Zagitova announces a temporary suspension of her competitive career; will perform in shows, incl. 'Art on Ice 2020'

[VGThuy]

I agree Zagitova’s record is undebatable. She won everything, including a Worlds people thought she was over-the-hill and would lose if Kihira skated well showing she was able to compete after her Olympic win.

To be fair to Hughes though, she was developing from 13 to 16 during her competitive Olympic cycle and fought her way against more show stopping baby ballerinas domestically and a juggernaut known as Michelle Kwan who had her own rivalries with two excellent Russian rivals. It was crowded and it was the 6.0 system with rep and stuff playing a bigger part in that non-quantified itemized point-building system. She increasingly improved her rank from 7th then 5th then to 3rd at Worlds, surprisingly beat both OGM faves at Skate Canada right before SLC and was right behind them at the GPF (some arguing she should have placed higher than she did at both Skate America and the GPF those years). It did not come as easy for her but she did it through perseverance and diligence.

 

[Nadya]

Back to news about Alina:

Switching over to pairs skating? Olympic champion Alina Zagitova learns new elements during career break (VIDEO)

Reigning world and Olympic figure skating champion Alina Zagitova has wowed fans with her ability to learn new elements, posting a video to Instagram showing a pairs skating lift during rehearsals for a New Year exhibition show.

www.rt.com

She is so damn gorgeous! That face should be an endorsement magnet.

 

[Coco]

It's difficult to make meaningful comparisons when dealing with results under 6.0 with results under the current system.

Obviously, Zagitova won everything outright at least once, except the ladies free skate at the Olympics in the singles event.

 

[MacMadame]

, Sorry still doesn't come close to Zagitova and hence the problem. Zagitova is taking a break after winning everything to win in the sport. Sarah Hughes never managed to be anywhere near that achievement.

That doesn't mean there aren't comparisons to be made. Both won unexpected Olympic Gold at a very young age, didn't immediately retire, and then struggled competitively afterward. The ways they are alike and are different are interesting, which is why we are talking about them.

One factor IMO to their struggles after the Olympics is that most people treat the OGM as the ultimate prize in figure skating. So even if you didn't win other things leading up to your OGM win, there is a very definite feeling that you've made it and continuing with your career is "dangerous" because further loses could "tarnish" that Gold medal.

I would think it would be very hard to be motivated after winning the ultimate prize and there might be some fear as well. This is one reason I respect athletes who continue on after winning the Olympics.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

It'd be fun to see Alina skating pairs, in some form. She looks super-happy!

 

[Skibean]

it’s also an interesting parallel that both Hughes and Zagitova finished 6th in their last competitions. Both while struggling with jumps.
Hughes was adored. Not to the level as Kwan. Maybe the same as Cohen. She did 2 3/3’s in an Olympic program making her , I believe, the first female in history to do so.

 

[escaflowne9282]

To summarise, Zagitova won everything to win in the sport and Sarah Hughes won a surprise Olympic gold and nothing else of importance.

So basically ,Hughes is an American version of Sotnikova ,while Zagitova is a Russian version of Lipinski.

 

[MacMadame]

Hughes was adored.

Not in the US.

 

[Deleted member 40371]

So basically ,Hughes is an American version of Sotnikova ,while Zagitova is a Russian version of Lipinski.

No Junior worlds for Lipnitski, so doesn't count. I am glad she is taking a break, this thread is a perfect example of why she should take a break from all the haters. Even though the girl managed to get into GPFs, she is apparently a failure after losing her jump etc.

 

[Nadya]

it’s also an interesting parallel that both Hughes and Zagitova finished 6th in their last competitions. Both while struggling with jumps.
Hughes was adored. Not to the level as Kwan. Maybe the same as Cohen. She did 2 3/3’s in an Olympic program making her , I believe, the first female in history to do so.

No, I don't think she was adored. I also don't think she ever had a group of diehard fans who stuck with her through highs and lows unlike, say, Cohen or Kwan. With Hughes, it was like, oh, gold medal! good for her. retired from skating? oh, good for her. It was as milquetoast as it got. I mean I have never heard anyone say, wistfully, Oh! If only Sarah Hughes was competing today!

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

No, I don't think she was adored. I also don't think she ever had a group of diehard fans who stuck with her through highs and lows unlike, say, Cohen or Kwan. With Hughes, it was like, oh, gold medal! good for her. retired from skating? oh, good for her. It was as milquetoast as it got. I mean I have never heard anyone say, wistfully, Oh! If only Sarah Hughes was competing today!

