Russian women news & updates, 2021-22 season

[rfisher]

The whining about the age is beyond old. What difference does it make if they are 15 or 16? What difference does it make if after they've won the biggest prize in skating and decide to take the benefits that come with that prize and do something else in their lives? They aren't wind up toys to perform for fans entertainment. These are young women with goals and ambitions in life that may not include spending hours of their day training until they are in their 20s. Liza has said she doesn't know what to do except skate which I find sad, but I'm guessing if she'd been in Sochi instead of Adelina, she'd have taken that OGM bonus and found something else to do. They want to go to college, to have social relationships, maybe to have children and why shouldn't they? Zagitova seems to be very happy with her life right now and I'm happy for her. The OGM opened many doors for her and she seems to be taking advantage of them. Good for her.

I follow Volo on instagram and she often writes about the opportunities that came for she and Max after winning the OGM. They have a beautiful family and both of them are busy getting on with life and raising their children. The OGM was a means to getting that life. So, go Valieva, Trusova, Shcherbakova and Tuktamysheva. It's likely one of the 4 will be the next OGM and that they will move on to do other things if they are. I will cheer for whomever it is and cry for the ones who may have to try again. And will respect them if they decide the sacrifices of training for 4 more years aren't worth it to them to try again.

 

[MsZem]

These are young women with goals and ambitions in life that may not include spending hours of their day training until they are in their 20s. Liza has said she doesn't know what to do except skate which I find sad, but I'm guessing if she'd been in Sochi instead of Adelina, she'd have taken that OGM bonus and found something else to do. They want to go to college, to have social relationships, maybe to have children and why shouldn't they? Zagitova seems to be very happy with her life right now and I'm happy for her. The OGM opened many doors for her and she seems to be taking advantage of them. Good for her.

And of course, there are opportunities for former elite skaters to continue skating without doing so in competition - especially in Russia.

I really respect what Tuktamysheva is doing, but that's just one possible path.

 

[Primorskaya]

Kamila has gone through puberty. She's around 5'3" and has clearly defined waist, hips, and chest. She doesn't look pre-pubescenet at all.

Only 5'3? Wow. Seeing her on the ice, I'd expect her to tower over me, yet I'm actually taller

 

[Primorskaya]

The whining about the age is beyond old. What difference does it make if they are 15 or 16? What difference does it make if after they've won the biggest prize in skating and decide to take the benefits that come with that prize and do something else in their lives? They aren't wind up toys to perform for fans entertainment. These are young women with goals and ambitions in life that may not include spending hours of their day training until they are in their 20s. Liza has said she doesn't know what to do except skate which I find sad, but I'm guessing if she'd been in Sochi instead of Adelina, she'd have taken that OGM bonus and found something else to do. They want to go to college, to have social relationships, maybe to have children and why shouldn't they? Zagitova seems to be very happy with her life right now and I'm happy for her. The OGM opened many doors for her and she seems to be taking advantage of them. Good for her.

I'm guilty of whingeing about the age, but upon reflection, I think it's not at all about the age. What bugs me is the unripe, junior skating that will never get a chance to evolve into truly accomplished skating, because people indeed mostly choose to leave after an OGM. You don't get to see many skaters evolve and change, and for me, that's a big source of enjoyment, hence the love for Tuk, for instance. People who had poor artistry or bad nerves have gotten better (Carolina Kostner springs to mind here), with time.
(Obviously some people don't get better, or even deteriorate!) So if Kamila wins at 15 and carries on skating, I'll be very happy about it!
The real question for me is more, why can't they wait to leave? If the training regimen and injury risk have gotten so intense and scary that people literally can't keep it up more than one quadrennial, and exit the sport with permanent damage, we have a real problem.

 

[rfisher]

I'm guilty of whingeing about the age, but upon reflection, I think it's not at all about the age. What bugs me is the unripe, junior skating that will never get a chance to evolve into truly accomplished skating, because people indeed mostly choose to leave after an OGM. You don't get to see many skaters evolve and change, and for me, that's a big source of enjoyment, hence the love for Tuk, for instance. People who had poor artistry or bad nerves have gotten better (Carolina Kostner springs to mind here), with time.
(Obviously some people don't get better, or even deteriorate!) So if Kamila wins at 15 and carries on skating, I'll be very happy about it!
The real question for me is more, why can't they wait to leave? If the training regimen and injury risk have gotten so intense and scary that people literally can't keep it up more than one quadrennial, and exit the sport with permanent damage, we have a real problem.

