2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[chasingneverland]

it's pretty unfair to assume she doesn't have the same drive as other skaters, who didn't face all the problems she had this season. yes, it was a tougher season for everyone than normal, but she missed way more training time, changed coaches, had boot problems, was injured, and had covid. all of this kept her off the ice much longer than the other skaters. she hasn't been able to get in shape and stay in shape...if she's not in competitive shape then she's not going to compete. why would this point to not being driven?

I don't think it's fair to question her motives. However, Sasha also changed coaches and was injured. Anna also had pneumonia (or covid depending on who you ask). Liza also had COVID. (Both Anna and Liza had to withdraw from events.) Yes, she had all of the above. But to imply that the others haven't had several problems this season isn't true. Sasha and Anna in particular are still not at top shape either. Anna, Sasha, and Liza were definitely NOT at RusNats and it was very obvious. Anna wasn't even doing full runthroughs at the time.

 

[macy]

I don't think it's fair to question her motives. However, Sasha also changed coaches and was injured. Anna also had pneumonia (or covid depending on who you ask). Liza also had COVID. (Both Anna and Liza had to withdraw from events.) Yes, she had all of the above. But to imply that the others haven't had several problems this season isn't true. Sasha and Anna in particular are still not at top shape either. Anna, Sasha, and Liza were definitely NOT at RusNats and it was very obvious. Anna wasn't even doing full runthroughs at the time.

right, but none of them except Aliona had to deal with all of that in like a 6 month period. i also said in my original post its been a difficult season for everyone. i know everyone was off the ice in the spring, some have gotten sick, etc. it's been a mess for everybody, and i'm not implying in any way shape or form others haven't had problems. Aliona literally hasn't been able to regain shape at all and its now February, we are basically at the end of the season. others like Anna and Liza are at least in good enough shape to show up and compete, but she hasn't even been able to get to that point yet. i just think it's pretty unfair to think she isn't working hard or isn't determined enough due to quite a few circumstances out of her control. we need to give these girls the benefit of the doubt, which doesn't seem to happen much here.

 

[chasingneverland]

right, but none of them except Aliona had to deal with all of that in like a 6 month period. i also said in my original post its been a difficult season for everyone. i know everyone was off the ice in the spring, some have gotten sick, etc. it's been a mess for everybody, and i'm not implying in any way shape or form others haven't had problems. Aliona literally hasn't been able to regain shape at all and its now February, we are basically at the end of the season. others like Anna and Liza are at least in good enough shape to show up and compete, but she hasn't even been able to get to that point yet. i just think it's pretty unfair to think she isn't working hard or isn't determined enough due to quite a few circumstances out of her control. we need to give these girls the benefit of the doubt, which doesn't seem to happen much here.

I actually think if it wasn't RusNats Anna at least wouldn't have shown up. Liza also only did because it's RusNats and she's been left off teams in the past because of it. Also remember everyone told Anna to withdraw including her parents, coaches, AND doctors. She was literally running a fever while there. To say she was in good enough shape is an exaggeration. Also Mishin was talking about withdrawing Liza too. Also I think the concern rises from not everyone does get the benefit of the doubt. The RusFed doesn't give it often and prob won't here. Aliona's only somewhat saved because of her international reputation.

 

[anonymoose_au]

Plushenko couldn't have been happier that someone was holding a microphone under his unmasked nose.
She just seems so above the circus that live television is.

Oh yeah, how dare Plushenko act like he's at a televised "fun" competition, it's not like it was advertised like that on TV or anything.

Maxim Trankov and Yagudin asked all the coaches for comments after their skaters performed. But sure let's pretend that Plushy crash tackled Maxim, yanked the microphone out of his hand and screamed "Look at me!!!"

Also the hypocrisy of some posters attacking Zhenya Med for "dissing" Maiia...maybe go check out some comments in the Cup thread about Maiia from members here...they certainly didn't rate her. But of course now that it's a way attack Zhenya Med they ALL love her.

 

[chasingneverland]

Oh yeah, how dare Plushenko act like he's at a televised "fun" competition, it's not like it was advertised like that on TV or anything.

Maxim Trankov and Yagudin asked all the coaches for comments after their skaters performed. But sure let's pretend that Plushy crash tackled Maxim, yanked the microphone out of his hand and screamed "Look at me!!!"

Yeah sometimes I find his antics a bit much (he's not alone in that) BUT it WAS a televised SHOW.

 

[anonymoose_au]

Yeah sometimes I find his antics a bit much (he's not alone in that) BUT it WAS a televised SHOW.

Exactly!

And at the very same time apparently him not jumping for joy at Sasha's score is more evidence he's a jerk. But of course if he had, the usual suspects would have accused him of being a showboat.

Sure is funny to attack him for this, Eteri has a stone cold face, doesn't matter if her skater just broke the world record or lost, she usually doesn't react. But for her, apparently, that's just evidence of her professionalism.

