2022-23 Russian Women's Figure Skating

[Jasira]

I must say it hurts to see 2 of my 3 favorites in the reserve team (Alena and Daria). But with their injuries last season I kind of expected it.

 

[lariko]

I must say it hurts to see 2 of my 3 favorites in the reserve team (Alena and Daria). But with their injuries last season I kind of expected it.

To be honest, with the seriousness of Usacheva’s injuries, she is lucky… I mean, going back to Popov not getting a spot discussion… tbh, women seem to have a lot more leniency then men.

Frankly, I dunno if they can stabilize Zhilina’s performance particularly if it is connected with seriousness of her back injuries. But if they do… all power to them.

I am also puzzled over Samodelkina, but I dunno, any of them still can represent Russia in juniors in a year or two after the ban. To me, Murav’yeva is the most ready for seniors out of the three, but Petrosyan and Samodelkina, tbh, I would have seen in juniors while Sinitsina in seniors. She is just something else, I swear.

 

[Jasira]

To be honest, with the seriousness of Usacheva’s injuries, she is lucky… I mean, going back to Popov not getting a spot discussion… tbh, women seem to have a lot more leniency then men.

Frankly, I dunno if they can stabilize Zhilina’s performance particularly if it is connected with seriousness of her back injuries. But if they do… all power to them.

I am also puzzled over Samodelkina, but I dunno, any of them still can represent Russia in juniors in a year or two after the ban. To me, Murav’yeva is the most ready for seniors out of the three, but Petrosyan and Samodelkina, tbh, I would have seen in juniors while Sinitsina in seniors. She is just something else, I swear.

I didn´t mean that the decision is wrong. I completely understand it. Daria´s injury was horrible and I just hope she can have some nice skates next season. With Aliona it´s a different thing. With the form from 2 years ago she would easily be on the main team. But since then everything went terribly for her.

 

[flanker]

The US Open organizers have said that it has nothing to do with the repercussions that the WTA & ATP levied on Wimbledon after Wimbledon said they were going to ban the athletes but IMO I doubt that it didn't have anything to do with it. So unfortunately I think unless the governing body of the sport has a backbone then the current status quo will stay. But ladies are going to take a step back (hey, they won't need a triple-triple to be on the podium at a GP this year, lol) and pairs is looking like a very scarce field so maybe after a few events if there is a dreadful enough viewership it will prompt a change. <<< My guess is the earliest the Russian/Belarussians will be allowed is after January 1. Because let's be clear once they are cleared to skate, at Worlds they are only going to get 1 spot per discipline because they didn't compete at the last Worlds so a lot of skaters will still miss the next Worlds due to 1 qualifying spot per discipline.

Not sure, if ISU insists "it's not a punishment nor eligibility problem" than I think it is perfectly defensible to demand full entries legally.

 

[lariko]

I didn´t mean that the decision is wrong. I completely understand it. Daria´s injury was horrible and I just hope she can have some nice skates next season. With Aliona it´s a different thing. With the form from 2 years ago she would easily be on the main team. But since then everything went terribly for her.

I am really rooting for her to come back. This year when she came out for the short in that small international competition it looked like she’s here to kick ass and take names. I am hoping for a strong year for her under Buyanova.

 

[Amei]

Not sure, if ISU insists "it's not a punishment nor eligibility problem" than I think it is perfectly defensible to demand full entries legally.

I hope they do get full entries because the Russian skaters are phenomenal but also its another punishment on athletes that didn't do anything to earn this ban (that Bach says is to protect them). But I just think unless the Russian Fed pulls some legal maneuvers the international consensus will be to punish them as much as possible

 

[Jasira]

Just imagine the bloodbath if there will only be one spot for ladies (and pairs)

 

[hanca]

How’s Sinitsina back in juniors… and why Zhilina is main team? She basically delivers disasters… and, of course, Morozova didn’t make the team either. Argh.

That’s easy to explain. They run out of spots on senior team. You have only six spots on main team and three in reserve. If you look who is on the main senior team and in senior reserve, Sinitsina is not better than either of them. I feel sorry that Samodurova did not fit in either, she is also on junior team.

 

[flanker]

I hope they do get full entries because the Russian skaters are phenomenal but also its another punishment on athletes that didn't do anything to earn this ban (that Bach says is to protect them). But I just think unless the Russian Fed pulls some legal maneuvers the international consensus will be to punish them as much as possible

Just imagine the bloodbath if there will only be one spot for ladies (and pairs)

I guess that in case when they will be allowed to return to int. scene but received only one spot it would mean another appeal to CAS.

