2025 Russian Senior Test Skates

[bramweld]

They progressed so fast, aren't they? Aleshin became a great coach.

Yes, he has. However, he was always a very personable guy as well, which helps. Is Zhiganshin no longer working, though? I found that he didn't help Shev/Yez much, and for all his slagging off of his previous partner, his students' programs were reductive takes on what he had done with her. Did he find a new path for himself?

 

[bramweld]

Agreed. Glide is not K/N's friend and they don't have enough cohesion. P/C is more of a 'when there's no fish, a crawfish is a fish' partnership imo.

I also unexpectedly found myself interested in what M/U are offering this season.

100 % this.

 

[AlexBreeze]

Is Zhiganshin no longer working, though? I found that he didn't help Shev/Yez much, and for all his slagging off of his previous partner, his students' programs were reductive takes on what he had done with her. Did he find a new path for himself?

He did the programs last season but I don't know what happened after that. He's no longer listed as Shev/Yez's coach in the national team roster.

 

[Mathematician]

it still seems like a good showing to me.

The last 3 seasons were much better. It is a shame your interest just resurfaced as you say. At least before they had motivation to take the Olympic spot. Now there is nothing for them to skate for if they don't care about the art itself.

Anna Frolova... I'm sorry that in a field like the russian's one, she doesn't have the chance to really shine as she clearly deserves.

She wins GP stages handedly and podiumed at both of the last 2 GPFs. She came silver in one. At her peak she is clearly a top 3 skater if Muravieva isn't also peaking.

Adeliia is another skater who has never particularly moved me and, with the exception of Voilà, I have never particularly liked her programs. This season is no exception, but I am curious to see what she will do at the Olympics and I am happy for her that she has this opportunity.

If you haven't been keeping up since '21 then you haven't really seen her skate at all. I suggest 23/24 FS. If it wasn't for that program, she wouldn't be my favourite skater.

I had never followed or seen Ksenia Gushchina before. To be honest, I wasn't thrilled by her programs, but I still think she has a good presence on the ice.

Yea, her programs are always lacking. I strongly suggest last year's FS. She used Lana Del Ray. It's not my style at all but it was at least coherent enough musically to be enjoyable with clean skating. Her best performance was at Nats. She had the best 3F in the world last year if you ask me. Combos and axel are incredible as well.

Oh, BTW, if you are just coming back, you missed a lot in juniors and novice. I suggest watching a clean performance of Korchazhnikova's SP from last season, I consider her the most complete skater in history for 11 y/o. Prime Bazyluk was mind-boggling if you missed her performances also. People have posted some of the better novice/junior program in the Rus Ladies threads. I suggest keeping up with juniors this season if you have the time.

 

[meadow]

The last 3 seasons were much better. It is a shame your interest just resurfaced as you say. At least before they had motivation to take the Olympic spot. Now there is nothing for them to skate for if they don't care about the art itself.

Oh, what a shame then that my interest has been rekindled this season. Maybe I was drawn in by the Olympics, but in terms of domestic competition in Russia, admittedly it wouldn't make sense for there to be a lot of motivation.

She wins GP stages handedly and podiumed at both of the last 2 GPFs. She came silver in one. At her peak she is clearly a top 3 skater if Muravieva isn't also peaking.

I'm glad to hear it! Apparently, I'm behind on this too

If you haven't been keeping up since '21 then you haven't really seen her skate at all. I suggest 23/24 FS. If it wasn't for that program, she wouldn't be my favourite skater.

I actually followed her mostly when she was still a junior and then in the 2021/2022 season, then I lost track. I'll catch up on last year's programs to see if I change my mind, although she may never be my favorite skater (even though I absolutely recognize her talent and am really happy for her and the fact that she will be able to go to the Olympics).

Yea, her programs are always lacking. I strongly suggest last year's FS. She used Lana Del Ray. It's not my style at all but it was at least coherent enough musically to be enjoyable with clean skating. Her best performance was at Nats. She had the best 3F in the world last year if you ask me. Combos and axel are incredible as well.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll go look for last year's program then. I agree that the jumps are amazing, it's a shame about the programs because they penalize her a bit.

Oh, BTW, if you are just coming back, you missed a lot in juniors and novice. I suggest watching a clean performance of Korchazhnikova's SP from last season, I consider her the most complete skater in history for 11 y/o. Prime Bazyluk was mind-boggling if you missed her performances also. People have posted some of the better novice/junior program in the Rus Ladies threads. I suggest keeping up with juniors this season if you have the time.

Thanks again for the suggestions! I had read something over the past few months, and now that I'm interested again, I've already seen some videos about juniors in the Russian ladies thread. I definitely plan to catch up on everything