Kostner had the luxury of being the only competitive Italian skater over her entire career. The Russians don't have that luxury. Liza is still skating because she wants the OGM. It's the same if you're 15 or 24. Why do they leave? That depends. It's expensive, the Russian fed will drop your support if you aren't winning, they spend 8 hours a day in on ice and off ice training, don't get to go to school with their peers, mostly only know other skaters. For some, they just want to do other things as most teenagers do. The Americans do they same thing. They skate through high school and stop when they go to college with a few exceptions. If they win, they certainly stop and go do other things. Nathan wouldn't be skating now if he'd won 4 years ago. Kwan would have stopped in 98 if she'd won gold. I don't know why people make such a big deal about the young Russian women doing what almost every OGM winner has done. Kim was pretty much forced to come back in Sochi due to financial contracts. It was abundantly clear she didn't want to be there.

 

[Skibean]

I think people can have their own opinions about age. Nobody should try to bully anyone into thinking their own thoughts are wrong.

 

[Draculus]

The real question for me is more, why can't they wait to leave? If the training regimen and injury risk have gotten so intense and scary that people literally can't keep it up more than one quadrennial, and exit the sport with permanent damage, we have a real problem.

A lot of people change their life in late teens. Go to college, become full citizen with full rights (they are no longer minors) - all this affect people a lot. And patience and wisdom are not virtues of the young age, so asking 17y old to wait 4 years is not the same is asking 30y old.

It's much much easier to change your life at 18 than at 24, much easier to go for to college f.e. And harsh training, cumulative health cost of all injuries are just another problems there.

 

[love_skate2011]

Now this proves that Tuk is not near a lock for the Olympics, some tiny mistakes and her scores plummet to 149
add in some trickter panel she could go down as low as 146 with that performance and wont get 80 in SP.
Tuk has a ceiling and tiny erros will cost her alot, I dont trust her, the sickness definitely impacted a little her so called momentum.
Trusova is sharpening her blades hopefully by Nationals ?

Trusova is the answer to the last puzzle, if she can compete at Nationals and lands at least 3 quads Tuk is off the list
Kostornaia has a tiny chance but only if she lands 3 triple axels, the window is closing.

Kamila > Anna > Tuk > Kostornaia > Kromykh -- Trusova ?

I want to know the last puzzle Trusova or Tuktamsyheva

 

[Karen-W]

Bull-hockey. Tuk's lowest score this season is still higher than anything Kostornaia has managed and Shcherbakova has only managed to best it once.

It's a dead heat between Tuk and Shcher right now and who knows what Trusova's status is.

 

[DreamSkates]

Now this proves that Tuk is not near a lock for the Olympics, some tiny mistakes and her scores plummet to 149
add in some trickter panel she could go down as low as 146 with that performance and wont get 80 in SP.
Tuk has a ceiling and tiny erros will cost her alot, I dont trust her, the sickness definitely impacted a little her so called momentum.
Trusova is sharpening her blades hopefully by Nationals ?

Trusova is the answer to the last puzzle, if she can compete at Nationals and lands at least 3 quads Tuk is off the list
Kostornaia has a tiny chance but only if she lands 3 triple axels, the window is closing.

Kamila > Anna > Tuk > Kostornaia > Kromykh -- Trusova ?

I want to know the last puzzle Trusova or Tuktamsyheva

No one is off the list. IMO the only one on the list is Valieva after RC. Wow, wow, wow!.
But there is still Russian Nationals where Valieva will likely punch her ticket to the Olympics. The other 2 spots are up for grabs.

 

[soogar]

I follow Volo on instagram and she often writes about the opportunities that came for she and Max after winning the OGM. They have a beautiful family and both of them are busy getting on with life and raising their children. The OGM was a means to getting that life. So, go Valieva, Trusova, Shcherbakova and Tuktamysheva. It's likely one of the 4 will be the next OGM and that they will move on to do other things if they are. I will cheer for whomever it is and cry for the ones who may have to try again. And will respect them if they decide the sacrifices of training for 4 more years aren't worth it to them to try again.

I wouldnt feel sorry for Liza- it’s clear she is meant to have a different journey than Adelina and she has a healthy outlook toward her sport. If she doesn’t make the team, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Liza at the games as a commentator. She is pragmatic like that.

Not to hijack the Russian ladies thread, but I echo your regard for Volo. Everyone needs to go and follow her Instagram; she’s like this beacon of light and happiness. Max is so incredibly lucky to have her. Looking at her instagram gives me life.

 

[love_skate2011]

Bull-hockey. Tuk's lowest score this season is still higher than anything Kostornaia has managed and Shcherbakova has only managed to best it once.

