International Skating Union

nowthen · Joined: 27 Feb 2010 Posts: 84

But what does it mean the Bobrova and Soloviev of Russia went from 9th in Europe before the Olympics to eigth in the world after the Olympics? I mean going from 9th in Europe to 8th in the world was kind of a big move! So maybe the team wont be I/K but B/S?

chuckiem · Joined: 12 Nov 2005 Posts: 3957

At Euros, B/S were 9th behind DomShabs, F/S, K/N, P/B, the Kerrs, Cappellini/Lanotte, the Zaretskys and Zad/Verb. At Worlds, DomShabs had retired and K/N had to withdraw due to his injury; C/N had a disastrous OD and FD, and Zad/Verb withdrew due to her injury, moving B/S four steps up, but then adding in 3 NA teams (V/M, D/W and C/P), they moved up only one step from Euros. They also benefitted from being the default #1 RUS team at Worlds after K/N's withdrawal. So their results at Euros vs Worlds don't show that B/S had moved significantly ahead of any of the top European teams.

The main problem with B/S is that they've been around for a long time, and they haven't been on a rapid upward trajectory.

International:
2005-2006 JGPF 7th
2006-2007 JGPF 3rd
2007 JW 1st
2007-2008 GP: 5th, 4th
2008 Worlds: 13th
2008-2009 GP: 6th, 4th
2009-2010 GP: 4th, 4th
2010 Euros: 9th
2010 Worlds: 8th

Nationals:
2007: 1st (Juniors)
2008: 3rd - behind K/N, Rubleva/Shefer
2009: 4th - behind K/N, Rubleva/Shefer, Gorshkova/Butikov
2010: 2nd - behind DomShabs (K/N didn't compete)

It will be interesting to see which team (B/S or I/K) has the better results in the GP. IMO, I/K have the better momentum at this point.

Culturegeek · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 486 Location: Canada

One thing I think that plays in B/S's favour is the relative paucity of competition on the European scene. Despite F/S rising up to medal at Worlds and Europeans, they certainly aren't the heirs apparent to being the top European candidate. Nor are P/B or the Kerrs. If they improve this season, I could see them taking the title of top European team within the next couple seasons.

And were the upward trajectories of N/K and D/S that rapid? N/K went 8th (2002), 4th (2003) to 1st. D/S went 8th (2005), 7th (2006) and 5th (2007). Factoring in retirements and general growth, it seems reasonable.

chuckiem · Joined: 12 Nov 2005 Posts: 3957

DomShabs had to wait for N/K to retire in order to move up. Once that happened, DomShabs were Russia #1 and they would have dominated---if Shabalin's knees had held up.

Dragonlady · Joined: 02 Nov 2005 Posts: 3662 Location: Edge of reason

nowthen · Joined: 27 Feb 2010 Posts: 84

Denkova and staviski were doing really well -two world championships in a row. Then the crash and the retirement changed the outlook.

I am most looking forward to IK and BS competing against each other in Cup of Russia. I mean it could change but that is where it could get good! I think that will mean the most.

Dragonlady · Joined: 02 Nov 2005 Posts: 3662 Location: Edge of reason

I think that Den/Stav could have been the dominant team this quadriennial had Staviski's career not ended just as they had achieved everything they ever wanted except an Olympic medal. It would have been interesting to see V&M and D&W go up against Den/Stav in Vancouver. That would have been an amazing three-way match.