2021-22 Russian Women's Figure Skating

[chasingneverland]

Sofia: The program was not the best. Specially, the music selection. Unfortunately, she has no GP assignments and probably we will just see her at some Challengers. I hope she enjoys her programs and gives the best of herself.

Sofia is going to Italy. (She was guaranteed a GP if Russia submitted her on the strength of her standing.)

 

[chasingneverland]

We're all so used to expecting amazing things from Russian skaters that I think we need to remember that this is test skates. No one is going to peak for test skates nor should they. Also we need to remember that these are all young women with different goals and dreams and opinions and characters. which show in their skating - they're individuals chasing a dream.

 

[macy]

Did they score these programs today? Can't remember if they do that at test skates

 

[readernick]

Did they score these programs today? Can't remember if they do that at test skates

From what I understand, they do. However, only coaches get to see the scores.

 

[Hadassa]

Sofia is going to Italy. (She was guaranteed a GP if Russia submitted her on the strength of her standing.)

Thanks for the clarification. I am worried now because the program is not good enough. However, I think she may improve her jumps and performance. Actually, they might even change the program if Rusfed tell them to. I hope so.

 

[macy]

From what I understand, they do. However, only coaches get to see the scores.

Do we know if that is how the FS start list is made?

 

[Minz]

Sasha says she has a US visa, so she’s not worried about it. I believe Daria did not comment on hers, so it looks like there are still problems with entry in the US.

Sasha’s visa should be good for a little while, so she should be set for Skate America. IIRC, Daria was asked about it but declined to answer, which probably means that she still doesn’t have a visa because if she did why wouldn’t she just say yes?

 

[Minz]

Do we know if that is how the FS start list is made?

Doesn’t seem so. If scoring is used then this start order would make no sense.

 

[lutzlover]

Hi everyone! A few questions for you all regarding the test skates:

1. Anna's program - what is the story behind Anna's SP program? I noticed the beginning choreo looks like she's blowing sand. What's the context? What's the cultural undertones of the music? Someone said Asian, but the composer is Russian.
2. Olympics - What rules does the Russian federation follow when deciding which women to send to the Olym?
3. Sasha's program - What's the story behind the Frida program? Is Sasha supposed to be Frida Kahlo?
4. Kamila's dresses - I've seen rumors that say Kamila has had long dresses for the last two seasons because she prioritizes modesty (due to her religious background??). Has this ever been confirmed, or is it just a rumor?

 

[Arbitrary]

3 As Gleeihenhaus mentioned a couple of days ago, the "Frida" is not directly related to the image of Frida Khalo. Instead, it represents the art concepts used by Frida.

 

[Arbitrary]

Doesn’t seem so. If scoring is used then this start order would make no sense.

Placing Trusova the last, usually done to make her as nervous as possible.

 

[Amei]

Hi everyone! A few questions for you all regarding the test skates:

1. Anna's program - what is the story behind Anna's SP program? I noticed the beginning choreo looks like she's blowing sand. What's the context? What's the cultural undertones of the music? Someone said Asian, but the composer is Russian.

This was a quote, Daniil about her program, there are tidbits about several of the programs on this fan page. ***Note these were Google translated which can translate a little funky sometimes

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTsetY-InQ7/

"I wanted to combine the magic of the east with the idea that she was the lord of the storm. She controls the elements, collects a sandstorm, lets it all into the hall, to the audience, she fascinates. I gave this music to the studio to add a few bits to it, because I wanted it to be a modern version of the east - not Scheherazade, but something more modern.

1. Olympics - What rules does the Russian federation follow when deciding which women to send to the Olym?

Russian ladies have 3 spots, I believe the skater who wins Nationals (if they are age-eligible) is guaranteed a spot and the other 2 spots are subject to the coaches council.

1. Sasha's program - What's the story behind the Frida program? Is Sasha supposed to be Frida Kahlo?

From the same Fan instagram account of the Shcherbakova quote:

When choosing music for a short program, hair also played a role. The idea of staging under the soundtrack to the film "Frida" came to Daniil Gleichengauz during a trip to Mexico - returning to Moscow, he offered Tutberidze's music:

"I said: I feel, I see it'll be interesting and good - to whom? Eteri Georgievna said: come on to Sasha. I was even surprised at first: Sasha? She: well, it didn't happen, let's try it - there will be either fire like her hair or not.

Frida is a biographical drama about the life of artist Frida Kahlo starring Salma Hayek. Complex in emotions and embodiment, the film was very successful - 6 Oscar nominations and two statuettes, including the best music of American composer Elliot Goldenthal.

"This is my first time. I watched the movie and, of course, try to convey emotions. This year I'm trying to pass through myself," Trusova said after the premiere of the program, but immediately added: "I believe that figure skating is primarily sports, and then art."

1. Kamila's dresses - I've seen rumors that say Kamila has had long dresses for the last two seasons because she prioritizes modesty (due to her religious background??). Has this ever been confirmed, or is it just a rumor?

