Alexander Enbert, the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic silver medalist, shares his analysis with socialbites.ca on the chances of Kamila Valieva, Adelia Petrosyan, Sofia Muravyova, and Alina Gorbachova to win gold at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. Enbert notes that the competition in the women’s singles is remarkably balanced, a dynamic that has echoed across the Grand Prix circuit. There isn’t a single standout favourite among these four skaters. Each athlete is pushing to incorporate ultra-si elements into their programs, a trend currently shaping top-level women’s skating. Valieva, Petrosyan, Muravyova, and Gorbachova all bring triple axels and quad-revving jumps into their arsenals, but the true determinant will be the execution and purity of their performances on both programs. The emphasis, according to Enbert, lies in the precision and the way each skater presents her artistry as much as in the technical content of her tricks.
Beyond the technical components, Enbert suggests that Kamila Valieva’s ability to translate her skating into compelling visuals could influence the judges’ second evaluation. In practical terms, this means a potential advantage in the second segment if her presentation resonates with the audience and the judging panel, even if the technical difficulty is matched by the others. Still, he cautions that the final margins may remain tight after the second day of competition. In his view, the scores could be close, reflecting the high level of talent across all four athletes and the nuanced differences in how cleanly each program is performed.
The Russian Figure Skating Championships take place in Chelyabinsk. The schedule has the women’s short program debuting on Friday, December 22, followed by the long program on Saturday, December 23. Skating fans in Canada and the United States will be watching closely as the event unfolds, given the strong track record of Russian women’s programs and the ongoing interest in how these skaters adapt to international judging trends while pursuing Olympic-cycle relevance. The environment in Chelyabinsk will test consistency, focus, and the ability to elevate performances under pressure, all of which are critical to translating a high technical floor into a winning result.
Former medalist notes that this Russian Championship is among the most compelling events of the season for fans who follow figure skating closely. The competition promises to deliver a blend of technical prowess, artistic interpretation, and strategic program design as each skater negotiates the balance between difficulty and musicality. The event is shaping up as a pivotal moment for national selection and for showcasing the depth of talent within the Russian women’s field. The outcome could also influence selections and narratives in the broader international circuit, as skaters test themselves against deep fields and changing judging criteria.