2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[Artemisa]

I think the problem with kostornaia PCS .. is because of the PCS of the past weeks of Anna, Kamila, Daria even with mistakes (even sasha) ... like they are judging her more severe.
Who deserves the first place to be honest. Both would be honest 1.
Sasha did a 3A but not perfect and sorry but a perfect 2A of kostornaia has the same points that a bad 3A .. even the single jump is better on kostornaia that's a fact... Kostornaia have faults yes and that's why a think both culd be a honest first after SP

 

[Baron Vladimir]

I expected harsh critics, but not a "political" response

It was more of an 'educational' response Skaters, especially after the injury, are starting with less skating content at the beginning of the season, which also includes lower speed, less steps and turns, less of one foot skating etc etc and with more training they are upgrading their skills during the course of the season. Some skaters are more nervous when compete in a big competition and that is showed in their SS too. 0.5 points fluctuation in SS score for a skater is pretty common thing. Now, one point difference is hard to expect during one season.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Combo GOE reflects both jumps or only the 1st one?

Should reflect both. But there were too many issues with the 3T (lean, scratchy landing, shaky edge on landing, stepout). Even if you gave it a +5 as starting value (and I don’t think it was personally), the mandatory GOE reduction would make it a 0 GOE at best, and even that would be exceedingly generously. The +2s were flat out wrong.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Agree about step out , but the wonky spin didn't disrupt the program, and neither did the lack of 3A. Neither should affect PCS (to be clear the step out should affect PCS as it disrupts the flow of the program, but the technical difficulty should not affect PCS and same with technical errors which do not disrupt the program)

A wonky spin affects the performance quality as well as compromises choreography and breaks interpretation. Difficulty should affect PCS. If a skater does the same program with only double jumps it is inherently easier and less impactful. I know there are some people who like to keep the elements in a bubble outside PCS but the reality is that technical errors are and should be detrimental to PCS.

You can’t tell me that a program with a 3A from an overall performance standpoint should be regarded the same as one with only a double axel.

 

[elbkup]

Aliona is skating to music that speaks to and defines the issues of her generation; her costuming reflects Billie’s style and Aliona’s interpretation is spot on in my view. She is entering that stage in life where her character is forming, she is becoming an individual with values and opinions uniquely her own, not a reflection of the adults around her... it’s a cause for celebration. I enjoyed her SP from that vantage point as well as artistically.
I must say (and I commented on it in a bit more depth in the Le Cafe thread during test skates) that Maiia’s music is such a poor choice for her that it borders on bad taste. Hubbell & Donahue skated to Hart’s “Caught Out In The Rain” a couple of seasons ago; a marvelous program but it caused a stir even for them as mature ice dancers, but, God Give Me Strength, WHO thought aniother Beth Hart program would be good for a 14-year old?! The SP Maia performed yesterday could have been done to interesting music more appropriate for one so young. She skated beautifully, no question, but to me it was a routine we have come to expect and a bit boring.

 

[Lechat]

The competition was interesting. Hate Eteri as much as you like but she is best at creating the complete package.

Aliona is of course the best skater at this competition, but the choreo doesn't fit the music always. There is this dramatic music change before the 3F+3T and she does nothing with it. The dress is pretty but it doesn't suit her well. It makes her look small and rather compact. These are just two examples that would never happen under Eteri. I think that Maia stole the show. Everything looked on point with her.

she was a little hesitant but it’s understandable after a long break. I like Aliona, she’s able to deliver even without her 3A and medal but she needs it if she wants to beat her top rivals.

 

[silveruskate]

Which Daria are you taking about? Usacheva? She fell from 3F-3T in her free at St3, but I don’t remember her doing a step out in SP or FS.

Watch the program. Hers was worse and resulted in a fall, but it was the same tilted axis 3T after a good 3F.

 

[kolyadafan2002]

A wonky spin affects the performance quality as well as compromises choreography and breaks interpretation. Difficulty should affect PCS. If a skater does the same program with only double jumps it is inherently easier and less impactful. I know there are some people who like to keep the elements in a bubble outside PCS but the reality is that technical errors are and should be detrimental to PCS.

You can’t tell me that a program with a 3A from an overall performance standpoint should be regarded the same as one with only a double axel.

I can tell you that, because that's the point in having a technical score. You get marked on technical and presentation , it'd be unfair for your presentation to be impacted by your technical. You get marked on your technical, and rewarded for it there, you don't need to be rewarded with PCS inflation.

For example:
If Patrick Chan skated a clean sp in Olympics 2018 with no quads, a double axel and two triples I'd still give him higher PCS than Alexei Bychenko.

I didn't feel her spin broke her interpretation at all. In fact, if I wasn't looking closely I wouldn't have really noticed it.

