2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating | Page 532 | Golden Skate

2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

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I have posted here for almost 7 years and have never had an avatar picture until today. I chose this picture for the 3 Russians who literally saved the 2018 winter olympics for Russia and who are the main reasons for the unbelievable rise in Russian ladies figure skating! Bravo to Eteri, Alina and Evgenia for being all time greats and for doing so much to grow their sport in Russia and worldwide! :clap::cool::bow::cheer2:
 
Akatieva is marvelous, a lovely musical skater with tech to boot. Beautiful 4T and 3A. Her 3A especially has excellent rotation, entry and air position. Possibly best among the ladies, Kostornaya and Kihira have questionable rotation IMO. It's just crazy to see how ladies have evolved this past quad. The Olympic champion will likely land a couple of quads and triple axels.
 
My reason for thinking Maiia might stay in juniors is that if we look towards Gps there are 9 spots If we look at Russian Cup I would say Maiia is 7th behind

Sasha
Anna S
Kamilla
Daria
Aliona
Liza T

and then I expect Samodurovas and Medvedevas GP spots to be protected for next season if they continue. That would rank her 9th but Konstantinova and Sinitsyna might also be held above her. Alina is another one that might want to continue/ make a comeback and then she would be held above Maiia as well. So unless she takes a big step forward during the winter and spring a GP spot for her is rather perilious.

And if she doesnt get a GP I expect her to get a JGP as a consolation price.
How RusFed will decide senior GP spots for next year will be interesting. I have a feeling that they will go with the results from RusNats. Which means that's why they will probably give a bye to Medvedeva and Sinitsyna to RusNats so they have a chance to prove themselves.

The alternative is to go on old World Standings, which means that Medvedeva, Samodurova and perhaps even Konstantinova are safe. But that's a bit unfair IMO to the new seniors Sinitsyna, Khromykh and Frolova who won't stand a chance against that.

As I see it, the eight skaters who all scored over 200 points at the Russian Cup so far should all be considered (Trusova, Shcherbakova, Kostornaia, Valieva, Usacheva, Tuktamysheva, Khromykh and Frolova). Then there is one place left for Medvedeva/Sinitsyna/Samodurova/Konstantinova.
 
Bravo, Sofia, the first Russian girl, in one competition,
1. to land a triple axel in SP, and
2. to land a triple axel and quads in LP.

The second half messed up, as Sofia herself already realized. Here is her own take (google translation).
(https://www.sports.ru/figure-skating/1090927807-sofya-akateva.html?from=main-news-fs)

Sofya Akatieva: “I relaxed a little after the first half of the program, gave myself the freedom to think about something else and made mistakes”.

Russian figure skater Sofya Akatieva commented on the victory at the Russian Cup stage in Kazan among juniors.

“I skated badly in the second half. I am very glad that I managed to do all the ultra-s in the first half, I worked a lot on the first half. This is probably why not everything worked out in the second. Although I was able to do it all right.

I relaxed a little after the first half, gave myself the freedom to think about something else and made mistakes. I relaxed - I was very happy that complex elements were obtained, I was delighted and let myself go a little.

I didn't even think that she was the first figure skater in the history of Russian skating who did two quads and a trixel in one program.

We will not bet the quadruple salchow yet, but I want to. Flip and Lutz have already been tried with a fishing rod, and I will soon try without a rod, ”Akatyeva said.
 
Akatieva is marvelous, a lovely musical skater with tech to boot. Beautiful 4T and 3A. Her 3A especially has excellent rotation, entry and air position. Possibly best among the ladies, Kostornaya and Kihira have questionable rotation IMO. It's just crazy to see how ladies have evolved this past quad. The Olympic champion will likely land a couple of quads and triple axels.

Eh, controversial opinion maybe but i've always found Akatieva very messy artistically. Charming sure but unrefined. She has an edge compared to her teammates cause she looks a bit more consistent while also having the ultra-si elements so that'll surely help her in the future.

But you can see in the steps sequence of both programs how she's barely hanging those edges, while others here like Osokina or Muravyova just skated way better, with more flow and speed in between those turns, but they have all other issues. (Osokina in particular with the underrotations, slow spins and not great extension). You mentioned Kostornaya, and Kihira they also skate way better than her, even at her age.

