Official Figure Skating Thread

[fallingslowly]

Yes, that's the one I meant and then I went off on some talk about Anastasias....sorry for making things even more confusing. You understood correctly  that I was talking about Anastasia Tarakanova

 

Am sad now by what happened to the last two, especially Zhenya. I think she needs a long off season, so she can be confident and ready for next year. Am happy with the support she got from the crowd.

 

LOL, it's fine! I got what you were saying from the beginning.

 

That was a rough one. She needs a sports psychologist, and the problem is that TCC doesn't have one. :/ I'm also so nervous about whether her partnership with Orser will work out. He seems awfully scared about what her mother thinks, lol. Maybe now that Euros and Worlds are 100% off the table, she can skate a bit more freely.

[DC3]

Marin bby no   

 

Rika will comeback in the fs, i just know she will 

 

WAKABA IS BACK!!!! I need one of my main ladies doing well, so bless

 

Alena K. that fall came out of nowhere, hopefully she climbs up during the fs. Alina in 1st not shocking, and trusova did really well, i thought she'd get 3rd or 4th but she surprised 

 

If russian fed doesn't chose Sofia for russian team imma lose it, she made it all the way to the gpf, she's more consistent

 

 Same goes for Elizaveta tho I have a feeling they will save a spot for her since she won bronze

 

Evgenia is in 14th  is just rough, unless she has the skate of her life, I just don't see her placing anywhere near the top 5 

[Riserise]

LOL, it's fine! I got what you were saying from the beginning.

 

That was a rough one. She needs a sports psychologist, and the problem is that TCC doesn't have one. :/ I'm also so nervous about whether her partnership with Orser will work out. He seems awfully scared about what her mother thinks, lol. Maybe now that Euros and Worlds are 100% off the table, she can skate a bit more freely.

Yeah, I hope so too. It would have been better if she'd had more time before this season. It's probably good that she doesn't have the 'okay, I want to take my time changing things, but I also need to be ready for a Challenger/GP/Russian Nationals so I actually I need to hurry up' cloud above her.

 

Orser has seen now that things are difficult, so he can see what needs to happen. A sports psychologist would be necessary at this point. It might have helped Daleman as well.

 

Can't wait for tomorrow. 

 

Here is Alexandra's performance. I love the 3Lz-3L combo and her cantilever into a spin:

 

 

[fallingslowly]

Marin bby no   

 

WAKABA IS BACK!!!! I need one of my main ladies doing well, so bless

 

If russian fed doesn't chose Sofia for russian team imma lose it, she made it all the way to the gpf, she's more consistent

 

 Same goes for Elizaveta tho I have a feeling they will save a spot for her since she won bronze

 

Marin is just...I'm trying to keep in mind that she's going through a coaching change. Raf seems a bit confounded by her, though. He was interviewed recently and mentioned that she doesn't take direction well. He can't tell if it's because she doesn't understand him and pretends to or just doesn't want to listen. It sounds frustrating.

 

I just need Wakaba to be fully healed. Pls sis, I hope you're not pushing yourself before you're ready.

 

Sofia deserves it at this point. She's put in the work, has always delivered, and has a great foundation to build upon during her (hopefully) many years in seniors to come.

 

I'm not worried about Liza. Denying a GPF medalist her rightful spot would just be shooting themselves in the foot.

 

Yeah, I hope so too. It would have been better if she'd had more time before this season. It's probably good that she doesn't have the 'okay, I want to take my time changing things, but I also need to be ready for a Challenger/GP/Russian Nationals so I actually I need to hurry up' cloud above her.

 

Orser has seen now that things are difficult, so he can see what needs to happen. A sports psychologist would be necessary at this point. It might have helped Daleman as well.

 

Can't wait for tomorrow. 

 

Here is Alexandra's performance. I love the 3Lz-3L combo and her cantilever into a spin:

 

 

 

Zhenya went on Instagram Live afterwards and thanked the audience for their support:

 

http://www.instagram.com/p/BrqOwrVBipE/

 

She seems to be in a much better place now mentally. I think she needed to know people were still rooting for her. She still needs someone to talk to, though, obviously. Good point about Gabby, though that only makes me worry more...

