Russian women news & updates, 2021-22 season

[love_skate2011]

And, other thought... Sasha is fierce so I think this injury is worse than anyone at Sambo 70 is letting on (can't blame them on that front). Liza's stock is continuing to rise.

this is the last chance for Liza to even go to an Olympics
I don't think her tech handle next quad, too many girls will be doing 3axels and quads not only in russia but other countries.

 

[canbelto]

Sasha's injury reminds me of the Med injury that ended up being worse than we knew.

 

[Vash01]

The thing about Anna is her mental toughness clutch gene and guts. If the KaMissile or Sasha had the same mental toughness and clutch gene as Anna they would be unbeatable!

I think Anna has the lead on the 2nd Olympic spot. She never has terrible skates and you can count on her and I think it's possible she will have both quads back by nationals. The 3rd spot will come down to sasha Liza aliona and Maya. With sasha and Liza being in the lead for the 3rd spot.

The only way Anna does not make the Olympic team as if she gets injured God forbid that or she bombs nationals which is highly unlikely because bombing skates is not in her DNA.

The last time I saw Anna 'bomb' anything was at the JGPF in the 2018-2019 season. She fell on a jump in the SP and was in 5th or 6th place. She skated a great LP and moved up. I don't remember where she placed. I do remember that Alyona and Sasha took gold and silver.

After that I have not seen her make a major mistake. She did fall on the first quad at the 2021 worlds but she did not let it get to her. She skated well enough to win. We have all seen what she did at the 2021 nationals when she was told to withdraw because of sickness. Russia will be foolish to leave her off the Olympic team.

The Russian Nationals are a pressure cooker and much more so this year. Just three qualifying spots and 6-7 women who can medal, with three of them with OGM potential. I think the top three at the nationals should be on the Olympic team, because they can handle the pressure.

 

[love_skate2011]

Sasha's injury reminds me of the Med injury that ended up being worse than we knew.

she could be out the whole season, though I dont think this will be her last, Trusova is way more athletic in built than Med.
Med was skinny, frail and had bone deficit hence her trying to move to Orser.

 

[Vash01]

Sasha's injury reminds me of the Med injury that ended up being worse than we knew.

And yet Med skated well enough to win (though she ended up a close second). She was tough! I know Sasha is tough but can she overcome This injury? I hope she does.

 

[love_skate2011]

And yet Med skated well enough to win (though she ended up a close second). She was tough! I know Sasha is tough but can she overcome This injury? I hope she does

the silver lining if she miss this Olympics, she might try again next Olympics or even the next
why not, if her body can handle, Tuk has stayed for 3 Olympic cycles for trying.

Isnt Tuktamsyheva's longevity what a lot of people Praise about her

 

[ЭPiKUilyam]

Sasha's injury reminds me of the Med injury that ended up being worse than we knew.

History often repeats itself. Four years ago I was teaching my husband about skating, and primarily Russian ladies. I was TeamZagitova starting from her JGPF win in 2016 over Anastasiia Gubanova so DH also favored Zag over Med. It's just interesting to me that here we go again, the/a OGM favorite dealing with a stress fracture in her foot. I am one to learn from history, so I do not feel good at all about Trusova's chances right now, especially when Liza is in the best shape and attitude of her life. Injuries suck, but it goes with sport. The winner isn't always the best or most talented, but the one who can at least compete and BE THERE. I knew this at Test Skates and I told my husband who was stunned by Sasha's performance "She's landing 5 quads now, but now we have to worry about her overtraining and injuring herself". It's not surprising to me, sadly.

 

[ЭPiKUilyam]

the silver lining if she miss this Olympics, she'll might try again next Olympics or even the next
why not, if her body can handle, Tuk has stayed for 3 Olympic cycles for trying.

Isnt Tuktamsyheva's longevity what a lot of people about her

It's one of the main things I like about her skating, that she has stuck with it and is happy while doing her thing. I almost feel that if Maiia doesn't come up with the 3axel then it's Tuk's spot. Maiia is nowhere close to being a fully realized skater yet. Liza owns the ice when she's on. I'd reward Liza the Team for that.

 

[Coco]

I'm so relieved she's withdrawn from NHK. I mean, a stress fracture doesn't heal with a week off the ice. More like 4 weeks off the ice, then two weeks skating without jumping. Better to do it now. There are ways to do low impact training to maintain fitness. Far from ideal but it doesn't have to ruin her season. She should be keeping her lungs and core fit in the pool, although that will ruin her hair

 

[Scott512]

History often repeats itself. Four years ago I was teaching my husband about skating, and primarily Russian ladies. I was TeamZagitova starting from her JGPF win in 2016 over Anastasiia Gubanova so DH also favored Zag over Med. It's just interesting to me that here we go again, the/a OGM favorite dealing with a stress fracture in her foot. I am one to learn from history, so I do not feel good at all about Trusova's chances right now, especially when Liza is in the best shape and attitude of her life. Injuries suck, but it goes with sport. The winner isn't always the best or most talented, but the one who can at least compete and BE THERE. I knew this at Test Skates and I told my husband who was stunned by Sasha's performance "She's landing 5 quads now, but now we have to worry about her overtraining and injuring herself". It's not surprising to me, sadly.

