The rivals left Valieva with bronze: “they drown you so that you become better”

But there was nothing to argue against the competitors’ ice arguments.

The Russian Women’s Figure Skating Championship once again did not deny itself either the drama of the plots or the nerves that you already need to have, not even rope ropes. Everything was. And it was in abundance. A champion has been named, confirming the consistency of success of the coaching staff of Eteri Tutberidze. This is already the sixth Khrustalny athlete to win the Russian Figure Skating Championship. Evgenia Medvedeva was the two-time champion of Russia, then Alina Zagitova won, Anna Shcherbakova won three times, then Kamila Valieva, who won the Olympic season, was officially replaced by Alexandra Trusova due to a still mysterious positive doping test, and Sofia Akatieva became the next gold medalist. Now – Adelia Petrosyan.

…It will be difficult to fall asleep because of the adrenaline, said Kamila Valieva after a short program and going out on the ice in the already famous, eye-catching red dress. This spectacular appearance of hers in Chelyabinsk was amazing. Without holding back her feelings on the ice, the athlete held back her words after the intermediate victory (81.85 points). She said that she was happy to see such support from the stands, “my heart sank.” And when was the preparation easy? “But we did everything possible with the coaches to perform with dignity.”

At that moment, the television camera treacherously snatched Sofya Muravyova somewhere on the sidelines. She cried on the chest of trainer Evgeni Plushenko. To do a triple axel for the first time in the season, and even at the main start – and at a time when women’s ultra-c elements can simply be counted on one hand, and then fall on the track…

What was it? Sonya suggested: “This is apparently my curse – such a mistake for the second Russian Championship.” She also tried to explain the inexplicable: she was probably in a hurry, she gave her all, she was dissatisfied with the rental (78.33 points).

But Adelia Petrosyan, by her own admission, lost her capricious axel two weeks before the Russian Championship. She said: it was her mistake that she “didn’t return him.” Moreover, I got sick twice before the start, but here, however, I didn’t go into details. But Michael Jackson did not disappoint with the program (79.06 points).

All three leaders entered ultra-c jumps in the free program, which only Adelia among the adult skaters successfully showed at the Grand Prix stages. No matter what anyone says, no matter how they lose them, the elements of ultra-si in women’s single skating are now with us forever. We were supposed to see them in Chelyabinsk.

And, by the way, this happened in the very first warm-up: Daria Sadkova performed a four-revolution sheepskin coat. She did it brilliantly in the cascade, and almost immediately went to the second one – solo.

But there was already a mistake. Dasha had nothing to lose in the free program, she could only gain points – she ruined the short program with a spin, which was left without a score at all, which is why she ended up very far down the list of participants. The debutant, and also a representative of the maximalists of Khrustalny, was, of course, upset on the first day, but the free program showed that she holds the blow.

“The one who walks will master the road,” said Sonya Muravyova after her fall in the short program. In the free program she did a triple axel in a cascade. And then all the other triple jumps that were conceived and meet the rigors of the highest level. And she showed, no, she lived, her wonderful program on the ice. Adelia Petrosyan transported everyone to “February”. Powerful music promised everything. But the quadruple flip couldn’t stand the February cold, but the quadruple sheepskin coat that followed, solo and in a cascade, turned out to be resilient. The rental was a contender for a championship, that was obvious. Adelia herself will later say that she “rehabilitated herself” because she was only fifth at the last Russian Championship. And also that “I’m not completely satisfied,” although I’m happy with the result. “I’m both shocked and upset (because of the failed flip), and very happy.” And in general: the New Year is ahead, last year after the Russian championship she wasn’t in the mood for it, but now “I’ll spend the New Year calmly with my family.”

Kamila Valieva’s quadruple sheepskin coat did not succumb. It, performed during training and warm-ups, let Kamila down in points and could not support her at the most necessary moment during such a difficult time for the athlete. And there wasn’t enough Kamila for two programs yet. “It was a rental that I was able to get ready for.”

But even if the quad had not failed, it was not her day, not her championship. Camila herself admitted: there are difficulties, yes – both height and weight. “Sometimes the weight doesn’t bother me too much, but at the moment it was weighing on me.” She said that she was still happy: because she was able to do something, although it “wasn’t very good.” But she showed that she is not giving up: “I am slowly moving at my own pace, the main thing is not to lose heart and work.” Kamila became the winner of the Russian Championship for the third time. In 2021 and the year after, it was silver.

And Valieva also voiced what many could have said to her (and, without a doubt, they said in their hearts): “Every year has its own events that teach you something and, in a sense, drown you: so that you become better.” “

The result of the competition in women’s single skating turned out to be absolutely fair, if this time someone is dissatisfied with something, then it is from the evil one. Adelia was still more happy than delving into herself, Sonya Muravyova said “thank you” to everyone – the coaches, the gym, and her rivals. And Camila expressed admiration for her rivals: “you are very smart.” She, a fighter – a fighter, but still a girl, was very upset, swallowing tears. On my mother’s birthday, of course, I wanted to give her a slightly different gift.

But three figure skaters are not all Russian singles skating. We have such singles players that even those who are left behind are fantastically good. Even without elements recognized as ultra-si. But the way they ride, how they charm or fill with energy is also unique.

In fourth place is Ksenia Sinitsyna. Place after the winners, the most offensive in sports, is usually awarded with a wooden medal. But Ksyusha, magical in her movements, goes her own way here too: she promised to give herself a chocolate medal. “For me, fourth place is now like first. In such competition, it is an honor to take such a place.”

In fifth place is Anna Frolova, following the results of the tournament she is now a member of the national team. How did she do it? It’s worth a lot to skate both programs fascinatingly and without errors. “I understand that I am coming to stability – this is already the fifth clean start, this is “wow!” Following Anya is Veronika Yametova. This fiery figure skater, swift and fearless, is simply obliged to please everyone next season with her ultra-c jumps.

…In general, every figure skater who made it to the strongest Russian championship, regardless of successful or unsuccessful skates, can now say like Sonya Muravyova. “The work done by me, and not only me, has not gone anywhere. We are working.”