 

[lariko]

That’s easy to explain. They run out of spots on senior team. You have only six spots on main team and three in reserve. If you look who is on the main senior team and in senior reserve, Sinitsina is not better than either of them. I feel sorry that Samodurova did not fit in either, she is also on junior team.

The last I saw, Sinitsina finished better than Kostornaya and she actually skated seniors vs Murav’yeva and Petrosyan. I would have had it as Murav’yeva and Sinitsina in main senior, Kostornaya, Kromykh and Petrosyan in senior reserve and Usacheva—in juniors, along with Samodelkina. But that’s me. At least everyone I like made it, and it’s pointless to protest the obvious thing.

 

[Amei]

The last I saw, Sinitsina finished better than Kostornaya and she actually skated seniors vs Murav’yeva and Petrosyan. I would have had it as Murav’yeva and Sinitsina in main senior, Kostornaya, Kromykh and Petrosyan in senior reserve and Usacheva—in juniors, along with Samodelkina. But that’s me. At least everyone I like made it, and it’s pointless to protest the obvious thing.

I wouldn't say Sinitsina 'finished better than Kostornaia' last season:

• Sinitsina at Skate America finished fifth and at IDF finished fourth.
• Kostornaia at IDF finished second and at Skate Canada finished third (additionally she finished third at Finlandia).
• Sinitsina did compete at nationals where she finished 9th, whereas Kostornaia was unable to compete due to a wrist injury;
• Their season's best score this season, internationally: Sinitsina was just over 205, Kostornaia was over 221.

***While not performance related Kostornaia was with Eteri who has politicking power and is now with Buyanova at CSKA probably with more politicking power than Panova for Sinitsina.

Additionally, Sinitsina is almost 18 years old, especially given the ban, I can understand the Fed looking at Muravyeva and Petrosyan (and Samodelkina as well) as better investments of their funding than Sinitsina who at 18 has had minimal success internationally and has never podiumed as junior or senior at Nationals.

 

[lariko]

I wouldn't say Sinitsina 'finished better than Kostornaia' last season:

• Sinitsina at Skate America finished fifth and at IDF finished fourth.
• Kostornaia at IDF finished second and at Skate Canada finished third (additionally she finished third at Finlandia).
• Sinitsina did compete at nationals where she finished 9th, whereas Kostornaia was unable to compete due to a wrist injury;
• Their season's best score this season, internationally: Sinitsina was just over 205, Kostornaia was over 221.

***While not performance related Kostornaia was with Eteri who has politicking power and is now with Buyanova at CSKA probably with more politicking power than Panova for Sinitsina.

Additionally, Sinitsina is almost 18 years old, especially given the ban, I can understand the Fed looking at Muravyeva and Petrosyan (and Samodelkina as well) as better investments of their funding than Sinitsina who at 18 has had minimal success internationally and has never podiumed as junior or senior at Nationals.

However, Kostornaya was injured along with Usacheva, and neither Samodelkina nor Petrosyan has senior int experience yet, and Samodelkina didn’t make JGPF… I don’t mind either of them being moved into seniors, but I feel Sinitsina is a slightly stronger candidate. Obviously, I would have rather had a spot for her vacated by someone else entirely

 

[Amei]

However, Kostornaya was injured along with Usacheva, and neither Samodelkina nor Petrosyan has senior int experience yet, and Samodelkina didn’t make JGPF… I don’t mind either of them being moved into seniors, but I feel Sinitsina is a slightly stronger candidate. Obviously, I would have rather had a spot for her vacated by someone else entirely

Kostornaia's injury was to her wrist, not exactly something that's going to impact her ability to skate, while against Usacheva, Sinitsina does have a stronger case because she's not recovering from a serious injury; per my comment about Kostornaia's coaches politicking power, it applies to Usacheva as well and not just politicking power, but a track record of successful athletes winning at the highest level (including bringing them back from serious injury) whereas Sinitsina's coach doesn't have near the history that Usacheva's does.

And yes, Samodelkina (who is on the junior team this year), Petrosyan, and Muravyeva have no senior international experience - Sinitsina's experience is minimal and given their ages and technical arsenal they have better future prospects than her.