 

Alena K. is definitely my favorite of Eteri's juniors but Sasha's got so much spunk. I hope she lands her quads tomorrow.

[Riserise]

Marin bby no   

 

Rika will comeback in the fs, i just know she will 

 

WAKABA IS BACK!!!! I need one of my main ladies doing well, so bless

 

Alena K. that fall came out of nowhere, hopefully she climbs up during the fs. Alina in 1st not shocking, and trusova did really well, i thought she'd get 3rd or 4th but she surprised 

 

If russian fed doesn't chose Sofia for russian team imma lose it, she made it all the way to the gpf, she's more consistent

 

 Same goes for Elizaveta tho I have a feeling they will save a spot for her since she won bronze

 

Evgenia is in 14th  is just rough, unless she has the skate of her life, I just don't see her placing anywhere near the top 5 

Now that Evgenia is not a contender, it would be strange if Sofia wouldn't be chosen, unless she bombs. However, Stanislava could still run away with it, since she seems to be a Fed's darling. It pissed people off when she was chosen over Anastasia Tarakanova for Junior Worlds last year, and I can only imagine how much worse it will be if Sofia wouldn't be picked after what she accomplished (unless she does badly tomorrow, which would make it more justifiable).

 

As for Alena K's fall, it was a blink and you miss it thing. She always seems very upset by a mistake, though this time she started laughing again in the K&C. Compare to Alexandra who also made a minor mistake when she went into her spin late at the JGPF and laughed immediately.

Alena K's 2A was amazing. Is it me, or was it higher than before?

[Riserise]

Marin is just...I'm trying to keep in mind that she's going through a coaching change. Raf seems a bit confounded by her, though. He was interviewed recently and mentioned that she doesn't take direction well. He can't tell if it's because she doesn't understand him and pretends to or just doesn't want to listen. It sounds frustrating.

 

This is the second time that a coach seems frustrated by her and goes public about it. At this point, I can't but think that her attitude is the biggest problem in her career. Raf got another new student at around the same time and she is doing well, even medalling at the Grand Prix.

 

 

Zhenya went on Instagram Live afterwards and thanked the audience for their support:

 

http://www.instagram.com/p/BrqOwrVBipE/

 

She seems to be in a much better place now mentally. I think she needed to know people were still rooting for her. She still needs someone to talk to, though, obviously. Good point about Gabby, though that only makes me worry more...

 

Alena K. is definitely my favorite of Eteri's juniors but Sasha's got so much spunk. I hope she lands her quads tomorrow.

 

Am glad for Zhenya that she got that much support. Perhaps that was what she needed the most: to know that her countrypeople still love her, despite the online hate.

 

Can't wait for Alena K and Sasha to battle it out again. I hope they both land everything and get stellar scores.

[fallingslowly]

This is the second time that a coach seems frustrated by her and goes public about it. At this point, I can't but think that her attitude is the biggest problem in her career. Raf got another new student at around the same time and she is doing well, even medalling at the Grand Prix.

 

 

Am glad for Zhenya that she got that much support. Perhaps that was what she needed the most: to know that her countrypeople still love her, despite the online hate.

 

Can't wait for Alena K and Sasha to battle it out again. I hope they both land everything and get stellar scores.

 

Eunsoo seems to speak some conversational English while Marin does not; Eunsoo responds to Raf in the K&C while Marin just nods and says nothing. I think it's another issue that's just exacerbating her previous problems. It's pretty well known that she doesn't enjoy practicing (or at least hasn't in the past), and that isn't going to fly with Raf.

 

She was receiving quite a lot of hate from Russians in particular after leaving Eteri, so I was surprised that she had such a warm reception at Nats. I'm glad the audience wasn't full of assholes, lol.

 

Same! I don't have super high expectations for Anna (she worries me in general) but I think Sasha and Alena can really duke it out.

[Riserise]

Eunsoo seems to speak some conversational English while Marin does not; Eunsoo responds to Raf in the K&C while Marin just nods and says nothing. I think it's another issue that's just exacerbating her previous problems. It's pretty well known that she doesn't enjoy practicing (or at least hasn't in the past), and that isn't going to fly with Raf.

