Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin | Page 221 | Golden Skate

Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

There's an interview with TAT in some magazine - I don't know which because I've only seen little scans on VK, but for once she's almost entirely positive about I/Z :shocked:

https://pp.vk.me/c625526/v625526453/3cf1a/IfZjj4Tmwxk.jpg

"Lena & Ruslan made a big breakthrough. He is a hard worker & has made good progress. Lena isn't the easiest person to work with, so I really value his effort. I also like the choice for their new FD."

I love how she declares that Lena is impossible, when Rus & the coaches only have nice things to say...:sarcasm: But at least it's a step up from the her usual Ivan & Sasha should be winning everything statements.
Wow so godmother is not bitter about them anymore? ;)
 
'Now about dancing.Lena Ilinykh and Ruslan Zhiganshin also made a breakthrough.Ruslan has done a great deal of work, has grown into a great partner ( velikiy means great and not just progress).
It's not easy with Lena, that's why I value his effort highly.I liked the choice of music for the new free dance'
 
That's good news. I never understood why Tarasova didn't like Ruslan, I always thought that dancer type skaters appeal to her. But I'm biased, because I always had a soft spot for him.
But I don't think that working with Elena is a hardship for him, this partnership and this training situation has certainly a very different dynamic from what she was used to. Everyone who ever had a hard time in a working environment can relate to that. Sometimes it's all about the respect you get. I'm certainly easier to handle when I feel respected.
 
'Now about dancing.Lena Ilinykh and Ruslan Zhiganshin also made a breakthrough.Ruslan has done a great deal of work, has grown into a great partner ( velikiy means great and not just progress).
It's not easy with Lena, that's why I value his effort highly.I liked the choice of music for the new free dance'

So she meant it's not easy with Lena in the sense that she's great. Do I understand this right?

That's good news. I never understood why Tarasova didn't like Ruslan, I always thought that dancer type skaters appeal to her. But I'm biased, because I always had a soft spot for him.

Not that it makes much difference whether she liked (likes) him or not,;) but I didn't know that she didn't like him? I don't remember her speaking bad about him, did she?
 
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Not that it makes much difference whether she liked (likes) him or not,;) but I didn't know that she didn't like him? I don't remember her speaking bad about him, did she?

She never liked S/Z, to the point that she was saying in 2014 that S/B should be sent to Worlds instead
 
She never liked S/Z, to the point that she was saying in 2014 that S/B should be sent to Worlds instead

Ah okay. That's sort of usual thing for her though, especially when S&B are somehow in the middle. If I'm not mistaken she had issues with Elena and Nikita as well, when they were together, then after Sochi she was like Armageddon happened when they split. ;)
 
Ah okay. That's sort of usual thing for her though, especially when S&B are somehow in the middle. If I'm not mistaken she had issues with Elena and Nikita as well, when they were together, then after Sochi she was like Armageddon happened when they split. ;)

Wow Tat is coming around?! Surprised she passed up a chance to promote S/B. I knew she would eventually see the writing on the wall....
 
Ah okay. That's sort of usual thing for her though, especially when S&B are somehow in the middle. If I'm not mistaken she had issues with Elena and Nikita as well, when they were together, then after Sochi she was like Armageddon happened when they split. ;)
She is an entertaining old lady. :) And it seems that Elena wants her support, because she posted that photo of Tarasova and herself on Tarasova's birthday. And it's understandable that she had problems with I/K before Sochi, because they were really hit or miss and she probably had an idea of what was going on in the background. And it's good to hear that she never said something negative about Ruslan in particular.
 
She is an entertaining old lady. :) And it seems that Elena wants her support, because she posted that photo of Tarasova and herself on Tarasova's birthday. And it's understandable that she had problems with I/K before Sochi, because they were really hit or miss and she probably had an idea of what was going on in the background. And it's good to hear that she never said something negative about Ruslan in particular.

