Evgenia Medvedeva

[AudreyElise]

Guys, I've been so down and depressed all day. I figured I could get it all out on here and you guys would understand. I'm just so sad and disheartened by what figure skating has become. I never thought I would say this, but it makes me not want to watch at all anymore. The system has become so corrupt and this isn't the figure skating I want to watch. I feel like the era of the Michelles, the Carolinas and the Yunas is over, and I don't like where everything is going. For a skater like Zhenya who skates so beautifully and with all her heart and soul to be written-off and treated like a has-been just breaks my heart. She was the golden girl for a time but once the shiny new toys came along she was tossed aside like last year's old shoes. It's all so unfair. I just want to be mad and cry all at the same time.

 

[ejnsofi]

I absolutely agree. Why is Russian nationals even running in a place where there are no adequate skating boots for top skaters? Why didn't someone rush to a nearest city and bring back a pair of skates? it was broadcast basically to the entire country. Despite all this, there is absolutely no reason to force a healthy athlete to compete with a high risk to injure oneself without a guarantee at top 3 placement. Not one. Therefore, it is a wise decisions.

Still - I am shocked at the entire boot problem and unwillingness to help. It's basically a force-majeure

Guys it's more complicated that this. For 99% even if there were boots available she would probably WD too because skating in new boots is as hard as skating in broken ones. I'm sure that Evgenia and Brian contacted EDEA and there would be no problem to transport new boots from Moscow. I even believe that Sambo club (which Evgenia still represents) would be willing to send a representative (nice PR thing) if it changed the course.

The fact is that the moment these shoes broke unexpectedly it was over. In World Championship 2017 Nathan's boots broke after 3 weeks and despite having new pair he preferred skating in broken ones because in new pair he popped every jump in training. The fact that Zhenya skips first few ice shows just to get comfortable in new boots shows how important it is.

Should EDEA make a statement? Probably. But it should be about broken boots and not about sending Evgenia new pair

And TBF Nationals can be organise even in Arctic Base - it's not an organiser's duty to think about places to buy an equipment.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

Well, I would, at least, watch that movie.

Me too. Would be my favorite movie lol

Off topic: I am so ready for the new figure skating Netflix show next week!

 

[Jeanie19]

Guys, I've been so down and depressed all day. I figured I could get it all out on here and you guys would understand. I'm just so sad and disheartened by what figure skating has become. I never thought I would say this, but it makes me not want to watch at all anymore. The system has become so corrupt and this isn't the figure skating I want to watch. I feel like the era of the Michelles, the Carolinas and the Yunas is over, and I don't like where everything is going. For a skater like Zhenya who skates so beautifully and with all her heart and soul to be written-off and treated like a has-been just breaks my heart. She was the golden girl for a time but once the shiny new toys came along she was tossed aside like last year's old shoes. It's all so unfair. I just want to be mad and cry all at the same time.

I know. I feel the same way. Evgenia is a special person and skater. Her legions of fans is a testament to that fact. I have never rewatched any skaters performance more than once, and I've rewatched hers hundreds of times.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

Guys, I've been so down and depressed all day. I figured I could get it all out on here and you guys would understand. I'm just so sad and disheartened by what figure skating has become. I never thought I would say this, but it makes me not want to watch at all anymore. The system has become so corrupt and this isn't the figure skating I want to watch. I feel like the era of the Michelles, the Carolinas and the Yunas is over, and I don't like where everything is going. For a skater like Zhenya who skates so beautifully and with all her heart and soul to be written-off and treated like a has-been just breaks my heart. She was the golden girl for a time but once the shiny new toys came along she was tossed aside like last year's old shoes. It's all so unfair. I just want to be mad and cry all at the same time.

I fully understand you. I have been watching so many of Evgenia's, Mao's, Carolina's and Yuna's old programs the past few days to keep me sane and from getting disinterested in the sport and next competitions. I really hope they will come to appreciate skating skills, spins and emotive skating again soon. That is what made me fall in love with the sport and many others.

 

[Rexarcadia]

I really appreciate everyone in here. I'm glad we have a place to vent.

There's no use in trying to put a positive spin on things. What happened is tragic and awful. The only thing we can be grateful for is that Zhenya is physically unharmed.

The future is full of uncertainty. But some things are certain: we love Zhenya and Zhenya loves us. She's here to stay and fight for many more years. And we will continue supporting her no matter what life throws at her.

 

[Maia96]

Guys, I've been so down and depressed all day. I figured I could get it all out on here and you guys would understand. I'm just so sad and disheartened by what figure skating has become. I never thought I would say this, but it makes me not want to watch at all anymore. The system has become so corrupt and this isn't the figure skating I want to watch. I feel like the era of the Michelles, the Carolinas and the Yunas is over, and I don't like where everything is going. For a skater like Zhenya who skates so beautifully and with all her heart and soul to be written-off and treated like a has-been just breaks my heart. She was the golden girl for a time but once the shiny new toys came along she was tossed aside like last year's old shoes. It's all so unfair. I just want to be mad and cry all at the same time.