It's a dead heat between Tuk and Shcher right now and who knows what Trusova's status is.

yes so far, Tuk is ahead of Kostornaia in scoring but Scherbakovas season overall score is ahead of Tuk
We will know the GPF how they rank, Kromykh has no chance even if she lands 2 quads she is like a fluke substitute if all others fail.

Trusova is a big question mark, but if she lands at least 3 quads, i think they will go with her,
she has a higher ceiling than Tuks 153 FS skate maximum.

 

[Skibean]

According to figure skating gossip site, the team has already been decided. Is this a reliable source?

 

[Wyliefan]

According to figure skating gossip site, the team has already been decided. Is this a reliable source?

If you mean this -- https://fs-gossips.com/according-to...g-at-the-2021-olympics-has-been-already-made/ -- it comes from a Russian sports agent. I don't know whether he's trustworthy. Maybe some of our Russian speakers do?

 

[MsZem]

Not to hijack the Russian ladies thread, but I echo your regard for Volo. Everyone needs to go and follow her Instagram; she’s like this beacon of light and happiness. Max is so incredibly lucky to have her. Looking at her instagram gives me life.

Very lucky, and I'm sure he knows it.

 

[love_skate2011]

If you mean this -- https://fs-gossips.com/according-to...g-at-the-2021-olympics-has-been-already-made/ -- it comes from a Russian sports agent. I don't know whether he's trustworthy. Maybe some of our Russian speakers do?

Why post tabloids and links quoted by a figure skating gossip forum.
If there even is a list, they will need to reasses after the GPF and Nationals,

Tuk might not medal in GPF and bomb Nationals like she has in recent history.

 

[Karen-W]

If you mean this -- https://fs-gossips.com/according-to...g-at-the-2021-olympics-has-been-already-made/ -- it comes from a Russian sports agent. I don't know whether he's trustworthy. Maybe some of our Russian speakers do?

It's possible that it's true, if Trusova is more injured than what has been disclosed publicly. If that's the case then those 3 are the obvious team - neither Kostornaia nor Khromykh have made a case for themselves on the GP.

 

[Mayra]

Given her injury, I don't know that we'll see many quads from her this year. I hope I'm wrong, but stress fractures don't heal overnight (they also don't occur overnight; I'm almost certain she already had something going on during the test skates)

I keep wondering how in the world is Trusova going to heal a stress fracture in matter of weeks(a month?), go back to pounding those quads on that same foot and train for Nationals to be competitive enough to make the top 3 in an overcrowded field.

Even with the team being named after Euros, the timing is just not in her favor. I hope for her sake the injury is not as bad as thought because otherwise, what horrible luck to get injured so close to the Olympics.

 

[love_skate2011]

I keep wondering how in the world is Trusova going to heal a stress fracture in matter of weeks(a month?), go back to pounding those quads on that same foot and train for Nationals to be competitive enough to make the top 3 in an overcrowded field.

Didnt Med rehabilitate in a month, at least with Trusova we don't see her foot wearing plastered cement and appears to be back on the ice.

Her last chance to prove is Nationals, she needs a podium finish, it is the make it or break it event literally for the Olympics for her.

 

[tony]

While the list seems like a possible team, it makes no sense to have a GPF with Kostornaia and Khromykh also involved, and especially Trusova still a question mark.

What if things get shaken up at the GPF by Maiia or Alena and then it gets repeated in some grand fashion at Nationals? Yes, Russia can always use some additional competition or Europeans to finalize things (and probably will if there's a big surprise somewhere), but I wouldn't take that info too seriously at this point.

 

[Skibean]

If you mean this -- https://fs-gossips.com/according-to...g-at-the-2021-olympics-has-been-already-made/ -- it comes from a Russian sports agent. I don't know whether he's trustworthy. Maybe some of our Russian speakers do?

Yep- that’s the link. Thank you!!

I don’t know much about that site, other than some other boards are discussing it.

 

[Vash01]

Bull-hockey. Tuk's lowest score this season is still higher than anything Kostornaia has managed and Shcherbakova has only managed to best it once.

It's a dead heat between Tuk and Shcher right now and who knows what Trusova's status is.

I don't see that dead heat. Unless Anna cannot do the quads (she has already landed one in a GP), she will be on the team. She has nerves of steel. She is the current world champion and her injury seems to have healed.

I love Liza but she will be the most vulnerable at the Olympics. One mistake and someone from another country could stop her from making the podium.

