Consistency might be the name of the game for her. She looks up to Slutskaya (also a redhead Russian skater) and perhaps she's got some of her determination, too.
Let's not forget though that the competition for just three spots for Russian ladies is tough every year, and getting more and more difficult. This year alone we've got Lipnitskaya, Sotnikova, and Radionova fighting for spots. Plus Tuk is on a mighty comeback of her own. Add to Leonova the following names: Serafima, Pogo, possibly Proklova. So Alena has her work cut out for her and insane competition. If she can remain consistently good and if the others falter, she could be back on top of the pile. Remember that around 04-06 the Japanese had Fumie, then Miki and Mao came on the scene, plus Yukari too, but it was Shizuka amongst the three who was first to claim a world title and the only one still to win Olympics, so you never know what will happen.
Good luck Alena!! And thanks for the post!
I sometimes forget what a tough road she has ahead of her. It's almost scary to imagine how difficult it will be for any Russian skater hoping to make the World Team. Alena could land six triples, perform with her usual fire, and still not make the team. All the more reason for me respect her.
It may sound sappy but, I like all the Russian girls for different reasons. Now, with Russia being so deep, I'm going to have to figure out a way to deal with one of my favorites not making the team.....
Except Sotnikova !!! If she doesn't make the World Team, I will literally cry.
I wonder what will happen if Leonova decides to skate for another country, providing that the federation releases her and she secures funding? Not that she needs to, but it might be a smart move if she wants to bypass national competition and get to another Olympics. I was thinking - purely speculation only!! - that she could compete for Canada like Lyubov is now in pairs with Dylan Moscovitch, since Kate O is out for awhile on injury and the country might be looking for a great consistent competitive skater. Would Leonova perhaps be courted by other countries with deep pockets to skate for them? It might improve her chances to make another Olympics.*
*Again, this is purely speculative and I am not suggesting she defect or gain a second passport unless she actually wants to!
I was thinking - purely speculation only!! - that she could compete for Canada like Lyubov is now in pairs with Dylan Moscovitch, since Kate O is out for awhile on injury and the country might be looking for a great consistent competitive skater. Would Leonova perhaps be courted by other countries with deep pockets to skate for them? It might improve her chances to make another Olympics.*
I wonder what will happen if Leonova decides to skate for another country, providing that the federation releases her and she secures funding? Not that she needs to, but it might be a smart move if she wants to bypass national competition and get to another Olympics. I was thinking - purely speculation only!! - that she could compete for Canada like Lyubov is now in pairs with Dylan Moscovitch, since Kate O is out for awhile on injury and the country might be looking for a great consistent competitive skater. Would Leonova perhaps be courted by other countries with deep pockets to skate for them? It might improve her chances to make another Olympics.*
*Again, this is purely speculative and I am not suggesting she defect or gain a second passport unless she actually wants to!
Might be a bit of an issue, given that she's very proudly Russian - even won a World silver for Russia - but it would be a good move for her to move to somewhere like Canada where she'd get a lot of support and have a wayyyy better shot at another Olympics - or even Worlds.
Canada seems to be a great choice but if it really is so, then why we have so little foreign skaters representing Canada? Lubov and some of the American only. Balde was born in Russia, but his family moved to Canada when he was 2 years old. Wouldn't be a better decision to choose a country more eager to pay her, with slight competition and looking for any good skater? A country like this would probably be extremely happy of 2012 World runner-up.
I think it's a nice thing to be discussed/speculated not only for Leonova, but for everyone, since I'm curious about notions of patriotism when it comes to figure skating. I'm new at this, but I always thought of figure skating as a sport one plays alone. The Team Event was a nice change - I enjoyed watching the whole team cheering for their teammates in the K&C.
Anyway, here's my question: When it comes to the underdogs of big countries, what keeps them there, when they may have bigger chances when skating for other federations? I could come up with a few points (Federation $$$ support, home country, feeling of bigger achievement when being the top skater among such a deep field, need of sitting out for 2 years) but the competition itself makes results even harder to achieve.
Final question: Is it worth the risk?
PS: Sorry for stealing the thread, I hope Leonova has a great season.
Canada seems to be a great choice but if it really is so, then why we have so little foreign skaters representing Canada? Lubov and some of the American only. Balde was born in Russia, but his family moved to Canada when he was 2 years old. Wouldn't be a better decision to choose a country more eager to pay her, with slight competition and looking for any good skater? A country like this would probably be extremely happy of 2012 World runner-up.
I agree. I'm not sure how easy or how long it takes to become a citizen in different countries but, she could certainly become National Champion in several countries. I would guess that countries with strong federations like Russia, would also have strong skaters, so it may be difficult for her financially.
I would guess that Finland has a strong federation but, she'd have to be on her game to win in Finland. Are there countries with strong federations that don't already have a strong female skater representing them ?
It's certainly worth looking into as the Russian Team is not only deep, they're also quite young.
Not at all. She would easily take the Finnish title, unless Korpi has a big comeback.
And yes, her biggest problem is that the Russian field is deep and young... like there's so much talent that they're having to spread themselves thinly across Junior/Senior. The top 10 Russians can all land 3-3 and the majority can land 3Z+3T or 3F+3T. The fact that Leonova even made it to Euros and continues to be a factor is impressive in itself.