From Russia With Love [#38]: Fall/Winter 2020

[LoopCombo]

I don't think she intends to flaunt it to the judges. However, i would not doubt if Pluschenko thought it would be "provocative" and "sensationalist" to do so as in "see! because i can"... She did this move for the last 3 years, but never so "in your fact" towards the judges. Cantilever is best appreciated athletically when viewed from the side, because it shows the balancing and the back stretch. To impress judges athletically it's not the crotch they need to show.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/99/67/c4/9967c4e8b05becac82b2e35fd7a71ea5.jpg

Agree about the cantilever being impressive from the side — perhaps Pluschenko is thinking of sparing the eyes of rest of the audience by giving the crowd the more aesthetic view, and figures the judges can handle a bit of provocation Seriously, though — your idea reminds me of Kaori’s move where she practically slices the judging panel’s necks with her assassin spiral.

 

[caseyedwards]

"For the first time in the history of sports, Russian figure skater Sofia Akatieva [won Junior gold in Kazan, scoring 231.44 total] performed two quadruple jumps and a triple axel in one program." https://rsport.ria.ru/20201112/istoriya-1584312394.html
Her Junior FS (151.32): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwKsV-BYufo

Veronika Zhilina finished 2nd overall (197.45), 3rd in FS (126.40): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpqcFcTH4aA
She said she said she had the c*ronavirus and had one week of training before the Russian Cup 4th stage in Kazan: https://tass.ru/sport/9988515

Alina Gorbacheva was 3rd overall (193.68), 2nd in the FS (128.77): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAKDp_NxXLQ

Junior Ladies FS protocols: https://fsrussia.ru/results/2021/4etap/opMC__Scores.pdf

2 quads and a triple axel! That’s crazy

 

[orbitz]

^^ 2 quads with both hands over the head ! That's taking the quad to another level. The best quad men jumpers in the world are not doing that.

 

[Tinami Amori]

So ... are Alena and Sergei dating? because it kind of looks like it from some of their IG photos ...

If you're talking about this? He is NOT leaning towards her, she is... He is only letting her...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEQf2fGJete/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Buv4-wGn5il/

That does not mean he is dating her. He is too smart to get involved with a minor and a one without "mega money" and/or connections. He does not need a scandal or a dirty tail. She, Aleona, is very likely to have a crush on him and is seeking his company.

In her post 4th Cup of Russia event interview she was asked if she is going home now that the event is over. (Trusova and Plush left already on the train, a day later since they miss their train). Aleona answered that she is NOT going home just yet, she is staying in Kazan with her coach (Rozanov stayed to over-see Zhilina and few others). She tried to make it sound like she is not returning to Moscow because her coach would not be there to train her, but i did not buy it. She wanted to stay and go home with Rozanov.

My impression it is puppy love. If it is the case i feel bad for her, she'll be disappointed eventually.

 

[caseyedwards]

^^ 2 quads with both hands over the head ! That's taking the quad to another level. The best quad men jumpers in the world are not doing that.

I forgot to mention that part! That was remarkable!

 

[Tinami Amori]

^^ 2 quads with both hands over the head ! That's taking the quad to another level. The best quad men jumpers in the world are not doing that.

Sofia Akatieva is a second girl (after Alysa Liu) who performed a quad and a 3A in one programme. She is the first one to do it with hands up. And then she falls on a simple triple... ; in an interview she said it is because her mind flue away to another subject.

Софья Акатьева. Произвольная программа. Девушки. Казань. Кубок России по фигурному катанию 2020/21.

Софья Акатьева выиграла золотую медаль четвертого этапа Кубка России по фигурному катанию среди девушек. В сумме за два соревновательных дня спортсменка полу...

www.youtube.com

 

[hanca]

For the record, the presence of a skirt gives flashes of panties and crotch a "pick-a-boo" effect, kind of the same as when boys tried to pick under girls' skirts in school, of when a wind blast lifted a lady's skirt.... . Leotards and jump-suites are much better - they say "sport" vs. unintended teasing.

Your age is showing. Now you sound like my great great great grandmother. But she had an excuse because she did live in a different century. If the sight of an underage fully dressed crotch excites you that much, maybe skating is not your sport? Don’t force yourself to watch something that your sense of modesty can’t cope with. The same way I can’t watch some sports because I can’t look at blood, skating may just not go with you. No big deal, don’t watch it.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Your age is showing. Now you sound like my great great great grandmother. But she had an excuse because she did live in a different century. If the sight of an underage fully dressed crotch excites you that much, maybe skating is not your sport? Don’t force yourself to watch something that your sense of modesty can’t cope with. The same way I can’t watch some sports because I can’t look at blood, skating may just not go with you. No big deal, don’t watch it.

Anyone under 20 lived in a different century!
Times have changed for sure....but good manners and decorum are never out of style.

What would be the issue if she gave a side view to the judges? It is a gorgeous move and looks beautiful.

