From Russia with love [#28]: Autumn to Winter 2017

Evgenia as Sailor Moon was trending on the popular page of Reddit yesterday. The non-skating crowd seems to find her very charming. Shared that interview from 2016 Worlds where she recited the lyrics in Japanese and people were falling all over themselves. If she wins, I expect her to be a very popular champion.

My grown daughter, who was an anime fan, texted me with the link to the exhibition incredulously. She couldn't believe a Russian girl could play a Japanese character so perfectly.

I think Med is a very special skater, and young woman. No wonder the Fed wanted her to represent them in the IOC meeting.
 
I sent the link of Med as Sailor Moon to a friend who had been watching the team event, and is also an an anime fan, and she told me she had already seen it a while back as it had made its way around the anime forums :)
 
Would you like me to send you some windowlene, to polish your crystal ball? It seems that with frequent use, it became a bit clouded and your readings are getting rather random.
Despite the hyperbole, I get where he's going. Katsalapov is a lightweight in terms of fight and grit and he appears to have work ethic issues, otherwise, why is something always hurting, there is always some injury he's nagging on and on about. In comparison, Chock and Bates have weathered so many injuries over the years without even whispering about it.

As for S/B no offence to their fans but this non-invite will always linger on the minds of the judges, Stepanova is a lovely dancer but not much of a skater, so they need that perfect storm to really break through.

I honestly believe Russia's future lies in their juniors. Shortsightedness made then break up the one really promising team they've had for years now. If I/K were here, and if they had continued to work, especially since Zhulin proved that Katsalapov really does know how to twizzle but only at warp speed, Russia would be easy bets for a medal, easy. But eh, this is Russian logic for ya.
 
Except hasn't Russia had many successful/promising dance teams at the junior level in the past 10 years as well? They seem to all fizzle out once they go senior because the coaches don't know how to help them transition.

In fact it's pretty much true for all the disciplines except the ladies. Problem never was lack of promising juniors, but making them transition to become successful seniors.
 
Except hasn't Russia had many successful/promising dance teams at the junior level in the past 10 years as well? They seem to all fizzle out once they go senior because the coaches don't know how to help them transition.

In fact it's pretty much true for all the disciplines except the ladies. Problem never was lack of promising juniors, but making them transition to become successful seniors.
Yes, Stepanova/Bukin looked as promising as any of the current juniors.
 
Despite the hyperbole, I get where he's going. Katsalapov is a lightweight in terms of fight and grit and he appears to have work ethic issues, otherwise, why is something always hurting, there is always some injury he's nagging on and on about. In comparison, Chock and Bates have weathered so many injuries over the years without even whispering about it.

As for S/B no offence to their fans but this non-invite will always linger on the minds of the judges, Stepanova is a lovely dancer but not much of a skater, so they need that perfect storm to really break through.

I honestly believe Russia's future lies in their juniors. Shortsightedness made then break up the one really promising team they've had for years now. If I/K were here, and if they had continued to work, especially since Zhulin proved that Katsalapov really does know how to twizzle but only at warp speed, Russia would be easy bets for a medal, easy. But eh, this is Russian logic for ya.

Definitely this is my point! Stepanova and Bukin were mentioned by commentators and they said they couldn’t go to Pyeongchang because of the state sponsored doping and their role in it! That’s wrong but it shows that they are really seen as doping Cheaters who were banned from Olympics and may never be allowed in Olympics so why is Russia going to groom them to go to Beijing? People can argue Russia continued to support bobrova but she was never banned from Olympics! If anything Russia tries a new soloviev team if are so desperate just to keep a team top 10. It may be unfair but Bukin career is over. He’s finished.

I agree if a junior to senior transitioning team is sent to dubreuil, spiliband or zueva. If they stay in Russia they are like all the other juniors who vanish after a year. M/k, y/m, so many to list.

Except hasn't Russia had many successful/promising dance teams at the junior level in the past 10 years as well? They seem to all fizzle out once they go senior because the coaches don't know how to help them transition.

