From Russia With Love (No 32): Spring to Summer 2019

[hanca]

Anastasia Tarakanova says in her video blog that she will remain in Juniors next year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHcTJe-x7B8

That makes sense. She has a very good chance to get two JGP events, get to JGPF and if things go well, to be sent to junior worlds. Her chance of getting GP event is not very good, because with Trusova, Scherbakova and Kostornaya moving to seniors, there won’t be enough GP spots for all senior Russian ladies.

 

[Tinami Amori]

That makes sense. She has a very good chance to get two JGP events, get to JGPF and if things go well, to be sent to junior worlds. Her chance of getting GP event is not very good, because with Trusova, Scherbakova and Kostornaya moving to seniors, there won’t be enough GP spots for all senior Russian ladies.

She is now in Dubai, but says she also came not just to rest, but to work on her conditioning for the new year.

And! she is ON FIRE! here is a clip of her impro for the new programme... power, expression, drive.... Love it! that is "female skating" to me....
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvrdUGxIEfj/

(so it is off season, and here is my chance to post some fun stuff about Nasya off ice... )
Her dad rented her a small aircraft and lets her pilot it for a short while. flying starts @ 1:25. When she finally lands, the proud father says "My daughter piloted/flied herself!".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Uc2Sz6dSAc

Here is her dad is making her swim in an ice-hole, it's called "морж" in Russian, "walrus swimming".
At first she does not want to, and says she does not want to get her hair wet, but he wants her to toughen up.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvtOgOgHHpe/

 

[kwanfan1818]

If I understand the set-up of the TV program correctly, the guest plays straightman to the host.

Aside from people who make a living debating on air or are great at improv, that's hard and stressful enough for an adult, let alone a 16-year-old, and it sounds from the transcript Zagitova did a marvelous job.

 

[Dobre]

Anastasia Tarakanova says in her video blog that she will remain in Juniors next year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHcTJe-x7B8

Thank you for the update. Do you--or does anyone else--know whether Anna Tarusina is planning to compete in seniors or juniors during the GP/JGP season?

 

[Tinami Amori]

If I understand the set-up of the TV program correctly, the guest plays straightman to the host.

from what i've seen, a guest can joke, be sarcastic right back, make "provocative" comments with a straight face, no rules except profanities or "too political"... My wish would be that a part of the segment is taped at a rink, and Urgant would try to skate..... but oh, well...

Thank you for the update. Do you--or does anyone else--know whether Anna Tarusina is planning to compete in seniors or juniors during the GP/JGP season?

Maybe someone has more details. I see bits and pieces about her on russian sites, but nothing concrete to answer your questions exactly. so far, i recall this..
- She is still feeling pains in her knee from the car accident she had in France. her knee is bandaged even today.
- she ranks #20 on Russian ladies list. will be competing for spots against Gubanova and Kanysheva who are 21 and 22.
- she is currently and officially with Davydov at the CSKA rink, where Buianova trains also, and some "insiders" think that Buianova may switch to be her coach officially.
- she last skated in a comp. at Russian Cup Finals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqm7880le8Q
- placed 6th http://www.fskate.ru/results/tour/1700.html

... my guess, is she'll stay in Juniors.

 

[hanca]

Well, I just realised, there won’t be that much space in Russian junior ladies either. Tutberidze is bringing three newly eligible girls, so that’s already 6 out of 14 spots for JGP gone. Tutberidze’s girls usually get second spot because they are very prepared and win their first event.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Well, I just realised, there won’t be that much space in Russian junior ladies either. Tutberidze is bringing three newly eligible girls, so that’s already 6 out of 14 spots for JGP gone. Tutberidze’s girls usually get second spot because they are very prepared and win their first event.

4 girls. don't forget she now has Kanysheva (2005) in addition to Khromykh, Usacheva, Valieva.

 

[Wyliefan]

Speaking of Tarakanova, she got a really cool birthday cake! https://www.instagram.com/p/BwP7P_lHLnO/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=oooeox8libra

I'm glad she's staying junior. It will be competitive, but not as competitive as seniors.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

Shh. Don't let Eteri hear you, or she'll go from one meal a week to one meal a month.

You took the words out of my mouth. These girls' careers are built on size first & technique second. I worry for all of them. I love Scherbakova and Kostornaya. But I don't believe either will last in figure skating past puberty.

