Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[uhh]

But they didn't do well in FD during world. When I said 'deliver', I meat the whole competition.

But like I said - M/K "delivered", and were behind I/Z. S/B fell on a step sequence. S/K were dreadful all last year. I can understand pushing B/S because they are the tried and tested team. But it feels like I/Z have to prove themselves again every time they skate, and S/B and S/K this year always get the benefit of the doubt, even when they have made mistakes or done poorly in previous events. Even if you ignored the fall deduction, the judges have S/B higher, with better PCS. How does that make sense?

The one saving grace of this year is that the MO score is high enough to get them GP events next year.

 

[MK's Winter]

But like I said - M/K "delivered", and were behind I/Z. S/B fell on a step sequence. S/K were dreadful all last year. I can understand pushing B/S because they are the tried and tested team. But it feels like I/Z have to prove themselves again every time they skate, and S/B and S/K this year always get the benefit of the doubt, even when they have made mistakes or done poorly in previous events.

True story and they had no where near the NHK disaster... They are also defending National Champions and there is pressure with that. Plus they didn't have 10 months of nothing. Elena and Ruslan had the hopes of Russian ice dance thrown on them as a first year team.

 

[Marta25]

They should just save their money for any choreographer next year and run hand in hand from one rinkside to the next, that is apparently what the judges want.
It`s like the FED never accepted this partnership and are now using the first possibility to dump them.

 

[tvuckic16]

But like I said - M/K "delivered", and were behind I/Z. S/B fell on a step sequence. S/K were dreadful all last year. I can understand pushing B/S because they are the tried and tested team. But it feels like I/Z have to prove themselves again every time they skate, and S/B and S/K this year always get the benefit of the doubt, even when they have made mistakes or done poorly in previous events. Even if you ignored the fall deduction, the judges have S/B higher, with better PCS. How does that make sense?

The one saving grace of this year is that the MO score is high enough to get them GP events next year.

Well...I guess...and it may not be completely unwarranted. IZ haven't had a clean competition since Nationals last year. How can that be? Today they didn't fall on an element but they fell! That influences judges opinion whether you like it or not. They are building a reputation of inconsistency.... they need to fix it now!

Also, as I judge I wouldn't be so warmed up by their nonchalance. I understand you want to put on a brave face, but they act like the mistakes are no big deal, Lena literally just shrugs, and they act like they are having a grand old time....Even the Brit Eurosport guys mentioned they weren't buying the act at CoR. If I were a judge I wouldn't appreciate it...falls are a big deal, no matter how small you think they are.

 

[Marta25]

Well...I guess...and it may not be completely unwarranted. IZ haven't had a clean competition since Nationals last year. How can that be? Today they didn't fall on an element but they fell! That influences judges opinion whether you like it or not. They are building a reputation of inconsistency.... they need to fix it now!

Also, as I judge I wouldn't be so warmed up by their nonchalance. I understand you want to put on a brave face, but they act like the mistakes are no big deal, Lena literally just shrugs, and they act like they are having a grand old time....Even the Brit Eurosport guys mentioned they weren't buying the act at CoR. If I were a judge I wouldn't appreciate it...falls are a big deal, no matter how small you think they are.

I don`t agree with this. At COR it was clear how upset Ruslan was about his mistake. Elena was just showing him her support.

 

[MK's Winter]

Well...I guess...and it may not be completely unwarranted. IZ haven't had a clean competition since Nationals last year. How can that be? Today they didn't fall on an element but they fell! That influences judges opinion whether you like it or not. They are building a reputation of inconsistency.... they need to fix it now! Also, as I judge I wouldn't be so warmed up by their nonchalance. I understand you want to put on a brave face, but they act like the mistakes are no big deal, Lena literally just shrugs, and they act like they are having a grand old time....Even the Brit Eurosport guys mentioned they weren't buying the act at CoR. If I were a judge I wouldn't appreciate it...falls are a big deal, no matter how small you think they are.