I bet if the roles had been reversed everyone would be like " Eteri's having so much fun with this! What a great sport! Perfect coach!"

 

[Vilord]

Makes sense. I get that you don't want to read too much into any one clip, but it was pretty clear across multiple clips that Anya was in a foul mood, and Eteri was visibly consoling her in that one video.

And there's also the 1TV footage, which I didn't link to, of Anya not clapping after Kami's skate. (Which I don't interpret as anything anti-Kami; again, it just seemed that Anya was dispirited.)

There was also a clip of Anna during Kamillas skate of Daria Pavliuchenka hugging her in similair to the way Eteri did in the video you posted.

 

[Jontor]

it's pretty unfair to assume she doesn't have the same drive as other skaters, who didn't face all the problems she had this season. yes, it was a tougher season for everyone than normal, but she missed way more training time, changed coaches, had boot problems, was injured, and had covid. all of this kept her off the ice much longer than the other skaters. she hasn't been able to get in shape and stay in shape...if she's not in competitive shape then she's not going to compete. why would this point to not being driven?

Like I said, it's just my opinion and of course that doesn't matter. But to be more precise, my questioning Kostornaia's motivations really has nothing to do with this season, it's just my impression of her as a person, and I don't mean that as a bad thing. We all have different motivations in life.

 

[Magill]

I agree with you. As much as I love Ksenia, I don't think she can get a Worlds spot unless Kostornaia and Tuktamysheva are injured. But if Ksenia can have a clean skate at RC Final (if she's invited!), she would be my favourite to go. But I see that as a 1% chance...

Speaking of Kostornaia...I am not completely sure we will see her at RC Final. I have a funny feeling she might withdraw...again. And I also don't think we will see her 3A back anytime soon. I am probably wrong, but let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if any of that happens.
I think the Eteri team was masterful in disguising her weaknesses, the Plushy team not so much. And the little we've seen of her this season has been underwhelming. Sure, she had a troublesome season, but so did everyone! I wonder where Alëna's motivations are, I might be wrong, but it doesn't seem like she has the same drive and determination as Shcherbakova, Trusova, Tuktamysheva and others.

After all, Alyona does not plan to be a coach, choreographer, sport journalist or TV personality. She wants to be a neurosurgeon. Must have different priorities. Being GPF and Euro champion has been just a little sideline hobby on her path to a serious career in a field that truly matters

 

[MaggieLin]

Like I said, it's just my opinion and of course that doesn't matter. But to be more precise, my questioning Kostornaia's motivations really has nothing to do with this season, it's just my impression of her as a person, and I don't mean that as a bad thing. We all have different motivations in life.

Agree with this. Alyona seems to have a lot of hobbies (horseback riding, chemistry etc.) aside from skating, and it's certainly not a bad thing for her as a person (which is more important than her role as a skater, imo). She has other goals in life and it makes sense that she wants to save herself more. I think she stated clearly that she'll retire after the Olympics regardless of the result. Whereas Sasha, for example, is very much solely determined in skating at the moment, and said she would want to go for two Olympics. Anya is similar to Sasha, though I think she spends a bit more time on schoolwork and family. These girls are all wonderful and are already soooo much more driven than the vast majority of people on earth...

 

[Dawn825]

I'm not saying whether Aliona is or isn't motivated, I obviously have no idea what's in her head. But I get why people are confused with the lack of clear information. Idk what the protocol is in Russia. If she tested positive for the virus in the beginning of December, would she have automatically been in quarantine for 2 weeks regardless of how she was feeling? If so, she couldn't have been back in the rink for more than a few days before Nationals. So, it would make sense that she wasn't ready to compete in time. Plushenko's message indicated that she was back in the rink training and had wanted to try. But once she was pulled from Nationals, she was reportedly not in the rink at all for a month. Why? If she had gone back to training before Nationals, the expectation would be that she would continue to train after Nationals. Was her stamina so bad in those few days that she needed another month with zero skating to recover? It's possible. But I understand getting the impression that once Plushenko pulled her from Nationals, she felt she had plenty of time to chill before the cup final. Even the cup final might not have seemed very important with Worlds looking so unlikely before the ISU council announcement from the end of January. I don't remember when the team event was announced.

 

[lopsilceci]

Also the hypocrisy of some posters attacking Zhenya Med for "dissing" Maiia...maybe go check out some comments in the Cup thread about Maiia from members here...they certainly didn't rate her. But of course now that it's a way attack Zhenya Med they ALL love her.

This is the opinion of people on the internet vs the actual team captain at a press conference. They do not carry the same weight.

 

[alexocfp]

The fiercest battle this weekend might still end up being Medvedeva vs Zagitova. Haha

Channel one stirring the pot. Not that the pot needs stirring it seems.

Press conferences aren’t actually press conferences. They are traps to get headline quotes or headline actions.

 

[anonymoose_au]

This is the opinion of people on the internet vs the actual team captain at a press conference. They do not carry the same weight.

