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

[attyfan]

I thought that is what Zagitova was doing.

I had heard that the option of attending college after a break was much more restricted in Europe than in the US; I wanted to know if this is true. I apologize for my lack of clarity.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I had heard that the option of attending college after a break was much more restricted in Europe than in the US; I wanted to know if this is true.

Interesting. I wonder why that would be.
I just read through the Wikipedia article about Russian Education. Not that I found an answer to this question. What occurs to me is that Zagitova (and all senior skaters) would not have been in a traditional educational setting. How that would figure into Zagitova's plans I have no idea.

 

[Karen-W]

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....

I stand corrected. I didn't realize the JGP went that far back.

 

[Frau Muller]

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.

Updating after finding & watching my DVD:

It was an NBC special telling Sarah’s story, following her and the family around the home, visiting Cornell/Ithaca. That was interspersed w/several original skating numbers filmed at a large ice arena near Great Neck, NY, because a lot of family & friends appear in the fabulous “Dancing in the Streets” number. What a lovely skate to “Thais Meditation,” which moved me to tears while watching last night, 17 years later. (Another, a circus-themed number included the only guest skaters- the hula-hoop gal and the Zakarian brothers!!!)

This aired in early Dec 2002, hand-written on my DVD liner. It shares a case with the USFS Winter Challenge that aired on ABC around the same time...that’s a whole other topic...Sarah’s debut of her Bayadere free.

So the Sarah special aired before 2003 Nats and Worlds. It was probably filmed in summer 2002, because she was injured in the fall & missed the entire 2002 GP season.

 

[hanca]

I had heard that the option of attending college after a break was much more restricted in Europe than in the US; I wanted to know if this is true. I apologize for my lack of clarity.

It is different from country to country. In my birth country it is quite unusual to go to uni ‘later’. In the country that I currently live in people study at any age they want to.

 

[wickedwitch]

It is different from country to country. In my birth country it is quite unusual to go to uni ‘later’. In the country that I currently live in people study at any age they want to.

I too am curious about this. Is their a list or something of countries in Europe (or the rest of the world) where going to university later is more common? And how does Russia fit in?

 

[hanca]

I don’t think there is a list. People can talk only about their experience gained from living in those countries.
I don’t know how common or not common it is to do uni ‘later’ in Russia. I have never lived there.

 

[Nadya]

I had heard that the option of attending college after a break was much more restricted in Europe than in the US; I wanted to know if this is true. I apologize for my lack of clarity.

There are no laws that restrict college entry in Russia as long as all other requirements are met. Chief among these is your SAT record (the Russian equivalent of SAT). SAT results are valid for four years during which one can apply to colleges/universities in Russia. Once your four years are up, you need to sit for the SAT again, and apply again.

These are the rules for ordinary people; I have no doubt in my mind that if Zagitova wished to graduate college tomorrow, it would be done.

 

[Japanfan]

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

Enough said.

There have been no new emoticons for skaters for quite some time, SFAIK.

 

[concorde]

What occurs to me is that Zagitova (and all senior skaters) would not have been in a traditional educational setting. How that would figure into Zagitova's plans I have no idea.

The majority of US elite figure skaters do not receive a traditional secondary education. Even those few that do attend a traditional high school still have an extremely modified schedule. But that school does not seem to prevent them from getting into Ivy league schools.

As a OGM, I suspect that many doors will open for Zag. I hope that will include a door to college if she so chooses. I believe that Russiams typically enter college a year later than those in the US, so at 18/19 vs 17/18. I assume college would still at least a year away for her.

 

[Vagabond]

There have been no new emoticons for skaters for quite some time, SFAIK.

The Golden Age of FSU emoticon design is over. We are now in the Silver Age. ?‍

 

[Sylvia]

Article by Phil Hersh (Dec. 24, 2019):

Alina Zagitova took a break; what does that say about figure skating?

Alina Zagitova's break from figure skating is nothing surprising given recent history.

olympics.nbcsports.com

 

[Tinami Amori]

in the mean time...

Alina Zagitova and Puma introduces a new line of sports clothing - "Alina Swan".

https://s11.stc.all.kpcdn.net/share/i/12/11197179/inx960x640.jpg
https://s16.stc.all.kpcdn.net/share/i/4/1835467/inx960x640.jpg
https://s12.stc.all.kpcdn.net/share/i/4/1835468/inx960x640.jpg

https://www.kp.ru/online/news/3713202/

in theme with her Olympic SP.
https://susanin.news/upload/iblock/57a/57a9194763753e62b77cd58c4252eff3.

the previous pink stuff placed on billboards, i thought was not her style.
https://i.imgur.com/fdf2mxA.jpg

Now it's much better! https://www.instagram.com/p/B6U98e2ocK3/

 

[muffinplus]

Article by Phil Hersh (Dec. 24, 2019):

Alina Zagitova took a break; what does that say about figure skating?

Alina Zagitova's break from figure skating is nothing surprising given recent history.

olympics.nbcsports.com

“That maturity is what many figure skating fans think is missing,” Korpi said. “In these young skaters’ programs, the jumps are amazing, but there is no so much room for artistry.”

Again... is she watching Shcherbakova? Or Valieva? These girls are not just jumps. Valieva didn't even jump a quad at JPGF...