The jumps while impressive she is able to land them, they're as suspicious as Alysa Liu quads and 3a. But as talked night and day that's a whole separate discussion on the direction unfortunately this sport is moving (towards not calling anything for the skaters we're supposed to like, super harsh judging for the rest).

Overall Akatieva is going to be a bit like Medvedeva and Zagitova, her strenght is all in the consistency. She is not the best skater in any aspect really: you can find skaters with better SS, better posture, better spins, better extension, better performance qualities,... but the job is done, and it is always impressive when you see all put together.

As Aristotle said: "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts". Kihira could have won Worlds already based on her quality but she never skated at clean in both segments at the big events.
 
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Watched Veronika's and Sofia's long program . The future of FS is veeery bright! Veronika's 4T is impressive in that the transitions before it are amazing, but omg Sofia's 4T is sooooo high! It's gigantic! Out of all rippon quada we've seen recently i liked these 2 of hers today the most.
 
Can anybody tell me how old Gorbachyova and Sadkova are? This was my first time watching both and I was very impressed. Sadkova is so tiny.

I've said it multiple times before, but Akatyeva is my favorite skater, she has the it factor for me. Her step sequence was messy today though, along with the whole second half, but wow those are probably the prettiest quads I've ever seen. I hope we will see a salchow from her soon in competition. Pushing for her to win Jr Nats as I much prefer her and Sofia S. to Kamila, however, I'm sure that won't happen.

Zhilina on the hand, I have trouble watching her. I mean the jumps are huge and the spins are gorgeous, but other than that, she is just so boring to me. The innate talent is there, but she is unrefined and unconnected to everything. As of right now, I can't say I am a big fan of hers, she's only 12 though so there is room to grow. I just can't picture her on the JGP next season, besides having quads, she doesn't compare to the other junior skaters past and present with her presence on the ice. I would even say Trusova was much more charismatic and interpretive around that age that Veronika is, even though you all pick Trusova apart so much. Idk I don't want to be so critical, I just don't see the hype in her. Was more intrigued by Gorbachyova today.
 
https://m.fontanka.ru/2020/11/12/69541030/

The St. Petersburg Figure Skating Federation spoke in favor of increasing the age limit in women's competitions

After the next stage of the Russian Cup in Kazan, the President of the St. Petersburg Figure Skating Federation Sergey Chopozov announced his intention to apply to the Ministry of Sports and the Russian Figure Skating Federation with a proposal to raise the minimum age in adult women's competitions. He spoke about this on Thursday, November 12, in an interview with Fontanka.

“We all understand perfectly well that a 14-year-old's body is formed differently than a 20-year-old,” said Chopozov. - They have different physics, they jump in a completely different way. Do you know what is most offensive? That these 15-year-old girls do not understand that their careers, in fact, will end in 2-3 years. Therefore, I want both the Russian Figure Skating Federation and the Ministry of Sports to hear me: we need to increase the minimum age for girls to participate in adult competitions. I will ask for support in this matter from our head of the sports committee Anton Shantyr.



 
Zhilina on the hand, I have trouble watching her. I mean the jumps are huge and the spins are gorgeous, but other than that, she is just so boring to me. The innate talent is there, but she is unrefined and unconnected to everything. As of right now, I can't say I am a big fan of hers, she's only 12 though so there is room to grow. I just can't picture her on the JGP next season, besides having quads, she doesn't compare to the other junior skaters past and present with her presence on the ice. I would even say Trusova was much more charismatic and interpretive around that age that Veronika is, even though you all pick Trusova apart so much. Idk I don't want to be so critical, I just don't see the hype in her. Was more intrigued by Gorbachyova today.
I dont think anyone is denying that Sofia A and Sofia S (and also Liza B) is more naturally talented performers and Sofia x2 have way better SS. But what makes Veronika stand out at this age is the jumps and the spinns that are fantasic for that age. But I think you are a bit unfair. Firstly she is a ful year younger than the other three and at that age it makes a lot of difference.

On the comparison with Trusova I also think you are being a bit harch. I love Sasha but she is not a natural performer either. For example that vivaldi program she had her first junior season was a real snooze. What made it interesting was the jumps similair to Veronika now.

