From Russia with Love [#31]: Winter to Spring 2019

I thought there were just 2 spots for Worlds. 3 for Euro and 2 for Worlds. If there are 3, then Kovtun lucked out.

Kolyada finished 3rd. Aliev finished 7th. 10 points=3 spots.

I would imagine it took a whole lot of work for Kovtun to climb back from the bottom of the Russian field at last year's Nationals to winning it this season and being a likely selection for the World team. So I wouldn't call it luck. I suppose they could select Lazukin if they wish. He was fourth at Nationals and just won the Russian Cup Final. Kovtun's score at Europeans was very low. But a sixth place finish for Lazukin's free skate at this event isn't very persuasive.
 
I suppose they could select Lazukin if they wish. He was fourth at Nationals and just won the Russian Cup Final. Kovtun's score at Europeans was very low. But a sixth place finish for Lazukin's free skate at this event isn't very persuasive.

Also, let's not forget that Lazukin pulled a Kovtun 2 weeks ago at Dragon trophy, lost his 12 point lead over Petrov and ended up 2nd with a score less than what Kovtun received at Euros. I don't think they will swap Kovtun out for Lazukin. And yes his free skate at the Cup Final wasn't very persuasive.
 
Results :

What are they going to do with these results??
https://www.fsrussia.ru/results/1819/cor1819/CAT002RS.HTM

I think Medveda needed a convincing win to get the spot and she didn't get that. My guess is that they'll go with Tuk. And if Mishin really did get told that she had an automatic worlds spot then making her do this competition was cruel and she should absolutely be the one to go.

She was scored very generously in PCS but she's also been getting that internationally - the triple axel bonus that Kihira also gets (when you Tuk live it's shocking how bad her speed and ice coverage are - she has a great presence on the ice, especially when she lands the triple axel but there's nothing else there).

As for Medvedeva, I think her team miscalculated with her programs this year but she's clearly a different skater than she was at the start of the season - she has her confidence back. That's more important than whether of not she goes to worlds.
 
She was scored very generously in PCS but she's also been getting that internationally - the triple axel bonus that Kihira also gets (when you Tuk live it's shocking how bad her speed and ice coverage are - she has a great presence on the ice, especially when she lands the triple axel but there's nothing else there).

Tukt is really prime example of a skater who is all jumps and nothing else. She also puts her entire program on pause to telegraph 360 degrees to prepare for the 3A.
 
I disagree. She has the personality on the ice when they select wisely. She has precious little ice coverage this season and no speed going into that triple axel; but she is fun to watch perform when she has the right packaging. And her programs this season are quite a good fit.

(Though, Mishin, you've got to give her the Queen Latifah number from Chicago that one of the ladies at 4CCs used in her SP this season. Music is already cut & Liza would be perfect for it, no?)
 
I would be quite happy if Medvedeva is sent to worlds. Zagitova versus Medvedeva, round two. Orser versus Tutberidze. I do think Zagitova will leave Tutberidze after this season, but I also think Tutberidze will manage to squeeze the maximum out of Zagitova for worlds 2019. My bets would be Zagitova will do better at worlds than Medvedeva.
Is it not a fact that zagitova has two triples at the moment?
 
I disagree. She has the personality on the ice when they select wisely. She has precious little ice coverage this season and no speed going into that triple axel; but she is fun to watch perform when she has the right packaging. And her programs this season are quite a good fit.

(Though, Mishin, you've got to give her the Queen Latifah number from Chicago that one of the ladies at 4CCs used in her SP this season. Music is already cut & Liza would be perfect for it, no?)

I agree her short is great but classic French songs isn't really the best fit for her. Queen Latifah would be great!

I love that she has a different style and look from any of the other Russian skaters. If she worked with an ice dance coach to improve her skating I would be thrilled.
 
I have to admit I get a good laugh every time Tuk telegraphs the setup for the triple axel and the lyrics of her music is "what is it with him that's moving slow". :lol:

I'd like to see more speed, obviously. She really looked like she was crawling at points in the RCF, but considering it's her second competition in three weeks, coming off of pneumonia, I'll give her a pass. I'd like to think with a month off, she'd be faster at Worlds.

Anyway, I'd really like to see her work on this over the summer. She had decent speed in 2015 when she won Worlds; if she could get back to that level next season she'll be in good position.
 
I'd like to see more speed, obviously. She really looked like she was crawling at points in the RCF, but considering it's her second competition in three weeks, coming off of pneumonia, I'll give her a pass. I'd like to think with a month off, she'd be faster at Worlds.

Anyway, I'd really like to see her work on this over the summer. She had decent speed in 2015 when she won Worlds; if she could get back to that level next season she'll be in good position.

Her speed has always been slowww. If we're talking about who does the 3A properly among women, it really is Kihira, who sweeps and accelerates into that jump.
 
As for Medvedeva, I think her team miscalculated with her programs this year but she's clearly a different skater than she was at the start of the season - she has her confidence back. That's more important than whether of not she goes to worlds.

Miscalculated is a big statement. The big task was to find who she is really in life (that’s a long process) and having a new team trying to figure out who you are, with all the cultural differences. I’d say they’re searching for her style... 😉 I agree with all you have said otherwise.
 
Also, let's not forget that Lazukin pulled a Kovtun 2 weeks ago at Dragon trophy, lost his 12 point lead over Petrov and ended up 2nd with a score less than what Kovtun received at Euros. I don't think they will swap Kovtun out for Lazukin. And yes his free skate at the Cup Final wasn't very persuasive.
So far, Kovtun, Samarin, Lazukin are assigned to Universade.
https://www.sports.ru/figure-skating/1071875578.html

Kolyada is probably a shoe-in for the World Team.
 