Kamila is a certainty on the team. The third spot is still open. I would take Liza over Alena and Maiia any day. Neither has impressed me during the GP. Maiia is too inconsistent. Alena still does not have a consistent 3A, but I will pick her beautiful skating over Maiia who is hit or miss, and does not have the artistry. However, neither is the best choice for the third spot.

It all comes down to Sasha's injury. Can she beat Liza? If she is healthy, she has a good chance. Otherwise the spot goes to Liza. I will be heart broken for the one that does not make the Olympic team.

 

[love_skate2011]

I love Liza but she will be the most vulnerable at the Olympics. One mistake and someone from another country could stop her from making the podium.

This, look at her PCS dropped by 1 point by just some tiny glitches and a step out axel her FS plumetted to 149
a less generous caller she would not get even an 80 in a perfect SP and 146 FS at best.

 

[Scott512]

The whining about the age is beyond old. What difference does it make if they are 15 or 16? What difference does it make if after they've won the biggest prize in skating and decide to take the benefits that come with that prize and do something else in their lives? They aren't wind up toys to perform for fans entertainment. These are young women with goals and ambitions in life that may not include spending hours of their day training until they are in their 20s. Liza has said she doesn't know what to do except skate which I find sad, but I'm guessing if she'd been in Sochi instead of Adelina, she'd have taken that OGM bonus and found something else to do. They want to go to college, to have social relationships, maybe to have children and why shouldn't they? Zagitova seems to be very happy with her life right now and I'm happy for her. The OGM opened many doors for her and she seems to be taking advantage of them. Good for her.

I follow Volo on instagram and she often writes about the opportunities that came for she and Max after winning the OGM. They have a beautiful family and both of them are busy getting on with life and raising their children. The OGM was a means to getting that life. So, go Valieva, Trusova, Shcherbakova and Tuktamysheva. It's likely one of the 4 will be the next OGM and that they will move on to do other things if they are. I will cheer for whomever it is and cry for the ones who may have to try again. And will respect them if they decide the sacrifices of training for 4 more years aren't worth it to them to try again.

Bruh bruh! Great post and I agree with you but it matters whether they are 15 or 16 because of where they are born and if it's a place called The Motherland then it's an issue. If it was Canada or America dominating ladies for many years it would not be as big an issue let's put it that way.

I was very disappointed the Max team retired after Sochi. I thought they could have gone on and won another Olympic gold other world championships and all of that. But they are doing great with life which is even more important than figure skating.

I was also disppointed Elena Ilinykh retired from dance at 19. But if these athletes bodies and minds tell them it's time so be it.

If Valieva wins Olympic gold at 15 with the most staggering scores we've ever seen I think that should be admired not not criticized to the point of changing the age limit because you don't want to see a girl like this in the future.

I mean do we want more Kamilas or Loenas? I'm good with both to be honest.

 

[RoseRed]

Bruh bruh! Great post and I agree with you but it matters whether they are 15 or 16 because of where they are born and if it's a place called The Motherland then it's an issue. If it was Canada or America dominating ladies for many years it would not be as big an issue let's put it that way.

I was very disappointed the Max team retired after Sochi. I thought they could have gone on and won another Olympic gold other world championships and all of that. But they are doing great with life which is even more important than figure skating.

I was also disppointed Elena Ilinykh retired from dance at 19. But if these athletes bodies and minds tell them it's time so be it.

If Valieva wins Olympic gold at 15 with the most staggering scores we've ever seen I think that should be admired not not criticized to the point of changing the age limit because you don't want to see a girl like this in the future.

I mean do we want more Kamilas or Loenas? I'm good with both to be honest.

She did not, though. I believe she was about 23 when she stopped competing.

 

[Scott512]

I don't see that dead heat. Unless Anna cannot do the quads (she has already landed one in a GP), she will be on the team. She has nerves of steel. She is the current world champion and her injury seems to have healed.

I love Liza but she will be the most vulnerable at the Olympics. One mistake and someone from another country could stop her from making the podium.

Kamila is a certainty on the team. The third spot is still open. I would take Liza over Alena and Maiia any day. Neither has impressed me during the GP. Maiia is too inconsistent. Alena still does not have a consistent 3A, but I will pick her beautiful skating over Maiia who is hit or miss, and does not have the artistry. However, neither is the best choice for the third spot.

It all comes down to Sasha's injury. Can she beat Liza? If she is healthy, she has a good chance. Otherwise the spot goes to Liza. I will be heart broken for the one that does not make the Olympic team.

Anna is on the team. Kamila is on the team. Unless something unforeseen happens and we still don't know the pandemic situation in China and who's going to get vaccinated or not and if it will be recognized in China or not.