I've never read any interview where she specifies why certain dresses are certain ways. She's had normal length dresses, her bolero dress last year was a regular dress length, and the fan page that I linked above for the interviews about the programs has reposted pictures of her in more revealing outfits than say Shcherbakova's skating dress, so I doubt that the skating dress length had something to do with religious reasons.

 

[Amei]

Placing Trusova the last, usually done to make her as nervous as possible.

I disagree, Trusova has a problem with competition nerves - if she can't handle her 'nerves' skating last at test skates, why should the Fed have any confidence in sending her to the Olympics? The Russian Fed needs to know that whoever they are sending can keep it together in high pressure situations and as a senior Trusova doesn't have a great track record there so putting her last is 1 of 2 things: help her work through the nerves or know that the nerves are still a problem in which case they need to know that before they select the Olympic team.

 

[streams4dreams]

Out of curiosity born of jokes about Trusova’s overrotations, are senior women even allowed to do 4A in the short or will it be counted as invalid element if she’d gotten within < to it before falling?

How close do you think it was to being called a 4A? I seriously wonder if she can beat Yuzuru to it!

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

Sofia: The program was not the best. Specially, the music selection. Unfortunately, she has no GP assignments and probably we will just see her at some Challengers.

Sofia has GP Torino.
Edit: nvm, I see this was already answered above.

 

[crazydreamer]

Wow, Valieva's test skate SP I think may have been the most impressive I've ever seen. I haven't seen all of the others' from this year, and I don't know how test skates work. Were they scored, and if so, did anyone score higher than her? It's impossible for me to imagine.

 

[Anya00]

Sasha's athleticism is truly remarkable - I don't even know how you manage to overrotate a 3A The one thing I'm slightly concerned about is her flip edge; it looked noticeably outside (more outside even than a lot of ladies' lutzes I think) and I was just wondering how likely she is to get called on it this season.

 

[lopsilceci]

I really missed this and was happy to see everyone on the ice again. I only watched the programs once, so I'm going by general first impressions...

There was no program that I disliked except maybe Samodurova. I know it's not going to happen but maybe it would be a good idea to go back to her Euro champ season programs? I don't think I've seen her as confident or invested in any of her programs since then. Something's missing.

Anna - It's nice to see her in a different style, some moves did remind me of Alina's Cleopatra but I have no problems with that. This is only the rough test skates version and I'm sure Anna will do her thing and make it increasingly amazing and memorable, as she does.

Sasha - I really like this program for her. It suits her, is more mature and I think she has also improved her performance skills and she follows the music better than before. I hope she can finally nail that 3A soon.

Aliona - To me, this program suits her and I think when it's more polished, it will be really good. Good to see the 3 axel back too.
*Small rant:
I find it kinda ironic that many of Aliona's fans are the ones who are always most unhappy about Aliona's personal taste and choices. It's almost as if you have an idealized version of who she should be as a skater instead of who she actually is. *End rant.

Maiia - I like this program a lot and I'm glad that they kept it. It suits Maiia really well and she seems very comfortable in this style.

Daria - Very well performed and she has this magnetic quality and beautiful skating that you just can't take your eyes off her while she skates. I hope she can add at least one or two big jumps to her arsenal.

Kamila - Everytime I watch her I can't help but think "yeah, that's why she's the OGM favorite". She's just so good, almost like on her own level. I don't know if it's true that Eric Radford didn't allow them to use Storm again, but I'm glad that they went for something similar at least.

Ksenia - It's always good to see her. I do like this program, maybe a bit one-note with the music but it has potential. I hope we can see her many times this season.

Liza N - Very nice spins and good performance, but really needs to work on those jumps.

Liza Tuk - I don't really like her music but I think it gives her distinction, makes her look mature.

 

[yume]

Since Eteri seems to like Usacheva skating on musicals, i would have liked a program on wicked.
Since she will probably attempt 3A this season, i think jumping it after "it's time to tryyyyyy defying gravity" would have had an impact.

Sometimes your musical tastes don't match your skating. Kostornaia's skills shine the most in lyrical programs. Not this. Or Billie Eilish or twilight. Departure and Stella looks more olympic worthy.

 

[lutzlover]

This was a quote, Daniil about her program, there are tidbits about several of the programs on this fan page. ***Note these were Google translated which can translate a little funky sometimes

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTsetY-InQ7/





Russian ladies have 3 spots, I believe the skater who wins Nationals (if they are age-eligible) is guaranteed a spot and the other 2 spots are subject to the coaches council.




From the same Fan instagram account of the Shcherbakova quote:





I've never read any interview where she specifies why certain dresses are certain ways. She's had normal length dresses, her bolero dress last year was a regular dress length, and the fan page that I linked above for the interviews about the programs has reposted pictures of her in more revealing outfits than say Shcherbakova's skating dress, so I doubt that the skating dress length had something to do with religious reasons.

This is so helpful. Thank you!