Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin
- Thread starter OrdinaryDreamer
- Start date
I love when she does that.
There gonna need some good actress to play her part down the line...just sayin...
Not gonna lie I've tried doing it looking in the mirror.
We NEED pictures.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
She's such a sweetheart!
I'm so happy that her year has shaped up with a win at RN! Here's to hoping they do well at Euros and Worlds!!! 
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
I cannot wait for Europeans. I love watching them skate!
When I try to understand what I liked about them before I even saw them, it's not only that we all knew that they are the two best parts of their partnerships,but there is this certain aura about them that used to be missing in both their partnerships. It's like the pieces of the puzzle came together and they both showed who they really are on the ice, and it's genuine and not rehearsed a thousand times.I like the fact that both their programs are different everytime they do them,they remind of the old greats in that. Probably because they live them, and not just execute them. And I even like their spontaneity off the ice, and not the rehearsed awkwardness some teams have.(cough cough , shippers probably hate me right now)
But the most important thing for me is that they have this butter like quality in their skating, you can simply watch them and not get stressed out even if they do mistakes, and all this with a flame that comes from within.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
and all started here: http://websta.me/p/799228479058483586_1103267565
http://instagram.com/p/ssOpwSKBoh/
:yay:
http://instagram.com/p/ssOpwSKBoh/
:yay:
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
When I read that they teamed up, I was just intrigued by them, because I couldn`t imagine how they would look like on the ice. When I saw them at COC I liked them and during that SD at COR I completely went into ubering Ruslena. They have just something that can`t be taught, no matter how many hours a team spends on the ice training and that`s why I think they are going to be very successful in the future.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2013
Ruslan then and now!
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2012
Their story is so touching and a happy one so far!! I also remember the times when these were posted
My dear Elena and Ruslan are now GP finalists and Russian Champions
So very proud of them. But this is an understatement. To overcome the SinKats & Zueva PR avalanche, fatigue and the general disinterest in them in some circles was amazing. Kudos also to M/K and S/B. These three teams are true fighters. I truly hope they all go to Europeans and Worlds and do exceedingly well.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2012
I'm curious why the "general disinterest in them in some circles". As someone doesn't know much about ID, I'd like to know some objective comments about I/Z. Do they really have big future with their build and skills? When I watched their FD, I paid more attention to 'I' and 'Z' was more like a background. I also worry if 'Z' will be strong enough to do more difficult lifts with 'I'. I really want them to go far as 'I' is too talent to be wasted.
I do think they have a promising future, yeah. Of course, it's still early, but they have done very well for themselves.
I've seen people talk about RUslan not being at the forefront as if that's a really bad thing which... it really isn't? I think people were, at least subconsciously, thinking that they'd see another I/K pairing. I/Z is much more the classic stem and flower pairing, where the guy presents his partner. I/K was more of a double flower pairing, and it was almost too much at times, for me. It was almost like they were fighting each other for the spotlight.
It's also weird to me that people are concerned about Ruslan's build. I mean, he lifted Victoria for years, and she's both taller and curvier than Elena. It's also not just about build for lifts, it has to do with technique. Not to pick on him, but Nikita has long struggled with lifts. Meanwhile, tiny Jean-Luc Baker is actually a pretty good lifter. It's not just about pure strength. Ruslan is more than strong enough to lift Elena, they have a good height difference.
Going back to watching Elena more than Ruslan, I actually watch Ruslan just as much, if not more in their SD. I don't think the vague "A man and a woman" thing works very well for him. Elena pulls it off a little more, but I think they're both at their best when they have clearly defined roles or characters. I think their programs next season will be much more character driven, and that will work better for both of them.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
I think that Elena and Ruslan are more the dark passion kind of couple. A very dramatic and passionate music would suit them very well. Regarding Ruslan, I`ve to say that if you compare him to when he skated with Victoria, he already improved a lot in his technical skills as well as in his presentation. He is a different performer than Nikita, since Ruslan is more concentrated in presenting his partner than fighting for the spotlight.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
I don't see why they say Ruslan is fading. He is constantly stable beside Lena, they compliment each other well. Ruslan is like a strong and silent force, you might not notice him immediately but you couldn't ignore his influence, you can sense it and see it. Thanks to Ruslan, Lena has the chance to do the expression. Ruslan is like a very stable anchor.