2016 Junior Grand Prix final is when I saw Nastya do the most beautiful Junior free skate I've ever seen! Then that beautiful junior program suspiciously became hidden by the Russian Federation. Hmmmm. Being born in the wrong half of 2002 hurt Nastyas future a lot. She never had the chances to really develop her beautiful skating into a world-class skater. She has that chance representing the Republic of Georgia but is it too late? Anastasia has not skated much at all in the last 3 years.. Her career was also hurt by having her coach the men's Olympic gold medalist from 1994 Alexei Urmanov leave her in St Petersburg while he went to Sochi. If the Olympic champion stayed Nastyas coach she would not have been buried like she was by the Fed even though she was born in the wrong half of 2002.

The Junior Grand Prix Final in 2016 was also the junior event I realized Alina was going to be a contender to not only make the Russian Olympic team but to be one of the favorites at the Winter Olympics. She was peaking at the right time physically and technically and deserved all her wins and winning all the major titles by the age of 16 is phenomenal. It will be interesting to see if Kamila can do the same against all these phenomenal skaters out there.

As for Sasha I sure hope she can handle a full season and that her foot holds up and allows her to go for it which is in her DNA.

Great job bringing your husband into figure skating. this great sport needs all the fans and supporters they can get.

 

[love_skate2011]

I'm so relieved she's withdrawn from NHK. I mean, a stress fracture doesn't heal with a week off the ice. More like 4 weeks off the ice, then two weeks skating without jumping. Better to do it now. There are ways to do low impact training to maintain fitness. Far from ideal but it doesn't have to ruin her season. She should be keeping her lungs and core fit in the pool, although that will ruin her hair

but she needs to be ready by Nationals, or else its over for her
Tuktamysheva is always there in the wings. The window was getting clearer for Valieva and Sherbakova, now its slowly closing for the last spot.

 

[Scott512]

I'm so relieved she's withdrawn from NHK. I mean, a stress fracture doesn't heal with a week off the ice. More like 4 weeks off the ice, then two weeks skating without jumping. Better to do it now. There are ways to do low impact training to maintain fitness. Far from ideal but it doesn't have to ruin her season. She should be keeping her lungs and core fit in the pool, although that will ruin her hair

I did not know Sasha had pulled out. Is she is in the Grand Prix final by winning Skate America? who will Russia send to take her place? samodelkina with her 3a and quads?

But more than that I hope they let her foot heal properly so she can skate for several more years competively.

 

[Karen-W]

I did not know Sasha had pulled out. Is she is in the Grand Prix final by winning Skate America? who will Russia send to take her place? samodelkina with her 3a and quads?

But more than that I hope they let her foot heal properly so she can skate for several more years competively.

No, she will not qualify for the GPF. Russia doesn't get to send a replacement to NHK for her - that would be a host decision and since we are less than 14 days from the start of the event, the JSF does not have to replace her (and they won't).

 

[Scott512]

but she needs to be ready by Nationals, or else its over for her
Tuktamysheva is always there in the wings. The window was getting clearer for Valieva and Sherbakova, now its slowly closing for the last spot.

When is national? That is important.

The olympic team door is now more open for Liza Maya and aliona.

 

[Aceon6]

When is national? That is important.

Christmas week. Same as Japan.

 

[Vash01]

I'm so relieved she's withdrawn from NHK. I mean, a stress fracture doesn't heal with a week off the ice. More like 4 weeks off the ice, then two weeks skating without jumping. Better to do it now. There are ways to do low impact training to maintain fitness. Far from ideal but it doesn't have to ruin her season. She should be keeping her lungs and core fit in the pool, although that will ruin her hair

I am just reading this. I have mixed feelings. On one hand I am disappointed because it means her injury is more serious than I had thought. On the other hand I am relieved that she is taking care of the injury, with her eyes on the real prize - making the Olympic team.

 

[Vash01]

Who will take Sasha's spot at NHK?

A Russian or a Japanese skater?

 

[kwanfan1818]

If the Japanese Fed chooses to replace a skater so late, and with >10 singles skaters already in the field, they can choose any Japanese (eligible) woman, or anyone not from KOR on the subs list, since KOR is the only country maxxed out at three.

 

[Karen-W]

Who will take Sasha's spot at NHK?

A Russian or a Japanese skater?

