Russia’s junior figure skating scene sparked a discussion when 2008 junior champion Katarina Gerboldt weighed in on the sharp criticisms voiced by Evgeni Plushenko, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, regarding the judging at the Perm national junior championship. Plushenko, who also oversees the Angela Plushenko Academy, had expressed dissatisfaction with the scores received by his athletes. Gerboldt, a former competitor and now part of the coaching conversation, noted that while every coach naturally fights for their skaters, personal bias can color one’s assessment. She emphasized that judging in a subjective sport like figure skating hinges not only on technical merit but also on interpretation, and that external evaluation is inevitably influenced by the observer’s closeness to the athletes involved. In her view, constant effort should be made to separate advocacy for a trainee from objective evaluation, a balance which is difficult to achieve from the outside looking in and which can affect the perception of fairness across the sport.
Gerboldt’s remarks came amid a broader conversation about how judgments are formed in the junior circuit, where the line between supportive coaching and critical scrutiny can blur. The subjectivity of scoring means that even seasoned coaches acknowledge the challenge of delivering impartial feedback while still championing their own athletes. This tension is felt not just by coaches but by families, clubs, and national federations as they navigate the pressures of competition nights, where every move, turn, and jump is weighed and reweighed in real time. The complexity of the judging process, especially at the junior level, underscores the need for transparency and consistency so participants can train with confidence and audiences can trust the results.
In the competition at hand, Alina Gorbacheva, representing a renowned skate school from Tver, stood out as the champion among single skaters. Her combined score from the short and free programs reached 224.41 points, reflecting a clean execution and a strong overall performance. This victory allowed her to edge ahead of Veronika Zhilina of Moscow, who trained under the Plushenko Angels Academy and tallied 218.79 points, and Maria Gordeeva from the CSKA school, who accumulated 213.02 points and earned bronze. The standings highlight how the junior ranks were tightly contested, with margins often defined by composition, artistry, and the ability to deliver under pressure across both segments of the program. The outcome also demonstrates the depth of talent within the federation and the ongoing development of skaters who may go on to represent Russia on bigger stages.
Among the notable participants, Evgeny Plushenko himself appeared as a student of Sofia Titova, contributing to a field where former champions remain actively involved in shaping the next generation. Plushenko’s total score across the two programs reached 200.73 points, and his path through the event illustrated a familiar arc: a mid-pack showing after the short program, followed by a decisive effort in the free skate. His experience underscores the reality that success in junior competitions can hinge on the ability to rebound from a challenging start, secure consistency, and demonstrate clarity in interpretation from judges. The reaction to the judging after the event, particularly from Plushenko, echoed a broader call for fairness and the value of constructive critique when results do not align with expectations.
Reflecting on the broader implications, the potential moves of Zhilina and Titova to other federations were discussed as a potential loss for Russia, signaling how talent migrations can influence national programs. The dialogue around junior skaters often touches on governance, allocation of resources, and the long-term health of the sport, including talent retention and cross-border collaboration that can enrich training ecosystems. In moments like these, the sport’s governing bodies are reminded of the delicate balance between nurturing top-tier talent and maintaining rigorous, credible judging that can withstand scrutiny from fans, commentators, and international partners alike.