The greatest female Russian singles skater

[Ballade88]

I could never understand why I was always underwhelmed by their ladies single discipline when they have had beautiful skaters in pairs (e.g. Katia Gordeeva).
Irina is the most successful to date but I never enjoyed her style much. I actually think the previous trio Adelina-Julia-Lena were far more interesting than the current ones. They had different styles and there was potential. It's so unfortunate that Julia's career was cut short due to personal issues. I think one issue is that their fed don't allow these skaters to develop fully because they know they have many others that can replace them.

 

[jenaj]

I am another SLutskaya voter but I am another of the people who do think longevity plays a factor (More than Olympic Golds - look at Kurt Browning who I think is the greatest male figure skater ever). I loved Slutskaya when she started - her sheer joy at skating was really infectious - but she won me over into being a fan over time. Lipnistkaya had the presence to do that, but her skating didn't hold up - it would be difficult to vote for her. Sotnikova won OG too early. I think she had the potential to be amazing and I think we were deprived of that. She always felt a more well rounded skater than Tukt. Medvedeva I find difficult to judge. Her ability to garner all the points she can and her consistency is remarkable, but I never look forward to her programs though I can appreciate their execution. I don't know how she would have held up in the 6.0 era. Slutskaya learnt to manage both though Medvedeva is a better exponent of IJS as it currently stands. I certainly found Slutskaya more exciting but that again is personal. Trying to weigh all the different factors up brings me back to longevity at the top and hence to Slutskaya though on that measure Butyrskaya gives a close fight.

Mevedeva can be judged after she retires (or wins/medal consistently for more than just two years, so far). She may be the greatest; we just don't know yet. She is certainly a candidate. Slutskaya had a winning streak, too, in 2004-05 and into the next season until she was defeated by 15 year old Mao Asada at the Grand Prix final. LOL at those who cite Lipnitskaya. As much as I loved her Schindler's List, it was a one-off.

 

[Mathman]

I may have missed Leonova and ET but I don't think Yamaguchi would be considered as a great champ. If you took her performances as a pro maybe but her amateur programs while good not overly great I think she won with a fall and her longevity was not as an amateur.

A little off-topic on this thread, but I have to stick up for Kristi here.

First, I think that her unparalleled (in the U.S.) success on the pro circuit is not to be dismissed so lightly. In most sports, athletes hone their craft as youthful amateurs in the hopes of someday making it to the pro ranks. In skating, professional competitions have disappeared (in the U.S.), but I would give Kristi a lot of credit for carrying the sport of pro skating and skating shows as entertainment on her back for many years.

As for her amateur career, she has two world championships (the same as Irina Slutskaya, the same as Evgenia Medvedeva, the same as Yuna Kim) to go along with her Olympic gold medal. Not to mention a world junior championship in pairs.

 

[icetigger]

A little off-topic on this thread, but I have to stick up for Kristi here.

First, I think that her unparalleled (in the U.S.) success on the pro circuit is not to be dismissed so lightly. In most sports, athletes hone their craft as youthful amateurs in the hopes of someday making it to the pro ranks. In skating, professional competitions have disappeared (in the U.S.), but I would give Kristi a lot of credit for carrying the sport of pro skating and skating shows as entertainment on her back for many years.

As for her amateur career, she has two world championships (the same as Irina Slutskaya, the same as Evgenia Medvedeva, the same as Yuna Kim) to go along with her Olympic gold medal. Not to mention a world junior championship in pairs.

Also, she set the standard of the two lutz, one in combination with a triple toe-loop that is pretty much the standard that the majority of ladies jump or attempt to jump today. If what you did is still the basis of the sport 25 years later, you are a great. She couldn't do what Midori Ito could do, but she did what was more likely achievable for her and really every woman that followed her to do, with a great balance between athleticism and artistry. Yes, Kwan and Kim and so on refined certain aspects, and the overall package might have been better, but the package itself was her invention. Very rarely do any skaters jump or skate beyond the Yamaguchi standard, and those that do are usually anomalies who have other weaknesses. Plus, she won three times at a world level, and there is no reason anyone would have to say that her influence on the sport was less than positive., or that she was anything but a great sportsperson. There is no Russian lady that can be thought to have anything resembling her influence on the sport as a whole. Sure Yulia gave us an Olga Korbut moment, but she was a product of a particular school of skating that then produced a more extreme version in Medvedeva, whose influence on the sport overall would be seen by many to be negative. And Elizaveta had one great season and a did a triple axel, but she also was wrecked by having to come off of the performance enhancing drug she was using when it was made illegal: even she does not skate to her own legacy nowadays. And as for Slutskaya, is she really an influence on how anyone skates nowadays? Greats mean something to the sport overall, not just the country they competed for.

