From Russia with Love [#35]: Winter 2019

And it certainly did not stop married Rorbert Kennedy from letting his mistress drown, in a car he wrecked, in front of his own eyes, while he was saving his butt swimming to shore, leaving her to die. Ah, the D's... "protectors of the people" are so humane... on words ... :D even when "educated and wealthy".

Darn.... if there was internet and social media back then... :D

That was Teddy Kennedy, not Robert.
 
That was not Robert but Edward Kennedy.
Sorry, you're right... Robert, Edward.... all Kennedys did something rotten. Mixed up the "Robert" stuff..
 
Sorry, you're right... Robert, Edward.... all Kennedys did something rotten. Mixed up the "Robert" stuff..
Oh - never said Bobby had a sparkling past. He just didn't do that particular thing :)
 
Does not matter where one grows up.... one can be bron in Brookline, like Kennedy brothers, in a wealthy family, and well raised, although connected to Mafia, but who is counting, or remembers the history of his/her own country.... :lol:

It did not stop them from a sordid affair with Marilyn Monroe, and questionable issues connected to her death. And it certainly did not stop married Rorbert Kennedy from letting his mistress drown, in a car he wrecked, in front of his own eyes, while he was saving his butt swimming to shore, leaving her to die. Ah, the D's... "protectors of the people" are so humane... on words ... :D even when "educated and wealthy".

Darn.... if there was internet and social media back then... :D
You mean Edward Kennedy don't you.
 
Victoria Vasilieva (CSKA/Davydov) removed herself from Russian Nationals. no reason stated at present.

She is replaced by Anastasia Gratcheva (Grachieva). here is a video of her last skate for refs, at the Russian Cup segment.
 
Could it be because she was chosen for the junior Olympics, so she wants to prepare? Mukhametzianova/Mironov withdrew from the same reason.
 
Could it be because she was chosen for the junior Olympics, so she wants to prepare? Mukhametzianova/Mironov withdrew from the same reason.
I am not sure "she was chosen", given discussions on russian sites. Seems that several other jr. ladies ahead of her declined, and she did not. I too hope it is not an injury, i like her style of skating.
 
Video footage in two parts featuring Moskvina and Boikova/Kozlovskii on the ice and in choreo class, including Tamara doing physical exercises a bit :)

I just want Moskvina to be my grandma, lol. She’s such a joyful, lovely person.

  • our current training is - aerobics exercise with a low heart rate - up to 140 beats per minute, and without drastic shifts in workload/intensity. Natalia, however, is not limited, but there is no need for her to train at full capacity, she is now just like me, maintaining her form.
  • i am not ready to say something definite about our plans to compete next season.

This is quite concerning. TBH, I’m not sure if it’s safe for Enbert to keep skating. As a Grinkov fan, this scares me.
No offense to Enbert, but TBH if I was Natalia, I would start looking for a different partner. Enbert won’t probably continue after 2022 even if his health does improve, and Natalia is still young enough. Food for thought.

And "working class roots" are something to be ashamed of?? I have more respect for anyone who makes an honest living than most of my "refined" boarding school classmates. Tackiness and lack of class come in many different forms.

Ah, the Russian bourgeoisie strike again! :D
 
I just want Moskvina to be my grandma, lol. She’s such a joyful, lovely person.



This is quite concerning. TBH, I’m not sure if it’s safe for Enbert to keep skating. As a Grinkov fan, this scares me.
No offense to Enbert, but TBH if I was Natalia, I would start looking for a different partner. Enbert won’t probably continue after 2022 even if his health does improve, and Natalia is still young enough. Food for thought.



Ah, the Russian bourgeoisie strike again! :D

It is Enbert’s life and his decision of course, but I agree with you. It may be too dangerous for him to exert himself so much. I am sure his doctors know his situation much better than any of us does. I still worry about anyone with a heart problem. I lost my only brother, who was in seemingly perfect health, to a heart attack. At least Enbert’s problem is a known one and he is getting treatment, while Grinkov’s was undetected. I loved Sergei Grinkov. I still miss him.

