Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[Alba]

PS: the thing I like about this legend is neither of them die, they are alive but spend their eternity apart (since they are some kind of God), missing each other for long and only meet one a year, such torture is great material for drama. Lol a FD based on this story will be great to watch.

Indeed. :yes:

It's a bit similar to "Ladyhawke" movie, "Always together; eternally apart".

 

[uhh]

SD: Toreador from Carmen by Bizet
FD: Appassionata - but not clear if it's the Beethoven piano sonata or the version by Secret Garden used by M/T in 2009/10

http://itar-tass.com/sport/1381359

 

[alithia]

Averbukh used the one by Secret Garden in one of his shows, it's how he described the program to be. Itar-Tass at first said Beethoven and then they just corrected, so probably it's not Beethoven.

 

[Abraxis12345]

They now write that its Secret Garden

 

[Meoima]

Thank God it's not Hanabera but Toreador!

 

[Alba]

Thank God it's not Hanabera but Toreador!

Is it instrumental or with vocals?

 

[Alba]

They now write that its Secret Garden

So it's Appasionata from the secret garden?

I love this choice.

 

[elif]

Averbukh used the one by Secret Garden in one of his shows, it's how he described the program to be. Itar-Tass at first said Beethoven and then they just corrected, so probably it's not Beethoven.

His performance with Drabiazko:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsYSHoWKcyI

I like the music choice. :agree: Not overly used, not big, dramatic russian music. I can imagina Elena flying with that music across the ice. Can't wait to see actual program

 

[Alba]

His performance with Drabiazko:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsYSHoWKcyI

I like the music choice. :agree: Not overly used, not big, dramatic russian music. I can imagina Elena flying with that music across the ice. Can't wait to see actual program

And I can see Ruslan very well with this music too. :yes:

 

[snowflakebeautiful]

And I can see Ruslan very well with this music too. :yes:

Me too!!!! I think it's a very nice choice for them. It's a really beautiful piece of music; and I can just sort of imagine them performing it...
I'm really excited to see it!!!!! :yay:

 

[jwren]

I'm also really looking forward to seeing what they do with the Toreador selection from Carmen. Najarro is a genius, and I know Elena can rock it. Interested to see how Ruslan fits into the role... Either way, I'm excited!

 

[MK's Winter]

I'm also really looking forward to seeing what they do with the Toreador selection from Carmen. Najarro is a genius, and I know Elena can rock it. Interested to see how Ruslan fits into the role... Either way, I'm excited!

I think Ruslan will showcase her perfectly! No doubt they will bring fire

 

[Alba]

I think Ruslan will showcase her perfectly! No doubt they will bring fire

I was thinking about the choice of the piece, The Toreador. This where the male is the protagonist, and it's a smart choice.
He could fully show himself and match Elena's personality.

 

[MK's Winter]

I was thinking about the choice of the piece, The Toreador. This where the male is the protagonist, and it's a smart choice. He could fully show himself and match Elena's personality.

That to me is the key, match but not overtake. The curiosity is killing me.... I haven't been this excited about a dance team in a while

 

[sisinka]

SD: Toreador from Carmen by Bizet
FD: Appassionata - but not clear if it's the Beethoven piano sonata or the version by Secret Garden used by M/T in 2009/10

http://itar-tass.com/sport/1381359

interview from 15th of August:
Kustarova says that they didn’t hesitate about choice of Carmen, that they chose Bizet’s opera Carmen because it is the strongest version and Toreador part goes with Paso Doble very well. They turned to specialists to change the music in needed way (looking at rules probably, there are some rhythm rules how many beats in minute must the Paso Doble part include). Antonio Navarro was charmed with this version of music.

Kustarova says that Ilinykh is really Carmen, Carmen – is not just flaming person, seductress, she fells in love and she is loved, she is soft and in the same time passionate.

The couple is preparing for the Test Skate in Novogorsk.

Kustarova says that programs are fully ready. Kids are tired of course, because it is a big task. In such a short period it is not easy to make things which other couples are doing for years. But Lena and Ruslan are fighters, they are focused and friendly. Yes, it is hard for them, but nobody can say that they look like skaters/couple newly formed now. Kustarova is proud of them because of it.

They are all enjoying to work together, they are getting a positive emotions from each other and it is necessary for them.

 

[sisinka]

Do we know new teams had to qualify for nationals like USA or not?

To qualify for Nationals, couples need to get points - from Russian Cup Series or from Senior or Junior Grand Prix Series. There are five Russian Cup competitions - in Samara's region, Sochi, Yoshar-Ola, Kazan and Moscow. The couples with the highest points will qualify for Nationals - last years there were 9 or 10 couples at Nationals.

For Russian Cup - 1st place means 18 point, 2nd place 16 points etc. I didn't find points for Grand Prix's results.

Junior Ice Dance couples don't compete in Senior Cathegory because it would mean two different SD and practising two different compulsory steps. Stepanova & Bukin tried last year to compete at both junior and senior stage (they had an advantage of having similar style of SD's for both junior and senior dance that year, so they didn't need to change music), but it was not successful either.

 

[elif]

I'm fully confident with Carmen SD, because it is Najorro program and Elena is just right for the Carmen. Free dance will be different. After the watching Drabiazko/Averbukh, I think their story could be sad, music is not showy. I mean you cannot just put music and expect Elena do all the work with her dance ability and confidence. Interpretation wise, that free dance could be another Schindler's List love for her.

To qualify for Nationals, couples need to get points - from Russian Cup Series or from Senior or Junior Grand Prix Series. There are five Russian Cup competitions - in Samara's region, Sochi, Yoshar-Ola, Kazan and Moscow. The couples with the highest points will qualify for Nationals - last years there were 9 or 10 couples at Nationals.

For Russian Cup - 1st place means 18 point, 2nd place 16 points etc. I didn't find points for Grand Prix's results.

Junior Ice Dance couples don't compete in Senior Cathegory because it would mean two different SD and practising two different compulsory steps. Stepanova & Bukin tried last year to compete at both junior and senior stage (they had an advantage of having similar style of SD's for both junior and senior dance that year, so they didn't need to change music), but it was not successful either.

Maybe ISU Grand Prix points could be enough for both teams. Last year Ilinykh/Katsalapov skated a russian cup with Sinitsina/Zhiganshin and Stepanova/Bukin before grand prixs. -of course they were national and europeans medalists then- Do we know new teams will go any russian cup?

 

[starlight97]

Elena just posted a pic on her instagram account (@blackswani). I had already noticed that she has lost weight, but now she looks REALLY skinny! Do you think all these idiots, saying that she looked heavy or even "is too fat for Nikita to lift", got to her?
Now I'm not intending to create any rumors I just noticed how incredibly thin she looks there..

 

[plushyfan]

Elena just posted a pic on her instagram account (@blackswani). I had already noticed that she has lost weight, but now she looks REALLY skinny! Do you think all these idiots, saying that she looked heavy or even "is too fat for Nikita to lift", got to her?
Now I'm not intending to create any rumors I just noticed how incredibly thin she looks there..

I checked it..she has lost weight, but she is beautiful...

 

[starlight97]

I checked it..she has lost weight, but she is beautiful...

Sure she is! She actually is extraordinarily beautiful. Looks a modell!
I'm just worried that she let that weight criticism get to her, becausesshe seriously looks like 10kg less than at worlds..