Russian Figure Skating Continues to Shape the International Season Amid Suspension and Points Milestones
In a standout display at the national championship, Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov secured the short program title with a commanding score of 85.37. Their performance surpassed the world record mark previously held by Chinese champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong during the Beijing Games, which stood at 84.41. It is important to note that the Russian record presented in this context remains unofficial, reflecting the evolving status of the competition this season.
Alexandra Boikova and Dmitry Kozlovsky earned second place with 84.32 points, while Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov rounded out the podium in third with 81.23 points. The mix of routine precision and artistic expression in the short program underscored the depth of talent within the Russian pairs field at this event.
The free program for couples was scheduled for December 24 at 12:30 Moscow time, offering another opportunity to showcase technical mastery and creative interpretation on the ice.
The International Skating Union (ISU) had suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from this competition, a decision the ISU attributed to IOC guidance. This policy, approved at the ISU Congress in early June, reflects a broader framework and uneven time line that has affected participation across the season. This suspension has shaped the competitive landscape, influencing which athletes can compete on the world stage and how national teams plan their seasons.
As the international season wrapped up earlier than expected, Russian skaters did not participate in the World Championships held in Montpellier, and domestic competitors are set to miss ISU tournaments through the end of 2022. The absence of Russian representatives from certain high-profile events has prompted ongoing discussions about the balance between national championships and global opportunities for athletes.
In the broader conversation surrounding the championship, the Russian federation previously commented on the international reactions to hosting what was described as the first jumping championship. The dialogue highlighted varying viewpoints from skating communities abroad, reflecting the complexities of governance, eligibility, and competitive culture during a period of transition for the sport.