One thing I always notice when she takes that position is the strain it must be putting on her medial collateral ligaments in her knees.

 

[hanca]

Anyone under 20 lived in a different century!
Times have changed for sure....but good manners and decorum are never out of style.

What would be the issue if she gave a side view to the judges? It is a gorgeous move and looks beautiful.

One thing I always notice when she takes that position is the strain it must be putting on her medial collateral ligaments in her knees.

Yes, but my great great great grandmother was not born in the past century, but in the century before that. So it is quite worrying that some posters here sound like her!

But if the skater was doing it side way to the judges, she would still be showing her crotch to those sitting on the short side of the rink. Isn’t it a bit hypocritical to say that doing the same thing one direction is ok and doing it in another direction is wrong because ‘the judges will see it’? Doing it towards judges is bad manners, but doing it towards those on the short side of the rink is good manners and decorum? Your values seem to be very flexible.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Yes, but my great great great grandmother was not born in the past century, but in the century before that. So it is quite worrying that some posters here sound like her!

But if the skater was doing it side way to the judges, she would still be showing her crotch to those sitting on the short side of the rink. Isn’t it a bit hypocritical to say that doing the same thing one direction is ok and doing it in another direction is wrong because ‘the judges will see it’? Doing it towards judges is bad manners, but doing it towards those on the short side of the rink is good manners and decorum? Your values seem to be very flexible.

Funny you said that..........I am very flexible. And you sound like my eldest granddaughter thinking it was just fine to go to school with her butt hanging out of her shorts I don't think the move should be banned or anything...It is a very pretty move.

I don't know about hypocritical................but I do know that skaters often perform moves away from the judges on purpose. If you looked at the side view from TA ....it is gorgeous.

Perhaps it is the camera that is right behind the judges that are the problem. It is an in-your-face highlight (like Bonaly's backflip). I don't even think the position is attractive. The side view is utterly gorgeous.

Trusova and Uno doing practicing cantilevers for a show. These are organic, part of the program.

It is a question of taste (mine). Like art appreciation.

 

[mjb52]

guys guys guys omg can we talk about anything else

Rostelecom is coming up - do you think the vibe will be different than Russia Cup? It's sort of mini Nationals right?

 

[Sylvia]

Rostelecom Cup Team Russia entries as of Nov. 12:

Men (9):
Dmitri ALIEV
Petr GUMENNIK
Makar IGNATOV
Mikhail KOLYADA
Artem KOVALEV
Andrei MOZALEV
Alexander SAMARIN
Roman SAVOSIN
Evgeni SEMENENKO

Ladies (7):
Anastasiia GULIAKOVA
Alena KOSTORNAIA
Evgenia MEDVEDEVA
Sofia SAMODUROVA
Anna SHCHERBAKOVA
Alexandra TRUSOVA
Elizaveta TUKTAMYSHEVA

Pairs (6):
Kseniia AKHANTEVA / Valerii KOLESOV
Iuliia ARTEMEVA / Mikhail NAZARYCHEV
Aleksandra BOIKOVA / Dmitrii KOZLOVSKII
Anastasia MISHINA / Aleksandr GALLIAMOV
Apollinariia PANFILOVA / Dmitry RYLOV
Alina PEPELEVA / Roman PLESHKOV
(Will Pavliuchenko/Khodykin be replaced by a Russian pair?)

Ice Dance (8):
Elizaveta KHUDAIBERDIEVA / Egor BAZIN
Annabelle MOROZOV / Andrei BAGIN
Sofia SHEVCHENKO / Igor EREMENKO
Victoria SINITSINA / Nikita KATSALAPOV
Anastasia SKOPTCOVA / Kirill ALESHIN
Alexandra STEPANOVA / Ivan BUKIN
Tiffani ZAGORSKI / Jonathan GUERREIRO

 

[3T3T]

Have Panfilova/Rylov confirmed they will take part? They did miss Russian Cup IV. I would hope that Kadyrova/Balchenko get a call up after their great skates last week. Possibly also Akopova/Rachmanin who nearly broke 200.

I hope Rostelecom Cup is as exciting as RC4, which was a great competition for both Juniors & Seniors.

 

[Jeschke]

(Will Pavliuchenko/Khodykin be replaced by a Russian pair?)

(I know it should be international somehow but) this spot has to be for Kadyrova/Balchenko!
As much as I would love to see Balabanova/Sviatchenko getting it.

 

[Ka3sha]

Aleksandr Zhulin:

Everything seems to be better, Vika is recovering, - said Zhulin. - Today they skated almost the whole program, it was beautiful. We hope everything will be fine, the guys are preparing for the Grand Prix, we are eager to compete. Let's see how it all ends, there are no plans to withdraw at the moment. "

The coach also noted that the final decision on the duo's participation in the season's final stage of the Russian Cup in Moscow, which will be held from 5 to 8 December, will be made later.