Natalia May be better off looking for another partner, and that is not a put down of Enbert. I like this pairing. I would love to see them back, but only if he is completely healthy.
 
It is Enbert’s life and his decision of course, but I agree with you. It may be too dangerous for him to exert himself so much. I am sure his doctors know his situation much better than any of us does. I still worry about anyone with a heart problem. I lost my only brother, who was in seemingly perfect health, to a heart attack. At least Enbert’s problem is a known one and he is getting treatment, while Grinkov’s was undetected. I loved Sergei Grinkov. I still miss him.

Natalia May be better off looking for another partner, and that is not a put down of Enbert. I like this pairing. I would love to see them back, but only if he is completely healthy.

Exactly. I think Z/E make a lovely pair, but no skating partnership is worth risking your life. I hope they take precautions and make sure his health is the top priority.
I’m sorry to hear about your brother. Sending love.
 
I am not sure "she was chosen", given discussions on russian sites. Seems that several other jr. ladies ahead of her declined, and she did not. I too hope it is not an injury, i like her style of skating.
It seems to me that the selection was based on the results of JGPF. That means that Valieva and Usacheva would be offered it before Sinitsina and Vasilieva, but they (especially Valieva) are in a different situation than Sinitsina and Vasilieva. It is very likely that Valieva is going to junior worlds (if she is healthy) and she has a good chance to fight for gold. Usatcheva has also a good chance of being sent to junior worlds, if she skates well at the Russian junior nationals. Unlike them, Vasilieva can’t be so sure she will be in top three at the Russian junior nationals and therefore she would not get to junior worlds. In that case junior Olympics may be the biggest competition of her career (considering how packed Russian senior ladies are becoming, she probably won’t get to Europeans and worlds when she moves to seniors).

Anyway, I can’t see anything wrong with Vasilieva grabbing the spot that was offered to her even if the top two ladies declined it. Considering that Liu and Valieva won’t be there, Vasilieva will be fighting for the top places with Sinitsina and the Japanese ladies (depending on who Japan will send).
 
Both Valieva and Usacheva are too young for YOG (both were born in 2006), RusFed would have to offer the spots to Kostornaia, Trusova or Shcherbakova, which would be surprising.
 
Both Valieva and Usacheva are too young for YOG (both were born in 2006), RusFed would have to offer the spots to Kostornaia, Trusova or Shcherbakova, which would be surprising.
Well, in that case, I don’t believe that there were other junior ladies who were offered Youth Olympics and declined. If Valieva and Usacheva are too young, based on the JGP results, Sinitsina and Vasilieva are the top skaters (the only ones besides Valieva and Usacheva who got into JGPF).
 
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Considering that Liu and Valieva won’t be there, Vasilieva will be fighting for the top places with Sinitsina and the Japanese ladies (depending on who Japan will send).

Korea is sending Young You.
 
Well, in that case, I don’t believe that there were other junior ladies who were offered Youth Olympics and declined. If Valieva and Usacheva are too young, based on the JGP results, Sinitsina and Vasilieva are the top skaters (the only ones besides Valieva and Usacheva who got into JGPF).
Youth Olympics are NOT "junior category" related. Word "youth" is not related to "junior". The age group for YOG is "15, 16, 17, 18 before Dec 31 of Games date year". Skaters in that age group, who rank highest, are given the first right of refusal, at least formally.
 
Youth Olympics are NOT "junior category" related. Word "youth" is not related to "junior". The age group for YOG is "15, 16, 17, 18 before Dec 31 of Games date year". Skaters in that age group, who rank highest, are given the first right of refusal, at least formally.
It may not be junior related, but if you look carefully who Russian federation sent, it seems that the selection in Russia was how well they have done at JGP. Those who were sent have done JGPF... and if they were looking among seniors, I can’t see how attending would help Trusova, Scherbakova and Kostornaya...
 