In fact it's pretty much true for all the disciplines except the ladies. Problem never was lack of promising juniors, but making them transition to become successful seniors.

Exactly! The total incompetence of Russian coaches in ice dance to do transition to seniors is extraordinary. There is no talent or ability. They must be beg on hands and knees for help from dubreuil.
 
Fan made trailer ahead of the Ladies Event:

The Russian Ladies | 2018 Olympics Promo: CIVIL WAR PART II - The Coronation

So close now...

So many copycat videos of the kind @Karpenko originated. :p I do not think Maria Sotskova is a star nor a skater worthy of being on the Olympic podium. She's a good jumper and a determined striver. She's not a great performer, nor a great skater. Med and Zagitova deserve the credit for their precocious talents and jumping (rotational) strengths. They are good at what they do, but also lucky to have clout of RusFed & Eteri behind them, which helps with the judging, particularly the high PCS scores. When you are freakin' consistent all the time, and do the difficult tech stuff, the judges go whole hog on the PCS whether deserved or not.

"One nation has risen above the rest. As legends pass into history [shot of Julia Lip in a latter day demise comp], new ones are born to take their place [shots of uber-queens Janny & Alina]. Some have tried to discredit their dominance. But the dirty little games they play will not change the inevitable. Now the world's best figure skaters will claim what belongs to them..." :rofl:

Background music lyrics: "We're ready for war..." Shot of Sotskova :huh: :drama:

Aside from the great production values and editing, I see so much desperation in this hype-driven video. Why all the desperation? It is what it is, with a lot of help from RusFed politicking. And the ladies in question are very talented. They don't have the speed, power and maturity of some other top competitors, but yeah, they are usually more consistent. The need and hunger to promote and flaunt Russian hegemony in ladies by RusFed even surpasses their thirst and conceit to regain traditional Russian dominance in pairs. Meanwhile, they continue to seek viable contenders to rebuild competitiveness in ice dance, forget about dominating in that discipline, for the moment.

Of course Janny Med and Alina Zag are expected to rock Pyeongchang arena with their determined consistency and jumping exploits. I think Alina is a better jumper, as Janny has tech issues on her jumps that are ignored. Neither are great artists on ice, notwithstanding the judges' PCS assessments. Ahem. :COP: Janny has some special aura and ethereal precocity about her, and Zagitova appears to have good technique and wonderful potential artistically (despite not actually being particularly balletic, even with her exaggerated posing in tutus). In any case, ladies that young need to mature in order to fully develop their artistic side. Neither Med nor Zag are as good as Michelle Kwan in Salome and Julia Lipnitskaya in Schindler's List. And even Julia and Michelle were not fully developed skaters artistically when they performed those respective programs.

Another point is that Julia had a hothouse flower, hot minute of a career. Maybe her SL performance in the team event at Sochi Olympics is legendary, but Paul Wylie's exhibition Schindler's List was better and much more profound. The symbolism of the little girl in the red coat that we remember from the Stephen Spielberg movie is what provokes emotions during Julia's memorable SL performance. It was a great vehicle that helped camouflage Julia's weaknesses. Also, real legends do not 'pass into history,' they transcend history.

What it boils down to obviously is that the Civil War is between Med and Zag. I do not think Sotskova will be a factor. If Sotskova performs well, she'll get good scores, but I can't see her taking the podium. She's not better than a slew of other ladies. It does come down to how everyone performs on the ice, and it seems clear that the judges and rest of skating community await the inevitable battle between Med and Zag for top of podium. If everyone is at their best though, Sotskova won't be climbing on the podium. She's rather bland and average compared to other top contenders. An exciting upset for the top spots would be a fitting end to the figure skating extravaganza in Pyeongchang. But I'm expecting status quo as usual.
 
Last edited:
@aftershocks, I feel like you may be over-thinking this fan video just a *little* bit. :p Obviously it was made by a fan of the Russian girls.

It's a fan video, not intended to be a dissertation on ladies figure skating today.

These fan trailers really aren't my cup of tea, however, I will say the production quality is outstanding here.
 
