Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[Marta25]

I thought Averbukh was choreographing, but his schedule didn't work out. I think Arapov was always helping to some degree, but I think Averbukh was going to be helping too.

And plans can change. If they go to Saransk, they will be competing every 2-3 weeks from the start of October to the end of December(assuming they get into GPF). That could get quite tiring. It may be that they'll make a decision after Nepela, or the test skates or something. They need the ranking points, yes, but do they need it more than rest and training time? I honestly have no clue. Only Kustarova probably knows what's best for them right now.

I think the Shibs had a similar schedule last year, they also had the disadvantage that most of their competitions weren`t in NA, so they had to deal with different time-zones which I/Z only have for COC. I think if their programs are as difficult as it sounds, it`s maybe a good idea to present them as often as they can infront of the judges. If they find out during Nepala that something is fundamentally wrong with their programs or elements they can still pull out from Saransk. Going to competitions is also a form of training, since you can only develop a program to a certain point in training, at some point you have to show it infront of the judges and the public.

 

[MK's Winter]

I think the Shibs had a similar schedule last year, they also had the disadvantage that most of their competitions weren`t in NA, so they had to deal with different time-zones which I/Z only have for COC. I think if their programs are as difficult as it sounds, it`s maybe a good idea to present them as often as they can infront of the judges. If they find out during Nepala that something is fundamentally wrong with their programs or elements they can still pull out from Saransk. Going to competitions is also a form of training, since you can only develop a program to a certain point in training, at some point you have to show it infront of the judges and the public.[/

I think it is calculated. They could be doing this not only to improve rankings and get programs out but also train their bodies when it comes to traveling. They did suffer from fatigue last season, granted they had no break and has to get down to business to begin to gel as a team.

 

[MK's Winter]

To elaborate further- I think this is where they really begin to build for 2018. They had a hard time last year towards the end and I think just ran out of gas. They were non stop. At least we get to see more of them!

 

[bramweld]

To elaborate further- I think this is where they really begin to build for 2018. They had a hard time last year towards the end and I think just ran out of gas. They were non stop. At least we get to see more of them!

This is the best part

 

[Alba]

I think it is calculated. They could be doing this not only to improve rankings and get programs out but also train their bodies when it comes to traveling. They did suffer from fatigue last season, granted they had no break and has to get down to business to begin to gel as a team.

Not to mention that they were constantly changing their FD. That takes you a lot of energy and you are more prone to errors.

 

[paravolar]

New interview with Kustarova.

http://www.team-russia2014.ru/article/figur/22347.html

 

[Marta25]

New interview with Kustarova.

http://www.team-russia2014.ru/article/figur/22347.html

Thank you

Well, for all the criticism Kustarova gets, she knows her stuff. She lets her teams work with people that can really address their weaknesses. She really seems to have learnt from her mistakes she did with B/S.

 

[bramweld]

Thank you

Well, for all the criticism Kustarova gets, she knows her stuff. She lets her teams work with people that can really address their weaknesses. She really seems to have learnt from her mistakes she did with B/S.

Concise, polite, no fluff. I am excited to see both teams. Could my two favourite ice dance couples make the team?

 

[Marta25]

Concise, polite, no fluff. I am excited to see both teams. Could my two favourite ice dance couples make the team?

Y/M were great, last year, especially their FD was, next to Ruslena`s SD, the best program that came out of that school, but the jump from Juniors to Seniors is so difficult. If they can beat or come at least close to S/K at SA and S/B at TEB, they maybe have a shot on that third berth for the Euros team, but it`s going to be tough.

 

[bramweld]

Y/M were great, last year, especially their FD was, next to Ruslena`s SD, the best program that came out of that school, but the jump from Juniors to Seniors is so difficult. If they can beat or come at least close to S/K at SA and S/B at TEB, they maybe have a shot on that third berth for the Euros team, but it`s going to be tough.

Yeah, I agree with you there.

 

[LisaM]

Y/M were great, last year, especially their FD was, next to Ruslena`s SD, the best program that came out of that school, but the jump from Juniors to Seniors is so difficult. If they can beat or come at least close to S/K at SA and S/B at TEB, they maybe have a shot on that third berth for the Euros team, but it`s going to be tough.

I didn't realize they already had 2 GPs? I probably missed something. Either way I agree.

 

[paravolar]

I didn't realize they already had 2 GPs?

They have SA and TEB.

 

[LisaM]

They have SA and TEB.

Apparently! And I kept thinking that they needed to beat S/K otherwise they wouldn't be getting the spot at Rostelecom :hopelessness:

 

[paravolar]

Apparently! And I kept thinking that they needed to beat S/K otherwise they wouldn't be getting the spot at Rostelecom :hopelessness:

I think that spot is between S/K and Z/G, if Tiffany gets the release.

 

[uhh]

I think that spot is between S/K and Z/G, if Tiffany gets the release.

Or could it even go to Stavitskaya & partner if they look good - S/K could get an assignment elsewhere if other teams withdraw, but S/S need a host pick to have any chance of a GP.

It sounds like so much thought and effort has gone into the Frida program, I can't wait to see it :dance:

 

[Marta25]

Or could it even go to Stavitskaya & partner if they look good - S/K could get an assignment elsewhere if other teams withdraw, but S/S need a host pick to have any chance of a GP.

It sounds like so much thought and effort has gone into the Frida program, I can't wait to see it :dance:

It sounds like they did extensive research. I love when skaters are so committed to their programs.

TBH, I was surprised S/K didn`t get the spot at CoR with the GPs assignments back in June. It seems like the Russian FED is in a wait-and-see mode concerning them.

 

[paravolar]

Or could it even go to Stavitskaya & partner if they look good

I thought they stayed in juniors.

 

[Spiral]

Wow, I'm impressed that Elena and Ruslan have even read the bios of the people they'd be impersonating! I mean I've heard of cases when skaters haven't even seen the film to the soundtrack of which they're skating. The more I glimpses I get into their work the higher the anticipation.

 

[Alba]

Wow, I'm impressed that Elena and Ruslan have even read the bios of the people they'd be impersonating! I mean I've heard of cases when skaters haven't even seen the film to the soundtrack of which they're skating. The more I glimpses I get into their work the higher the anticipation.

Well, they have to if the story is about Diego and Frida. It's a bit different if you choose the music just because you like it and you don't necessarily want to tell the story of that movie.

 

[chameleon]

I think the Shibs had a similar schedule last year, they also had the disadvantage that most of their competitions weren`t in NA, so they had to deal with different time-zones which I/Z only have for COC. I think if their programs are as difficult as it sounds, it`s maybe a good idea to present them as often as they can infront of the judges. If they find out during Nepala that something is fundamentally wrong with their programs or elements they can still pull out from Saransk. Going to competitions is also a form of training, since you can only develop a program to a certain point in training, at some point you have to show it infront of the judges and the public.

US Nationals are at the end of January, Russian Nationals are at the end of December. That schedule isn't so bad if ruslena don't make GPF, but I'm sure that's one of their goals, and that's a really rough schedule. I don't know that they need ranking points that badly. They skated 4th in the SD at worlds and still made the final FD group. It's annoying that they're still skating fairly early, but next season they should have enough points to make the final group for the SD at worlds, if this season goes reasonably well. ANyhow, while competition experience is good, if their programs are that complicated they might want time to drill before CoC.

I love that so much thought and care went into their FD, I'm very excited! I can't wait to see it in a couple weeks.