Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin | Page 225 | Golden Skate

Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

It's actually the first time that happened to me. And twice in one post at that. Really strange. Already edited the post so as to not shame myself before more people.


Thank you. Really a beautiful pose. Wonder if it is the ending pose.

Recently I confused Iliusheshkina/Moskovich with Maisuradze but luckily it was I/M :laugh2:
 
Sector 1, row 9. I think the seat isn`t that great, but it`s near to the KnC. Where will you and your wife be sitting?

I'm visiting all alone this time. Actually, no. I'm travelling with a friend, but she's not going to GPF. :) I'm in Sector 10 row 10, close to sector 11. I bought my ticket in first 30 minutes, so it was best one available at the time. I really wanted to sit on the judges side :(

I think your place is pretty good. At least you will be able to see starting and ending poses of the skaters :)
 
Ruslan is getting more and more handsome. I love the pic Antonio posted on instagram :love: I can`t wait to finally watch that FD.

Yup, but it has been clear to see from his junior days that he was a gem in the making. He looks so happy. Happy for them :)
 
https://instagram.com/p/5t9mklvGoX/

Our favorite couple working with Najarro! Love this pose! Can't wait to see this program!
Same here! Ruslan looks truly inspired here! And Elena is so graceful.

I think they will do great! I believe in this team. Yeah they may have gotten lucky to make the GPF last year but they weren't even in the conversation. We have some more ranking points and some good rep and programs they believe in:)
Wholly agree again. They were placed ahead of KL after the SD at Euros last year, and I've read several posts here before which seemed to arrive at the consensus that IZ have the best skating skills combined of any ice dancing team. So all they need is really good programs to showcase their skating and artistry, which they seem to be getting, and consistency, which they'll likely have if they don't have to keep changing their programs throughout the season, instead of getting more and more comfortable with it. I was a bit alarmed at their scores at the team trophy in Japan - it was like after Worlds the judges didn't look at them as a top team anymore, but I think if they prove to be consistent in the next season, their skating will speak for itself. I hope they do the open test skates, whether they have to or not, and do well there, and then do well in Saransk, then at COC. Then I think even in their first GP they may be scored... well, at least close to what they deserve. But I agree that the Euro and Worlds standings are more important, and by that time they'll have quite a few opportunities to shine. I'm still very much hoping for the GPF for them, though.
 
Same here! Ruslan looks truly inspired here! And Elena is so graceful.


Wholly agree again. They were placed ahead of KL after the SD at Euros last year, and I've read several posts here before which seemed to arrive at the consensus that IZ have the best skating skills combined of any ice dancing team. So all they need is really good programs to showcase their skating and artistry, which they seem to be getting, and consistency, which they'll likely have if they don't have to keep changing their programs throughout the season, instead of getting more and more comfortable with it. I was a bit alarmed at their scores at the team trophy in Japan - it was like after Worlds the judges didn't look at them as a top team anymore, but I think if they prove to be consistent in the next season, their skating will speak for itself. I hope they do the open test skates, whether they have to or not, and do well there, and then do well in Saransk, then at COC. Then I think even in their first GP they may be scored... well, at least close to what they deserve. But I agree that the Euro and Worlds standings are more important, and by that time they'll have quite a few opportunities to shine. I'm still very much hoping for the GPF for them, though.

I`m not overestimating the scores they got at WTT. I remember in 2013 Chock/Bates won over Weaver/Poje and the next season Weaver/Poje were again ahead. Also, the one time I/K participated they got very low scores, which didn`t prevent them to win an Olympic medal in Sochi. Eventhough Ruslena got low scores, the PCS were still ok.
 
I`m not overestimating the scores they got at WTT. I remember in 2013 Chock/Bates won over Weaver/Poje and the next season Weaver/Poje were again ahead. Also, the one time I/K participated they got very low scores, which didn`t prevent them to win an Olympic medal in Sochi. Eventhough Ruslena got low scores, the PCS were still ok.

They were exhausted, the judges IMHO, were a tad harsh on the levels especially for the twizzles in the SD and they were in the first group. So all in all their scores might have been a little low but understandable. However the overall improvement in skating skills; smoothness, power, control of the edges was clear for all to see. They have acquired the unison that some teams never find their entire careers, but I hope they improve even on that. They have such a good connection between each other on the ice, it's a joy to see. All these two need are great programs and more time. Their future looks very bright :) I choose to be hopeful for them.
 
They were exhausted, the judges IMHO, were a tad harsh on the levels especially for the twizzles in the SD and they were in the first group. So all in all their scores might have been a little low but understandable. However the overall improvement in skating skills; smoothness, power, control of the edges was clear for all to see. They have acquired the unison that some teams never find their entire careers, but I hope they improve even on that. They have such a good connection between each other on the ice, it's a joy to see. All these two need are great programs and more time. Their future looks very bright :) I choose to be hopeful for them.

I`m also hopeful. It`s so rare that a new partnership in ice dance achieves this kind of success. The Shibutanis are skating together since they are kids and only this season they reached the scores, Ruslena are getting only after one season together, at least in the SD. Gilles/Poirier are skating since 3 or 4 years together and Ruslena already surpassed them in the PCS score, the same with Hubbell/Donohue. I can`t imagine with everything that Ruslena bring to the table, that they will never win something significant.
 
That pose had me gasping when I first saw it! I'm so in for the emotional rollercoaster that will be their FD!
 
https://instagram.com/p/5t9mklvGoX/

Our favorite couple working with Najarro! Love this pose! Can't wait to see this program!

Gorgeous pose, the second one. I can't wait for the rest. I love it. :love:
I would also love if Ruslan can be less "poetic" and more like Najarro in this one. :biggrin:


@Spiral, don't worry about WTT. With all due respect I myself don't care about that competition. Fun to watch and skaters can earn some good money. That's all it is really. ;)


p.s. Good to see Tanka is back. :cheer:
 
Last edited:
Bought my GPF tickets yesterday, i'm so happy! I hope we'll see Elena and Ruslan there. I saw them last year there but I was way too nervous about them, so I could'nt enjoy about the programs:biggrin:
 
Welcome to the thread, Tina T!

Thank you! I have been lurking here from the very beginning, never posting anything though.

I'm a massive Elena and Ruslan fan, have already been before they went together. That was a dream come true for me.

And I'm on the re-reading club also, thank you all for so many comments! :)
 
Thank you! I have been lurking here from the very beginning, never posting anything though.

I'm a massive Elena and Ruslan fan, have already been before they went together. That was a dream come true for me.

And I'm on the re-reading club also, thank you all for so many comments! :)

Welcome Tina! :) The more the merrier. :cheer:
 
Thank you! I have been lurking here from the very beginning, never posting anything though. I'm a massive Elena and Ruslan fan, have already been before they went together. That was a dream come true for me. And I'm on the re-reading club also, thank you all for so many comments! :)

Welcome to the best fan thread there is! The more the merrier!
 
Thank you! I have been lurking here from the very beginning, never posting anything though.

I'm a massive Elena and Ruslan fan, have already been before they went together. That was a dream come true for me.

And I'm on the re-reading club also, thank you all for so many comments! :)

Welcome Tina!

So, you were practically the first Ruslena fan then. :biggrin:
What do you like about them and what was your favorite performance of last season?
 
Back
Top