 

[gotoschool]

I think Irina is overall the greatest Russian woman skater because of her longevity and because she often made an art out of athleticism in many areas such as excellent skating skills, beautiful and powerful jumps with symmetrical air position, flexible spins with good speed especially Biellmann spins on both legs, difficult footwork as in transitioning her weight on one blade for an extended length of the rink smoothly and because she had an unpretentious presentation style that I felt was sincere, committed and that I connected with in her best performances. I don't think she had great posture or a lot of elegance, but her other admirable qualities made up for a whole lot of this and I like to watch a number of her performances again, like her 2000 Worlds LP, 2002 Olympics SP and 2005 Worlds LP and others.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Elizaveta had one great season and a did a triple axel, but she also was wrecked by having to come off of the performance enhancing drug she was using when it was made illegal: even she does not skate to her own legacy nowadays.

I don't think this is a fair characterization. A lot of skaters have one very good season then have a drop in form.

 

[Manitou]

By accomplishment definitely Slutskaya, by popularity and world wide impact it's Yulia.

 

[jenaj]

Also, she set the standard of the two lutz, one in combination with a triple toe-loop that is pretty much the standard that the majority of ladies jump or attempt to jump today. If what you did is still the basis of the sport 25 years later, you are a great. She couldn't do what Midori Ito could do, but she did what was more likely achievable for her and really every woman that followed her to do, with a great balance between athleticism and artistry. Yes, Kwan and Kim and so on refined certain aspects, and the overall package might have been better, but the package itself was her invention. Very rarely do any skaters jump or skate beyond the Yamaguchi standard, and those that do are usually anomalies who have other weaknesses. Plus, she won three times at a world level, and there is no reason anyone would have to say that her influence on the sport was less than positive., or that she was anything but a great sportsperson. There is no Russian lady that can be thought to have anything resembling her influence on the sport as a whole. Sure Yulia gave us an Olga Korbut moment, but she was a product of a particular school of skating that then produced a more extreme version in Medvedeva, whose influence on the sport overall would be seen by many to be negative. And Elizaveta had one great season and a did a triple axel, but she also was wrecked by having to come off of the performance enhancing drug she was using when it was made illegal: even she does not skate to her own legacy nowadays. And as for Slutskaya, is she really an influence on how anyone skates nowadays? Greats mean something to the sport overall, not just the country they competed for.

We have Slutskaya to thank--or blame-- for the ubiquity of Biellmann spins. Back in her time, she was the only one doing them and I always got the feeling that she and the Russian federation thought there should be more credit given to that particular move. And here we are...

 

[skateluvr]

I think so far it has to be Irina Slutskaya because of hr Russian/European/world / Olympic medals across a 10 year span. Also she went from being nothing busy a rosy cheeked jumper to i proving vastly her musicality and presentation though it was never her forte. Had she been able to skate like Michelle or Sasha or even Maria she would have more gold than silver medals. The babies that came up like Adelina, Julia and Liza all had their season or even just a few events in the sun but two are finished and one is not the triple axel girl anymore that won a world title. So the only person who may make a run for that title is Evgenia with two world titles and an ability to do jumps no one else can and her stamina so far is great. She is consistent and she wins because she lives it out there and nerves are not an issue. The judges like the package in this cop era and she wins wins wins because she has a coach who will eke out every point pretty or not. Sometimes I prefer other Russians - at her best Anna P is the whole package and her only issue is nerves. That said people love Alina Zagotova and her ballet programs and while I think the tutus ate too too much she certainly has a lot of sparkle.

All that said I think I would much rather watch an on the ball Ashley or Gracie. I also prefer two Canadians in style. I also love a couple Korean girls. Technically no one can beat Evgenia and she has enough of everything else to compete with the best artistic skaters out there. To me I feel I am watching a child prodigy of the rink who spends every waking moment skating and being packaged by Eteri. I do not watch her programs thus far and say wow that was really so beautiful and moving and mature. All the jumps in the world are not going to give us that ahah moment no matter how well she rotates or tanks them. I find her still just way too thin and I am not an Eteri fan because of what happened with Julia. I think it possible Evgenia already has an eating disorder we may never know about until,she retires and writes a book. She seems like she will win Olympic Gold and the. We will have to say she is the best cop athlete skater Russia has produced.

There is no one that may unseat her because she does all those tanos and backloads and can easily do 3x3 so she can get so far ahead technically. Elena and Anna won't beat her unless she really screws up. Alina is a different flavor so the judges might some day adore her. There hasn't been an overt ballerina type since Oksana.

I honestly get repelled by the legs and knees on Evgenia, beautiful face but I like to see a teenager mature. I was very slender but nice legs and knees despite being tiny also but taller. So it isn't body shaming. Ladies skating is and has been about beauty and she has a darling face with lively expressive eyes. I can see why she wins but these young cop super jumpers are really missing the beautiful spirals and spins and charlottes. But our readership here is young. Most older people really don't follow skating much since it is all about teens. Literally there were four women or those who looked like women at the top-Mao, Ashley Gracie and Caro. I don't know where Gracie is now I have not read these uber long us ladies threads and won't. No matter what country. So I se Ashley And Caro still skating. And they are old for this sport. It goes against them. It is like gymnastics now and Tara Lipinski was the tiny template. Russian girls who have yet to go through puberty and Asian female body types. Joshi looks like from the last century. It is a teen sport and they retire long before a professional career can bring out the artist.

