2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Shayuki]

Participants for Cup final are out!
Kamila Valieva, Anastasia Gulyakova, Alena Kostornaya, Elizaveta Nugumanova, Sofya Samodurova, Maria Talalaikina, Anastasia Tarakanova, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Daria Usacheva, Anna Frolova, Maya Khromykh, Ksenia Tsibinova

No Trusova so I assume she already got her spot. Also no Sinitsyna, she didn't participate in events, but I hoped she could go as national team member.

They definitely could have special cased Sinitsyna, they did that with Anna Shcherbakova in 2018 when she missed all qualifiers due to injury. It'll be interesting to see what the fed's plans are with Sinitsyna.

 

[Novalis]

They definitely could have special cased Sinitsyna, they did that with Anna Shcherbakova in 2018 when she missed all qualifiers due to injury. It'll be interesting to see what the fed's plans are with Sinitsyna.

A couple of days ago I saw Sinitsyna's name listed in some local competition that takes place in the first week of March. That's when I thought: damn, she's not in the Cup Final then.

 

[Vlad Karigov]

Plushenko is preventing Trusova from being destroyed again on the podium by falling behind Valieva, Usacheva, Tuktamysheva, Kostornaia. It is absurd to believe the invention that she is injured, because she will perform at the Mishin event and do at least 4 quads. It is even insulting that on whims the Federation gives her a place in the World Cup, much worse after we saw how Anna risked her health to obtain her place...

 

[macy]

so Trusova and Shcherbakova are locks, and Kostornaia and Tuktamysheva will duke it out for spot #3.

does it just come down to whoever places higher than the other? what if the scores are super close?

 

[Greengemmonster]

Omg I'm so happy that they were sensible and gave Sasha her spot!!!!!

I will miss her though! Especially that SP!

 

[Shayuki]

A couple of days ago I saw Sinitsyna's name listed in some local competition that takes place in the first week of March. That's when I thought: damn, she's not in the Cup Final then.

Hmm, for the local competitions it's pretty common for the big name skaters to apply to tons of them and never show up, or only show up to a couple of them. But in this case of course, that indeed does seem to be the case, which is a shame.

I think that Sinitsyna even is more accomplished than Shcherbakova was in early 2018. At the time I was genuinely worried that Shcherbakova might not even get to participate in the test skates due to her lack of results, but then she got assigned that special exception spot and delivered. Shcherbakova actually even defeated Trusova in that competition(And Sinitsyna herself was 3rd). Unfortunate that Sinitsyna won't have a similar opportunity.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

That’s quite disappointing. Some other skaters here got byes (Panfilova/Rylov for example), though i assume that’s because they went to Russian Nationals. I really wanted to see Sinitsyna here but hopefully she can come back next season with a consistent 4T and show everyone not to underestimate her.

 

[Dawn825]

does it just come down to whoever places higher than the other? what if the scores are super close?

Yes and doesn't matter. If Kostornaia wins by half a point, the fed will be thrilled to give her the spot. If Tuk wins, she'll have beaten Kostornaia twice this season and they won't be able to justify not picking her.
Assuming Trusova is actually resting a little (lol), I'm glad she's trying to heal before Worlds, which matters a million times more than this competition.

 

[Jontor]

so Trusova and Shcherbakova are locks, and Kostornaia and Tuktamysheva will duke it out for spot #3.

does it just come down to whoever places higher than the other? what if the scores are super close?

Yes, that's what happened two years ago when Medvedeva (somewhat controversially) beat Tuktamysheva with 1.71 points and got the Worlds spot.

 

[Novalis]

What if they score exactly the same?

 

[eterialskating]

Sasha deserves it. Really they can send any third skater and it wouldn't really matter. The top 2 will be enough to keep that third spot. Unless Armageddon arrives then Sasha or Anna will win Worlds.

 

[starlight97]

I really hope Alena gets it, she was completely robbed of her worlds, and what many consider a probable Gold, cause of Covid. It was also her first and only chance so far to go.
Liza has had dozens of chances.
And next year with Kamila and Darya, it's questionable if Alena would even get another chance.
I don't think she should approach this relaxed at all, and I'm sure she isn't, I see it as a kinda do or die situation for her. Not just for Worlds but also to keep herself in the discussion for next year. Liza is not going to Beijing anyways.

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

What if they score exactly the same?

Massive drama ensues.

 

[chasingneverland]

No Anna OR Sasha!?!

Well I never expected to see Anna. She's already named to the World's team. (Plus the other winners of RusNats have already said they won't be there.) It literally only hurts them to go because they can be beaten. Plus they're all still recovering from illnesses and injuries.

Sasha on the other hand. She was almost the same but not officially named. (Although pretty much named haha.) So I'm sooo happy they're just preparing for World's with her too. She doesn't need to be beaten by Kamila again this year and risking another meltdown while injured won't help her.

 

[chasingneverland]

I think Sasha not showing up to the cup final shows that RusFed isnt completely stupid. After RusNats and the channel 1 event it was clear than Anna and Sasha are 1 and 2 in Russia. Considering they have both been ill/injured (but looked better at channel 1) it is surely better for them not to go to the cup final but concentrate on getting fully healthy again to perform their best at worlds. Participating in the Cup Final can not do either of them any good regardless of if they skate flawless or struggles.