Do you expect her to fall on the ground and wail? She's not going to do that in public and she has to move on from it asap. If she chooses to do that in the kiss and cry all the better. She's down and needs to get herself up for the free skate.

 

[uhh]

I don`t agree with this. At COR it was clear how upset Ruslan was about his mistake. Elena was just showing him her support.

Exactly.

And I've always been told by my coach, and you hear the same in gym, that you don't show that you are upset, you don't act like there was a mistake, you just style it out as best you can. Sitting in the K&C in floods of tears isn't going to help anyone, and I am sure they are devastated at the scores, but they aren't going to show it. It just makes you look weak.

She was upset when she came off the ice, you can see Kustarova talking to her, then they put a face on for the cameras. In any case, I don't see how this changes the judges scores - they should be entering marks at that point, not watching to see what skaters do as they come off the ice. If they are paying attention to this stuff, well it's no wonder the marks are such a mess.

 

[tvuckic16]

Do you expect her to fall on the ground and wail? She's not going to do that in public and she has to move on from it asap. If she chooses to do that in the kiss and cry all the better. She's down and needs to get herself up for the free skate.

Wail? Of course not....let's not go to the other extreme...

 

[MK's Winter]

Wail? Of course not....let's not go to the other extreme...

Tears in any form don't make a difference. She is tough and they will be strong tomorrow

 

[Marta25]

Exactly.

And I've always been told by my coach, and you hear the same in gym, that you don't show that you are upset, you don't act like there was a mistake, you just style it out as best you can. Sitting in the K&C in floods of tears isn't going to help anyone, and I am sure they are devastated at the scores, but they aren't going to show it. It just makes you look weak.

Yeah, we just have to remember how both skated at Worlds 2014. They both just found out that they both are being dumped, but at Worlds they only had smiles, hugs and kisses for their partners, although inside they were probably heartbroken.

 

[MK's Winter]

Yeah, we just have to remember how both skated at Worlds 2014. They both just found out that they both are being dumped, but at Worlds they only had smiles, hugs and kisses for their partners, although inside they were probably heartbroken.

Exactly. If we are going to have a bad season better it be now.

 

[Bahar]

Yeah, we just have to remember how both skated at Worlds 2014. They both just found out that they both are being dumped, but at Worlds they only had smiles, hugs and kisses for their partners, although inside they were probably heartbroken.

It was really tough times for both of them and they survived together so why not now ? Maybe it is not right thing to say but I just want them to beat everyone and be the best.I love them and I want them to be happy so that we will be happy with them. I hope they will have clean skate tomorrow and I wish them good luck

 

[Kitt]

It was really tough times for both of them and they survived together so why not now ? Maybe it is not right thing to say but I just want them to beat everyone and be the best.I love them and I want them to be happy so that we will be happy with them. I hope they will have clean skate tomorrow and I wish them good luck

well said, Bahar! Sending them love and all the best for the free dance!

 

[uhh]

It was really tough times for both of them and they survived together so why not now ? Maybe it is not right thing to say but I just want them to beat everyone and be the best.I love them and I want them to be happy so that we will be happy with them. I hope they will have clean skate tomorrow and I wish them good luck

Yes! No matter what the scores are, they are beautiful skaters with great programs and I always will enjoy watching them.

Maybe this season will be rough, and maybe they won't have any assignments after nationals, but they still have so much time in their career if they want it, and eventually the quality will shine through.

 

[Idontsk8]

:sad21: I wanted to check and then this time it's Elena, ugh they can't catch a break! As for positives it was not on an element, they looked better in hold than before and more secure. I wish they didn't change the lift, I don't like the new variation. Maybe tomorrow they'll go up since S/B FD is soooo boring but they have to execute theirs well, cheering for them! I just really hope someday they'll become consistent, maybe after last season we all saw what they were capable of and expected too much, I don't know. I just feel sad than even though S/K look really good this year and deserve their placements it seems everyone forgot about how awful the last season was and now many people are ready to bury I/Z after actually having less trouble than S/K did...