Until Evgenia wins Olympic Gold and then the following worlds I think we have to say Irina but Evgenia is the next Russian Superstar. They absolutely know how to turn out winners now in ladies so how long will Evgenia be in? Will she even skate after2018 if she wins Oly gold? Likely not. So next???

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I would say Irina, because she had the greatest success at all levels of international competition (Olympics, Euros, Worlds, Grand Prix Series). Once Evgenia has competed in Olympic competition, I would expect her to surpass Irina.

 

[Skater Boy]

Focus people focus. This isn't a post about Canadians, Yamaguchi fans or loyalists or whatever or Mao or Yuna or about the price of tea in China. It is about the all time great Russian great female singles skater. Who knows how Med will fair. The Japanese look strong and an on Wagner, Osmond, Daleman, Gold, Chen, Nagasu,Kostner could throw a wrench into tings not to mention her compatriots - Pogo, Alina. Rad, ET or Maria even.

 

[Mathman]

...I don't think Yamaguchi would be considered as a great champ. If you took her performances as a pro maybe but her amateur programs while good not overly great I think she won with a fall and her longevity was not as an amateur. She was a pretty American princess type skater with consistent jumps. her jumps were not wow like Ito or even Harding. Her artistry was nice but she was no Kwan, Kim, Asada orKostner even. Her spins were fine but no Swiss marvel. She was not not magical to most. But we digress...

Focus people focus. This isn't a (thread) about Canadians, Yamaguchi fans or loyalists or whatever of Mao or Yuna or about the price of tea in China...

 

[4everchan]

exactly...

 

[plushyfan]

I could never understand why I was always underwhelmed by their ladies single discipline when they have had beautiful skaters in pairs (e.g. Katia Gordeeva).
Irina is the most successful to date but I never enjoyed her style much. I actually think the previous trio Adelina-Julia-Lena were far more interesting than the current ones. They had different styles and there was potential. It's so unfortunate that Julia's career was cut short due to personal issues. I think one issue is that their fed don't allow these skaters to develop fully because they know they have many others that can replace them.

You don't forget she moved to US. She became much more beautiful skater than before in American's eyes...

 

[Jennifer Lyon]

Irina Slutskaya would be the #1 Russian lady on my list. For second place, I'd say Maria Butyrskaya who showed the world that a skater in her late 20s can still compete-- and win-- at the World Championships.

 

[Rada]

Slutskaya - because of her medals, charisma and strong personality. She`s like Plushenko
Butyrskaya - she got the first Worlds for Russian ladies. And she was so beatiful on the ice! She was such a WOMAN! Nobody can compare with her. Of cours, there were Mao, and Yuna, and Mishelle... But Maria - it was another level. I mean, in feminiity.

It`s difficult to speak about girls who compete nowdays. Will see But it`s greate that there`re so many of them. It`s first time in russian FS, after decades of great dancers, pairs and men

 

[plushyfan]

Slutskaya - because of her medals, charisma and strong personality. She`s like Plushenko
Butyrskaya - she got the first Worlds for Russian ladies. And she was so beatiful on the ice! She was such a WOMAN! Nobody can compare with her. Of cours, there were Mao, and Yuna, and Mishelle... But Maria - it was another level. I mean, in feminiity.

It`s difficult to speak about girls who compete nowdays. Will see But it`s greate that there`re so many of them. It`s first time in russian FS, after decades of great dancers, pairs and men

this is what I thought about her always..

 

[Sugarpova]

Maria

 

[russianfan]

Maria

Sugarpova?

 

[Alex D]

Sugarpova?

Ya I am sure that´s where he got his name from It´s actually quite delicious! "Sporty, the taste of victory"

@ Topic

I have only seen two live of the past big Russian ladies and that would be Irina and Maria.

Maria had an insane ability to skate as a lady, maybe something that many of the current skaters try to achieve and yet never can. It was a very special atmosphere, with her on the ice.

Irina started out as a young girl, I remember her pony tail from 1998, later she had her hair shorter and her programs were always very creative and a lot of joy. She really understood how to skate for the crowds and I often felt, that the crowd did not give her back enough. 2002 was her biggest defeat, I still don´t understand what has happened, she was so lovely!

Impressive was how she always found a way back, no matter how unfair things were. After she lost to Sarah, she came back with her cowboy program and just had a great time on ice. 2005 she was dominating, after a long timeout, what a lady!

I got up, you can too

became her trademark and an inspiration for all the young girls in Russia.