Are you speaking about Hughes or Zagitova?

 

[Japanfan]

As for Sarah, her family way over-pushed the "shes going to school" aspect which did impact her endorsements.

So what? He wanted his daughters to get an education and they presumably did as well. A skating career is often limited in time (there being exceptions such as Kurt Browning), whereas other careers can last a lifetime. And the Hughes weren't hurting for money.

 

[Deleted member 13560]

That doesn't mean there aren't comparisons to be made. Both won unexpected Olympic Gold at a very young age, didn't immediately retire, and then struggled competitively afterward.

Sorry but Zagitova’s olympic gold was hardly unexpected.

 

[Deleted member 40371]

That doesn't mean there aren't comparisons to be made. Both won unexpected Olympic Gold at a very young age, didn't immediately retire, and then struggled competitively afterward. The ways they are alike and are different are interesting, which is why we are talking about them.

One factor IMO to their struggles after the Olympics is that most people treat the OGM as the ultimate prize in figure skating. So even if you didn't win other things leading up to your OGM win, there is a very definite feeling that you've made it and continuing with your career is "dangerous" because further loses could "tarnish" that Gold medal.

I would think it would be very hard to be motivated after winning the ultimate prize and there might be some fear as well. This is one reason I respect athletes who continue on after winning the Olympics.

Zagitova was the favourite or co-favourite going to the Olympics. Zagitova won the world championships a year after the Olympics. Zagitova even in her struggles reached GPFs two season after the Olympics. I think people are trying hard to make Zagitova into a Hughes, especially North Americans.

 

[Skibean]

It seems, based on this thread, there are many that do see many similarities with Zagitova and Hughes. Many would be honored to have that comparison. It’s quite rude and hateful to take this comparison as an insult to Zagitova. That suggests your own hatred and biases against Sarah Hughes. I bet Zagitova is honored with this comparison. I didn’t realize the similarities until recently.
To me, Zagitova was pretty much the favorite going into the Olympics and Medvedeva was the underdog. I’ve followed this sport for years. The judges favor youth and there’s usually an upset for the ladies. Seems to be the trend. I doubt we will see any current senior lady win Olympic gold. It’ll be a young jumper.

 

[Vagabond]

Sarah Hughes has hew own FSU emoticon; Alina Zagitova does not.

Enough said.

 

[Karen-W]

Zagitova was the favourite or co-favourite going to the Olympics. Zagitova won the world championships a year after the Olympics. Zagitova even in her struggles reached GPFs two season after the Olympics. I think people are trying hard to make Zagitova into a Hughes, especially North Americans.

As one of the few around here willing to own that I was a Sarah Hughes fan 2 decades ago (dang, has it really been that long???), while I can see some similarities of a Hughes-Zagitova comparison, I tend to agree with those who think the comparison doesn't hold up under much scrutiny. About the only real similarity is they won the Olympics over some more heralded fan favorites, but the ingredients were certainly there pointing to a potential Olympic gold for both in the fall season leading up to their respective Olympic Games. The JGP didn't exist when Sarah was a junior - Jr Worlds was the only major junior international competition. She was just a really steady competitor and coming up in the shadow of MK and Irina, she wasn't grabbing the spotlight. I tend to think the same is true of Zagitova. Both had their technical flaws which, like it or not, the judges overlooked at the biggest competition of the quadrennial. But neither of them came from out of left field to win. Beyond that, the comparison falters.

 

[Taso]

As one of the few around here willing to own that I was a Sarah Hughes fan 2 decades ago (dang, has it really been that long???), while I can see some similarities of a Hughes-Zagitova comparison, I tend to agree with those who think the comparison doesn't hold up under much scrutiny. About the only real similarity is they won the Olympics over some more heralded fan favorites, but the ingredients were certainly there pointing to a potential Olympic gold for both in the fall season leading up to their respective Olympic Games. The JGP didn't exist when Sarah was a junior - Jr Worlds was the only major junior international competition. She was just a really steady competitor and coming up in the shadow of MK and Irina, she wasn't grabbing the spotlight. I tend to think the same is true of Zagitova. Both had their technical flaws which, like it or not, the judges overlooked at the biggest competition of the quadrennial. But neither of them came from out of left field to win. Beyond that, the comparison falters.