 

[Tinami Amori]

You took the words out of my mouth. These girls' careers are built on size first & technique second. I worry for all of them. I love Scherbakova and Kostornaya. But I don't believe either will last in figure skating past puberty.

It is going to be painful next 4 years for you watching Eteri's girls medal and get to the Olympics..

We've already been through "doomsday" predictions with Alina, and yet she has now won everything in site, and is making the Forbes List of most successful Russian athletes under 30...
https://www.forbes.ru/30under30
https://www.sovsport.ru/figure/articles/2:896076

Not to mention that her "strict diet and sacrifices such as water spitting" are part of the Puma and Glamour campaign interviews... everything they talked about on Urgant, the 100 gm, and water, and weight.
It is called: The power of overcoming obstacles and all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3o8eiJA9lw

 

[hanca]

4 girls. don't forget she now has Kanysheva (2005) in addition to Khromykh, Usacheva, Valieva.

But Kanysheva isn’t new. She already has had one year at junior level. I wrote ‘Tutberidze has three newly eligible junior ladies’. Newly eligible...

 

[skatfan]

It is going to be painful next 4 years for you watching Eteri's girls medal and get to the Olympics..

We've already been through "doomsday" predictions with Alina, and yet she has now won everything in site, and is making the Forbes List of most successful Russian athletes under 30...

Last year she won everything (except Worlds). This year she won a couple of Grand Prix events and Worlds. She didn’t even medal at her own Nationals this year.

I hope she proves the exception to adolescent Eteri skaters as Elizabeta has. She has the fierceness and determination. Whether the technique lasts, we’ll find out.

 

[hanca]

Last year she won everything (except Worlds). This year she won a couple of Grand Prix events and Worlds. She didn’t even medal at her own Nationals this year.

I hope she proves the exception to adolescent Eteri skaters as Elizabeta has. She has the fierceness and determination. Whether the technique lasts, we’ll find out.

To be fair, Elizabeta has not proved anything. Yes, she can win her nationals, but it may be because there is no other lady in Kazakhstan that is a half-decent skater. I don’t think Elizabeta would place that much better at Russian nationals than Zagitova did.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

It is going to be painful next 4 years for you watching Eteri's girls medal and get to the Olympics..

We've already been through "doomsday" predictions with Alina, and yet she has now won everything in site, and is making the Forbes List of most successful Russian athletes under 30...
https://www.forbes.ru/30under30
https://www.sovsport.ru/figure/articles/2:896076

Not to mention that her "strict diet and sacrifices such as water spitting" are part of the Puma and Glamour campaign interviews... everything they talked about on Urgant, the 100 gm, and water, and weight.
It is called: The power of overcoming obstacles and all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3o8eiJA9lw

You are responding to a post saying "I love Scherbakova and Kostornaya" with "it's going to be painful next 4 years for you watching Eteri's girls blah blah blah." Are Scherbakova & Kostornaya NOT Eteri's girls?

ps. You really think that winning and getting endorsement $$$ justifies everything. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[Wyliefan]

It is going to be painful next 4 years for you watching Eteri's girls medal and get to the Olympics..

We've already been through "doomsday" predictions with Alina, and yet she has now won everything in site, and is making the Forbes List of most successful Russian athletes under 30...
https://www.forbes.ru/30under30
https://www.sovsport.ru/figure/articles/2:896076

Not to mention that her "strict diet and sacrifices such as water spitting" are part of the Puma and Glamour campaign interviews... everything they talked about on Urgant, the 100 gm, and water, and weight.
It is called: The power of overcoming obstacles and all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3o8eiJA9lw

It really is disturbing that you think malnourishment is a big joke.

 

[Stephanie]

Well, I just realised, there won’t be that much space in Russian junior ladies either. Tutberidze is bringing three newly eligible girls, so that’s already 6 out of 14 spots for JGP gone. Tutberidze’s girls usually get second spot because they are very prepared and win their first event.

Russia is hosting a JGP next year (#4, Chelyabinsk) so they'll have 15 spots

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

It really is disturbing that you think malnourishment is a big joke.

But... but... the Glamour magazine interview! Lets keep our priorities straight.

 

[Bigbird]

Look if we don't all realize what's going on with Russian girls re weight management we're just blind. They will not stop this way of doing things as everything in life is insignificant when compared with that medal and notoriety. Sometimes when I read these things I just cannot.

