Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[uhh]

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.

I think you are right, and it's not a kneejerk reaction, it's been my concern with Kustarova & team from the start. They are really good at putting teams together, but I'm not sure that they can then develop them into world beaters. There have been some poor choices in programs/costumes etc this year - sometimes the coach has to say no, we just need to do a classic waltz that hits the requirements and then go all out on the FD for the creativity. In general I feel like they tried for too much this year, they stretched themselves too far and so the mistakes creep in. I don't say this with any joy because the whole coaching team is clearly full of lovely people who did a fantastic job at the start, and it would be hard for them to lose another top team. But I'm not sure they are making the right decisions for I/Z at the moment and it's dangerous to stay and risk losing further ground.

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.

I couldn't bear it. I'd almost rather she walked away completely than had a career of mediocre results.

 

[bsfan]

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.

They probably should have gone for a true international event instead of MO. They need more strategy. Keeping SD after COR doesn't yield a good result either, compared to making big changes which might make a difference.

 

[bramweld]

That was the weakest performance they've given of this dance all season. Why was Lena so nervous, I've never seen her sooo lacking in confidence. It's almost as though she was afraid to succeed. Something is wrong here. I hope they can address it soon because that was the silliest mistake I've ever seen them make and maybe the costliest.

 

[tvuckic16]

I think you are right, and it's not a kneejerk reaction, it's been my concern with Kustarova & team from the start. They are really good at putting teams together, but I'm not sure that they can then develop them into world beaters. There have been some poor choices in programs/costumes etc this year - sometimes the coach has to say no, we just need to do a classic waltz that hits the requirements and then go all out on the FD for the creativity. In general I feel like they tried for too much this year, they stretched themselves too far and so the mistakes



I couldn't bear it. I'd almost rather she walked away completely than had a career of mediocre results.

Gees, I don't think we're to that point people.

Most importantly, I think, they just need to skate clean. Programs, strategy, sure, all that helps, but ultimately you just need to skate clean. I personally see that as their biggest image problem.

They can be the most talented, the most everything but if you are going to fall at every competition it's not going to help.

 

[sunn1ly]

I want as present for Christmas from Ruslena at least an EU spot .

 

[Marta25]

I couldn't bear it. I'd almost rather she walked away completely than had a career of mediocre results.

The frustrating thing is that it is not because she hasn`t a worthy partner. I know there are still people who believe that Ruslan isn`t good enough for her, but I think he absolutely has the potential to become European, World and yes even Olympic Champion. But they have to make better decisions in the future. My wish is that they can all achieve this with Kustarova, but if she can`t bring them to that level, they need to leave, which I`m really sad about. From Elena`s interviews it sounded like Kustarova helped her a lot to overcome the split with Nikita and she is coaching Ruslan since his junior days, so there seems to be a very strong bond. Whatever happens tomorrow I hope Elena and Ruslan make the right decision for themselves.

 

[bramweld]

The frustrating thing is that it is not because she hasn`t a worthy partner. I know there are still people who believe that Ruslan isn`t good enough for her, but I think he absolutely has the potential to become European, World and yes even Olympic Champion. But they have to make better decisions in the future. My wish is that they can all achieve this with Kustarova, but if she can`t bring them to that level, they need to leave, which I`m really sad about. From Elena`s interviews it sounded like Kustarova helped her a lot to overcome the split with Nikita and she is coaching Ruslan since his junior days, so there seems to be a very strong bond. Whatever happens tomorrow I hope Elena and Ruslan make the right decision for themselves.

Lena may just be putting up a very good front. Maybe they need a coach and a psychologist who can help Lena better control her emotions or maybe it's just a matter of time. Also having SinKats skate to Swan Lake before them and waiting through all the applause may have made her think too hard about it. I think she's been trying too hard to be brave and maybe she should just have herself a good long cry. Maybe not making the team this season might be helpful for them.

For a team as talented as I/Z they're making too many mistakes and they need to look into that carefully.

