Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[uhh]

I'm kind of getting the impression that Elena is enjoying not being the pretty delicate ballerina at the moment. It's fun to see her exploring other styles (but I want to see how Rus would do ballet with his new-found excellent presentation skills... dilemma! ).

I'm mostly trying not to get too attached to any Midnight Blues music before ISU announces the requirements and crushes all my hopes and dreams! Kind of like what happened this year....

They've already announced that it can be combined with swing or hiphop, although no word yet if they'll have to use one of those rhythms like they do this year in seniors, or if it will be optional like in Juniors. Crossing my fingers very hard for optional!

 

[borzaya]

Some positive stuff Cute kid photos of Lena - http://savepic.ru/7792162.jpg
and Ruslan - http://savepic.ru/7736869.jpg
http://savepic.ru/7734818.jpg (back in the center)

(taken from here - http://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/48cupsoftea/834444.html - there are many photos of different skaters when they were kids, if smb is interested)

 

[chameleon]

I was just hoping really hard that they would be able to use waltz all the way through so I wasn't happy when they had to use another rhythm. So maybe if I just assume that they will have to use blues, swing, and hip hop, with mandatory stops between each rhythm and at least one rhythm needing xylophone in the background or something awful like that, I won't be disappointed!

I don't think it would be too hard to make Don Quixote look different if they felt like going there, I/K were just out of juniors so it wasn't very complex, and Ruslan is a very different kind of skater than Nikita. On the other hand if Elena wants to do things like Queen waltz, I don't know if she would be interested in reviving old programs.

There are plenty of ballets that aren't Don Quixote or Swan Lake anyway( although I do love both and I think Ruslan would be fantastic in either). I'm really fond of the mazurka from Coppelia, for instance, although you probably couldn't make a full program out of that but it could be a nice section! Manon as mentioned above would be lovely, there are many to choose from.

What do you guys think would be a good choice for them next season? I'd like it to be something different than what they've done together, I feel they're so versatile they could pull off anything.


Future program choices aside, I wonder if they can cut a bit of SBTL to make WWRY a little longer. I felt the ending was a little abrupt, and I checked and they basically ran right into the time limit. If WWRY was even 10 or 15 seconds longer I think it would work better. Or maybe they could cut short the side by side dancing?

 

[Marta25]

Aww, little Elena and little Ruslan are too cute

So, programs I want to see from them, hmm, let me think...TANGO Seriously, they were born to Tango together, so if the SD isn`t a tango, they should consider doing it as a FD in the Olympic Season. There are so many musics I want to skate them to: a ballet (although I`m not sure which one), something classic like Dumsky Trio by Dvorak, a latin dance themed FD, Bolero and many, many more. That`s why I hope that they will continue after 2018, even if they win.

 

[LisaM]

I was going to add the video of little Lena dancing hiphop/street to show that at least we know she can do it (and I bet Ruslan can too ) but I've been googling for 30 minutes and still can't find it :hopelessness:

 

[Marta25]

I was going to add the video of little Lena dancing hiphop/street to show that at least we know she can do it (and I bet Ruslan can too ) but I've been googling for 30 minutes and still can't find it :hopelessness:

I think it`s this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk-iEgA8uzc

Anyway, for next season I`m not quiet sure what I want them to do as a FD. They went modern this year, maybe something more classic?

 

[surimi]

So does anyone have any dream future programs for them?

I'd love for them to skate to a West Side Story piece or medley. That soundtrack hasn't been used in a while, it has a solid storyline, and I think both of them could be quite convincing. And something from Dirty Dancing as gala would be awesome too.

 

[Tex]

Good grief.

So does anyone have any dream future programs for them? I'd like to see them do some sort of Latin program, even just as an exhibition, I loved that video from their master class. I also kind of love La Bayadere, though that might want to wait a couple seasons until their movements and line match a little better. I also can't wait for the Midnight Blues next season, it's one of my favorite patterns. Anything you guys are looking forward to?

A Latin exhibition dance would be awesome for Elena and Ruslan and fun for the fans. They had some really great moves in the Master class video. They definitely could pull off a fun-flirty-sexy (i.e. Cha-cha, Samba, Mambo) or a sensual (i.e Bachata, Rumba) Latin dance.

Elena and Ruslan seem to do great with programs where there are defined characters for them to portray. Thinking along those lines, I thought of some characters I would like them to portray:

--Elizabeth and Darcy from Pride and a Prejudice:
great soundtrack/score from the movie
--Margaret and John from North and South
another great soundtrack/score from the miniseries
--Kathy and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights
They could use one of the movie soundtracks like the 1992 movie with Ryuichi Sakamoto score or the 2009 Ruth Barrett score and the song "Wuthering Heights" from Kate Bush
--Nick and Nora Charles from the Thin Man movies and book
They could use music from the 1930's and 1940's and use the humor from the movies as well as the detective aspects

There are some soundtracks that really haven't been used in skating that I would like them to try like:
1) The Grifters by Elmer Bernstein http://youtu.be/d_UjL5GkCaI
It's about con-artist which could make for an interesting program
2) Silk 2007 another brilliant Ryuichi Sakamoto soundtrack http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG1UpyikrDhPkxyu7qy6ozO4WbF9-zbcK
3) Legend Soundtrack http://youtu.be/LfOWehvvuo0
4) The last 5 years http://youtu.be/rGibvsqkicU