“A higher age limit would make sense,” Korpi said. “Then you would make sure the technique for a quad is a technique that lasts beyond puberty, that skaters have longer careers than ages 14 to 17.”

Does she have a crystal ball?

 

[AxelAnnie]

Does she have a crystal ball?

She probably does.

 

[Nadya]

“That maturity is what many figure skating fans think is missing,” Korpi said. “In these young skaters’ programs, the jumps are amazing, but there is no so much room for artistry.”

Again... is she watching Shcherbakova? Or Valieva? These girls are not just jumps. Valieva didn't even jump a quad at JPGF...

“A higher age limit would make sense,” Korpi said. “Then you would make sure the technique for a quad is a technique that lasts beyond puberty, that skaters have longer careers than ages 14 to 17.”

Does she have a crystal ball?

These comments would have had more weight coming from someone other than Korpi, who - while unquestionably lovely - was never a contender.

 

[Vagabond]

These comments would have had more weight coming from someone other than Korpi, who - while unquestionably lovely - was never a contender.

Kiira Korpi earned three European medals, including a Silver. That gives her a lot more credibility than most.

 

[VGThuy]

Kiira Korpi earned three European medals, including a Silver. That gives her a lot more credibility than most.

Yep. Especially on this message board where there are posters who feel their opposing opinions hold more weight than hers and I don’t think they were 1/100th the contender she was or “wasn’t”.

 

[MacMadame]

Kiira Korpi earned three European medals, including a Silver. That gives her a lot more credibility than most.

Also, you don't have to be a contender at the highest level to know when something is wrong in a sport. Anyone who trained at an elite level understands how the sport works and doesn't work. And even just someone who was very involved would see things that the general public wouldn't see.

Just you like you don't have to be able to do a triple axel to be able to judge the quality of one, you don't have to be an Olympic or World medalist to understand how the sport needs to train.

 

[muffinplus]

Kiira Korpi earned three European medals, including a Silver. That gives her a lot more credibility than most.

Medals or no medals I don't really get her critique and doom and gloom position

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

It's difficult to accept the negative view of 3A given Kostornaia's amazing-ness. Scherbakova is also pretty darn amazing and would be a superstar anywhere else. So would Trusova. But Korpi has some valid points too. I dunno, Kostornaia may be the best overall skater I have ever seen in my lifetime. Maybe she is the beginning of a different sort of a revolution in skating.

 

[Wyliefan]

For one thing, I really think we need to get over this idea that critiques of their skating or their training constitute a negative view of them. They're all wonderfully talented, hardworking, determined girls. I don't know anyone who would disagree with that. The idea that expressing any concern for or about them is all down to personal hatred needs to go die in a fire.

 

[Maofan7]

Women's Sport: Alina Zagitova takes to Instagram to clarify her break from figure skating

There have been many rumours of retirement following Zagitova's intial anouncement

www.givemesport.com

 

[hoptoad]

I still keep doing a double-take every time I see the thread about Alina "suspending" her career.

I can't seem to undo the connotation "suspension" has for me of an external sanction for wrong-doing.

 

[DreamSkates]

Did anyone post this about the "war" produced by Zagitova's break? A scandal in Russia.
https://www.rt.com/sport/476399-alina-zagitova-tutberidze-tarasova-scandal/

 

[DimaToe]

Zagitova’s exit from competitive skating is about her. Not others, but god forbid somebody tells Tarasova, Plushenko or Tutberidze that the world doesn’t revolve around them ?

 

[DreamSkates]

Zagitova’s exit from competitive skating is about her. Not others, but god forbid somebody tells Tarasova, Plushenko or Tutberidze that the world doesn’t revolve around them ?

Oh, but it does. Where would Zagitova be without her team of coaches? Not like multiple gold medal winning skater.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Oh, but it does. Where would Zagitova be without her team of coaches? Not like multiple gold medal winning skater.

oh, the lies people will tell if they don't like a skater or have another agenda..

Alina Zagitova, besides winning many gold medals in Juniors, GP events and Challengers during the last 3 years, is a Grand-Slam winner of all Gold medals available, a 2nd one to accomplish this besides Yuna Kim.

There are only two Ladies in the whole Figure Skating World today who won every Gold title available:
- Alina Zagitova
- Yuna Kim
... and then there are the rest..

 

[Skibean]

Great accomplishment for her, but I don’t get the agenda of posting it so many times. We know she has won many gold medals, and this Grand Slam being referred to is great. Kudos to her. But, I think it’s also important to remember that the Grand Prix Final was not always in existence. Another important reminder is that the format was changed many times. At one point skaters had to skate 2 long programs, and it made winning more challenging.
Also, while Europeans was something top skaters were sent to, The US rarely sent top skaters to 4CC etc... Worlds also had a qualifying round for a few years.
Skating has changed, progressed, regressed- whatever your opinion may be. But I don’t see why trying to diminish other skaters successes by saying “and the rest” is any better than the ones you believe are trying to diminish Zagitova’s winnings.

 

[hanca]

Everything is relative. Now Zagitova is the greatest of all, the best ever etc, but as soon as she leaves Tutberidze, she will be the wicked witch. Haven’t we seen it already once, when Medvedeva was the best ever, blah blah blah...