You disagree I understand, but IMO I understand and agree with the selections for Kostornaia, Petrosyan, and Muravyeva over Sinitsina. Usacheva, while I do like her as a skater, I think was pushed over Sinitsina based on politicking power of her coaches.

 

[uwoawuwoa]

National team

Senior
Kamila Valieva, Sofia Muravieva, Adeliia Petrosian, Alexandra Trusova, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Anna Shcherbakova
Senior reserve
Alena Kostornaia, Maiia Khromykh, Daria Usacheva

Junior
Sofia Akatieva, Alisa Dvoeglazova, Veronika Zhilina, Elizaveta Kulikova, Sofia Samodelkina, Kseniia Sinitsyna
Junior reserve
Alina Gorbacheva, Anastasiia Zinina, Sofia Titova

Novice
Maria Zakharova, Taisiya Korobitsina, Lyubov Rubtsova, Taisiya Shcherbinina, Veronika Yametova
Novice reserve
Elizaveta Labutina, Nadezhda Ponteleenko

Aw, Samo didn't make Senior National team...too bad. Daria made reserve? Wow, after her injury I wasn't sure if she'd even compete this season (I saw her slip when her leg gave away as she fell several times in the shows so she's not 100% recovered, but still fighting). I'm a little surprised about Daria being reserve. I thought Maia would have made the main team, but considering how unstable she has been lately it makes sense that she is reserve. Sofia M is just as unstable as Maia on her quad (even Adelia on quads too) and even falling on regular triples during meltdowns like Maia but I guess they're giving her and Adelia a chance on the senior team.

I am happy to see the main seniors (Anna, Alexandra, Alena, Elizaveta, Maia and Kami) still there overall. I am a bit surprised though that Alena made reserve considering her recent injuries. Both her and Daria are very lucky.

Sinitsyna is back on the Junior National team? I hope that one day she can make the senior team. Very Talented young lady. Zinina was doing so well until recently so I think that's why she's on reserve. Zhilina though? She's been doing worse than Zinina. How did she make the team? Don't get me wrong Veronica Zhilina has major potential to be a powerhouse as she's shown in JGP Kosice (her only 1st place win so far where she was the most stable) but since her ligament injury she has not recovered her jumps fully at all. Her skates have been too catastrophic and have scared me for her at times. How did she make the main team?

 

[uwoawuwoa]

Kostornaia's injury was to her wrist, not exactly something that's going to impact her ability to skate, while against Usacheva, Sinitsina does have a stronger case because she's not recovering from a serious injury; per my comment about Kostornaia's coaches politicking power, it applies to Usacheva as well and not just politicking power, but a track record of successful athletes winning at the highest level (including bringing them back from serious injury) whereas Sinitsina's coach doesn't have near the history that Usacheva's does.

And yes, Samodelkina (who is on the junior team this year), Petrosyan, and Muravyeva have no senior international experience - Sinitsina's experience is minimal and given their ages and technical arsenal they have better future prospects than her.

You disagree I understand, but IMO I understand and agree with the selections for Kostornaia, Petrosyan, and Muravyeva over Sinitsina. Usacheva, while I do like her as a skater, I think was pushed over Sinitsina based on politicking power of her coaches.

Okay, I can understand about Kosto (the wrist), but didn't she say that falling on it is risky for her which is why she refused to skate while she was injured? I am not sure if she's fully healed but if she isn't it would make more sense to have Sinitsina rather than risk permanent injury for Kosto if her wrist is still an issue with falls.
If not then no issues here. I am happy she's still on the team even as a reserve again.

I hope Daria fully recovers but right now she isn't fully healed (she's having random slip/give issues when just gliding on the ice which she didn't have prior to her injury). It seems Sinitsina was cheated out of this one. She's very stable (except on that quad toe she keeps trying to push----but it's not happening).

Daria is an amazing skater but still recovering. I did want her on the National team but not like this while very noticeably injured and still recovering her jumps with the injury. I don't think she'll be pushing quads and triple axels anytime soon, but with Eteri we never know. I was shocked when Maia suddenly had a quad 4T and 4S and landed it (both) in same comp last season or so. Then Kami came out with so much ultra-c. Adelia gaining more each week. Came out with 4loop then 4Flip and 3 Axel in less than 1 season. Who knows how Daria will transform this season, but I just hope she can recover without permanent damage due to pushing too hard to stay on National team

In my opinion they should have let her recover and given her spot to Sinitsina or even Samodelkina.