Broadway:
Sunday in the Park with George http://youtu.be/HVC4MrUEBRo
Little Shop of Horrors
Heathers
Spring Awakening
Rent (Elena and Ruslan would make a perfect Roger and Mimi)

Maybe also songs from:
Nina Simone
Jeff Buckley
Prince
M83
Sigur Ròs
Bryan Ferry
Kate Bush
Lykke Li
Kelly Sweet (a mix of her "In the Air Tonight," "My Amazing Grace" and maybe "ashes of my Paradise"
http://youtu.be/jTii7i-195E
http://youtu.be/gJEYc50hbxQ
http://youtu.be/H0JFmuv1Tk4

 

[Tex]

Someone mentioned the musical Cabaret before as a FD for Elena and Ruslan, and I think that would be perfect for them.

 

[MK's Winter]

Honestly I think Elena and Ruslan would rock Chicago! I would love to see them do a Charleston pattern to this for some reason...

 

[sses1]

I want to see someone skate to Bolshoi's Taming of the Shrew and I think Elena and Ruslan have the passion for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gvRoFQjPEQ

 

[bramweld]

Interesting ideas. They seem to have enormous acting talent. Their emotions seem quite honest. I find myself pinching myself when I consider how good their programs are this year. I must say I was hooked on the FD first. With the SD the first thing that impressed me was their softness and speed. I was concerned also that the waltz portion just looked too easy. Then each time I watch it, it sort of sneaks up on you. I hope they build on these performances nicely throughout the season.

As for future performances, I hope they try the Adagio from Spartacus

 

[Alba]

I want to see someone skate to Bolshoi's Taming of the Shrew and I think Elena and Ruslan have the passion for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gvRoFQjPEQ

Love this idea. :yes:



Sports.ru blog (about their FD)

I saw the magic. (Me too)

И, наконец, волшебство! Я видела волшебство! И это волшебство - Лена Ильиных и ее Фрида. Это признанный бесспорный лидер среди произвольных танцев нашей сборной (не сомневаюсь, что не только нашей) начинающегося сезона. Без костюмов, без готового образа, он влюбляет в себя всех, кто его смотрит. Я вижу только историю двух художников, я вижу страстную и страдающую Фриду и ее Диего. Это цельная, наполненная и невероятно красиво рассказанная и преподнесенная история, это как самое ожидаемое и вкусное блюдо званого ужина, это как заслуженный фильм-победитель кинофестиваля. Это то, что хочется смотреть и пересматривать, то, что чувствуешь вместе с героиней. Я не пишу о технике, я смотрела прокат с разных ракурсов раз восемь или девять и каждый раз, когда я пыталась сосредоточиться именно на технической части и выполнении элементов, я срывалась после первой поддержки и с головой уходила в мир Фриды. Лена, Руслан, это браво!

This is just a google translation.

And finally, the magic!I saw the magic!And it's magic - Lena Ilyina and her Frida.It is recognized as the undisputed leader among the free dance of our team (no doubt that not only our) season begins.No costumes, no ready-made image, he fall in love with everyone who is looking.All I see is the story of two artists, I see a passionate and suffering Frida and Diego it.This one-piece, full of incredibly beautiful and told the story and presenting it as the most anticipated and tasty dish dinner party, it's like a movie-deserved winner of the Festival.That's what you want to watch and review, what you feel, along with the heroine.I do not write about technology, I looked from different angles hire eight or nine times and every time I tried to just focus on the technical part and the performance elements, I am frustrated after the first support and the head goes into the world of Frida.Lena, Ruslan is bravo!

p.s. who has vk and wants to vote for the best SD here


I love "global warming".

This is beautiful.

 

[MK's Winter]

I would also love for them to skate to Rach 3. It's MK's music but I was watching it earlier and of course she gives us speed, edges and exuberance and than I thought Ruslena could do this.

I know totally unoriginal but there is potential there..

 

[solani]

Great ideas!
I think they're very versatile, so the question should be what they cannot do. I wouldn't want to see them doing a sweet and nice polka (like Davis/White did 2013 SD), Ruslan could pull it off maybe, but I think Elena would look weird with a frozen smile on her face happily hopping around. (I did like Meryl doing that though.)

 

[Alba]

Oh boy, I'm so LOL with Lombardia Trophy protocols.

 

[Marta25]

Oh boy, I'm so LOL with Lombardia Trophy protocols.

I thought the scores were rather tame, tbh, I expected around 75 points.

Anyway, I was thinking about what Elena could wear for their SD and thought that something like her SD dress from the 2010/2011 season could work. What do you guys think?

I couldn`t find a pic without him, but this is it:
http://36.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lybnbecKRz1r5ashao1_500.jpg

 

[Alba]

I thought the scores were rather tame, tbh, I expected around 75 points.

Oh yes. I wasn't surprised with that but the level 3 and 4 for the third couple did surprise me.

 

[LisaM]

I couldn`t find a pic without him, but this is it:
http://36.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lybnbecKRz1r5ashao1_500.jpg

I like it but I think they'll go for more rock and roll and less sexy

 

[alithia]

Oh yes. I wasn't surprised with that but the level 3 and 4 for the third couple did surprise me.

It was still an international competition