I actually thought both looked the same or slightly worse at Channel 1. They were both much less clean although it's important to remember they are still recovering. Anna was never going to go to the Cup Final. There was literally no point. They already know her full arsenal and know she can land it. It wouldn't have been good to have her beaten by Kamila again in front of the world (and this time in an official setting with actual scores and protocols) right before Worlds - it doesn't send a good signal internationally, especially because all the 3A have struggled, especially Aliona.

Sasha I thought the same. It's just a matter of if the RusFed would allow it but they did say competition(s) so they probably took the entire season into account including the stages and RusNats and the Channel 1 cup.

 

[chasingneverland]

I don't think that they have decided on the third spot. That's why the key question is Liza or Alyona. As for Sasha, I agree that she is going. Plushy did not have to ridicule himself with stupid accusations. The Fed has not given up on Sasha. Naming her rather than Kamila the seeded skater during TV1 show was a clear manifestation of that.

If Alyona is close to her last year shape Liza has no chances. But I am rooting for Liza in any case. It is obviously her last chance for the Worlds. And with all BOW she deserves it. If Alyona is serious about going on she will have plenty of opportunities including fighting for the place in the Olympic team. I don't believe that there is a slightest chance for Liza to go to Bejing. She missed Sochi, she missed Korea, she missed Saitama - let the girl do it one more time!

No, lol. They haven't given up on Sasha but that has nothing to do with not seeding Kamila. That has much more to do with politics and the fact Kamila is still a junior internationally. They're not going to seed her above the two girls who are most likely going to World's - one of which is already going and the other a 90% chance. That sends a super bad message. Also keep in mind, I don't think anyone expected Kamila to land 2 3A's and 2 4Ts. (Including her own coaches.) No one else has ever attempted something like that and landed it cleanly. And keep in mind it was Kamila's first clean skate and plenty have planned for 3A's and quads and not landed them cleanly. (In fact Kamila and Daria were the ONLY ones to be clean (assuming protocols so at least landing all jumps) across both programs at the Channel 1 Cup and Daria was the only one without a planned 3A/quad.)

And same. I hope Liza is chosen but at the same time I love Aliona and...she's already missed one World's but Liza has also missed one she should have gone to, and... (Although she didn't miss Sochi - she placed TENTH at RusNats or Korea - she placed SEVENTH there.)

Although that said, it's proving how fast the scene change (you have to take your opportunities when you're at your peak!!) and that these girls have to be 100% all the time to get spots - although reputation does help. (It also proves that Eteri was right to move Alina (and Polina for that matter) to seniors for the Olympic year despite injuries to Evgenia and the chance of Evgenia losing out on her dream. Most likely neither would get another chance either.)

 

[chasingneverland]

I read in Russian fora they had announced only winners going to Worlds because of men's situation, where there are only two spots, so they want to select best possible skater at the moment to accompany Kolyada in bringing back 3 spots for Olympics.
Sounds reasonable.

I mean we said that here too. When there was outrage about Sasha not named, I pointed out (amongst others) that NONE of the 2nd place teams were named and pointed out the men only had two spots and sometimes it's important to look at the full picture and the other disciplines before assuming a slight against Sasha. Most likely the decision was being made because of the men. (And them not wanting to take Makar to World's if at all possible.) Actually in ALL disciplines they were giving their reigning European champions the most time to recover and make it on the team - as ONLY B/K didn't withdraw from RusNats and they were beaten there. They were actually trying to HELP all their national Russian team almost all of whom were still recovering from injuries and COVID (INCLUDING Sasha). (Which is fair, unless you're Makar.)

 

[chasingneverland]

There is also the question whether Mishin will go to the CoR final with Liza and Sonia, or to Challenge Cup with Kolyada.

My guess is he's most likely go to the CoR final with Liza, Sofia, AND Anastasiia G. There is MUCH more at stake there. There's a world's spot on the line for Liza and most likely Russian team placements being at least considered for all three.

Mikhail already has his World's spot and his competition is MUCH less stiff. (It's just a chance to practice but practice internationally.)

 

[chasingneverland]

They definitely could have special cased Sinitsyna, they did that with Anna Shcherbakova in 2018 when she missed all qualifiers due to injury. It'll be interesting to see what the fed's plans are with Sinitsyna.

They could have. That was different though. There was actually an international season that year so lots didn't go to the Final. And also in this case there is a World's spot on the line (that's only happened once before) as well as likely national team spots. Plus they already have a full roster. They didn't really in 2018 (due to withdrawals) with Anna and she was just a junior.

 

[chasingneverland]

Plushenko is preventing Trusova from being destroyed again on the podium by falling behind Valieva, Usacheva, Tuktamysheva, Kostornaia. It is absurd to believe the invention that she is injured, because she will perform at the Mishin event and do at least 4 quads. It is even insulting that on whims the Federation gives her a place in the World Cup, much worse after we saw how Anna risked her health to obtain her place...

First of all Sasha risked her health too at RusNats. Second of all, who are you sending instead? (Kamila and Daria are too young.) Sasha has ALREADY beaten Daria AND Liza at RusNats - where she ALSO risked her health to skate. Sasha was THIRD at RusNats and SECOND of eligible seniors. Also she's never said she CAN'T do quads at all. She just can't do certain ones or her 3A which makes sense from a mechanical perspective.