Russian women news & updates, 2021-22 season

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Scott512 said:
What you said makes sense except Anna does not have her quads. KV is as close to a lock as it gets. She will put up humongous scores this season and I guarantee you somewhere around 230 to 235 points will win the Olympic gold. That would be a pretty bad score for KV.
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I'm just going to state for the record, I don't think Valieva will win the Olympics. She is an inconsistent skater and the Olympics are the biggest pressure cooker of them all. Yes, she came roaring back with a monster score in the FS at Finlandia after a really poor SP but I have seen nothing from her this season that gives me much confidence in her ability to hold up to the pressure cooker of Russian Nationals, Europeans and the Olympics all within a span of 7 weeks. I do think she will manage to do well enough at Russian Nationals to make the European team but I don't think she will win Russian Nationals and book her Olympic ticket outright.

Tuk, on the other hand, I could see her winning the Olympics - that 3a of hers is bankable at this point. I don't think there is another female skater who has anywhere close to her success rate on that jump.

Trusova might come closest with her success rate on the quad lutz as far as bankable jumps that you expect her to land every time but even that has been hit or miss this season, and add in her stress fracture - she's fighting with Shcherbakova and Khromykh for the third spot right now.

It will be interesting to see how Russian Nationals plays out and whether the RFSF names one or two women to the Olympic team outright & sends the next 3 to Euros to duke it out for the remaining spots.
 
PRlady said:
The problem with your country winning several Oly golds in a row is that you are replaced as the Heroine du jour every four years or less. I hope Zags has a better time of it than Sotnikova seems to have had.
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Except anything extra-ordinary happens at the Olympics, I don't think any one from the current crop of Russian ladies with get the same level of media attention and fame as Zagitova and Medvedeva. If they win or if they don't. Maybe only Tuktamysheva or Trusova, as they have their own narrative and story.
 
Ka3sha said:
Except anything extra-ordinary happens at the Olympics, I don't think any one from the current crop of Russian ladies with get the same level of media attention and fame as Zagitova and Medvedeva. If they win or if they don't. Maybe only Tuktamysheva or Trusova, as they have their own narrative and story.
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Well, I think that Shcherbakova would probably get a similar level of attention and story given that she is the 3-time Russian National champ and current World champ. But someone like Valieva, who really hasn't had time to establish herself on the senior circuit? It was one thing for Lipnitskaya and Sotnikova to come from "out of nowhere" and for Zagitova to essentially repeat the same trajectory, but Med was already an established senior competitor by the time Pyeongchang rolled around. Valieva following the same "out of nowhere/just up from juniors" path doesn't have the same shine the third Olympics in a row.
 
Ka3sha said:
Except anything extra-ordinary happens at the Olympics, I don't think any one from the current crop of Russian ladies with get the same level of media attention and fame as Zagitova and Medvedeva. If they win or if they don't. Maybe only Tuktamysheva or Trusova, as they have their own narrative and story.
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I think they will have. The media will create the story.
For Trusova and Kostornaya it could be about having to return to Tutberidze because they realised that with Pluschenko they may not be able to win.
For Tuktamysheva it could be about being the only serious contender from outside Tutberidze’s school.
For Khromykh or Usacheva it would be ‘how it feels to be the underdog and how they manage to raise to the occasion when it was needed’.
For Scherbakova it could be how ‘she lost her quads but did not lose faith and fought till the end…’
For Valieva it could be about ‘how it feels to be branded this miraculous child. She had the expectations on her shoulders the whole season…’.

Five months before the last Olympics we didn’t know there was any issue between Medvedeva and Zagitova. And yet after the Olympics, the media decided that the medals could do well with a story and suddenly we also got the story. I think it will be the same this time too. Let’s face it, everyone is curious about the team where there is so many contenders, yet they are training together every year and having to behave civil to each other. They are no saints, I believe there is jealousy like anywhere else, and as soon as they are not dependent on Tutberidze, we may find out the gossip.
 