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It may not be junior related, but if you look carefully who Russian federation sent, it seems that the selection in Russia was how well they have done at JGP. Those who were sent have done JGPF... and if they were looking among seniors, I can’t see how attending would help Trusova, Scherbakova and Kostornaya...
If Samodurova (17) would have filed the application expressing interest to go, she'd be going..
 
How many other European champions is Russia sending?
I am losing track of your point. It's simple. Youth Olympics. Age 15 to 18. Federation sends announcements to all clubs with registration forms. If more than one submits intent, the Feds select from that list. There are skaters above Vasilieva who are eligible. They did not submit applications.
 
I am losing track of your point. It's simple. Youth Olympics. Age 15 to 18. Federation sends announcements to all clubs with registration forms. If more than one submits intent, the Feds select from that list. There are skaters above Vasilieva who are eligible. They did not submit applications.
Ok, you may be losing track, so I will write it again, because you clearly can’t be bothered to read what I wrote above. (Or you developed some comprehension issues.) Even though youth Olympics may not have anything to do with juniors, Russian federation decided to use as their selection criteria the skaters’ results in JGP. Don’t ask me why, but they did.
The pairs - they sent top two pairs who placed highest in JGPF, even though they had a choice of quite a few pairs, including Akhanteva/Kolesov, who in theory is supposed to be better than Mukhametzianova/Mironov. But they were beaten in JGPF and they were not sent.
In ladies, they sent the only age eligible ladies who qualified into JGPF. Regardless who is in theory better or worse, they went for those who got into JGPF. Valieva and Usacheva are not age eligible, Vasilieva and Sinitsina were sent.
In men, they again chose the top two places from JGPF.
In ice dance I have no idea because I don’t watch junior dancers.
 
Ok, you may be losing track, so I will write it again, because you clearly can’t be bothered to read what I wrote above. (Or you developed some comprehension issues.) Even though youth Olympics may not have anything to do with juniors, Russian federation decided to use as their selection criteria the skaters’ results in JGP. Don’t ask me why, but they did.
The pairs - they sent top two pairs who placed highest in JGPF, even though they had a choice of quite a few pairs, including Akhanteva/Kolesov, who in theory is supposed to be better than Mukhametzianova/Mironov. But they were beaten in JGPF and they were not sent.
In ladies, they sent the only age eligible ladies who qualified into JGPF. Regardless who is in theory better or worse, they went for those who got into JGPF. Valieva and Usacheva are not age eligible, Vasilieva and Sinitsina were sent.
In men, they again chose the top two places from JGPF.
In ice dance I have no idea because I don’t watch junior dancers.

Akhanteva/Kolesov were never in contention for YOG. She is born in Oct 2002 and only female skaters with a 2003-2005 year of birth are age eligible.

The team Mukhametzianova/Mironov had to beat at the final in order to get the second YOG spot was Artemeva/Nazarychev. A/N beat M/M at both their JGPs but M/M performed better at the final and so got the spot.

Similarly Samodurova is not eligible for YOG because she was born July 2002 so is outside the 2003-2005 age bracket.

Age eligible skaters that have competed internationally this season would be:
1. Kostornaya (2003) SB 247.59*
2. Trusova (2004) SB 241.02*
3. Shcherbakova (2004) SB 240.92*
4. Sinitsyna (2004) SB 215.58
5. Vasilieva (2003) SB 198.79
6. Tarakanova (2004) SB 194.74
7. Tsibionova (2004) SB 186.64
8. Frolova (2005) SB 181.96

*Obviously Kostornaya, Trusova, Shcherbakova’s scores come from senior competitions.

Assuming Kostornaya,Trusova, Shcherbakova don’t want the YOG spot then Vasilieva and Sinitsyna have the best international results this season of the remaining five eligible girls.
 
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I haven't checked ages; but in ice dance, I'm guessing the Russian Fed ran into a wall with regard to the age of most of its JGP teams. Russia is sending Tyutyunina & Shustisky, who did pretty well and were 1st alternates for the JGPF, and then they are sending Khavronina & Cirisano, who were 11th at Junior Nationals last year & I don't think have ever done a JGP.
 