 

[Wyliefan]

I mean, even putting aside the fact that they're growing girls, they're athletes. You would think that those who admire athletic accomplishments would want the athletes as healthy and strong as possible, the better to achieve those accomplishments.

 

[mjb52]

In general, I support Russian skating but I agree about the weight stuff, it is a very serious issue - I'm not sure what it will take to change things though, it is going to have to come from within.

 

[bladesofgorey]

Look if we don't all realize what's going on with Russian girls re weight management we're just blind. They will not stop this way of doing things as everything in life is insignificant when compared with that medal and notoriety. Sometimes when I read these things I just cannot.

It's sick. As in deeply sick and twisted and the fact so many people seem to be "oh well but they are winners" is utterly disturbing and makes me think they lack basic humanity tbh.

 

[skatfan]

To be fair, Elizabeta has not proved anything. Yes, she can win her nationals, but it may be because there is no other lady in Kazakhstan that is a half-decent skater. I don’t think Elizabeta would place that much better at Russian nationals than Zagitova did.

My point is that Elisabeta has come through puberty competing at a better level internationally is the first Eteri skater to do so.

My comments about Alina this season were in response to @tinamori saying she has won everything - which is true for her two senior seasons together, but she struggled a lot this season.

 

[bladesofgorey]

...Not to mention let's call it what it is: abusive. It's child abuse to encourage these kinds of obsessions and behaviors in developing children/teenagers and anyone who thinks it's anything but abusive and dismisses or admires environments where this happens enables and promotes this abuse.

 

[Wyliefan]

It's all too easy to take advantage of talented kids who are eager to make their mark. They work hard and love doing the hard jumps, and that's admirable. What's not admirable is making them think that going hungry is the way to get there. It's manipulative and, as you say, abusive. A coach who really wanted the best for her students would want them to get the nutrition they need.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

My point is that Elisabeta has come through puberty competing at a better level internationally is the first Eteri skater to do so.
.

She still look slike a 14 yo teenager. She didn't get through puberty (!) with Eteri. Eteri can deliver results, but Elizabeta is not her final product. The foundations were worked on by Orser. Eteri sure gave her the consistency and competitveness, kudos to her, but I don't see Tursynbaeva as her product at all.

 

[hanca]

My point is that Elisabeta has come through puberty competing at a better level internationally is the first Eteri skater to do so.

My comments about Alina this season were in response to @tinamori saying she has won everything - which is true for her two senior seasons together, but she struggled a lot this season.

If you call not winning a struggle, every senior lady struggled during the season. Even Rika Kihira, who was very strong the first half of the season, struggled. Lost at Japanese nationals, lost at worlds, lost at team trophy... According to your criteria, who didn’t struggle?

 

[hanca]

Russia is hosting a JGP next year (#4, Chelyabinsk) so they'll have 15 spots

If they use the extra spot. The last time they were hosting, they used extra spot in ladies, but they didn’t use any extra spots in pairs, and they did have good enough pairs who were ready to go.

 

[Finsta]

She still look slike a 14 yo teenager. She didn't get through puberty (!) with Eteri. Eteri can deliver results, but Elizabeta is not her final product. The foundations were worked on by Orser. Eteri sure gave her the consistency and competitveness, kudos to her, but I don't see Tursynbaeva as her product at all.

Agree with this so much! Orser technique. People forget that

 

[VenusH.]

I find it disturbing how Russian girls, their coaches and even some fans are glorifying disordered eating.

Maybe it is time for ISU to step in before clinic are filled with sickly little starved girls who closed their mouths and used water as occasional treat.... because that's what the pretty girl with medals is doing.

 

[annie_mg]

It's all too easy to take advantage of talented kids who are eager to make their mark. They work hard and love doing the hard jumps, and that's admirable. What's not admirable is making them think that going hungry is the way to get there. It's manipulative and, as you say, abusive. A coach who really wanted the best for her students would want them to get the nutrition they need.

Not in Russia I think. I also follow gymnastics and every 3rd comment the coaches make has to do with the girls' weight. So this makes me think that it's a cultural thing and you're expected to starve as an athlete...And that in any case eating disorders in athletes aren't viewed as such. I hope I'm wrong, but it sure looks like that.