Karen-W said:
Well, I think that Shcherbakova would probably get a similar level of attention and story given that she is the 3-time Russian National champ and current World champ. But someone like Valieva, who really hasn't had time to establish herself on the senior circuit? It was one thing for Lipnitskaya and Sotnikova to come from "out of nowhere" and for Zagitova to essentially repeat the same trajectory, but Med was already an established senior competitor by the time Pyeongchang rolled around. Valieva following the same "out of nowhere/just up from juniors" path doesn't have the same shine the third Olympics in a row.
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The Olympics doesnt care about their story
its a sport, the highest score will win.
 
love_skate2011 said:
The Olympics doesnt care about their story
its a sport, the highest score will win.
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You are an idiot and clearly don't understand the context of the conversation. In terms of marketability and long-term earning potential, it is sometimes irrelevant who the winner is. If that were the case then Evan Lysacek not Johnny Weir would be working for NBC. :rolleyes:
 
Karen-W said:
Selfishly for Alysa, Young, Kaori and Rika, I hope that Sasha pulls out of NHK to give herself the proper time to heal.
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I totally agree, Karen, but I also think it is a good strategy for Sasha. Sasha is streaky. Maybe it is just not ideal for her that she is "5 Quad Ready" every week of the season. She only has to hit her peak in a short amount of time. So staying home and recuperating might be what she needs to successfully navigate her peaks and valleys. I hope she stays home. She's going to the Olympics if she shows her quads even the week leading up to the Games. She just needs to stay healthy.
 
Karen-W said:
You are an idiot and clearly don't understand the context of the conversation. In terms of marketability and long-term earning potential, it is sometimes irrelevant who the winner is. If that were the case then Evan Lysacek not Johnny Weir would be working for NBC. :rolleyes:
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So the biggest clown or silliest speaker (who also happens to skate) gets the gig? What does that tell you about the state of figure skating among the general US public? You don’t have to be a champion; you just need to have a gimmick. A far cry from the era of Dick & Peggy. Sigh.

Russians actually adore figure skating, so it’s less about gimmicks there. A true champion who is also telegenic can land the gigs.
 
Frau Muller said:
So the biggest clown or silliest speaker (who also happens to skate) gets the gig? What does that tell you about the state of figure skating among the general US public? You don’t have to be a champion; you just need to have a gimmick. A far cry from the era of Dick & Peggy. Sigh.

Russians actually adore figure skating, so it’s less about gimmicks there. A true champion who is also telegenic can land the gigs.
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You know, that's lovely, calling Johnny Weir a clown. Let's not forget that he actually won more US titles than Evan Lysacek. He might not have an Olympic title or medal but then again, neither does Kurt Browning and I'd be willing to wager that Kurt is just as beloved, possibly moreso, in Canada as two-time silver medalist Elvis Stojko - and he certainly was just as lucrative a name on the pro circuit as Elvis. Which skater between Weir and Lysacek had a fanbase in Japan or Russia that garnered invitations for shows and tours? We both know the answer to that and it's not the 2010 Olympic Men's Champion.

And that is the point... just because a skater wins the title doesn't mean they are going to be have opportunities post-skating to sign marketing deals or earn additional income, even in a country like Russia. It has nothing to do with gimmicks and everything to do with whose story captures the general public's interest. And, the greater the success the country has in any discipline, the more necessary it is for any new skater that comes along to have some sort of compelling back story, otherwise, they run the risk of becoming just another face in the crowd and companies have little interest in working with them for marketing & advertising. Will Kamila Valieva put butts in the seats for a show any more effectively than Liza T, Anna or Sasha? I'd argue no, regardless of whether she wins in Beijing or not.
 
Karen-W said:
You know, that's lovely, calling Johnny Weir a clown. Let's not forget that he actually won more US titles than Evan Lysacek. He might not have an Olympic title or medal but then again, neither does Kurt Browning and I'd be willing to wager that Kurt is just as beloved, possibly moreso, in Canada as two-time silver medalist Elvis Stojko - and he certainly was just as lucrative a name on the pro circuit as Elvis. Which skater between Weir and Lysacek had a fanbase in Japan or Russia that garnered invitations for shows and tours? We both know the answer to that and it's not the 2010 Olympic Men's Champion.

