Alina Zagitova cheer thread

[Vash01]

Isn't this Alina Zagitova cheer thread? I am seeing a lot of effort here to tear her apart, and also her coach and her very accomplished teammate. If someone did this to Mirai in her fan thread, i don't think it will be appreciated.

I am not even a Zagitova uber. I like many things about her skating though. I enjoy watching her skate.

 

[Spun Silver]

Isn't this Alina Zagitova cheer thread? I am seeing a lot of effort here to tear her apart, and also her coach and her very accomplished teammate. If someone did this to Mirai in her fan thread, i don't think it will be appreciated.

I am not even a Zagitova uber. I like many things about her skating though. I enjoy watching her skate.

You're right. It's ridiculous. I am a fan. Let me and her few other fans here enjoy her. Haterz, go away.

 

[Taso]

I enjoy her skating just fine, and my mother called me after seeing her skate yesterday and gushed about how much she enjoyed her

 

[MIsty Blades/Skate Mom]

She deserved her first place and did a great job!

 

[bardtoob]

I agree with Uncle Dick, Zagitova is fab.

Yes, yes, I also agree with @IceAlisa that she is not entirely finished as a dancer, but she peaked (too) early and who knows if she will be able to skate like this in the future.

BTW I love the backloaded LP now. It is like Zagitova is doing the equivalent to a fireworks finale

 

[Bellanca]

Good luck to Alina!! But most important, have fun!!

 

[Spun Silver]

Check out the combo(s) Alina did in practice today. Uh, whaaaaa?????
https://twitter.com/rockerskating/s...share|twsrc^m5|twgr^email|twcon^7046|twterm^2

 

[Amantide]

The programs should still be limited in how much they can backload because it's just painful to watch nothing happen for 2 minutes. People will get bored and stop watching skating if this continues to go on.

Normally I am not a fan of backloading programs. However, there are cases when this can work and I think in Zagitova's programs this totally works. Especially in the LP which fits so well with the music cuts.

 

[Wyliefan]

Check out the combo(s) Alina did in practice today. Uh, whaaaaa?????
https://twitter.com/rockerskating/status/966478814443290624?ref_src=twcamp^share|twsrc^m5|twgr^email|twcon^7046|twterm^2

I loved this response: "For real, I thought Jackie finally collapsed from exhaustion and hit LoLoLoLo repeatedly with his forehead on the way down"

 

[mollymgr]

I don't get all the hate for Alina. I thought figure skating was a sport. If she can land all her jumps in the more exhausting portion of her programs, more power to her. That's how the rules are and she is using strategy well within the rules to maximize her points. Yeah artistry and all this blah blah but she can do what most of the other ladies would love to do even at 50%. Her programs are not as bad as people make it out to be. I heard somewhere that judges tend to reward in PCS when people are landing all their jumps. People would like to have the best of both worlds but that is rare. I like seeing clean programs overall. I'm looking forward to her free skate today.

 

[Wyliefan]

Yes, she's really earned my respect -- and I will say that if she had to have a fully backloaded program, she's got absolutely the right music and choreography for it!

 

[AxelAnnie]

I don't get all the hate for Alina. I thought figure skating was a sport. If she can land all her jumps in the more exhausting portion of her programs, more power to her. That's how the rules are and she is using strategy well within the rules to maximize her points. Yeah artistry and all this blah blah but she can do what most of the other ladies would love to do even at 50%. Her programs are not as bad as people make it out to be. I heard somewhere that judges tend to reward in PCS when people are landing all their jumps. People would like to have the best of both worlds but that is rare. I like seeing clean programs overall. I'm looking forward to her free skate today.

I don't think there is any hat for Alina. There is admiration for her tech skills and astonishment at her PCS
.

 

[Cherub721]

I've been humming the Don Quixote music all day... really looking forward to tonight.

Video of the 5-jump combo https://twitter.com/rockerskating/status/966560375029170178

 

[Spun Silver]

I don't think there is any hat for Alina. There is admiration for her tech skills and astonishment at her PCS
.

I think it's a fine line. I am not sure I have ever experienced such an overwhelming anger aimed in the direction of a top contender. Since she is all of 15 years old, it especially bothers me. Also, I completely don't get it. I think she's an extraordinary talent and an incredible worker who deserves everything she gets. I think both of her programs are fabulous and the SP in particular has gotten better and better over the course of the season. (The LP was already polished and I'm getting tired of it, but it was perfect for the Olympics so she was right to keep it.) And I think side by side with Medvedeva, Zagitova is just better in almost every way. I respect Med enormously but I honestly cannot fathom why she is considered an artistic standout. Obviously this is me speaking as a fan and not trying to justify my feelings with reference to IJS criteria. So I say Zags for the win!

 

[Guinevere]

I sort of thought the anger is more at the way she has managed to "work the system" because the way her program is structured is sort of against the spirit of the 10% bonus rule. I can't remember which commentators explained it, but they said the rule was made was because it was assumed the skater has already jumped in the first half of the program and are tired because of it, so the jumps in the second half are, by virtue of exhaustion, harder and should be rewarded as such. They said by Zagitova doing what she is doing, she is not as tired by the second half (ie. because she has not been jumping) and so it's against the "intent" of the rule.

