2022 Russian Nationals - Dec. 22-26, 2021 - St. Petersburg, RUS

[Elizabeth]

There will be a lot of interest in this event as the entrants vie for spots both at Europeans and the Olympics. Some of those expected to be competitive are "no shows" due to illness or injury.

The English Entries/Schedule/Start Orders/Results link will be here: https://fsrussia.ru/results/2022/rusnat ... /index.htm

Once again, Ted Barton will be providing English commentary for the Channel 1 YouTube streams. The times below are local - St. Petersburg is 8 hours ahead of ET. The schedule:
Dec. 23 – LIVE STREAM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dswxs2MBGnk
13:10 – 15:45 – Men′s Short
16:00 – 18:00 – Rhythm Dance
18:15 – 18:40 – Opening Ceremony
19:00 – 21:00 – Pairs Short

Dec. 24 – LIVE STREAM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s83PgACZgc
12:40 – 14:50 – Free Dance
15:00 – 17:45 – Men′s Free
18:15 – 20:40 – Women′s Short

Dec. 25 – LIVE STREAM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6hGjjnMsKc
15:25 – 17:35 – Pairs Free
17:55 – 20:45 – Women′s Free

Dec. 26 – LIVE STREAM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWRfU3nP85I
12:55 – 13:30 – Medal Ceremonies
13:45 – 16:30 – Exhibition Gala

[Elizabeth]

The draw ceremony was held this morning and it was live streamed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0MBHSNCm_o

Virtually everything was in Russian but there was an orchestra and there were two vocalists, including one who sang "We are the Champions" in English! Some of the skaters made it look like a fashion show


It was a random draw - initially one from the discipline drew to determine where they would start on the list of entries (alphabetical, I believe) then each of the skaters/teams went up and drew a jeweller's box which had their start number underneath. First it was the men, then the dancers, then pairs, and finally the women.

The Entries/Schedule/Start Orders/Results page is now available: https://fsrussia.ru/results/2122/rusnat ... /index.htm

[Elizabeth]

There were some "interesting" results in the SP for the men - both Aliev and Kolyada did single axels which receive no score

The FS will be very important!

It is nice to be able to watch and have Ted Barton's commentary

[Elizabeth]

A new link for the Channel 1 YouTube of Pairs SP on Day 1 - the feed stopped after the opening ceremony on the previous one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od2mq9_b_ug

[Elizabeth]

Victoria SINITSINA & Nikita KATSALAPOV were leading after the RD but withdrew before the free dance due to his (ongoing) back injury.



As reported on Twitter - Coach Zhulin says Katsalapov’s back injury worsened during training. He hopes they will be able to perform at Europeans.

[Elizabeth]

Russian nationals were completed yesterday. Today the medals were awarded before the Gala.





Russia's team for Europeans has been named - results there will be used to finalize the team for Olympics:

Women:
Kamila Valieva
Alexandra Trusova
Anna Shcherbakova

Men:
Mark Kondratiuk
Mikhail Kolyada
Evgeni Semenenko

Pairs:
Mishina/Galliamov
Boikova/Kozlovskii
Tarasova/Morozov

Ice dance:
Stepanova/Bukin
Davis/Smolkin
Sinitsina/Katsalapov

The "reserves":
Women: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Maiia Khromykh

Men: Andrei Mozalev, Petr Gumennik, Alexander Samarin

Pairs: Pavliuchenko/Khodykin, Artemeva/Nazarchev, Akopova/Rakhmanin

Ice Dance: Khudaiberdieva/Bazin, Morozov/Bagin, Shanaeva/Naryzhnyy

[Elizabeth]

An update from Nikita Katsalopov who had to withdraw from Russian nationals due to (ongoing) back issues - this is a translation (by a Russian speaker) of his post on Instragram:

Hello, friends! I have some good news!
Right after we came back from St. Petersburg I went to the best specialists and the best positive news is that they know and understand how to help me!
It's an amazing news. We began the treatment, I spent 3 days in the hospital. I keep doing physio and have various procedures daily. As promised, we do all we can and beyond.
The doctors are certain I can train and work fully for 5-6 months. At the end of the season when the time permits and I'll have time to recover we'll solve the problem
Am loaded with motivation! I was on the ice today! Am set for a fight, the mood is lifted and the spirit was never down.

[happyheini]

Hmm, reading between the the lines it seems the "problem" has been fixed temporarily - to be "solved" after the season ends. Alarm bells should be ringing for this manipulation of ones health.

[Elizabeth]

Hmm, reading between the the lines it seems the "problem" has been fixed temporarily - to be "solved" after the season ends. Alarm bells should be ringing for this manipulation of ones health.

I agree totally - I think the call of the Olympics and possible medals is loud!