Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[Alba]

The Italian commentators said that despite the fall they liked their SD performance much more here in Russia rather than China.
I love their SD but if the judges don't - even if it's only half of them it doesn't help - then, they should. There is one thing I didn't like with the SD here. They have slowed down the tempo, again, in the beginning. Now, they must've been told that something was not working or was not within the rules and trying to fit the music into your choreo it's never a good idea, IMO. It feels fragmented. So if the music doesn't work, change it rather than change pieces here and there.

 

[Marta25]

I'm just thinking of all the teams that had a rough first (few) season(s) and who got really far after all, like W/P and C/L and even C/B weren't that good at first. So I think Ruslena are already way ahead of them comparing their first years.
(Makes me feel better!)

C/B, G/P and H/D were in their first two seasons not even close to the scores I/Z are receiving. Especially, W/P needed several seasons and Je suis malade to breakthrough. H/D are in their 5th season together and never scored a 70 in the SD or over 100 in a FD.

Regarding their SD, I`m thinking if a Foxtrot would maybe be a better fit for them than a March or Polka. Of the top teams only C/B are using it as the second rhythm, but the disadvantage would be that they have to change their partial step sequence a lot to fit the Foxtrot.

 

[borzaya]

Pechalat comments on Frida in COR, but it's in russian.

The translation

"So, here are Elena Ilinykh and Ruslan Zhiganshin, Russia. They were fourth at the Euros, seventh at the Worlds, second at the Grand Prix event in Moscow last year, they have won spectacularly the Challenger event in Saransk this year.

So, here is their Frida...

They have made some amendments since their last performance in China, which has resulted in very obvious improvements.
Very beautiful and strong choreography, which catches the eye, it's impossible to focus only on technical elements...
I find this performance to be very strong, and today's performance is much more pleasant and interesting to watch!

At the beginning of the program they were rather cautious, especially Elena at the sequence, probably because of the pressure that they can't afford any mistakes, so to get the most possible scores in the technical part.
I should say that this performance, and the portraying of Frida's image by Elena, is the amazing art of acting.
Today they have done their best, it was wonderful, though it would be hard to get to the podium because of the yesterday's mistake.
The program was done by an outstanding choreographer Antonio Najarro, he would like to come to Moscow to support them, but he is very busy. He also choreographed the short program for Fernandez.
A lot of work has been done, there can't be any fault to find today, the performance is great, can't be better! Bravo!"

 

[Alba]

Thank you very much Borzaya. :luv17:

You and Snow63 are real gems in this forum, for us russian skating fans. I can't really thank you enough for what you do.

 

[gumpaste]

So I've watched this FD three times. WTH with those scores? I'm no ice dance expert but not giving them 100 for that is just ridiculous. I would have easily had them 2nd in the FD. That program is so difficult and intricate. Their SS and twizzles in that program as skated was the best of the field.......

I've read all the reasons for the lower scores: these judges are penalizing them for the mistake in the SD, their coaches don't have enough political clout, judges don't get the program, etc. Honestly, this is the reason the public stopped following figure skating. The judges don't judge what's done on the ice. It's maddening, it really is, and not just this competition or discipline.

One more comment about S/K- they've had 9 months to do nothing but skate those programs. That gave them a sigificant advantage over all the teams. If I/Z would have had 9 months to skate Frida imagine what it would be now! And I'm sorry but Elena's previous partner is an a**. The guy's a jerk and I'll never like him as a person or a skater. Their coach is using lots of clever choreography to conceal their weaknesses, especially her weaknesses.

I rarely post but I wanted to share in the frustration. Thank you for this board, all of your wonderful opinions and community. And thanks so much to all who post the links to practice videos, russian media, those who provide the translations. I would never be able to find these links on my own and it is much appreciated!