My point is that one flower (I&K Sochi performance) doesn't bring the spring and as we all know the split was not the end, and she does change her mind. I will always love TAT. :) She has done so much for this sport and she was also the coach of almost all my favorite skaters (Kulik and Yaguding above all). :love: However, I take her words with a pinch of salt whether they're good or bad. Not because she doesn't know or can't see things, on the contrary she knows very well, but she has her own pets (understandably) and she knows how to play politics, when needed. ;)
 
Jackie Wong preview about Rostelecom.
http://www.rockerskating.com/news/2015/7/20/5-pre-preview-thoughts-on-2015-rostelecom-cup

4. Can Ilinykh/Zhiganshin break through?
In their second season together, the Russian champs have the opportunity to make it a really good one. Why? Just take a look at their later-season results. At both Euros and Worlds, they posted short dance scores that were near 70, which put them in medal contention at both events. The free dance was their downfall last year, but given a stronger set of programs, they certainly have the components to be up there with the best. And they get to test that here at Rostelecom Cup against World bronze medalists Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje and former World champs Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte.
 
If TAT said those things it means Ruslena are really looking good. As for Lena from all I've seen, I can only come to one conclusion. Lena is a genius on skates and she doesn't tolerate fools easily and this is why she and K clashed. K's all mellow, melancholic, soft, elegant, romantic, drama; Lena is like where's your fire!!! LOL. It's pretty funny actually.

Ruslan however is respectful of her as a person and for her talent. I am really looking forward to their new programs now !! Beyond excited.
 
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There's an interview with TAT in some magazine - I don't know which because I've only seen little scans on VK, but for once she's almost entirely positive about I/Z :shocked:

https://pp.vk.me/c625526/v625526453/3cf1a/IfZjj4Tmwxk.jpg

"Lena & Ruslan made a big breakthrough. He is a hard worker & has made good progress. Lena isn't the easiest person to work with, so I really value his effort. I also like the choice for their new FD."

I love how she declares that Lena is impossible, when Rus & the coaches only have nice things to say...:sarcasm: But at least it's a step up from the her usual Ivan & Sasha should be winning everything statements.

I'm beginning to understand the depth of the disappointment many in the fed had for the I/K split. Ruslena appear to understand that thoroughly and are working hard to ensure that they are appreciated at least as well as I/K were.

No Alba, this isn't TAT playing politics. She was doing that last season with S/B because she was hoping against hope that the new partnerships would not pan out but Ruslena weren't having any of it. I get it now, she was mad. So for her to say something as positive as this is a good sign.
 
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My point is that one flower (I&K Sochi performance) doesn't bring the spring and as we all know the split was not the end, and she does change her mind. I will always love TAT. :) She has done so much for this sport and she was also the coach of almost all my favorite skaters (Kulik and Yaguding above all). :love: However, I take her words with a pinch of salt whether they're good or bad. Not because she doesn't know or can't see things, on the contrary she knows very well, but she has her own pets (understandably) and she knows how to play politics, when needed. ;)
:yes: and she was seriously displeased last season right after being so happy after Sochi. This rollercoaster ride was too much for her. I think she was looking forward to years of bliss ...

No Alba, this isn't TAT playing politics. She was doing that last season with S/B because she was hoping against hope that the new partnerships would not pan out but Ruslena weren't having any of it. I get it now, she was mad. So for her to say something as positive as this is a good sign.
It must feel so good for them to have Tarasova's appreciation! And they have worked for it.
 
No Alba, this isn't TAT playing politics. She was doing that last season with S/B because she was hoping against hope that the new partnerships would not pan out but Ruslena weren't having any of it. I get it now, she was mad. So for her to say something as positive as this is a good sign.

I meant that in general, TAT playing politics. Like many for that matter. In this particular case I don't know and it doesn't matter. It's good that she has something nice to say about them. That's all.
 
There's an interview with TAT in some magazine - I don't know which because I've only seen little scans on VK, but for once she's almost entirely positive about I/Z :shocked:

https://pp.vk.me/c625526/v625526453/3cf1a/IfZjj4Tmwxk.jpg

"Lena & Ruslan made a big breakthrough. He is a hard worker & has made good progress. Lena isn't the easiest person to work with, so I really value his effort. I also like the choice for their new FD."

I love how she declares that Lena is impossible, when Rus & the coaches only have nice things to say...:sarcasm: But at least it's a step up from the her usual Ivan & Sasha should be winning everything statements.
Exactly! It's a step up from her previous comments, but I find the way she spoke about Elena to be both disrespectful and unprofessional. No, TAT didn't mean that it's difficult to work with Elena because she's so great; she means it's because of her personality/character. She said, "It's not easy with Lena, so I value his contribution especially highly." If she meant that it's not easy with Elena because she's so talented and he has to catch up, she would have said exactly that. Without any elaboration, it's clearly a personal statement about Elena.

