2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[ruga]

I just have to say that I feel a bit bad for Anna. She literally had to win RC 2-3 times in row and have a great senior season to get the PCS that she's at right now meanwhile the juniors are getting it pretty easily and Kamila has even overtaken her in PCS (internally ofc)

I'm pretty sure Kamila is RusFeds Olympic bet, she received a lot of publicity and gets big scores in national competitions (though in junior comps she too was highly regarded by the judges). Other juniors do not come close to her skills. Meanwhile for a long time, Anna was the "middle child"-at first Sasha was considered the new big thing with quads, later Aliona got her 3A. Only this season Anna finally settled her position of Russia's #1. And if she wins Worlds, that will give her a significant advantage for next season score wise.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

I respect your opinion. But, for my personal sanity, I hope no one does Romeo and Juliet again for at least 10 more years.

Not even Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture? Literally no one uses it and it makes me mad because IMO it's the superior R&J.

I could easily see Daria skating to this version which is why I'm upset they threw together three other versions for her FS.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

Judges at GP Rostelecom 2020 disagree. I do too.

In Alyona's defense, she also URed and messed up step sequence there. If she had been clean with all level 4s and no URs she probably would've won.

 

[Skatesocs]

Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture

I think the scope of this music is just too large for skating. I don't know if anyone currently can keep up with it, anyway. I do agree this is my favorite R&J, although I do like the Nino Rota soundtrack.

 

[Dawn825]

I'd love Sasha to skate a SP to 'Play Destroy' by Poppy (or any song by Grimes), and a FS to 'La Javanaise' by Madeleine Peyroux. It would be challenging for her to have the opposite approach from this year (soft lyrical free, warrior badass short), but Play Destroy is such a fun and contrasted music, that reminds a bit of her Unstoppable EX but with a different, darker and more playful vibe, it would suit her so well. Any upbeat, punk rock music Iveth Toth style would be amazing for her.

But I don't think it would be a great idea to do this kind of program experiments especially on the eve of the Olympics so I'll just stick to my dreams and enjoy all the progress she's made on PCS and choreo so far x) I do agree that Game of Survival would be pretty cool SP too.

What I would love even more would be better programs for Anna. I really started rooting for her last year because both her programs were great, different from each other and suited her performance ability so well. This year they're just too bland and similar to me, I can't bring myself to enjoy her skating as much as I used to. I'd love her to skate a FS based on Camille Claudel (with music from the 1988 movie ). Physically speaking Kamila ressembles Camille Claudel more but since they've set their minds on Bolero, well x)

Play Destroy! Can you imagine?? I think that might require a little more sassy/flirty energy than I get from Sasha. I like the AC/DC idea, she's more rock n' roll.

Anna and Kamila are tough, cuz it's not just what do I want to see them skate to but what do I want to see Danny choreograph too There are a lot of songs that require sensitive deliberate moves to be held, and I know Anna could do them beautifully, but Danny has never learned to unclutter from Marie Curie. Everything has to be busy and frantic regardless of the music, and I think his style is the least suited to what Anna would look best doing. Anyways. I think she needs more iconic/energetic music. Firebird was boring until the end, this year's long is boring until the end. I also need happy music for her in the short, no more funeral vibes please.

 

[readernick]

Not even Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture? Literally no one uses it and it makes me mad because IMO it's the superior R&J.

I could easily see Daria skating to this version which is why I'm upset they threw together three other versions for her FS.

Beautiful music. I do think the right skater could skate to it. But, I really have had enough of the theme. There are so many wonderful Russian composers classical and modern that are never used in figure skating. Also, Russian folk is almost never used. Modern Russian pop? So many possibilities. And, yet we get 15 queens and 10 R&J's.

 

[Amei]

If anyone can handle it it's Anna. The battles between her and KV will be very interesting and probably very close.

I hope Anna does not skate in the Russian Cup Final that she rests up and get stronger for the world championships. If she loses to KV in the Russian Cup final which is possible then that could hurt her going into Worlds.

I doubt anyone skips the Cup final, yes at this time Worlds is still happening but I'm sure no one is going to feel confident in it until they are literally at Worlds, so the Cup final might end up being the last competition of the season.

 

[Zagipatra]

I'm only saying this because I've seen it a couple times now, but Pyongyang is in the wrong Korea! PyeongChang is the one you're looking for.