Синицина и Кацалапов не планируют сниматься с этапа Гран-при в Москве

С начала сезона фигуристы пропускали соревнования из-за проблем со спиной у Кацалапова и болей в колене у Синициной

tass.ru

 

[mjb52]

No T/M for Rostelecom? I know originally they planned to do Skate America but since they're still in Russia and they were able to do Russia Cup in Kazan, is it possible they will be added?

 

[AxelAnnie]

Really excited to see these skaters.

Is Medvedeva confirmed?
The Ladies line up is totally awesome.
B/K - I am sure B will be ready to redeem herself

Awesome ladies line up.

Is there a source for English commentary?

 

[taz'smum]

Stepanova and Bukin will probably be out as they are still in quarantine due to their coaches having C19

 

[rfisher]

Is Samarin recovered from his injury?

 

[Amy L]

No T/M for Rostelecom? I know originally they planned to do Skate America but since they're still in Russia and they were able to do Russia Cup in Kazan, is it possible they will be added?

At the Russia Cup in Kazan, Vladimir said they weren't doing Rostelecom. That was before the recent withdrawals so maybe they could be persuaded to do it. But with the way he was gasping for air after the LP I hope they take things slowly until he's more recovered.

 

[hanca]

(I know it should be international somehow but) this spot has to be for Kadyrova/Balchenko!
As much as I would love to see Balabanova/Sviatchenko getting it.

They skated recently at Moser’s competition and did not land even one triple jump! Saying that, no one was landing triples (in seniors) , so I wasn’t sure what was the point of that competition. Nevertheless, getting a score of 134 was not the way to persuade the federation to give them the GP spot.

Соревнования на призы "Мозер Тим"

Организатор: ООО «Спорт Тех» СК «СТЕРХ» Дата: 2-3 ноября 2020 Город: Москва Место проведения: СК “Вдохновение” Виды: Парное катание Разряды: 1 сп Протокол Результаты

allskaters.info

 

[Bigbird]

Stepanova and Bukin will probably be out as they are still in quarantine due to their coaches having C19

But then why are Sinitsina and Katsalapov performing, a specialist connected to them was also ill recently? None of this is making any sense. Why were M/T the only ones wearing a mask at the pairs victory ceremony? Oh well....

 

[hanca]

But then why are Sinitsina and Katsalapov performing, a specialist connected to them was also ill recently? None of this is making any sense. Why were M/T the only ones wearing a mask at the pairs victory ceremony? Oh well....

It depends when and how much the specialist had contact with them. With Stepanova/Bukin’s coaches, it is likely that there would have been every day significant amount of contact at the time they were contagious. With the specialist connected to S/K, do you know for sure that they had any contact with this person around the time he/she became ill?

 

[Gris]

(I know it should be international somehow but) this spot has to be for Kadyrova/Balchenko!

And they got it.

https://isu.org/docman-documents-links/isu-files/event-documents/figure-skating-4/2020-21/grand-prix-1/series-files-33/entries-5/25028-pairs-assignments/file

 

[Bigbird]

It depends when and how much the specialist had contact with them. With Stepanova/Bukin’s coaches, it is likely that there would have been every day significant amount of contact at the time they were contagious. With the specialist connected to S/K, do you know for sure that they had any contact with this person around the time he/she became ill?

You have a point there. Nobody knows. So why not err on the side of caution? Funny how the coaches of S/B are relatively quiet not fussing about things. Curious.

 

[hanca]

You have a point there. Nobody knows. So why not err on the side of caution? Funny how the coaches of S/B are relatively quiet not fussing about things. Curious.

Because if they didn’t have contact with the person at all, there is no point being on the side of caution. The same way as fact that someone on this forum has been diagnosed is also not impacting on your own heath, if you didn’t have face-to-face contact with the person and therefore you chose not to quarantine.

 

[Bigbird]

Because if they didn’t have contact with the person at all, there is no point being on the side of caution. The same way as fact that someone on this forum has been diagnosed is also not impacting on your own heath, if you didn’t have face-to-face contact with the person and therefore you chose not to quarantine.

I was sort of also considering her knee and his back. No one knows anything. They could use the time to heal? I don't hear of S/B rushing to perform so much? Just seems odd. But hey....just a thought.

 

[mjb52]

Skaters want to compete and to get experience testing out their programs in front of their judges don't they? You could ask why we have any competitions during the fall at all, if only Worlds is important. They want to get familiar with performing under the pressure of competition so that by the time Worlds comes it will be second nature, I think. But I'm just guessing. Glad to hear Vika is doing better!

 

[Bigbird]

Skaters want to compete and to get experience testing out their programs in front of their judges don't they? You could ask why we have any competitions during the fall at all, if only Worlds is important. They want to get familiar with performing under the pressure of competition so that by the time Worlds comes it will be second nature, I think. But I'm just guessing. Glad to hear Vika is doing better!

We're really having worlds?

 

[hanca]

We're really having worlds?

One can hope. The vaccine is supposed to be available before Christmas.