I sort of thought it was that, not aimed at her personally.

BTW, I saw on twitter that Alina had done those jumps in a row and I wonder if that's old school Soviet sports machine training. I think in her book, Katia Gordeeva said she would have to do five 2As in a row and if she fell on the fifth, she'd have to re-start and do all five again.

 

[Vash01]

I think it's a fine line. I am not sure I have ever experienced such an overwhelming anger aimed in the direction of a top contender. Since she is all of 15 years old, it especially bothers me. Also, I completely don't get it. I think she's an extraordinary talent and an incredible worker who deserves everything she gets. I think both of her programs are fabulous and the SP in particular has gotten better and better over the course of the season. (The LP was already polished and I'm getting tired of it, but it was perfect for the Olympics so she was right to keep it.) And I think side by side with Medvedeva, Zagitova is just better in almost every way. I respect Med enormously but I honestly cannot fathom why she is considered an artistic standout. Obviously this is me speaking as a fan and not trying to justify my feelings with reference to IJS criteria. So I say Zags for the win!

It is not that unusual. I remember how Julia Lipnitskaya used to be slammed on fsu when she appeared to be an OGM threat during the Sochi Olympics. Medvedeva had her share of hatred here until Zagitova started beating her. Sotnikova received so much criticism after she won the OGM that one would think she had no talent at all. Only after it became clear that her injuries would prevent her from competing, She was showered with how artistic she is type comments.

What do they all have in common? They are Russian, and are OGM threats. I don't remember Kwan or Lipinski receiving this much hatred when they were on top.

Another thing that draws the ire from some (not me) is that she is maximizing her base value by using the system. What's wrong with that? Everyone is free to do that but not everyone can. It is not her fault.

Sorry for going OT. If Alina wins the OGM tonight, the hatred will only increase. As a Medvedeva fan, i will be disappointed but i am not going to hate Alina. I think she is great. They both are awesome, and i hope to see them deliver their best performances tonight.

 

[Spun Silver]

^ (Replying to @Guinevere) I know that's what people will say, but my point is that it comes across to me (and I don't think I would be the only one with this reaction who read the comments) as an enormous, angry pile-on on a 15-year-old girl. Who happens to be absolutely brilliant.

As for whether it's an anti-Russian thing, I can certainly follow your logic, @Vash01, but I'm not quite convinced. FSU doesn't seem particularly anti-Russian to me where skating is concerned but I could be wrong.

 

[Vash01]

^ (Replying to @Guinevere) I know that's what people will say, but my point is that it comes across to me (and I don't think I would be the only one with this reaction who read the comments) as an enormous, angry pile-on on a 15-year-old girl. Who happens to be absolutely brilliant.

As for whether it's an anti-Russian thing, I can certainly follow your logic, @Vash01, but I'm not quite convinced. FSU doesn't seem particularly anti-Russian to me where skating is concerned but I could be wrong.

If Bradie Tennell was backloading her programs, i don't think she would have received the kind of hatred Alina (and in the past Zhenya and Adelina) is receiving. Sure there are areas Alina needs to improve in, but for a 15 year old she looks quite mature. Sure the judges overmark her at times but they do that to most skaters that are extraordinary.

 

[Guinevere]

If Bradie Tennell was backloading her programs, i don't think she would have received the kind of hatred Alina (and in the past Zhenya and Adelina) is receiving. Sure there are areas Alina needs to improve in, but for a 15 year old she looks quite mature. Sure the judges overmark her at times but they do that to most skaters that are extraordinary.

Fair point, I could see that. I could see criticism of Brady but not quite the rancor and aggressiveness; it almost be more like saying Brady is "smart" for working the system, not hinting that it is almost a form of cheating. From the Canadian commentators I've seen, they more say that the rule needs to be looked at and revised, but that she is also playing fair with the rules given to her.

 

[Dr.Siouxs]

What do they all have in common? They are Russian, and are OGM threats.

Nah, the hostility comes from the fact that they are all perceived as underdeveloped and yet receive high marks. Baiul, Hughes, Lipinski all received flack for the same reason. Trust me if it were Kostornaia or Gubanova in place of Zagitova, fans would be For the record I believe Zagitova is better than the 94', 98', 02', and 14' Olympic champions.

I dont remember Kwan or Lipinski receiving this much hatred when they were on top.

Tara was HATED back then, where you even around? Mean fans like me jumped for joy when she crashed on her flip at 98 Nationals. Trust me she was loathed.

 

[Satellitegirl]

Nah, the hostility comes from the fact that they are all perceived as underdeveloped and yet receive high marks. Baiul, Hughes, Lipinski all received flack for the same reason. Trust me if it were Kostornaia or Gubanova in place of Zagitova, fans would be For the record I believe Zagitova is better than the 94', 98', 02', and 14' Olympic champions.



Tara was HATED back then, where you even around? Mean fans like me jumped for joy when she crashed on her flip at 98 Nationals. Trust me she was loathed.