 

[Marta25]

Hello gumpaste

I think most in this thread feel the same frustration, but after calming down, I`ve to say I/Z are going into the right direction with their Frida FD. Their TES improved significantly compared to China. They are one of the teams with the strongest base value, in both SD and FD. A lot of people tend to forget that S/K had much more time than for example I/Z or W/P, who have more complex programs, to polish their programs. With that in mind, it`s actually strange that she still can`t hit her KPs.

The PCS for I/Z´s FD were ridiculous, but I think if they can prove that they can consistantly perform this way, they will increase again. Regarding who is Russian #1 and has the Fed`s support, I only want to remind them of Grishuk/Platov. They weren`t even reigning World Champion when they won their first OGM. U/Z were planned to get the Gold, but they didn`t and that was in a time where the scoring system was much more rigid than it is now.

 

[bramweld]

So I've watched this FD three times. WTH with those scores? I'm no ice dance expert but not giving them 100 for that is just ridiculous. I would have easily had them 2nd in the FD. That program is so difficult and intricate. Their SS and twizzles in that program as skated was the best of the field.......

I've read all the reasons for the lower scores: these judges are penalizing them for the mistake in the SD, their coaches don't have enough political clout, judges don't get the program, etc. Honestly, this is the reason the public stopped following figure skating. The judges don't judge what's done on the ice. It's maddening, it really is, and not just this competition or discipline.

One more comment about S/K- they've had 9 months to do nothing but skate those programs. That gave them a sigificant advantage over all the teams. If I/Z would have had 9 months to skate Frida imagine what it would be now! And I'm sorry but Elena's previous partner is an a**. The guy's a jerk and I'll never like him as a person or a skater. Their coach is using lots of clever choreography to conceal their weaknesses, especially her weaknesses.

I rarely post but I wanted to share in the frustration. Thank you for this board, all of your wonderful opinions and community. And thanks so much to all who post the links to practice videos, russian media, those who provide the translations. I would never be able to find these links on my own and it is much appreciated!

Easily, they should have easily. But give them time to get better. They'll have no choice but to give them their actual scores. In time.

 

[Bahar]

Guys, first of all I must say that I am like a version of Jon Snow about skating. I know nothing about technical issues but I really love watching ice dance . I've always thought that ice dancers should have 4 lifts on free dance but in Frida IZ have 2 lifts I guess. I may be wrong like I said I don't know technical issues so don't judge me please If you can explain it, I will be really grateful. I am wondering it since the beginnig of this season :shame:

Btw I will always support RUSLENA. I love them so much.They are so cute and beautiful together aren't they ? I want them to get a medal on every competition they attend. They deserve it.

 

[Alba]

Guys, first of all I must say that I am like a version of Jon Snow about skating. I know nothing about technical issues but I really love watching ice dance . I've always thought that ice dancers should have 4 lifts on free dance but in Frida IZ have 2 lifts I guess. I may be wrong like I said I don't know technical issues so don't judge me please If you can explain it, I will be really grateful. I am wondering it since the beginnig of this season :shame:

No, they have 3 lifts in the FD: Rotational, Curve and Straight. IZ did 3 but they had the Rotational&Curve lifts in combination. So the first lift you see they are actually doing 2.

 

[Bahar]

Ohhh I get it.Thank you very much Alba

 

[Alba]

Ohhh I get it.Thank you very much Alba

You're welcome. Post often.

 

[sunn1ly]

They're not a couple yet, but you're right. Ruslan will never get level 4 on any element and positive GoE's with his look.

I just couldn't help . When I remembered this comment I felt really relieved. A year and a half ago nobody believed in them. And look at them now with the hardest FD out there getting better, getting stronger. And now the only thing they have on their way are some judges with questionable taste about choreography and understanding of skating skills. I really really hope that that they will cope with this also once they get flawless. Although it seems to me there is something more.

 

[LisaM]

Thank you for posting, gumpaste, loved how you put that, I really felt your anger with you!

 

[tvuckic16]

Easily, they should have easily. But give them time to get better. They'll have no choice but to give them their actual scores. In time.

