Let's Talk About Russian Nationals for a Second

The much-anticipated competition was held over Christmas week (Dec 24-29) back in Sochi (good that they're use that arena for something, right?), and produced a few juicy bits of news.

Reigning Olympic champ Adelina Sotnikova did not compete due to an alleged injury, but was still named alternate for Europeans next month in Stockholm. She has a "test" skate coming up mid-January to make the final determination as to whether they'll send her or not.

Elena Radionova and Elizaveta Tuktamysheva went one and two at Russian Nat'ls, followed by unknown teenager Evgenia Medvedeva. But she got passed over on a Europeans berth for Anna Pogorilaya, who finished fourth. (See, the USA is not the only country to pass over their national bronze medalist!)

And then poor Julia Lipnitskaya finished ninth. It's a shame, because I know the reigning World silver medalist is better than that. Maybe she's going through puberty? Either that or the pressure on her since Sochi finally forced her to crack. Sad to see that happen.

In the men's event, Maxim Kovtun ran away with the gold, as did Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov in pairs and Elena Ilinykh and Ruslan Zhiganshin in the ice dance event. In those three disciplines it seems, there's a great divide between Russia's top talent and everyone else.

Reigning Olympic pairs champs Maxim Trankov and Tatiana Volosozhar were also named alternates for Europeans, not having competed so far this season due to Maxim's shoulder injury.

The Russian World team is to be decided based on how everyone does at Europeans.