No one. Japan doesn't have to replace skaters who withdraw less than 14 days before the event unless the # of Entrants fall below 10 in the singles events. And while that is now true (Mikutina, Kihira, Trusova), the expectation has been, since yesterday when Kihira's withdrawal was announced, that they will replace Kihira with another Japanese woman.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Even falling below 10 -- I thought Trusova'd already been removed, like Kihira -- the Japanese Fed can argue "circumstances" given cv-related logistics, so close to the event. And they haven't officially appointed a replacement for Kihira, at least on the ISU site for the event, ETA: yet, which is expected to come.

 

[Karen-W]

Even falling below 10 -- I thought Trusova'd already been removed, like Kihira -- the Japanese Fed can argue "circumstances" given cv-related logistics, so close to the event. And they haven't officially appointed a replacement for Kihira, at least on the ISU site for the event, ETA: yet, which is expected to come.

No, I think she is still on the entry list (she was as of Friday's update), so I'm guessing we'll see both her WD and Kihira's replacement in an update tomorrow.

 

[soogar]

Many would disagree with this statement. Yes, Sofia won Euros over a disastrous Zagitova three seasons ago, and good for her. A moment she will always remember. But ever since that performance, Sofia has been skating extremely under par for an internationally competitive Russian ladies skater. If it wasn't for CV and her yet again benefiting from the points she earned from her Euros and subsequent international poor outings, she wouldn't have even had any international assignments. Her career has been a gift from the gods. It was highly successful. She's a winner and champion, and has traveled the world all by 18. She's had an amazing career. But she is really holding other more talented, and deserving ladies back, and it's really not fair anymore, especially this season. Sofia should be fighting it out with Guliakova for even making a spot at Nationals. She shouldn't be sent all over the world while leaving behind better skaters without any international assignments and who are consequently unable to grow their own points and world standing.

That's why the ISU created this ranking system. It provides adequate protection for skaters who experience setbacks. Plus she earned those spots. She won Europeans and even if Zagitova stayed on her feet, she would have had a silver medal. She is a consistent skater who had to deal with growth and puberty while being chased by 14 and 15 year olds. I think her performances show a lot of maturity, both artistic and emotional, because she has the mental fortitude to deal with the pressure to quit and she still perseveres. Plus she has a wonderful role model in Liza and her coach's support.

She's also not holding anyone back who is "more deserving." You have a number of young skaters who have just made the age requirement to compete seniors. Then they fizzle out a year later. They have plenty of opportunities to get international experience on the junior circuit and smaller competitions. I think it's kind of ridiculous to shade a skater who still has a full set of triples up to the lutz and a 3-3 combination. She skated quite well at Grand Prix Italy - only one error in the long program. Definitely not the kind of skate that would make someone feel the need to hang it up.

 

[Vash01]

With Sasha's WD, does it mean she cannot make the GPF? At this point though she should not concern herself with the GPF; only the nationals and the Olympics (unless the Euros are used for tie breaker to select the Oly team).

 

[Scott512]

Christmas week. Same as Japan.

Thanks.

 

[kwanfan1818]

With Sasha's WD, does it mean she cannot make the GPF? At this point though she should not concern herself with the GPF; only the nationals and the Olympics (unless the Euros are used for tie breaker to select the Oly team).

Technically, she can make GPF if there aren't six women standing by then who have 15 or more points from two events or 15 points from one, but a lower total score than her 232.37 from that one.

 

[Scott512]

I'm so relieved she's withdrawn from NHK. I mean, a stress fracture doesn't heal with a week off the ice. More like 4 weeks off the ice, then two weeks skating without jumping. Better to do it now. There are ways to do low impact training to maintain fitness. Far from ideal but it doesn't have to ruin her season. She should be keeping her lungs and core fit in the pool, although that will ruin her hair

I did not know Sasha had pulled out. Is she in the Grand Prix final by winning Skate America?

 

[Karen-W]

With Sasha's WD, does it mean she cannot make the GPF? At this point though she should not concern herself with the GPF; only the nationals and the Olympics (unless the Euros are used for tie breaker to select the Oly team).

I did not know Sasha had pulled out. Is she in the Grand Prix final by winning Skate America?

No, she won't make the GPF. Technically, she is still in the top 6 at this time but once more skaters aside from Mihara and Miyahara have points from two events, they will surpass the 15 that Trusova has from her SkAm win.

 

[soogar]

The last time I saw Anna 'bomb' anything was at the JGPF in the 2018-2019 season. She fell on a jump in the SP and was in 5th or 6th place. She skated a great LP and moved up. I don't remember where she placed. I do remember that Alyona and Sasha took gold and silver.