Liza is rock solid and you can count on her but we don't know about sasha we don't know about her physical condition we don't know about if she's practicing well we don't know if she will be at nationals. We assume so but we just don't know when everything is more clouded having the Olympics in the middle of a world wide endemic.

Liza has had 2 chances at the Olympics and Sasha has had none until this Olympic cycle. Everything's going wrong for this girl so far but if her foot has healed she could get the 3rd spot. It's totally up for grabs being realistic. This is Lizas 3rd chance to make an Olympic team and this is sasha's 1st and only chance. She won't be there in 4 years time. Yeah sasha has punished her body like no lady ever has with all these quads. You can't possibly last until the 2026 Olympics.

But should we fans and the skaters themselves really have such agony over the Olympic spot when unless something unforeseen happens we know in November who's going to win?

 

[Scott512]

She did not, though. I believe she was about 23 when she stopped competing.

Really? I thought Elens threw in the towel shortly after the 2014 Winter Olympics. Dance athletes can go on and on and anyway we cut it or slice it she stopped at such a young age and she was really good.

 

[becca]

Bruh bruh! Great post and I agree with you but it matters whether they are 15 or 16 because of where they are born and if it's a place called The Motherland then it's an issue. If it was Canada or America dominating ladies for many years it would not be as big an issue let's put it that way.

I was very disappointed the Max team retired after Sochi. I thought they could have gone on and won another Olympic gold other world championships and all of that. But they are doing great with life which is even more important than figure skating.

I was also disppointed Elena Ilinykh retired from dance at 19. But if these athletes bodies and minds tell them it's time so be it.

If Valieva wins Olympic gold at 15 with the most staggering scores we've ever seen I think that should be admired not not criticized to the point of changing the age limit because you don't want to see a girl like this in the future.

I mean do we want more Kamilas or Loenas? I'm good with both to be honest.

To be honest I can’t help feeling part of the problem is only three Russians can compete.

I mean Eteri told Med to retire but it was mainly because Med was unlikely to get quads.

So I think some in this generation are likely to stay longer. However how difficult it is to make major teams in Russia I think has to play a role.

Personally I wouldn’t mind seeing a rule change that gives more spots due to making GPF.

We cannot Blame these girls for quiting when it is so hard to even get out of Russia.

Russia really markets the sport to which is why so many take it up.

I see the point about age rules but we could point out that part of why Kamila is getting the scores she is getting is because she is a very balanced skater in comparison than some of her older compatriots.

 

[Karen-W]

Personally I wouldn’t mind seeing a rule change that gives more spots due to making GPF.

No, no, and no. And I say this as a US fan where we certainly would have benefited from some sort of "extra GPF" spot in Men and Dance in years past (we qualified 3 men to the GPF in 2009, 2017 and 2021, and we qualified 3 dance teams in 2017). The GPF is too heavily weighted toward the Big 6 countries who are hosts to the GP series as it is. It is a lot easier for a skater from one of those countries to receive GP assignments and qualify for the GPF than it is for skaters from all of the little countries. If something like this is implemented, it should be done in conjunction with limiting countries to no more than 2 entries per GP except at their host event, furthermore, which China and France's continuing decline, there should be only 4 permanent hosts and 2 GPs that are offered to other countries for hosting every year, which will even the playing field even more.

 

[becca]

No, no, and no. And I say this as a US fan where we certainly would have benefited from some sort of "extra GPF" spot in Men and Dance in years past (we qualified 3 men to the GPF in 2009, 2017 and 2021, and we qualified 3 dance teams in 2017). The GPF is too heavily weighted toward the Big 6 countries who are hosts to the GP series as it is. It is a lot easier for a skater from one of those countries to receive GP assignments and qualify for the GPF than it is for skaters from all of the little countries. If something like this is implemented, it should be done in conjunction with limiting countries to no more than 2 entries per GP except at their host event, furthermore, which China and France's continuing decline, there should be only 4 permanent hosts and 2 GPs that are offered to other countries for hosting every year, which will even the playing field even more.

I am not sure how to go about it. But do you really think in this case Russia having five GPF spots is due to them being a host country?
I think it’s pretty clear that the Russians have the top six heck maybe even top 7 women in the world.

And I think also more Than 3 top pairs teams. At time’s Japan deserved tons of men’s spots.

We can complain about Russian women not having longevity let’s blame the age rule when in a reality a huge part of the issue is the difficulty to get to international competition to begin with.

While yes smaller countries need to be able to compete there needs to be a way to ensure that these women have opportunities to compete if they want