@aftershocks, I feel like you may be over-thinking this fan video just a *little* bit. :p Obviously it was made by a fan of the Russian girls.

It's a fan video, not intended to be a dissertation on ladies figure skating today.

These fan trailers really aren't my cup of tea, however, I will say the production quality is outstanding here.

Oh for sure @alchemy void! It's just a promo vid, and very very well done too, as inspired by @Karpenko's original inspirational fs promo vids. No problema. It is what it is, and it got me to thinking about the nitty-gritty realities.

Of course fans of Russian ladies have a right to love them and to promote them and to cheer for them. The text is a bit OTT. When you great, there really ain't no need to defend and shout it from the mountaintops. :D Sotskova is pretty and a hardworker, bless her heart. She's a consistent jumper, but I do not see her as a world beater. She's been helped quite often in the scoring, especially on PCS, even more-so than Med and Alina.

Enjoy all the rest of the Olympics skating!
 
I haven't particularly followed them. Who do you think have a real potential?

Several of the Russian juniors have real potential. The two I've bolded are the ones I think have the most potential, but all of these teams have had successful junior careers.

Skoptcova/Aleshin won the junior grand prix final this season. They have some work to do on their presentation, but they could develop their performance skills as seniors, starting next season.

Ushakova/Nekrasov
have a flair for the drama and intense theatrical ability that could play well as seniors. They need more work on the basics, and they have several more junior seasons to refine those skills. A very exciting team.

Polishchuk/Vakhnov
have excellent skating skills and technique. Classic and beautiful.

Shevchenko/Eremenko have come along nicely this season with better programs and a newfound maturity.

Shpilevaya/Smirnov are like a baby Baby Italians. They do charming programs so well, and they also need more work on edge quality and basics.
 
Several of the Russian juniors have real potential. The two I've bolded are the ones I think have the most potential, but all of these teams have had successful junior careers.

Skoptcova/Aleshin won the junior grand prix final this season. They have some work to do on their presentation, but they could develop their performance skills as seniors, starting next season.

Ushakova/Nekrasov
have a flair for the drama and intense theatrical ability that could play well as seniors. They need more work on the basics, and they have several more junior seasons to refine those skills. A very exciting team.

Polishchuk/Vakhnov
have excellent skating skills and technique. Classic and beautiful.

Shevchenko/Eremenko have come along nicely this season with better programs and a newfound maturity.

Shpilevaya/Smirnov are like a baby Baby Italians. They do charming programs so well, and they also need more work on edge quality and basics.
The only question is - like it has been the question for the past 8 years- is Russia willing to do what’s necessary for young teams to fulfill their potential? So far it’s a big NO. Only 3 people are allowed to coach! Lol. Zhulin, kustarova, svinan and zhuk and all are huge failures. I mean they even sent s/k to Tchaikovskaia before someone of youth and IJS savvy.
 
Several of the Russian juniors have real potential. The two I've bolded are the ones I think have the most potential, but all of these teams have had successful junior careers.

Skoptcova/Aleshin won the junior grand prix final this season. They have some work to do on their presentation, but they could develop their performance skills as seniors, starting next season.

Ushakova/Nekrasov
have a flair for the drama and intense theatrical ability that could play well as seniors. They need more work on the basics, and they have several more junior seasons to refine those skills. A very exciting team.

Polishchuk/Vakhnov
have excellent skating skills and technique. Classic and beautiful.

Shevchenko/Eremenko have come along nicely this season with better programs and a newfound maturity.

Shpilevaya/Smirnov are like a baby Baby Italians. They do charming programs so well, and they also need more work on edge quality and basics.

Thank you very much.:)
I'm gonna watch their videos. ;)
 
I hope zhulins career is over and his destructive disgraceful coaching is never seen again!! Bobrova and soloviev were Such a bad team to push. Everyone agreed her bent posture was awful and team ruining! Now Russia may do the same with Stepanova and her lack of talent. No it can’t be a rerun of b/s!! Make a team with equal talent number one! Horrible trash garbage zhulin faded must be over.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top
Do Not Sell My Personal Information