After that I have not seen her make a major mistake. She did fall on the first quad at the 2021 worlds but she did not let it get to her. She skated well enough to win. We have all seen what she did at the 2021 nationals when she was told to withdraw because of sickness. Russia will be foolish to leave her off the Olympic team.

The Russian Nationals are a pressure cooker and much more so this year. Just three qualifying spots and 6-7 women who can medal, with three of them with OGM potential. I think the top three at the nationals should be on the Olympic team, because they can handle the pressure.

Anna is the toughest competitor who comes in with the least hype yet has the most titles- 3 nats and a World Title. She is not going to be left off the team unless something else happens.

 

[hanca]

2016 Junior Grand Prix final is when I saw Nastya do the most beautiful Junior free skate I've ever seen! Then that beautiful junior program suspiciously became hidden by the Russian Federation. Hmmmm. Being born in the wrong half of 2002 hurt Nastyas future a lot.

You seem to be constantly trying to rewrite the past! Let’s look at the past with fresh eyes.
The Russian federation were not hiding Gubanova. I know it sucks for her and is it sad, but her result from senior nationals was 7th and junior nationals also 7th, so that explains why she wasn’t sent to junior worlds. Skaters in Russia can’t afford to be seventh at the national if they want to attend junior or senior worlds. You keep blaming everything and everyone, (‘the federation kept her hidden’, ‘she was born in the wrong year’), but the bottom line is that unfortunately she didn’t deliver when it counted and the federation could not do anything about that. You let it sound like if it was some conspiracy, but Gubanova competed four times at senior nationals and placed 7th, 6th, 9th, 10th. So was it every time the federation’s fault that she wasn’t sent to any decent competition, or can you at least admit that there is some pattern? Gubanova is a lovely skater, but sadly she is not as good as some competitors, she doesn’t seem to do well under pressure (like the nationals) and Russian ladies field is packed. Being born in the wrong year is just an excuse.

 

[Scott512]

You seem to be constantly trying to rewrite the past! Let’s look at the past with fresh eyes.
The Russian federation were not hiding Gubanova. I know it sucks for her and is it sad, but her result from senior nationals was 7th and junior nationals also 7th, so that explains why she wasn’t sent to junior worlds. Skaters in Russia can’t afford to be seventh at the national if they want to attend junior or senior worlds. You keep blaming everything and everyone, (‘the federation kept her hidden’, ‘she was born in the wrong year’), but the bottom line is that unfortunately she didn’t deliver when it counted and the federation could not do anything about that. You let it sound like if it was some conspiracy, but Gubanova competed four times at senior nationals and placed 7th, 6th, 9th, 10th. So was it every time the federation’s fault that she wasn’t sent to any decent competition, or can you at least admit that there is some pattern? Gubanova is a lovely skater, but sadly she is not as good as some competitors, she doesn’t seem to do well under pressure (like the nationals) and Russian ladies field is packed. Being born in the wrong year is just an excuse.

You are off on your numbers of where she finished at Nationals. Oh there was a pattern there was more than one pattern in her career domestically. And I should never leave out that Anastasia was impetuous and may have been difficult to get along with these are things we don't know but she no doubt caused some of her own issues. I will try not to rewrite history as much but sometimes it is fun to vent. Nastya never even got a GP when she had a season's best. They gave one to Masha and Sima who were basically semi-retired. I think that broke Nastia as did her being publicly humiliated by her former coach almost 4 times her age. Not nice.

One Junior Nationals when she had her Romeo and Juliet program nastya was brilliant but finished behind stanislava after roasting Stanislava in the Junior Grand Prix season. It was dubious to say the least since Stasya fell and Gubanova did not. To be fair both girls were really good but one fell and one did not The problem was Nationals was in Russia. TAT loved her some Stas. To me she's a super beautiful skater and person. She just never delivered. 19th at worlds 2018. SMH. I just felt nastia deserve more chances than she got. Every chance went against he no doubt partly her fault. now Nastia is skating for Georgia after basically being on the sidelines for a couple years. I don't know if she has anything left other than beautiful skating artistry musicality and interpretation. But we will find out what she can become. It would be interesting to see her become the number one for Georgia and potentially skate in Europeans Olympics and worlds this season. I am thankful she still has her career while so many good Russian girls are retired or moved on to coaching. I sometimes think of Nastia T when I think of Nastia G. So much talent was never realized in my opinion by Nastia T.

Now there are so many good Russian junior girls for too few spots. What happens to Sofia Samo Liza B Anna F etc? So many talents will be frustrated. Zhilina Znina Petro? Who knows what happens.

Hope all the girls stay healthy now. I hope Sasha is back for Rusnats doing her thing.

Does anyone know why rusfed did not withdraw Sasha from NHK when she is skipping it? Medvedeva was amzing coming off her foot fracture. I hope Trusova can do the same.