I understand you perfectly because I feel the same. It's been a while since I told myself that I will continue watching this sport while Zhenya is in it.

 

[Imagine]

Guys, I've been so down and depressed all day. I figured I could get it all out on here and you guys would understand. I'm just so sad and disheartened by what figure skating has become. I never thought I would say this, but it makes me not want to watch at all anymore. The system has become so corrupt and this isn't the figure skating I want to watch. I feel like the era of the Michelles, the Carolinas and the Yunas is over, and I don't like where everything is going. For a skater like Zhenya who skates so beautifully and with all her heart and soul to be written-off and treated like a has-been just breaks my heart. She was the golden girl for a time but once the shiny new toys came along she was tossed aside like last year's old shoes. It's all so unfair. I just want to be mad and cry all at the same time.

Okay, she’s still one of my favorites, and I feel really sad about what happened to her here...but what? Who’s writing her off exactly? Eteri, because she rolled her eyes at some cameras that were obviously fishing for drama? Who cares what Eteri thinks about Evgenia anyway, as she is no longer in her life and has no influence on her career. Ok, her boot broke and her season’s over. It’s a sucky situation, but it’s not the end of the world. People are acting like she died or something. I love the 3A as much as anyone else, but Evgenia is very much still a viable contender. I mean, just look at Tuktamysheva. And what on earth does corruption have to do with her withdrawal due to an unfortunate equipment failure?

 

[Scott512]

First, I'm very relieved she withdrew. NOTHING was working in practice (she popped every jump) except one 3s3t. It was dangerous and scary to watch. It's disappointing but it had to happen. I'm glad she will still skate in the gala. I'm also very happy she was at least able to show she's in good condition in the SP, even though her boots were not.

I hope Edea make a statement soon. I understand that accidents happen, but this is unacceptable.

Considering that Zhenya is the most decorated and famous ladies skater competing, and this is the absolute most important competition of the season, there's absolutely no excuse for them to not do EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER to get her boots or fix hers. I don't care how far away or how difficult it is. There HAS to be a store that had boots for her, in a more reasonable distance than 50 hours from Moscow. There just has to be. Did they even TRY?

I can't get over it. Had Zhenya been able to skate on good boots, she could've been 3rd. Incompetency and unwillingness to help from Edea and RusFed may have just costed her the entire 2nd half of the season. I'm absolutely disgusted... She didn't even have a chance. It's so unfair.



I hope she will one day executive produce a movie about her life. Netflix, are you listening?

You may feel better tomorrow I hope so bubble. It was just a bunch of craziness with today and everyone got their hopes up because she did well in the short program all things considered with her bad boots. I know who feels worse than you and that's the company that makes her boots. I got a lot of bad publicity the last couple days.

Yes the Zhenya movie on Netflix would be good. And her character could be played by Anna Scherbakova who reminds many of Zhenya.

 

[Znowflake]

Welcome, Znowflake! Brian is so invested in Zhenya, and it is touching to see how open his reactions are. And, yes, I am sure Evgenia will come back stronger next year! She is the epitome of resilience.

Thank you! I am so sick of reading that her career is done etc... she is such an amazing skater! I am sad not to see the free skate because it was one of my favourite programs

 

[Znowflake]

Great first post, Znowflake! Welcome and post often!
I also love the interactions between Brian and Zhenya. They have a great and positive relationship. I am sure Zhenya will take the time and prepare smartly and efficently for the next season as well as enjoy her shows during the spring and summer.

Thank you for the welcome! I agree she will train hard and become better! Even in Kosternaias france grand prix this year she scored 76 or 77 in the short which is very comparable to Zhenya’s rostelcom scores! I hate how people say she should just retire and is a has-been... I really hope she stays healthy trains hard and comes back better than ever

 

[Znowflake]

When do RusFeds decide who the team is for the new year? Does anyone think Zhenya might be on it?

 

[Maia96]

When do RusFeds decide who the team is for the new year? Does anyone think Zhenya might be on it?

After the end of this season. I don't remember exactly when it was but I believe this year they announced it close to May.

 

[kahndradra]

After the end of this season. I don't remember exactly when it was but I believe this year they announced it close to May.

Since she’s already announced that she’ll be at test skates, we can probably assume she’ll be on the National team for 2020-2021. I mean, RusFed would be crazy not to have her on the team. She has the fourth best GP seasons best.