Agreed re: better than the previous olympic champs. Also Tara was definitely hated, and Michelle had her share of hate as well, although less. Figure Skating fans are catty af.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I think it's a fine line. I am not sure I have ever experienced such an overwhelming anger aimed in the direction of a top contender. Since she is all of 15 years old, it especially bothers me. Also, I completely don't get it. I think she's an extraordinary talent and an incredible worker who deserves everything she gets. I think both of her programs are fabulous and the SP in particular has gotten better and better over the course of the season. (The LP was already polished and I'm getting tired of it, but it was perfect for the Olympics so she was right to keep it.) And I think side by side with Medvedeva, Zagitova is just better in almost every way. I respect Med enormously but I honestly cannot fathom why she is considered an artistic standout. Obviously this is me speaking as a fan and not trying to justify my feelings with reference to IJS criteria. So I say Zags for the win!

And thus the controversy. I don't get the hate part..that is just silly. But clearly people have different opinions .

BTW you don't have to look too far back to see the same forces in action...Lipinski and Kwan. Add in all the slash and burn of social media and here we are.

 

[julieann]

She is much more enjoyable to watch than many skaters her age and no one can fault her for using the score sheet to her advantage as long as the jumps don't hurt her GOE. If the other skaters could, I'm sure they would. If anyone has a problem with it, I'm sure the score sheet will be changed to reflect it, but I don't see it being a huge issue outside of aesthetics.

 

[judgejudy27]

I admit I much prefer Medvedeva to Zagitova and will be rooting for Medvedeva to win tonight. I also find Zagitovas PCS inflated (Medvedevas are too I know but IMO Zagitova somewhat moreso). That said she does not deserve the hatred she is getting. She is largely challenging and beating Medvedeva, albeit IMHO aided by slanted PCS that are closer to Medvedeva than they should be and more favorable vs her competitors in general than they should be, by doing what no women the last 3 years has done and not only matching but besting Medvedeva technically, consistently having higher base value and even slightly higher GOE, while matching her consistency (atleast when they go head to head). That in itself is commendable, whether you agree with all her scores and wins or not.

I do think she should have lost her first grand prix event to Higuchi when she messed up her short and came back with a strong long, but not perfect like some of her later outings, and Higuchi skated very well. Sadly in hindsight it would have been better if she lost there and if Medvedeva had skated the GPF and won (as she probably would have), and still won the Europeans and was still leading the Olympics after the SP. Going undefeated gives an unfair impression she is a held up and judges pet kind of skater, and since her artistic style isnt everyones cup of tea it increases the angst in some people. The judges scores are not her fault, she is skating very well, wisely using the system, working hard and clearly improved her artistry, particularly in the LP, despite using the same program as last year if you watch videos of her last year to this you can see a huge difference in poise, interpretation, and elegance.

I do hope she skates well tonight, but also hope Medvedeva or even Osmond (I admit I am a Canadian homer) is on top of the podium instead. If it is Zagitova though congratulations to her, but I dread some of the undeserved hatred that might come her way, which might come close to Sotnikova levels. The one good thing for her compared to Sotnikova is she isnt a virtually unknown who wasnt even considered for the gold medal like Sotnikova was pre Sochi, and she wouldnt be beating two of the most popular skaters ever in Kim and Kostner which Medvedeva, Osmond, and Miyahara are not.

 

[shady82]

I think Medvedeva, Zagitova, and Osmond all have their share of 'haterz' because they have been overscored on multiple occasions. We don't see too much of it here for Osmond, IMO, because this is an English-language forum. Go to Youtube and it's a different story. For the record, they are talented and world-class skaters and I am a big Kaetlyn fan (but at the same time admit she is overscored).

 

[Spun Silver]

This is a pathetic cheer thread. It's not like there's not another thread to criticize her in.

 

[Vash01]

At age 15 Alina does not know what she has to be nervous about. We are going to see a very confident skate by her. Olympic pressure? What pressure?

Earlier she had struggled in her SP but it seems she fixed that problem at the Euros. Now she is in driver's seat.

 

[Spun Silver]

You never know. It ain't over yet and appearances to the contrary she IS human. Go Alina! Just do your thing!

 

[Spun Silver]

Well, Kitri did it. Congratulations to our phenomenal new OGM! She scared us for a second and then came back to nail her 3Lz-3Lo. Brilliant, beautiful, bravura skating.

Wishing Alina a fabulous post-Olympics experience with lots of great food and exciting opportunities! Well done, little swan!

 

[Cherub721]

YES

Sorry Oksana, I have a new favorite Olympic champion

What a night! This one will be debated forever. I could not decide between the two for the free and they freaking tied! Judges got it right. And Alina was much better in the short. I wish she could have been less nervous and really went all out like at Euros, but that was still amazing. <3

I really wish the IOC would find it in their hearts to reinstate the Russian anthem and flag before the ceremony. This is probably the only Russian gold at the Games, and this girl was 11 during Sochi. She had nothing to do with anything and she has passed very rigorous scrutiny to have made it here. She deserves that moment.

And I love how she was comforting Med. So sweet.