 

She was receiving quite a lot of hate from Russians in particular after leaving Eteri, so I was surprised that she had such a warm reception at Nats. I'm glad the audience wasn't full of assholes, lol.

 

Same! I don't have super high expectations for Anna (she worries me in general) but I think Sasha and Alena can really duke it out.

 

I remember Mie Hameda saying that Satoko worked too much and Marin too little. I thought Marin was turning a new page, but Raf is hinting that it might be because she doesn't want to listen. Coupled with what Hameda said, it seems to me that she still does not have the right mindset. It's too bad, because she is a former junior world champion. She has excellent skills, but both her senior seasons have been disappointing.

 

Yes, I was also very happy with that reception. The internet trolls really did a number on her. Thing is, a lot of them might not even be fans of figure skating, but just bored basement dwellers who like to take down someone who has more success in life. Zhenya has said that it got to her (and that was the first time, because she used to always ignore hate in previous seasons). Seeing the real fans cheering her on must have made such a difference to a girl who might have started believing that her country hated her.

 

And yes, Sasha is more stable than Anna. I don't think I've ever seen Sasha falling on a triple.

 

By the way, after my Anastasia detour conversation, I realized that we might be very confusing for people who might read this thread casually (are there any?). 

 

This is for them: in Russian, names are often shortened in an affectionate way. From what I've gathered:

 

Zhenya: Evgenia (Medvedeva), Evgeni (Plushenko)

Sasha: Alexandra (Trusova), Alexander

Alenka: Alena (Kostornaia, Leonova)

Misha: Mikhail (Kolyada)

Masha: Maria (Sotskova)

Dasha: Daria (Panenkova)

Stasya: Stanislava (Konstantinova)

Liza: Elizaveta (Tuktamysheva, Nugumanova)

Sonya: Sofia (Samodurova)

Anya: Anna (Shcherbakova, Tarusina, Pogorilaya)

Lena: Elena (Radionova)

Nastya: Anastasia (a whole lot of them)

 

Probably missing some.

 

I usually only use it for skaters with longer names and ones that I'm familiar with, mostly just Zhenya, Liza and Sasha. I don't speak Russian, so I don't know all the ins and outs of it, but I do think people only do it when they know someone well and that person is not much older. Or in a case like this, with famous people.

 

I've seen Yuzuru call Evgeni Plushenko "Zhenya-san", which was a really nice mix of cultures .

Edited December 22, 2018 by Riserise

[jennaayy]

Evgenia noooooo 😭😭😭😭

 

 

So sad for her but let’s be realistic—no one should’ve expected her to stay at the top this year after a coaching change.

 

Considering how supportive the audience was of her after her SP, I hope she comes back really strong in the FS.

[jennaayy]

FS runthrough for Evgenia

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkJuLJ7dfpI

[Riserise]

FS runthrough for Evgenia

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkJuLJ7dfpI

Thank you!

 

It's almost her turn

Edited December 22, 2018 by Riserise

[fallingslowly]

That was...generously overscored in components, lol, but that's what you get at Nats. Very proud of her for going out there and doing her best. It seems like she and Orser have seen the beginnings of an upward trajectory.

[Riserise]

That 3S-3Lo was amazing!

 

Am so excited that Zhenya is doing 3Lo combinations now.

 

Maria really bombed. Poor girl was devastated.

Polina's jumps are huge!

Zorro for Alena Leonova. Love her programs.

Edited December 22, 2018 by Riserise

[jennaayy]

Redemption for Evgenia!!!! Seriously so proud of her. She looked so confident and loved that she played with the crowd. Truly hope she takes this renewed confidence with her and it translates next season since it’s likely her season is over. She has the time she needs now to keep working without pressure from competitions.

[Riserise]

Redemption for Evgenia!!!! Seriously so proud of her. She looked so confident and loved that she played with the crowd. Truly hope she takes this renewed confidence with her and it translates next season since it’s likely her season is over. She has the time she needs now to keep working without pressure from competitions.

Yes, it was great. Loved how she was raising her arms to encourage the audience to cheer in the middle of her program. What she needed was to see that the Russian audience still loved her. She saw it yesterday and that was all the needed to get near her old self again.