Here is a program of Sasha when she was Veronikas age:

And here is Veronika yesturday:

There are glimpses of performance in each but overall I would say they are just two kids being taught the moves but not really understanding them yet.
 
https://m.fontanka.ru/2020/11/12/69541030/

The St. Petersburg Figure Skating Federation spoke in favor of increasing the age limit in women's competitions

After the next stage of the Russian Cup in Kazan, the President of the St. Petersburg Figure Skating Federation Sergey Chopozov announced his intention to apply to the Ministry of Sports and the Russian Figure Skating Federation with a proposal to raise the minimum age in adult women's competitions. He spoke about this on Thursday, November 12, in an interview with Fontanka.

“We all understand perfectly well that a 14-year-old's body is formed differently than a 20-year-old,” said Chopozov. - They have different physics, they jump in a completely different way. Do you know what is most offensive? That these 15-year-old girls do not understand that their careers, in fact, will end in 2-3 years. Therefore, I want both the Russian Figure Skating Federation and the Ministry of Sports to hear me: we need to increase the minimum age for girls to participate in adult competitions. I will ask for support in this matter from our head of the sports committee Anton Shantyr.


Whaaaaat? That means not Sofia when shes14 and no Kamila who is 14? Is this done because all the top girls as in novices and juniors train in Moscow? Is this political? Hmmmm.
 
Whaaaaat? That means not Sofia when shes14 and no Kamila who is 14? Is this done because all the top girls as in novices and juniors train in Moscow? Is this political? Hmmmm.
I don't know, though I don't remember anyone from SPB who would express any concern when Liza Tuktamysheva or Sofia Samodurova entered senior level. But let's wait what they will truly propose, what the age limit should be etc. I just think if there can be 15 y.o. tennis players playing as seniors, I see no problem in figure skaters of the same age skating as seniors (note: the numer of tournaments 15 y.o. tennis players can attend is limited, but in the tennis they - among others Roger Federer for instance - actually call for lifting the restriction, so it's confusing how some people in figure skating go the other way) .
 
The St. Petersburg Figure Skating Federation spoke in favor of increasing the age limit in women's competitions
I'm fairly neutral on this issue myself but appreciate that the St Petersburg Fed seems to have a different stance from Moscow. I don't think it's just a simple matter of rivalry with Moscow - SPB skaters in general seem to take their time to mature and have longer careers (although I may be generalising just based on Rukavicin, Mishin and Chebotareva's skaters). Or it could be a chicken-egg thing where they can afford to take more time because the competition is less intense. Whatever the case, this patient approach brought lot of success with men (where SPB is equal with Moscow or even slightly stronger) but less so with the women.

“We all understand perfectly well that a 14-year-old's body is formed differently than a 20-year-old,” said Chopozov. - They have different physics, they jump in a completely different way. Do you know what is most offensive? That these 15-year-old girls do not understand that their careers, in fact, will end in 2-3 years.
While he's right for the majority of girls, some women (in the minority) naturally have a fairly linear/compact build or high strength-to-weight ratio at maturity. Kim Yuna, Midori Ito, Elizabet Tursynbaeva, some pairs girls like Savchenko or Duhamel never really went through major growth changes. So if a senior age limit of 17-18 were imposed, an interesting side effect might be that women with these body types will dominate. Instead of the senior ladies field regressing into easy triple-jump territory, a select few senior skaters with stable 3A/quads may consistently dominate for e.g. 4-5 years (while the junior bracket would look like how senior ladies looks now, with champions lasting ~2-3 years), because 1. adult women physically capable of quads are statistically fewer and 2. adults may be less likely to lose the jumps. It may also incentivise coaches to further optimise their jump techniques for mature physiques, resulting in more adult women learning quads/3A.

Thus, as long as they don't introduce separate rules restricting quads for adult ladies, it may still be very interesting to watch because rather than separating out the veterans from the quadsters, the age limit might favour veteran quadsters :D The ladies field might begin to look a bit like men or pairs (e.g. Hanyu/Fernandez/Chen duking it out with multiple quads for 1.5 Olympic cycles).
 
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