Just want to say that the JGP was in its second season when Sarah Hughes herself took two silvers on the circuit before her world junior medal in Zagreb, and ended her season with another silver at what was at that time the season-ending JGPF....

 

[attyfan]

Does Zagitova in Russia have the same option that Sarah Hughes (and other Americans) had of show skating for a while and then pursuing higher education?

 

[Frau Muller]

The title of Hughes post-Olympic tv special: A Life in Balance. Doesn’t that say it all? And have any of the top US ladies after that had a tv special? I kept waiting for, say, a beautiful Sasha Cohen show on PBS or A&E (back in dem days), skating to classical music, in gorgeous outdoor settings. Sigh...

About A&E: their airing of Rahkamo-Kokko’s Winter Solstice on Ice remains one of my fave tv skating specials. An annual event at our home.

 

[Frau Muller]

Does Zagitova in Russia have the same option that Sarah Hughes (and other Americans) had of show skating for a while and then pursuing higher education?

All of the Averbuch and Navka shows, for starters.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

Zagitova and Hughes legacies have three elements in common:

1) Upsetting beloved fan favorites while being obviously flawed skaters. Then again, Slutskaya, Kwan and Medvedeva weren't "flawless" themselves. Irina was criticized for her posture, lines, empty programs etc. Medvedeva was hammered for miming, and not expressing the music. And Kween, for not upgrading her technical content.

2) Having short careers and not being firmly planted in the public's minds. Very much a 'thank you, next" situation.

3) Being sweet & unassuming girls - so nice that there wasn't anything particularly memorable about them.

Both seem like great people, and will do great in life.

 

[Vagabond]

3) Being sweet & unassuming girls - so nice that there wasn't anything particularly memorable about them.

Janet Lynn was sweet and assuming and more memorable than Eteri Tutberidze will ever be.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

Janet Lynn was sweet and assuming and more memorable than Eteri Tutberidze will ever be.

Yes indeed. But she also was JANET LYNN, a 5 time U.S. Champion, a 7 time US Nationals competitor. She was a smiling blond sweetheart, with a long and distinguished career. Of course she was memorable!

 

[canbelto]

Janet Lynn was sweet and assuming and more memorable than Eteri Tutberidze will ever be.

Sweet maybe but not unassuming. She won an award from Phylis Schlafly for “homemake of the year”and has been a vocal Christian conservative.

 

[Vagabond]

Sweet maybe but not unassuming. She won an award from Phylis Schlafly for “homemake of the year”and has been a vocal Christian conservative.

She wasn't so very vocal when she was a competitive skater.

 

[Nadya]

Does Zagitova in Russia have the same option that Sarah Hughes (and other Americans) had of show skating for a while and then pursuing higher education?

The skating show scene in Russia is way more vibrant than in the West. And skaters have way more gravitas.

 

[BaileyCatts]

The title of Hughes post-Olympic tv special: A Life in Balance. Doesn’t that say it all? And have any of the top US ladies after that had a tv special? …..

wait what???? Sarah had a TV special? I don't remember this at all. Was it a documentary or just like a skating show with Sarah as the headliner that broadcast on network TV? I don't know how I could have missed this.

 

[euterpe]

Both Zagitova and Hughes won their country's Junior Championship as well as the OGM. But other than that, there were major differences. In her junior career, Zagitova won everything in sight, including World Juniors and the JGPF, before moving up to Seniors in the 2017-2018 season, when she won both her GPs and the GPF, as well as Russian Senior Nationals, Euros and the OGM. Although she didn't win Worlds in the Olympic season (she was 5th), in her 2nd senior season she won both GPs, was 2nd at GPF and Euros, and won Worlds 2019.

In her Junior career, Hughes was 2nd in both her JGP events, 2nd at the JGPF, and 2nd at JW (which allowed her at that time to qualify for Senior Worlds that same year, even though she was only 13). In her 4 years as a Senior skater, Hughes never won a US Championship, and her best finish in her four Worlds was 3rd in 2001. She didn't go to the Olympic year Worlds, but returned to Worlds 2003, where she was 6th. Her OGM was one of only 3 gold medals in her senior career (the other two were at Senior B Vienna Cup 2099, and Skate Canada 2001). She made the GPF in 2000-01 and 2001-02, and was 3rd both times.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Does Zagitova in Russia have the same option that Sarah Hughes (and other Americans) had of show skating for a while and then pursuing higher education?

I thought that is what Zagitova was doing.