And that is the point... just because a skater wins the title doesn't mean they are going to be have opportunities post-skating to sign marketing deals or earn additional income, even in a country like Russia. It has nothing to do with gimmicks and everything to do with whose story captures the general public's interest. And, the greater the success the country has in any discipline, the more necessary it is for any new skater that comes along to have some sort of compelling back story, otherwise, they run the risk of becoming just another face in the crowd and companies have little interest in working with them for marketing & advertising. Will Kamila Valieva put butts in the seats for a show any more effectively than Liza T, Anna or Sasha? I'd argue no, regardless of whether she wins in Beijing or not.
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I agree with most of what you say. I have to disagree about Kamila. She is in her first year as a senior. It is hard to say where she will end up - top or middle. An OGM Can change Peoples' perceptions. Kamila could develop after this season (if she doesn't win the gold) and attract people.

I have to say something in defense of Johnny Weir. I adored his skating skills. I was disappointed that he did not have big international success, particularly at the Olympics. However, he knows skating and he can make decent commentary. Much better than Scott Hamilton. I think some people are bothered by his unconventional costuming when he commentates. Why look at him when they are watching skating on the screen and he is explaining some things? I prefer absence of commentary but that's not how the networks do the business. I am getting tired of fans complaining about Johnny and Tara as commentators. Is there anyone better? Some people are not cut out to be commentators but Johnny and Tara do a decent job.
 
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But I think they all are dependent on Eteri and always will be. It seems like some affiliation with her is required for commercial skating opportunities.
 
Karen-W said:
I'm just going to state for the record, I don't think Valieva will win the Olympics. She is an inconsistent skater and the Olympics are the biggest pressure cooker of them all. Yes, she came roaring back with a monster score in the FS at Finlandia after a really poor SP but I have seen nothing from her this season that gives me much confidence in her ability to hold up to the pressure cooker of Russian Nationals, Europeans and the Olympics all within a span of 7 weeks. I do think she will manage to do well enough at Russian Nationals to make the European team but I don't think she will win Russian Nationals and book her Olympic ticket outright.

Tuk, on the other hand, I could see her winning the Olympics - that 3a of hers is bankable at this point. I don't think there is another female skater who has anywhere close to her success rate on that jump.

Trusova might come closest with her success rate on the quad lutz as far as bankable jumps that you expect her to land every time but even that has been hit or miss this season, and add in her stress fracture - she's fighting with Shcherbakova and Khromykh for the third spot right now.

It will be interesting to see how Russian Nationals plays out and whether the RFSF names one or two women to the Olympic team outright & sends the next 3 to Euros to duke it out for the remaining spots.
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Kamila will be one of those named outright to the Olympic team after nationals. I expect her to put up big numbers and set the table for being the 1st Russian lady named to the Olympic team. A lot for KV depends on how she does with her triple axle this season. If she gets that under control watch out.

The sleeper Russian girl is Maya she can ruin the Olympic dreams of several girls including Liza. We don't know if aleona is going to stay mediocre by her standards or sasha will stay injured. She has a foot injury which is conjuring up memories of 4 years ago with medvedova. Even Anna is no sure thing without her quads. But I personally think the ultra jumps are overrated and I just want to see her skate and be happy.

Liza rarely does well at Russian nationals so the pressure will be on her in December. She really should have made the Olympic team in 2018 that was an 18 as the 3rd spot was there for the taking. Now they're going to have like 5 or 6 girls fighting for the 3rd spot 3rd spot any of them could win an Olympic gold or world championship. It's going to be insane!

But look to them all and I hope the ones who are injured get healthy soon. And then they have the pressure of dealing wis dealing with coronavirus every day. This is the new world unfortunately.

As far as the judging goes in skate Canada will be interesting to see It's a Georgian is more like Finlandia or Budapest. Because the judging changed 180ﾟ between the 2 events. That should not happen ever certainly not in an Olympic season we need some consistency.
 
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Wyliefan said:
I once thought the same of Alina Zagitova, so ...
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Zagitova was very consistent in the season before the Olympic season. She continued to be very consistent in her first senior season. She had the highest technical content - higher than Medvedeva. She had the potential to beat Med (though I didn't want her to, LOL). She didn't just appear out of nowhere in 2018. Her fed, and some skating fans, saw that potential to beat Med for the OGM, as soon as she became eligible as Senior. The RSF supported her politically for the OGM when Medvedeva got injured.