 

[uwoawuwoa]

The problem with figure skating is the high degree of Russophobia long before any war with Ukraine, so the first opportunity other countries had to ban Russians from skating they took it. There's a lot of envy and jealousy especially for their dominance in ladies. Rarely did anyone say anything positive about Russians.

You are correct. There is EXTREME Russophobia in figure skating. Prior to our current events any nice comments I wrote on Youtube regarding Anna's, Alena's, Sasha's, Alina Z's or even Evgenia's skating resulted in the usual "pre-rotation" or "flutz" or "overscored" comebacks trying to bring the girls down. Yet these commenter's faves had the exact same issues and could only do 3-2 combos at best. Worst if their faves completely messed up they would be praised but if a russian Skater did a good job in the same comp those same fans would tear them down for no reason. It was a problem before now.

 

[Amei]

Okay, I can understand about Kosto (the wrist), but didn't she say that falling on it is risky for her which is why she refused to skate while she was injured? I am not sure if she's fully healed but if she isn't it would make more sense to have Sinitsina rather than risk permanent injury for Kosto if her wrist is still an issue with falls.
If not then no issues here. I am happy she's still on the team even as a reserve again.

I hope Daria fully recovers but right now she isn't fully healed (she's having random slip/give issues when just gliding on the ice which she didn't have prior to her injury). It seems Sinitsina was cheated out of this one. She's very stable (except on that quad toe she keeps trying to push----but it's not happening).

Daria is an amazing skater but still recovering. I did want her on the National team but not like this while very noticeably injured and still recovering her jumps with the injury. I don't think she'll be pushing quads and triple axels anytime soon, but with Eteri we never know. I was shocked when Maia suddenly had a quad 4T and 4S and landed it (both) in same comp last season or so. Then Kami came out with so much ultra-c. Adelia gaining more each week. Came out with 4loop then 4Flip and 3 Axel in less than 1 season. Who knows how Daria will transform this season, but I just hope she can recover without permanent damage due to pushing too hard to stay on National team

In my opinion they should have let her recover and given her spot to Sinitsina or even Samodelkina.

Kostornaia's wrist is healed now, her conversation was in terms of when it was broken and in a cast, Eteri remarked that she (Eteri) thought that Kostornaia should have skated at Nationals. I can understand both of their's perspective - Eteri is a tough coach, who doesn't accept surrender and thought that for Nationals that could mean an Olympic spot (even initially as a reserve, covid could have knocked any of the main girls out at any moment) that Kostornaia should have skated as others have with the injury; Kostornaia's perspective was that she could have done worse damage if she skated with it broken, fell and damaged it worse.

 

[uwoawuwoa]

Kostornaia's wrist is healed now, her conversation was in terms of when it was broken and in a cast, Eteri remarked that she (Eteri) thought that Kostornaia should have skated at Nationals. I can understand both of their's perspective - Eteri is a tough coach, who doesn't accept surrender and thought that for Nationals that could mean an Olympic spot (even initially as a reserve, covid could have knocked any of the main girls out at any moment) that Kostornaia should have skated as others have with the injury; Kostornaia's perspective was that she could have done worse damage if she skated with it broken, fell and damaged it worse.

Yes, I can see both prospective. A student wanting to preserve her health long term and a coach wanting to push her student to overcome the odds and reach success now at that moment. Both had their own reasoning.

 

[Alex Fedorov]

How about exciting 3T+2A...

The most frustrating thing is that many people want just that. To return to the good old days of simple triple (or even double) jumps. Some figure-skating Amish.

 

[flanker]

Sinitsyna is back on the Junior National team? I hope that one day she can make the senior team. Very Talented young lady. Zinina was doing so well until recently so I think that's why she's on reserve. Zhilina though? She's been doing worse than Zinina. How did she make the team? Don't get me wrong Veronica Zhilina has major potential to be a powerhouse as she's shown in JGP Kosice (her only 1st place win so far where she was the most stable) but since her ligament injury she has not recovered her jumps fully at all. Her skates have been too catastrophic and have scared me for her at times. How did she make the main team?

Not at junior nationals where Zhilina finished 12th but Zinina last. And the results at nationals (junior and senior) are the most decesive for being appointed into the team. IMO she can call herself lucky to be in the reserve team.