I am not sure not being chosen for this worlds is going to end up being so bad, especially if it is Evgenia. The Japanese ladies are going to be very hard to beat. A real pressure cooker for whoever represents Russia. It might be better for EM to end the season on a high note and set herself up for next year.
 
I am not sure not being chosen for this worlds is going to end up being so bad, especially if it is Evgenia. The Japanese ladies are going to be very hard to beat. A real pressure cooker for whoever represents Russia. It might be better for EM to end the season on a high note and set herself up for next year.

True, but if she gets the opportunity to go to worlds, I am sure she will give it her best shot. It still may not be enough for a medal though. :(
 
I thought there were just 2 spots for Worlds. 3 for Euro and 2 for Worlds. If there are 3, then Kovtun lucked out.

Kolyada and Aliev barely got the 3 spots last year if I remember right.

... even by many who were/are her fans ... and "ripped" is an understatement.. :scream:

Including you.

no. i will send you a PM. but the phrase is too rude to post, given we have minors.

Honey, I already know the f word and all the rude things you can say about the genital area. Go on.

I’m starting to feel really bad for Medvedeva. All the hate thrown at her from her own country. The poor child. No wonder this season was so hard.

It’s insane! Even if you don’t like her skating, just give the girl a break!

I am sure she is not the only one in the whole ladies field who gets ‘ridiculous’ PCS. Besides, she is getting whatever the judges are giving her, so blame the judges, not her.

I want to save this post somewhere so I can reuse it whenever scoring discourse begins.

Zabiako/Enbert are cleared by doctors to skate at Worlds 2019. Enbert's health issued which prevented the pair from participating in Euros 2019 are no longer an issue. He now has medical clearance.

https://tass.ru/sport/6147614
https://www.sport-express.ru/figure...t-primut-uchastie-v-chempionate-mira-1515423/

They are expected to participate at the Worlds. The team will be named on 25/26 of February.

Okay, that’s some good news! We’ll have to see how they fare at Worlds.
 
I won’t be too surprised if the Japanese ladies sweep the worlds podium this year. Next year will be different, with a whole new set of Russian ladies.

I predict a Japan sweep this year. And Sam and Tuk will do well enough to get under 13. I wonder if Zag is being monitored? The commentary at Euros was that Zag was landing things easily in practice, but just fell apart in the competition.
 
Why are people having such low hopes for Zagitova? It's been like 2 months between Euros and Worlds.

There was speculation that she may have an injury. Nobody knows for sure though. Her performance at last year’s worlds could be attributed to Olympics fatigue and distraction. It is harder to justify her mediocre to poor performances this year. I think that’s why people are having doubts about her. However, I think she will be held up to some extent as an OGM winner, even in Japan. She could medal.
 
Why are people having such low hopes for Zagitova? It's been like 2 months between Euros and Worlds.
.... and let's keep it this way... :EVILLE: other's hopes don't change anything one way or another.

There was speculation that she may have an injury.
Nobody knows for sure though.
.... some people do, know for sure. she does not have any injuries... except for something veeeeeeryyyy hoooorible that athletes get..... blisters and muscle fatigue.

Her performance at last year’s worlds could be attributed to Olympics fatigue and distraction. It is harder to justify her mediocre to poor performances this year.

:rofl: With "her mediocre to poor performances this year" Zag still holds the highest score record at an official ISU competition. All season long she came in 1st and 2nd place in Seniors. All season long she earned Gold and Silver.

She has highest "personal best/total" score for ALL ladies, SR. and JR, including Kihira
http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2018-19/sbtslto.htm
http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/o100lto.htm
 
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I won’t be too surprised if the Japanese ladies sweep the worlds podium this year. Next year will be different, with a whole new set of Russian ladies.

I definitely see Kihira on the podium no matter what. I think Sakamoto is the next best skater on the team, but Miyahara gets huge PCS. It’s not a shoo-in - Zagitova might be saving her best performances for worlds - but if Zagitova doesn’t bring her A-game, this is very possible.

Tuktamysheva and Samodurova aren’t out of the running either (if they are indeed sending Tuktamysheva), but they’ll need to be perfect to get on that podium.
 
I don't see Zhenya became different skater or her jumps became better unfortunately. Her Lz is not clear etc. I didn't like her old SP and thank God they has changed it. I don't like her LP that isn't fit for her and I don't like the choreography. Her spins are worse. Maybe her speed are improved but she makes less TRs thus that can be visible.

I would like to see Liza on WCH. She deserves it.
 
I think Medveda needed a convincing win to get the spot and she didn't get that. My guess is that they'll go with Tuk.

She was scored very generously in PCS but she's also been getting that internationally - the triple axel bonus
.
Ummm...no. Tuk’s FS pcs internationally this year:

Skate Canada: 64.8
NHK: 66.6
GPF: 66.61

So very very consistent in the 65-66 range. 72 pcs here for what she does or doesn’t do in pcs is ridiculous.

I’m really baffled why anyone would think Med’s scoring was unwarranted vs Tuk’s. Tuk was way above where she should have been in pcs in both the long and the short. When solidly on, Med has always scored about where she was whether warranted or not.

The Med bashing and body of work argument I also find a bit baffling. Med had a tough start to the year but even so beat Tuk handily in the FS at skate Canada. She’s 2 time world champion, 2 time Europeans champion, Olympic silver medalist. Until the first half of this year has been super consistent. Tuk has in and out consistency competition to competition and year to year. I’d say they are equal in that department. Both have out skated Zagitova the back half of the year. Any of those 3 could go to worlds and deserve it.
 

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