 

To be honest, I hope her season is over now (apart from perhaps a B-competition to up her season's best).

She's still first though, after 2 groups, and a lot of the first group skaters are juniors who can't compete in worlds. So, we never know what will happen. Much depends on Sofia.

Edited December 22, 2018 by Riserise

[fallingslowly]

Looks like the team will indeed be Alina, Liza, and Sofia, unless the latter completely bombs right now. Even so, I wouldn't send Stasya over her...

[fallingslowly]

Man, I am so glad Sofia was just a little bit older than the other girls. I've had so much fun watching her this season.

 

Anna, wow. That 4Lz was textbook.

 

Stasya already knows that popped jump shot her chances to hell. :/ Poor girl.

 

WAIT WHAT???? THEY SERIOUSLY SCORED HER OVER SOFIA? Nepotism gets you everywhere, apparently!

Edited December 22, 2018 by fallingslowly

[jennaayy]

Holy shit Alina......what happened...

 

 

also lololol at the huge push for Konstantinova. She has like 0 ice coverage but she’ll get a big score everytime

Edited December 22, 2018 by jennaayy

[fallingslowly]

I have no idea how Alina managed all the Olympic pressure given what's transpired afterwards.

 

But I'm still focused on Stasya! WHAT!!!! WAS THAT SCORING!!!!!

[Riserise]

Anna won! The three juniors got all the medals. Amazing performances by all of them.

 

Of the seniors, Zhenya won the free.

 

I heard that Stanislava's father is very well connected. There was a lot of talk about it last year when she was sent to senior and junior worlds.

[fallingslowly]

Well, friends. That...was fucking wild.

 

The layers to this.

1. All junior podium!!!!!
2. Anna winning gold!!!!! NOT FALLING IN HER FS!!!! Her first gold is Russian Champion, people!!!!!
3. Alina scoring 12th in the FS!!!!!!
4. STANISLAVA KONSTANTINOVA IS THE HIGHEST SCORING SENIOR.

I need a drink.

 

Click here to view the Tweet

[Riserise]

Man, I am so glad Sofia was just a little bit older than the other girls. I've had so much fun watching her this season.

 

Anna, wow. That 4Lz was textbook.

 

Stasya already knows that popped jump shot her chances to hell. :/ Poor girl.

 

WAIT WHAT???? THEY SERIOUSLY SCORED HER OVER SOFIA? Nepotism gets you everywhere, apparently!

Yes, that should not have gone over Sofia.

 

Stanislava often makes more mistakes in international competitions, while Sofia has proved her consistency there (both last year and this year). I guess now that they will send Alina, Stanislava and one skater from Mishin, which is probably Liza.

Edited December 22, 2018 by Riserise

[fallingslowly]

Yes, that should not have gone over Sofia.

 

Stanislava often makes more mistakes in international competitions, while Sofia has proved her consistency there (both last year and this year). I guess now that they will send Alina, Stanislava and one skater from Mishin, which is probably Liza.

 

She scored over Alina, even!!!! HER PCS WAS 70.46. WHERE, RUSSIAN FED? WHERE WERE THOSE POINTS WARRANTED?

 

I agree with that assessment (or otherwise they'll let Liza rest and let Sofia and Stasya duke it out at Euros for a Worlds spot — but that would be stupid since Euros is such a deep field now).

 

ivelostallhopetoday.mp3

[Riserise]

3A really devided the major titles equally this year.

Junior Worlds: Alexandra Trusova

Junior Grand Prix Final: Alena Kostornaia

Russian Nationals: Anna Shcherbakova.

[Riserise]

She scored over Alina, even!!!! HER PCS WAS 70.46. WHERE, RUSSIAN FED? WHERE WERE THOSE POINTS WARRANTED?

 

I agree with that assessment (or otherwise they'll let Liza rest and let Sofia and Stasya duke it out at Euros for a Worlds spot — but that would be stupid since Euros is such a deep field now).

 

ivelostallhopetoday.mp3

Yes, I think that's the scenario that will happen if Liza is slow to recover.

At the beginning of the season, I never expected Stanislava would be sent again. At least they won't send her to junior worlds as well, this time...#stillsaltyfromlastyearwhenTarakanovashouldhavebeensent