 

[Placebo11]

Guys it's more complicated that this. For 99% even if there were boots available she would probably WD too because skating in new boots is as hard as skating in broken ones. I'm sure that Evgenia and Brian contacted EDEA and there would be no problem to transport new boots from Moscow. I even believe that Sambo club (which Evgenia still represents) would be willing to send a representative (nice PR thing) .

I don't think so otherwise she wouldn't have visited a store in Krasnoyarsk to buy a pair of new boots.

 

[Good Vibes Only]

I don't think so otherwise she wouldn't have visited a store in Krasnoyarsk to buy a pair of new boots.

Well they probably wanted to get the boots ASAP and the quickest way was probably just to go to the nearest store. Unfortunately, that store didn’t have her type of boot. Breaking in new boots can’t be done in a day. It takes weeks to fully break in boots. I know a skater who works for edea and it takes her two weeks to fully break in a new boot. Granted she isn’t a professional, so it may take her longer to break in new boots. So even if Zhenya got the Pianos she would have had a hard time in them. Overall, it was an unfortunate situation. I am glad that did not risk getting injured though. I think that that was a smart move to withdraw.

 

[Erin S]

Some of what I'm going to say is likely going to echo what others have said (but that won't stop me from talking!). I think it is deeply unfortunate that this happened, and that there's no point in litigating the wisdom of having or not having spare boots, etc. (I am not an elite figure skater, so I can't claim to add much to that debate). I also think, as I'm sure Zhenya is herself well aware, that there was little or no chance of her getting out of Russia this year with the 3A as strong as they are, regardless of what happened. I do think it is extra agonizing that this happened at an event where Liza was sub-par and Trusova imploded. Zhenya at the very best of her current abilities could potentially have won the bronze in this field and that really, really sucks. But I also think Trusova's marks, even after that bad skate, were high enough that that also may not have happened.

What I choose to focus on in all of this (and I think I would have focused on this even as an objective observer who hadn't become such a Zhenya fan) is that she did not a.) bail out of the competition entirely or b.) fail in the short. That she skated a GOOD short, with a broken skate, rather than pulling a Tonya Harding of any kind, is just one more testament to her incredible strength. I might not have felt so hopeful about her future prospects if she had bailed out of the whole competition--the fact that she skated that short under those conditions was pure warrior stuff. I think she is intelligent enough to know she may just be buried through the remainder of the Olympic cycle by the 3A. But then again she may not. Trusova's implosion today was a good example of how treating these currently dominant young women as hopelessly un-defeatable would be the wrong call. And I get the sense that Zhenya is not chasing Oly gold specifically as much as she is interested in longevity at the top of her sport. She's smart and brave enough to know (as Tuk was smart and brave enough to know, and as many years ago Slutskaya was) that that goal will require a ton of major short-term defeats. She may indeed never get out of Russia again, but what I saw at this competition makes me MORE rather than less inclined to think she actually will, and possibly when it matters the most. Only time will tell. This was heartbreaking, but it wasn't tragic. I am glad she skated the short, and that she did so so successfully under those circumstances shows how strong she has gotten mentally and how confident she has grown in her new technique. And that is HUGE. That may actually be the single most important thing. But I am glad she didn't skate the long on a broken boot. As frustrating as this was given Tuk and Trusova's skates, it's hard to imagine that anyone could have held out for a whole free skate with that big of an equipment problem. Everything about this comp has only made me feel better about Zhenya's long game. (Which, honestly, is the only game at the moment given the 3A). As long as she keeps fighting I will keep cheering.

 

[Vemvane]

I am glad she skated the short, and that she did so so successfully under those circumstances shows how strong she has gotten mentally and how confident she has grown in her new technique. And that is HUGE. That may actually be the single most important thing. But I am glad she didn't skate the long on a broken boot. As frustrating as this was given Tuk and Trusova's skates, it's hard to imagine that anyone could have held out for a whole free skate with that big of an equipment problem. Everything about this comp has only made me feel better about Zhenya's long game. (Which, honestly, is the only game at the moment given the 3A). As long as she keeps fighting I will keep cheering.

Well said, Erin S. There is a lot to be positive about for Evgenia after these Nationals, despite the disappointment.

 

[Watch]

I'm still devastated. It's so monumentally unfair to her, I just can't get over it. Still can't believe we're not going to see her compete this season with her wonderful programs. She was so excited to skate to Memoirs, it's so beautiful through and through. I wanted to see it develop more over the season. This is just an awful situation and I hate that she had to fight through yet another set of hardships again.

 

[ejnsofi]

I don't think so otherwise she wouldn't have visited a store in Krasnoyarsk to buy a pair of new boots.

You can try to use heat (hair dryer, got water) to break boots faster. But it isn't 100% effective and makes boots weaker so they wear off faster