Well, we're IZ fans, so of course we see it as an injustice... whether we are right or not...I remember SK fans thinking the same about SK scores at Russian Nationals last year, or Yuna Kim's fans about the Olympics etc etc.... the list is endless.
Ultimately, the judges are seeing or not seeing something... not everything is a conspiracy, and there are elements of both IZ dances this year that may not appeal to the judges.

We'll just have to see how the program develops and if the judges like it better.

 

[Alba]

Ultimately, the judges are seeing or not seeing something... not everything is a conspiracy, and there are elements of both IZ dances this year that may not appeal to the judges.

Like what? What's there missing and so difficult to get in Frida? While I can see why someone would not like the SD, although I do a lot, I really do not understand what's wrong with the FD.

 

[Marta25]

Like what? What's there missing and so difficult to get in Frida? While I can see why someone would not like the SD, although I do a lot, I really do not understand what's wrong with the FD.

I don´t think anything is wrong with Frida The PCS in Russia were a joke, but they were pretty good in China. I think the judges are more divided about the SD, which I think they should definitely change. It`s not a secret that skaters in the last warm-up group get a boost in their PCS. I think what we saw at COR were the repercussions of the bad SD they had. The FD is slowly coming together and IMO their skate at COR was a step into the right direction.

 

[Alba]

I don´t think anything is wrong with Frida The PCS in Russia were a joke, but they were pretty good in China. I think the judges are more divided about the SD, which I think they should definitely change. It`s not a secret that skaters in the last warm-up group get a boost in their PCS. I think what we saw at COR were the repercussions of the bad SD they had. The FD is slowly coming together and IMO their skate at COR was a step into the right direction.

So it's time to consider Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique ?

 

[Marta25]

So it's time to consider Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique ?

That would be beautiful!

Seeing their old program in your video just reminds me how much they improved since last season.

 

[tulosai]

Like what? What's there missing and so difficult to get in Frida? While I can see why someone would not like the SD, although I do a lot, I really do not understand what's wrong with the FD.

I posted this before, but while I think Frida is a masterpiece, I think it might be too 'subtle' for some of the judges. Unfortunately S/K are the example that come immediately to mind hwell: but, for example, their FD is very simple and obvious and easy to understand. In fact, they are hitting you over the head with it. It is a piece where there is a man, and woman, and love, and that's that. There's no need to think more deeply about it, it's all right there in a neat, simple little package. C/L who I really like are the same- light, fun, romantic piece with a lot of energy, no thinking involved. W/P have a program that is a bit harder to get if you are really invested in trying to 'get' things, but I think the overall theme is pretty obvious- despair and darkness. Then there's G/F's Schindler's list program where their costumes scream 'concentration camp' and every expression screams 'despair of the Holocaust' (I realize that might sound slightly disrespectful of the holocaust and if so that's mot my intention but nothing about that program is subtle).

Frida requires more of an investment, and I do think is harder to appreciate on a first viewing. That is because there is a lot going on in the dance, both in terms of themes and moods, in terms of the cohesive story they are trying to present, and in terms of the movements themselves. I think there is a lot more there than in these other dances, and a lot more to appreciate too, but it also requires more investment of energy and concentration to do so. I think some judges might not expect to have to expend this kind of energy, and therefore might not 'get' the program, again, especially if they truly are seeing it for the first time at the competition, which, unbelievable as this is to us, some of them probably are (though at Nationals guaranteed that won't be the case so we'll see there). So I do think that this might be going on and the judges want something easier to digest and understand. I think that's a pity and their loss though.

 

[Alba]

That would be beautiful!

Seeing their old program in your video just reminds me how much they improved since last season.

They have indeed. :agree:

There are so many beautiful waltzes which are not used at all. Personally I love Berlioz "Au Bal" and Weber's Invitation to Dance, but there are others. If they change I just hope it's not a Russian overused waltz. That would be boring as hell.