Wow Tat is coming around?! Surprised she passed up a chance to promote S/B. I knew she would eventually see the writing on the wall....
Well, it's just a snippet. Clearly, she talked about SK next, judging from what I can see from the cut off bottom line, and who knows what she said about SB.

My point is that one flower (I&K Sochi performance) doesn't bring the spring and as we all know the split was not the end, and she does change her mind. I will always love TAT. :) She has done so much for this sport and she was also the coach of almost all my favorite skaters (Kulik and Yaguding above all). :love: However, I take her words with a pinch of salt whether they're good or bad. Not because she doesn't know or can't see things, on the contrary she knows very well, but she has her own pets (understandably) and she knows how to play politics, when needed. ;)
I agree that TAT's contribution to fs is immeasurable (and I greatly appreciated Kulik and Yagudin too), but I think that the time of her positive contributions is past. She seems to be really only doing the politicking and the talking now, and I wish she retired, but, of course, she never will. Her job is her life, even if she can't do her job anymore really.

Oh, this is great! And it's noteworthy that IZ is the only ice dance team that they talk about in connection with COR here - like they are the most newsworthy and interesting to talk about and speculate.

If TAT said those things it means Ruslena are really looking good. As for Lena from all I've seen, I can only come to one conclusion. Lena is a genius on skates and she doesn't tolerate fools easily and this is why she and K clashed. K's all mellow, melancholic, soft, elegant, romantic, drama; Lena is like where's your fire!!! LOL. It's pretty funny actually.
I don't think he left her because they disagreed on style. He looked really good while they skated together, and his FD with Sinitsina wasn't soft, elegant and romantic either. I think he left because of his ego problems. (Similar to the male soloist in Riverdance who couldn't bear being one of the three soloists and broke away to form Lord of the Dance where he was the only soloist, and everybody else was backup dancers to him. Incidentally, I think Katsalapov's style last year was a lot like the guy's in Lord of the Dance - very puffed up.)

Ruslan however is respectful of her as a person and for her talent. I am really looking forward to their new programs now !! Beyond excited.
So am I - and fully agree on Ruslan.
 
Wow, Tarasova complementing Ruslan. Who knows, maybe she saw the light.

Anyway, I`m so excited for next season. I hope they will do another little competition besides the Senior B in Russia. It stil amazes me how far they have come in only a year. There is so much talent and potential there, I can`t wait for the moment where everything comes together for them and I`m sure that moment will come. :biggrin:
 
Exactly! It's a step up from her previous comments, but I find the way she spoke about Elena to be both disrespectful and unprofessional. No, TAT didn't mean that it's difficult to work with Elena because she's so great; she means it's because of her personality/character. She said, "It's not easy with Lena, so I value his contribution especially highly." If she meant that it's not easy with Elena because she's so talented and he has to catch up, she would have said exactly that. Without any elaboration, it's clearly a personal statement about Elena.

You're most probably right but what she said leaves room for interpretation. It could go both ways, so I can't be 100% sure. Let's just say that I'm willing to give her the benefit of doubt. ;) :biggrin:

I agree that TAT's contribution to fs is immeasurable (and I greatly appreciated Kulik and Yagudin too), but I think that the time of her positive contributions is past. She seems to be really only doing the politicking and the talking now, and I wish she retired, but, of course, she never will. Her job is her life, even if she can't do her job anymore really.

You put it better than I did. I guess that was the point I wanted to make in the end. ;)


I don't think he left her because they disagreed on style. He looked really good while they skated together, and his FD with Sinitsina wasn't soft, elegant and romantic either.

I fully agree. :thumbsup:
 
These comments are based on the excerpts given quiqie in the FSU forum. Thanks.

1. Ruslan couldn't have become the great partner he is without Lena? They are a team. So to be praising one at the expense of the other seems hypocritical not to mention unprofessional. But as Alba says, who cares ;) But her comments in general are vague you don't know if she's referring to preparations for this season, last season or both.

2. I am surprised she didn't say much about B/S, in terms of expectations for the new season.
 
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