the year Kamila was expected to win. Kamila did mess up the 3A in the SP and can add it to the FS once it's stable. She (Eteri) is in a bit of a Alina/Evgenia situation though. (Imagine how crazy it would be if Alena and Sasha were still there.) She does also have Daria and Maiia to think of too (and Evgenia and Alina although I'm not sure they'll come back.) It's also crazy that people are someone disappointed that a 14 year old DIDN'T win Russian senior nationals, especially considering the fields. I mean the girl was perfection today and landed two quads.

Very true what you wrote especially about having another Alina and evgenia situation in one iscipline within only a few years of each other.

I wonder what KV is thinking and if she's content with the silver medal after that free skate. I hope EG can keep her happy and you're right this is not the big season for KV that would be next year if the Olympics take place.

I think so many of us here feel drained today at the spectacular sights we saw at Russian Nationals with the ladies. The phenoms were phenomenal just about everyone was very special.

 

[Scott512]

I think what Fluture is saying and i think a decent opinion is that it will be extremely hard for Shcherbakova to be left off the Olympic team even if she doesn't win Nationals next year because face it the other top competitors for the team she has consistently beaten them.

If the Olympics take place in February of 2022 Anna will be on the team unless she is injured or ill. I think the clear favorites for the three spots if that's the case and there are only three spots as we expect a clear FrontRunner for those are Anna Sasha and KV.

 

[chasingneverland]

No one, not even Anna, is guaranteed a spot at the Olympics until the nationals going into it. Anything can happen in 1 season. Liza was very consistent and had amazing tech up until 2014 then she didn't make the team. Elena had a world medal, national title, etc. and she didn't make it in 2018. For all we know, Daria could come out with three 3As and 2 quads next year and take it all (I'm not even a fan of hers).

And I don't know about Kamila, this competition has slightly changed how I see her. She withstood the pressure in that she landed her jumps, and her spins were gorgeous, but her performance seemed off. I normally love her, even the Bolero, but I found her so flat here, including the SP. Maybe I'm just comparing her to Anna and it's an unfair standard, but they did essentially get the same PCS. I didn't think she created a moment aside from the tech, and it wasn't complete. Honestly, I think I preferred Sasha (maybe biased because it's the first time she had a clean FS in a long time and it's been a journey for her).

Liza wasn't very consistent at all. Her Russian placements even up until 2014 are all over the place.

 

[Scott512]

No one, not even Anna, is guaranteed a spot at the Olympics until the nationals going into it. Anything can happen in 1 season. Liza was very consistent and had amazing tech up until 2014 then she didn't make the team. Elena had a world medal, national title, etc. and she didn't make it in 2018. For all we know, Daria could come out with three 3As and 2 quads next year and take it all (I'm not even a fan of hers).

And I don't know about Kamila, this competition has slightly changed how I see her. She withstood the pressure in that she landed her jumps, and her spins were gorgeous, but her performance seemed off. I normally love her, even the Bolero, but I found her so flat here, including the SP. Maybe I'm just comparing her to Anna and it's an unfair standard, but they did essentially get the same PCS. I didn't think she created a moment aside from the tech, and it wasn't complete. Honestly, I think I preferred Sasha (maybe biased because it's the first time she had a clean FS in a long time and it's been a journey for her).

Unless there are injuries or illnesses the Olympic team will be Anna Sasha and KV. Probably only Aliona if she gets her 3 a back can possibly take one of those spots. The Federation will always want Sasha because she can win any events she enters and probably will have a better chance among International judges. And it's Russian Nationals this year did not determine a worlds team it certainly should not next year determine the Olympic team. We know the Federation and what they think and how they operate and they will want to send three girls who could win gold.