 

[MK's Winter]

:sad21: I wanted to check and then this time it's Elena, ugh they can't catch a break! As for positives it was not on an element, they looked better in hold than before and more secure. I wish they didn't change the lift, I don't like the new variation. Maybe tomorrow they'll go up since S/B FD is soooo boring but they have to execute theirs well, cheering for them! I just really hope someday they'll become consistent, maybe after last season we all saw what they were capable of and expected too much, I don't know. I just feel sad than even though S/K look really good this year and deserve their placements it seems everyone forgot about how awful the last season was and now many people are ready to bury I/Z after actually having less trouble than S/K did...

Exactly this!!

 

[Marta25]

:sad21: I wanted to check and then this time it's Elena, ugh they can't catch a break! As for positives it was not on an element, they looked better in hold than before and more secure. I wish they didn't change the lift, I don't like the new variation. Maybe tomorrow they'll go up since S/B FD is soooo boring but they have to execute theirs well, cheering for them! I just really hope someday they'll become consistent, maybe after last season we all saw what they were capable of and expected too much, I don't know. I just feel sad than even though S/K look really good this year and deserve their placements it seems everyone forgot about how awful the last season was and now many people are ready to bury I/Z after actually having less trouble than S/K did...

People are exaggerating as per usual, but I do think that they need some changes in their coaching. Their team has made some bad decisions this year, which will maybe cost them a spot on the Euros team. They should have changed that SD after realizing that the judges don`t appreciate it. If a team that has the ability to score close to 70, can`t even break 65 this year, it`s pretty clear that it is not working.

 

[MK's Winter]

People are exaggerating as per usual, but I do think that they need some changes in their coaching. Their team has made some bad decisions this year, which will maybe cost them a spot on the Euros team. They should have changed that SD after realizing that the judges don`t appreciate it. If a team that has the ability to score close to 70, can`t even break 65 this year, it`s pretty clear that it is not working.

In fairness it was appreciated at MO. Both programs were. There was not enough time between COC and COR. Making a big change before nationals could have been seen as costly.

 

[Tex]

The way I look at this season and last season for Elena and Ruslan is like that of a up and coming musical group where they put out a first album that is a big hit with that one top charting single (i.e. Carmen) which gets them accolades and tons of fans but then the sophomore album comes out and is not as much of a success. It's not as big of a success for a few reasons like they tried something different and didn't try and go for that pop single formula (i.e. traditional program, open skating, etc.) and tried to bring something new and original. The record industry call it a sophomore slump but I've also heard sophomore jinx/jitters. The thing is that just because it didn't chart well (i.e. Score well) doesn't mean it isn't a gem with some great music (i.e. programs), and over time more people will say this about their programs this sophomore year.

"Challenges are stepping stones to glory and facing them bravely is taking a step to move from mediocrity to honor."

Good luck to Elena and Ruslena!

 

[Marta25]

The way I look at this season and last season for Elena and Ruslan is like that of a up and coming musical group where they put out a first album that is a big hit with that one top charting single (i.e. Carmen) which gets them accolades and tons of fans but then the sophomore album comes out and is not as much of a success. It's not as big of a success for a few reasons like they tried something different and didn't try and go for that pop single formula (i.e. traditional program, open skating, etc.) and tried to bring something new and original. The record industry call it a sophomore slump but I've also heard sophomore jinx/jitters. The thing is that just because it didn't chart well (i.e. Score well) doesn't mean it isn't a gem with some great music (i.e. programs), and over time more people will say this about their programs this sophomore year.

"Challenges are stepping stones to glory and facing them bravely is taking a step to move from mediocrity to honor."

Good luck to Elena and Ruslena!

I hope you are right, because the thought that Elena Ilinykh, the best female ice dancer in the World, ends up with zero major titles is unbearable.