- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
I very much doubt that. They loved the SD, imagine the FD.
They have checked them before the test skates and they were thrilled about their FD.
Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin
- Thread starter OrdinaryDreamer
- Start date
I very much doubt that. They loved the SD, imagine the FD.
They have checked them before the test skates and they were thrilled about their FD.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
I very much doubt that. They loved the SD, imagine the FD.
That`s great
Frida can be a masterpiece, if they just let them polish it.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
That`s great
They will.
I'm told Lena's skates are new. So that's another factor and needs time to settle.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
I`ve already watched Frida a very unhealthy amount of times 
This program is so...them and Ruslan is just amazing in both programs. He is the star of the SD and in the FD his focus is always on her. He knows how to present Elena so well. He really had a breakthorugh this summer.
This program is so...them and Ruslan is just amazing in both programs. He is the star of the SD and in the FD his focus is always on her. He knows how to present Elena so well. He really had a breakthorugh this summer.
I'm not really sure that Ruslena's current situation is comparable to Liza's last season. Once Liza got over her puberty issues, her jumps came back, and it's not as if she had incredibly complex choreography to train. I/Z are still in their second season together, and they need to polish their programs and increase their speed and flow much more than they need ranking points. While I am annoyed they have to skate early, it's much better than it was last season, and it didn't affect them that badly. They skated fourth in the SD and still wound up in the final FD group at worlds. I don't think they need to do more than one Senior B event, and even just going straight to the GP season wouldn't be that bad.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
I have watched it 67 times. Don't feel bad. I hope they go to Finlandia and get the programs out there, especially since they have been well received. They have great opportunity to put themselves out there as the front runners-which I believe they are after the test skates anyway. Saransk will be good because Challenger events are scored so high. That could help them ranking wise.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
I think skate order is important though. Despite making finals groups the marks were still not as high as they should have been. If they receive enough point to skate in the last or second to last group they will be in a better position to challenge top teams. I would have loved to see them skate back to back against Chock and Bates at Worlds- they would have been leading- not to disrespect Chock and Bates- but I/Z just have better skating skills and it would have been noticeable.
It is so addictive. Hopefully it has the same effect on the judges
I don't know how many times I've watched it.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
I actually agree with your assessment. Yes, they can do that in the GP's also. Have a breakthrough season like PC had but I think it's important to test their programs with international judges and get their feedbacks ASAP. It doesn't matter if they are not fully ready yet. Nobody is.
I never said they didn't need ranking points, I only said that I think they need time to rest and train more. Ranking points from senior B's won't help much if they make mistakes out of exhaustion at much more important competitions. The ranking point situation will solve itself, they should easily be in the final SD group at 2017 Worlds. If they and Kustarova feel that they need feedback on changes made, a senior b is a fine place to get feedback. But I don't think they need to do more than one.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
It's more about this, testing the program etc., rather than ranking points for me. One B should suffice yes. I'm okay with that.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
I'm not saying you did. It's just an assessment.i wanted to explain my perspective. Look at Hannah Miller- 9th at US Nationals and received 2 Grand Prix's this year because of points. I would rather then do Challenger events because they score high. Early events are not a bad thing, they need to learn to work through a tough schedule. The Olympic year is going to be rough schedule wise. Prepare now because it will be here before they know it.
Oh my ... I know it's weird, but I'm starting to feel really sorry for S/K.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2011
I think it depends A LOT on how much they've actually been able to train over the past 6 months with this ongoing injury. If he just aggravated it recently, but before that they were able to get in a fair amount of good training, it's possible that, if they can actually get back on the ice within the next week, they can be about as ready as anyone else. If their training has suffered already, and now is continuing to suffer, and does continue after this to suffer because it's still a few weeks between now and when he can practice again, then they're probably pretty much doomed for the GP season and should probably just forget it and focus on trying to rock it hardcore at Nationals.
I don't feel sorry for them but it's hard not to appreciate the difficulty of their situation, and I'd never wish serious injury on any athlete or person... it's better when the best team can just win, and IMO it's not like these two will ever be the best team during this cycle (unless something shocking happens like miracle improvement or injury of multiple other teams) even if healthy.
I think they said he was off for about 6 weeks in the Spring, then back in training around March. That still gives them more preparation time as skaters who did the full season and went to Worlds/WTT. Then the problems started again around the end of August. So they've had another 3 weeks at least off, but he was trying to skate at the test skates - I think I read on FSO he did 2 sessions before he had to stop. I don't know, you would think that you wouldn't try to skate on an injury until you are really ready, so is it that serious? But also, how can an injury be so bad that they can't do the test skates, but on the other hand, well enough that he says he can go back to training as soon as the doctors in Munich check him out this week?
Long term, it probably would be best for them to take the time to make sure he's properly healed, considering it has been a recurring problem. But if they don't do the senior Bs or GPs, they'll be at Nationals without the Worlds minimums again, and with the problem of not testing the levels in the program with a real panel of judges. And if they miss the team for Euros/Worlds again, I can't really see them coming back and making an impact for the 2nd half of this Olympic cycle considering the number of other strong teams there are in Russia.
Long term, it probably would be best for them to take the time to make sure he's properly healed, considering it has been a recurring problem. But if they don't do the senior Bs or GPs, they'll be at Nationals without the Worlds minimums again, and with the problem of not testing the levels in the program with a real panel of judges. And if they miss the team for Euros/Worlds again, I can't really see them coming back and making an impact for the 2nd half of this Olympic cycle considering the number of other strong teams there are in Russia.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2011
I think there is still a potential for them to snatch the third spot for the Olys, since, while YMMV I don't see S/B or M/K going anywhere fast though both teams have pleasant qualities, and Y/M and Z/G are basically going to be starting from around the same place S/K would be in terms of building a resume. However, especially if they essentially miss this season, and even probably if they just miss the Euros team, I do not think there is any way, barring injury, for them to pass I/Z or B/S or (obviously) to hope to be competing for a medal at the next Olys.
