“Shame on the Judicial Brigade”: Bestemyanova on grades at the Chinese Grand Prix, Tuktamysheva’s mistakes and Shcherbakova’s mastery

"Let the girls jump"

- Are you satisfied with the performance of the Russians at the Chinese Grand Prix?

- Anna Shcherbakova skated wonderfully, a unique performance in the free program with two quadruple luts, one of which is in the cascade. It seems to me that she has increased in speed compared with the stage in Las Vegas. It is unfortunate that Elizaveta Tuktamysheva tore off the triple axel in the short program, because she could well count on second place. The rent of Sofia Samodurova judges was estimated strange, they delivered shortcuts who were not there. I don’t want them to have many Russians in the finals.

- Why in Chongqing Shcherbakova scored less points than three weeks ago in the United States?

- It is hard to say. Different teams of judges evaluate differently, each has its own opinion. I don’t think it’s worth paying attention to.

- The judges have never rated her lutz in the free program as ideal, putting him undercuts, obscure or incorrect edges. Was it really that bad?

- As for obscure ribs, here I do not presume to argue, perhaps they really were. But when it comes to the fourth lutz, it seems to me ridiculous to consider how the horse got there. This is a unique element that only three skaters in the world perform: Shcherbakova, Alexander Trusov and Alice Lew.

- Can you explain what the term “obscure rib” means and why is it given such significance?

- In figure skating, there are two “rib” jumps - flip and lutz. In the first case, the skater rides back, the left leg goes counterclockwise and is pushed off the inner edge of the ridge, while the right leg is placed on the tooth. The second is performed on the same principle, but the left leg is already leaving the outer rib. And in the case of an obscure rib, the judges can consider that there was no four loot, and instead count the four flip, which costs less. I do not know for certain how the calculation is done, but the rating is reduced for a simpler element.

- At past competitions Shcherbakova had no such problems. Is it really possible to come to the stage and stop performing the jump correctly?

- It all depends on technicians who see an obscure rib or prefer to turn a blind eye to it. The athlete herself both jumped and jumps. Therefore, it’s just a shame for the judging panel, paying attention to the rib in the fourth lutz. This is a unique jump, after which she remained alive and did not fly on board, what can I talk about?

- In this regard, do not you think that the rules regarding edges should be clarified?

“Nothing can be done about it.” The point is that such things are very difficult to see without slow-motion repetitions. Just a technical team should not climb into this jungle in quadruple jumps. Especially with girls who are just learning this. Let them jump, let them feel what it is, and do not chop progress.

- Is it possible to somehow influence the judges in such a situation?

“Why shake the air?” So far, only two athletes are jumping at the adult level of the quadruple Lutz, so nothing will change. Due to an unclear rib, Shcherbakova lost quite a bit, so nothing needs to be done here.

"The unusual charisma of Tuktamysheva does not count"

- How would you rate the third place of Elizaveta Tuktamysheva?

- Elizabeth took this position only because she broke one element in the short program. She beat Satoko Miyahara in the free program, but the previous mistake cost her a higher result. Therefore, everything is honest.

- Could Elizabeth burn out due to the fact that she needed to take second place to ensure getting into the finals?

- Here all questions should be addressed exclusively to her and her team. They know better.

- Coach of the figure skater Alexei Mishin said that the judges did not want to let the fifth Russian woman enter the Grand Prix finals, so Tuktamysheva became the third, and not the second. Do you disagree with him?

- Of course, he knows better. But from my point of view, her performances were fairly evaluated.

- In China, Miyahara scored the second amount in components during her career, while having a lot of undercruits. Is it fair in this case to get high points for transitions and possession of the skate?

- She skated great. Yes, they lowered her grade for equipment due to undercooling. But from the point of view of components, rotations, steps, the Japanese woman looked very beautiful. All this is taken into account. The only thing that does not count is the extraordinary charisma of Tuktamysheva. Unfortunately, there is no such assessment in figure skating. There are athletes who do everything cleanly, but it’s boring to look at them. And Elizabeth so starts the room that I want to dance with her. This is a minus of the judicial system, which I have been talking about for a long time, but so far no one has heard me.

- Did Tuktamysheva have a chance to qualify for the finals?

- Everything can be, but it is worth understanding that for this Miyahara at the Grand Prix stage in Moscow should rise no higher than the fourth line. But the fact is that there will be no one to lose. Therefore, we will hope for our skaters, that Stanislav Konstantinov has brought herself in good shape and will be able to surprise us.

- Samodurova skated without visible errors, but she received very low scores. Why is there such an attitude to her?

- Everyone understands that girls who perform quadruple jumps and a triple axel went upstairs, and Sonya does not yet have these elements. She is the third number, to which there is always an appropriate attitude.

- Did she still have the opportunity to save the situation, or will she still be the skater of one season?

- She is an athlete and must fight anyway. I would note that Samodurova has changed a lot even compared to September. Therefore, she is gaining form, and I think she will be fine.