Maybe so but to pretend they didn't think Maiia was on a lower level l makes me want to roll my eyes out of my head.

I saw a post where it was suggested Sofia Samodurova should have been invited over Maiia. I love Sofia and would of have been super excited if that had happened, but knowing the general opinion of her abilities here I'd say that's the biggest insult against Maiia you could possibly give.

 

[Magill]

I'm not saying whether Aliona is or isn't motivated, I obviously have no idea what's in her head. But I get why people are confused with the lack of clear information. Idk what the protocol is in Russia. If she tested positive for the virus in the beginning of December, would she have automatically been in quarantine for 2 weeks regardless of how she was feeling? If so, she couldn't have been back in the rink for more than a few days before Nationals. So, it would make sense that she wasn't ready to compete in time. Plushenko's message indicated that she was back in the rink training and had wanted to try. But once she was pulled from Nationals, she was reportedly not in the rink at all for a month. Why? If she had gone back to training before Nationals, the expectation would be that she would continue to train after Nationals. Was her stamina so bad in those few days that she needed another month with zero skating to recover? It's possible. But I understand getting the impression that once Plushenko pulled her from Nationals, she felt she had plenty of time to chill before the cup final. Even the cup final might not have seemed very important with Worlds looking so unlikely before the ISU council announcement from the end of January. I don't remember when the team event was announced.

Seriously speaking, none of us has any idea what is going on with her. It is all just wild speculation, that's all. I think Alyona is a perfectionist and she will not show up until she is sure she can thrill us. She has this "be #1 or don't bother" mentality, for good or for bad, which might haunt her a llittle now. Still I am just with her, on this as well. Whatever she decides, she's been just unforgettable, amazing, wonderful, beautiful and graceful and gave us all so much. All I have for her is good wishes and hoping for the best outcome of this messy year, whatever that means to the little devilish angel of ice rinks.

 

[alexocfp]

Maybe so but to pretend they didn't think Maiia was on a lower level l makes me want to roll my eyes out of my head.

I saw a post where it was suggested Sofia Samodurova should have been invited over Maiia. I love Sofia and would of have been super excited if that had happened, but knowing the general opinion of her abilities here I'd say that's the biggest insult against Maiia you could possibly give.

Ok so Maiia was weak link. But she can’t get better if she doesn’t skate in advanced events like this.

Just because Kamila was able to move up to seniors with ease, doesn’t mean everyone will.

This stuff is not easy for the experienced skaters, let alone the juniors.

 

[Skatesocs]

I was just watching Sinitsyna's performances last season, and the main question I have is does Russia have a choreographer outside of Morozov and Averbukh? Not talking about in-house ones like Gleikhengauz and Rozanov, rather the ones who choreograph by profession and can be commissioned by anyone. These are decent programs for Sinitsyna, and she was only a junior in these videos, but I think they can all use a good choreographer to get to the next level. We've had some good programs (like Aliev's Masquerade Waltz/To Build a Home, and Mozalev's LP this season), but generally I hope someone steps up to the platter soon. I will give Daniil his SPs for Valieva and Usacheva this season though (ETA: And Anna's LP).

Anyway, I wouldn't compare last season's Sinitsyna with this season's Usacheva. I'd definitely give Usacheva the edge in terms of overall skating now, though her LP is worse than what we saw from Sinitsyna last season.

 

[anonymoose_au]

Ok so Maiia was weak link.

I don't deny this, I'm just pointing out how hypocritical it is for people to tear into Zhenya Med for saying the same thing.

You can bet your life if Alina had said it these people would make zero fuss and probably be like "Fair play."

If you ask me Alina and Yagudin were the ones taking this event way too seriously, Alina acted like it was life or death, Yagudin was appalling.

But sure let's bash Med for pointing out her team won the audience award, although I read that Alina thinks that was rigged.

Who cares Alina you got the shiny trophy, you and your team are the best, take a chill pill.

 

[alexocfp]

I don't deny this, I'm just pointing out how hypocritical it is for people to tear into Zhenya Med for saying the same thing.

You can bet your life if Alina had said it these people would make zero fuss and probably be like "Fair play."

If you ask me Alina and Yagudin were the ones taking this event way too seriously, Alina acted like it was life or death, Yagudin was appalling.

But sure let's bash Med for pointing out her team won the audience award, although I read that Alina thinks that was rigged.

Who cares Alina you got the shiny trophy, you and your team are the best, take a chill pill.

It it what it is. Fandom does that. People will see what they want to see and spin what they want to spin.

I have no dog in the fight so I can speak freely.

Look, there is no need to pretend that there isn’t a professional, even personal, rivalry. That’s sports.

And Channel One knows that so they are going to highlight it. There are 140 plus million people in Russia and they chose these 2 to be captains. That wasn’t done coincidentally.

It was done because they knew their actions will be discussed long after the event is over. And obviously they were right. Because even the non Russians are in on the debates here.

 

[flanker]

Something to lighten up the mood...