 

[silveruskate]

I really don't understand the outrage with Alena's preference of pop music over classical/lyrical. It's what she likes, why should she skate to something else? How could it possibly be a mismatch if it's her choice and what she enjoys. Everyone has their preferences and when you're training 8 hours a day, you should be enjoying it. It's also clear that she's way more into this program (and Twilight) than any of the classical/lyrical programs she's had before.

The only thing I will say is that many of the movements are similar enough that the program looks like another version of Twilight, but they're from 2 different choreographers so I'd bet that Alena likes that style of choreography. Like it or hate it, but she's not taking requests from the public and she shouldn't have to. The judges clearly like it too.

She's entitled to do what she wants, but I think it's a mismatch as this program is currently not within her range. Mostly it's the part before the 3F-3T, so if she improves it the whole program will be much better.

 

[FayD]

A wonky spin affects the performance quality as well as compromises choreography and breaks interpretation. Difficulty should affect PCS. If a skater does the same program with only double jumps it is inherently easier and less impactful. I know there are some people who like to keep the elements in a bubble outside PCS but the reality is that technical errors are and should be detrimental to PCS.

You can’t tell me that a program with a 3A from an overall performance standpoint should be regarded the same as one with only a double axel.

This kind of argument is why judging is a mess and PCs are useless.
No, it wasn't Alena's best performance and her PCs were fine. But performing a standard ladies layout with 3 triples, rather than 4 (which only a handful of ladies attempt anyway) shouldn't be a reason to automatically cap her PCs.

 

[McBibus]

I think the problem with kostornaia PCS .. is because of the PCS of the past weeks of Anna, Kamila, Daria even with mistakes (even sasha) ... like they are judging her more severe.

That's it.
If we isolate this round there is nothing to say.
We saw 2 "star" girls both with errors and a clean performance from a very good one that's not on par with them yet, so it's ok to have them close in final score.
We can discuss the order but we woul talk of details.
I, for example, have problems to understand a +2 from some judge on that combo.

 

[siela]

4T+3T+1Eu+3S by Veronika Zhilina: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHXvh2MKqGs/?igshid=1y0hs6g927g8h

 

[McBibus]

thinking this is the second group of not even a national championship competition what we see it's really impressive.
Medium level in Russia is terrific

 

[DSQ]

Aliona is skating to music that speaks to and defines the issues of her generation; her costuming reflects Billie’s style and Aliona’s interpretation is spot on in my view. She is entering that stage in life where her character is forming, she is becoming an individual with values and opinions uniquely her own, not a reflection of the adults around her... it’s a cause for celebration. I enjoyed her SP from that vantage point as well as artistically.
I must say (and I commented on it in a bit more depth in the Le Cafe thread during test skates) that Maiia’s music is such a poor choice for her that it borders on bad taste. Hubbell & Donahue skated to Hart’s “Caught Out In The Rain” a couple of seasons ago; a marvelous program but it caused a stir even for them as mature ice dancers, but, God Give Me Strength, WHO thought aniother Beth Hart program would be good for a 14-year old?! The SP Maia performed yesterday could have been done to interesting music more appropriate for one so young. She skated beautifully, no question, but to me it was a routine we have come to expect and a bit boring.

to be fair B.E.‘a style is baggy clothes with pops of colour, not very much like Aliona’s costume. However I don’t really think you could do a costume like B.E.’s style.

 

[McBibus]

to be fair B.E.‘a style is baggy clothes with pops of colour, not very much like Aliona’s costume. However I don’t really think you could do a costume like B.E.’s style.

not even Nathan Chen could skate in those things

 

[JazzUp]

Sasha will be going for 3 quads only this time: 4Lz, 4T+3T, 4T - that was in the submitted list; seems she went for a change

 

[McBibus]

Maia
Sasha
Mishin filming Aliona warming up
Aliona

 

[nussnacker]

Sigh... Happy for a solid skate from Nastia T., sad about her marks.
My poor Maiia
Good job for Sasha, impressive 3 quads!

Something seems to bother Aliona, perhaps her back? Her spins started looking really questionable, seems like she's injured?
Her PCS, only 2 points higher than Sasha's (who fell 2 times)... Oh lord, Rusfed, you're going to wreck yourself.

 

[Dogo]

What an ELECTRIFYING performance of Sasha Trusova!!!!! 3 beautiful and powerful Quads (attempting 4Q), improved musicality and SS! Bravo!!!

 

[nussnacker]

What an ELECTRIFYING performance of Sasha Trusova!!!!! 3 beautiful and powerful Quads (attempting 4Q), improved musicality and SS! Bravo!!!

what's 4Q? Sasha was done with learning all the existing quads, so she had to invent a new one and learn it
Something, she would totally do!