That won’t wash, for Plushy or anyone else. Not knowing calculus or Shakespeare is easily forgivable for those with little time for schooling. Basic literacy in one’s native language should be achievable even just with tutors, especially since Russian skaters don’t have to hold down a job to pay for their training.
You might not be familiar with the intricacies of Russian spelling and punctuation. While Russian doesn’t quite compare to the convolutions of English spelling, it has an amazing number of pitfalls which make quite a few of my academic friends fail to spell or punctuate things correctly.
So I’d be more lenient towards those who, frankly speaking, got very patchy secondary education to start with. Very few Russian skaters would pass a spelling test, I suppose.
 
I haven't checked ages; but in ice dance, I'm guessing the Russian Fed ran into a wall with regard to the age of most of its JGP teams. Russia is sending Tyutyunina & Shustisky, who did pretty well and were 1st alternates for the JGPF, and then they are sending Khavronina & Cirisano, who were 11th at Junior Nationals last year & I don't think have ever done a JGP.

Yes. Tyutyunina / Shustitskiy is the only age eligible Russian dance team on JGP and they were 8th at last Jr Nats.

As for the other teams finished ahead of Khavronina / Chirizano last year, the only age eligible one is Andreeva / Desyatov (6th) who were initially selected for JGP but pulled out Lake Placid at the last minute without an official reason. Possibly A/D had an injury that isn't healed yet, I guess.
 
You might not be familiar with the intricacies of Russian spelling and punctuation. While Russian doesn’t quite compare to the convolutions of English spelling, it has an amazing number of pitfalls which make quite a few of my academic friends fail to spell or punctuate things correctly.
So I’d be more lenient towards those who, frankly speaking, got very patchy secondary education to start with. Very few Russian skaters would pass a spelling test, I suppose.
A lot depends on the skater's background. Lipnitskaya, Boikova, Kozlovskiy, Samodurova and some other others are well educated. Anya Scherbakova is a very smart and sophisticated. Medvedeva is an interesting case. She is extraordinarily bright, and is on a path of self-education. Plush and Yags, I am afraid, are not the brightest bulbs..... Of the old guard, Slutskaya is a smart cookie. She made a lot of blunders early on, but she much more polished now.
 
@hanca Russian feds don't send only those who are in JGP. They send best possible in the right age group, of those who are willing to go, Juniors or Seniors. Best ones have first pick. T-S-K this year are not interested, but if they were they'd be sent before Vas-Sin. T-S-K had the first right of refusal.

Last time it was Shcherbakova, because she was behind Trus-Kost, did not medal at the JGPF and had something to prove. Trus-Kost decined, so Shcher was the next best choice. Not because she was Junior.
 
A lot depends on the skater's background. Lipnitskaya, Boikova, Kozlovskiy, Samodurova and some other others are well educated. Anya Scherbakova is a very smart and sophisticated. Medvedeva is an interesting case. She is extraordinarily bright, and is on a path of self-education. Plush and Yags, I am afraid, are not the brightest bulbs..... Of the old guard, Slutskaya is a smart cookie. She made a lot of blunders early on, but she much more polished now.
I am afraid you’re confusing literacy with intelligence.
 
@hanca Russian feds don't send only those who are in JGP. They send best possible in the right age group, of those who are willing to go, Juniors or Seniors. Best ones have first pick. T-S-K this year are not interested, but if they were they'd be sent before Vas-Sin. T-S-K had the first right of refusal.

Last time it was Shcherbakova, because she was behind Trus-Kost, did not medal at the JGPF and had something to prove. Trus-Kost decined, so Shcher was the next best choice. Not because she was Junior.
I don’t care who they sent last time. I commented on who I noticed they sent now. All the skaters who did best in JGPF. Don’t ask me why, but it is who they sent. (With exception of ice dance because they had no skaters in JGPF age eligible for this competition). As much as I admire your constant fanatical support of Tutberidze and her skaters, I am not sure whether youth Olympics are their priority (if at all they were offered it). I think they may hope for Europeans and worlds this year.
 

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