Wow, thanks for correcting me I hate the autocorrect on my phone

 

[Scott512]

I doubt anyone skips the Cup final, yes at this time Worlds is still happening but I'm sure no one is going to feel confident in it until they are literally at Worlds, so the Cup final might end up being the last competition of the season.

I suppose so.

And this could be like Russian Nationals 2.0.

And aliona will be there this time! Hopefully.

 

[readernick]

I doubt anyone skips the Cup final, yes at this time Worlds is still happening but I'm sure no one is going to feel confident in it until they are literally at Worlds, so the Cup final might end up being the last competition of the season.

Yes, I read the protocols that the ISU setup for World's and I found them less than confidence building. It really doesn't look like enough time has been put into arranging the event in a safe manner, and if travelers need to quarantine I think there only option will be to cancel because they have nothing in place to deal with that scenario. I should discuss this in a separate thread but World's definitely isn't guaranteed to happen.

 

[[email protected]]

Yes, what is it with Russian men and Queen? Given the cultural values in Russia, Queen doesn't seem like the most likely choice and, yet, it felt like there were a thousand programs to Queen this year. There is a lot of great music, be creative Russian choreographers!

I know what you mean but I would like to assure you that those "cultural values" play the role only when we talk about kids and education. As for music and other kinds of arts no one gives a damn. And, yes, Queen is very popular. My 6 year old son was singing recently: "we will, we will rock you". The popularity went down but then got the boost after the movie.

 

[alexocfp]

(Eteri was allegedly the one who had the idea for this tournament hence I don't know if she will put their mental well-being or the cash first).

If that’s true, then Eteri can add great TV promoter and producer to her resume.

She got her skaters to dazzle, and got the old rivalries to resurface.

Have a team event, everyone has fun while being competitive, but keep the cameras on the captains so that their every move can be scrutinized and dissected in slow motion to see if there are any slights to the other captain.

Give you a great 3 days of skating, then take captains (after a long few days) into a conference room and needle them until you get the juicy quotes and eye rolls and cattiness which will have the secondary effect of pitting one fanbase against the other one more time. And keep the tabloids rolling.

Brilliant Eteri. Just brilliant. I love it.

 

[lopsilceci]

Danny has never learned to unclutter from Marie Curie.

I think you meant Marie Kondo?

 

[Dawn825]

I think you meant Marie Kondo?

Yes. He never learned about radioactivity from Marie Curie either.

 

[lopsilceci]

Sport-Express article about Latushkina. https://www.sport-express.ru/figure...om-katanii-pochemu-u-nee-net-trenera-1755501/

Very impressive! I hope she can get a coach soon.

 

[readernick]

Yes. He never learned about radioactivity from Marie Curie either.

I mean that is another way to " unclutter" but perhaps just a bit extreme?

 

[dante]

Given the cultural values in Russia, Queen doesn't seem like the most likely choice

Oh, I almost forgot about our cultural values, thanks for reminding!
We must ban Queen ASAP, and Tchaikovsky too!

 

[lopsilceci]

so do we have some sort of proof Kostornaia didn't skate the whole month of January? or are we just going off hearsay?

here is a new video of her training from Plushenko https://www.instagram.com/p/CLDHE_UKwuv/

I hope she's doing full run-throughs of her programs at least from time to time. She seemed to be struggling with stamina at her last competitions and I think that's what caused her mistakes.

 

[LiamForeman]

Not in this thread though.

That's why I have to keep ignoring it, there's a set of ladies who you must love in this thread. If you do not sob with delight the second they set foot on the ice rink you've got no taste. If you don't praise them and every little thing they do, you're a jealous hater.

Then there's the ladies you mustn't like - I'm not allowed to think Liza Tuk's programs are enjoyable, I'm not allowed to think Sasha has improved her artistry in leaps and bounds this season without being made to feel like an idiot.

And God forbid I think Plushenko is doing a good job - get the memo, me, he's a disgrace to skating and if he could be erased from the face of the earth there would probably be world peace.

There's a narrative in this thread and woe to anyone who doesn't follow it.

Will you PLEASE just stop this. Your rant is tiresome. Have your opinion and own it. Stop whining. Mmkay? Thx.

 

[lopsilceci]

Yes, I read the protocols that the ISU setup for World's and I found them less than confidence building. It really doesn't look like enough time has been put into arranging the event in a safe manner, and if travelers need to quarantine I think there only option will be to cancel because they have nothing in place to deal with that scenario. I should discuss this in a separate thread but World's definitely isn't guaranteed to happen.

Cancel again? At this point? They already paid the singers.