Kamila's situation is different. Great talent and potential as junior but as senior she has struggled so far. Nerves are getting to her, something we didn't see from Alina. This is why I have a few doubts about Valieva. It is more like let us see if she figures it out before the Russian nationals.

Also, Kamila has a lot more competitors to make the Olympic team, let alone win the OGM, and they are not limited to Russia. Japan, Korea, USA have at least one strong skater each.

Alina's main competition was Medvedeva, who was considered a lock for the OGM at the start of the season, but some knew that she could be beaten by Alina.

So I see these as two different situations.
 
Vash01 said:
Zagitova was very consistent in the season before the Olympic season. She continued to be very consistent in her first senior season. She had the highest technical content - higher than Medvedeva. She had the potential to beat Med (though I didn't want her to, LOL). She didn't just appear out of nowhere in 2018. Her fed, and some skating fans, saw that potential to beat Med for the OGM, as soon as she became eligible as Senior. The RSF supported her politically for the OGM when Medvedeva got injured.

Kamila's situation is different. Great talent and potential as junior but as senior she has struggled so far. Nerves are getting to her, something we didn't see from Alina. This is why I have a few doubts about Valieva. It is more like let us see if she figures it out before the Russian nationals.

Also, Kamila has a lot more competitors to make the Olympic team, let alone win the OGM, and they are not limited to Russia. Japan, Korea, USA have at least one strong skater each.

Alina's main competition was Medvedeva, who was considered a lock for the OGM at the start of the season, but some knew that she could be beaten by Alina.

So I see these as two different situations.
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Alina didn't skate a completely clean SP in the Olympic season until Europeans, IIRC. Don't think that's a fair statement at this point fo the season.
 
Coco said:
@Scott512 What changes in judging are you talking about?
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Inflated scores in Finlandia and much harsher judging in Budapest. It's 2021 the judging should be better. But more importantly whether the scores are too high or too low to low all the ISU judges should be consistent and it shouldn't be very different every single week. If the judges were consistently harsh on everybody I would be good with it.
 
I was watching a Russian news blip and Kamila was landing her 3axel fine, also landed 4salchow. No video of Kostornaia or Tuk. Did i read correctly that Alyona is skating to the LIZA MINNELLI version of Ny,Ny?!?!?!? This could be absolutely dragalicious or it could utterly miss and be yet another tragic misstep. It has trainwreck all over it, and I'm for it!! And she's never even going to show this program in America, much less NY!!!! Lol. Is there anyone at practices who saw them practice?
 
Vash01 said:
I agree with most of what you say. I have to disagree about Kamila. She is in her first year as a senior. It is hard to say where she will end up - top or middle. An OGM Can change Peoples' perceptions. Kamila could develop after this season (if she doesn't win the gold) and attract people.

I have to say something in defense of Johnny Weir. I adored his skating skills. I was disappointed that he did not have big international success, particularly at the Olympics. However, he knows skating and he can make decent commentary. Much better than Scott Hamilton. I think some people are bothered by his unconventional costuming when he commentates. Why look at him when they are watching skating on the screen and he is explaining some things? I prefer absence of commentary but that's not how the networks do the business. I am getting tired of fans complaining about Johnny and Tara as commentators. Is there anyone better? Some people are not cut out to be commentators but Jonny and Tara do a decent job.
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Just wanted to say I have never had any problems with Johnny and Tara commentating. I'm European so I never have seen them live, but the clips I've seen on YT I think they are doing a great job.
 
All the Russian girls are supposed to try the 3A tonight. But there are four other skaters that has the 3A as well. Two of them might save it for the free though...
 
Tobbe said:
All the Russian girls are supposed to try the 3A tonight. But there are four other skaters that has the 3A as well. Two of them might save it for the free though...
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The four others-
Alysa Liu
Wakaba Higuchi
and...?
 
Oh my god, the announcer is hilarious. She's introducing Kostornaiia over the loudspeaker and goes on and on "and she left Eteri in June 2020 to train with Evgeny Plushenko, but returned to the welcome receiving arms of her famed coach Tutberidze" or some such. Talk about As the Blade Turns! lol
 
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