 

[tvuckic16]

Lena may just be putting up a very good front. Maybe they need a coach and a psychologist who can help Lena better control her emotions or maybe it's just a matter of time. Also having SinKats skate to Swan Lake before them and waiting through all the applause may have made her think too hard about it. I think she's been trying too hard to be brave and maybe she should just have herself a good long cry. Maybe not making the team this season might be helpful for them.

For a team as talented as I/Z they're making too many mistakes and they need to look into that carefully.

I don't know that we should blame Sinkats. Sinkats were not there at Euros and Worlds last year.

However, I do think all three teams are under a lot of pressure from the Fed.

 

[bramweld]

I don't know that we should blame Sinkats. Sinkats were not there at Euros and Worlds last year.

However, I do think all three teams are under a lot of pressure from the Fed.

No one is blaming SinKats for their choices what's done is done. Though the choice of Swan Lake was hurtful, Lena just had to deal with it. What I'm saying is Lena may not have completely rid herself of the aftermaths of so public a rejection/humiliation. And maybe she might need to talk it through with a professional. That skate was weak and nervous from start to finish and I am sure they're well trained. I'm absolutely certain they've done it 100 times better in practice. So I'm thinking the problem could be more mental than physical.

In short it's complicated. I think getting away from the pressures of training in Russia could do them a world of good.

 

[bramweld]

Whoa, I just looked at the leader board, S/K were given over 73 points? Wow. Now I see what got to Lena, forget my previous post, the poor girl was just reeling from the pressure of it all. Nerves. I hope they can deal with it though because they're a delightful pair. :sad21:

TBH, what do I really know.

 

[bwayrose7]

: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!! NHK last year, anyone? That was disastrous, and more than that, I felt it showed a fundamental difference between the two partnerships. When Elena slipped (at Euros IIRC) and cut Ruslan's leg and nearly fell, they got right back up literally; when they've stumbled this year, you see them trying to help each other and comfort each other. When S/K had their disasters last year, they couldn't even look at each other. Maybe that's just overanalysis on my part, but I feel like a partnership that's trusting from the get-go is going to yield better long-term results than one that plays the blame game. I/Z hasn't had a disaster, just some unfortunate mistakes, and I for one fully think they can get to Euros and try to earn that Worlds spot.

 

[bramweld]

Well even with the fall they're just what 7 points out of first and 2 points out of third. It could happen. It ain't over till the FD. :handw:

 

[tvuckic16]

Exactly!! NHK last year, anyone? That was disastrous, and more than that, I felt it showed a fundamental difference between the two partnerships. When Elena slipped (at Euros IIRC) and cut Ruslan's leg and nearly fell, they got right back up literally; when they've stumbled this year, you see them trying to help each other and comfort each other. When S/K had their disasters last year, they couldn't even look at each other. Maybe that's just overanalysis on my part, but I feel like a partnership that's trusting from the get-go is going to yield better long-term results than one that plays the blame game. I/Z hasn't had a disaster, just some unfortunate mistakes, and I for one fully think they can get to Euros and try to earn that Worlds spot.

I don't think this is a disaster...no. I am angry that SB are currently ahead but I don't think they will be in the end.

I guess it is a bit disappointing since they did so well last year and as I keep saying...that they keep making errors. But, this is certainly not the end of the world.

I think the pressure on the ice dance teams this year to recover the three spots. BS got scolded by Karponosov after the GPF...I can only imagine what the Fed is telling IZ... pressure galore...

 

[tulosai]

I have to be honest and say I'm disgusted, about quite a few things. My hope for them is for a clean free dance.

I do think that what must be addressed most urgently is their inability to put 2 clean programs out there. I do think this is greatly hurting them , their reputation, their chances, and their confidence.

 

[bramweld]

I have to be honest and say I'm disgusted, about quite a few things. My hope for them is for a clean free dance.

I do think that what must be addressed most urgently is their inability to put 2 clean programs out there. I do think this is greatly hurting them , their reputation, their chances, and their confidence.

Maybe we just all need to get a grip, if we're this nervous for them I can only imagine what it must be like for them.

 

[solani]

I only got the chance to watch the SP now and I did that after reading the comments in the forum about it and because of the comments I expected a complete mess. It wasn't. I think that they recovered really well from that silly fall going into the twizzles like that. I saw a lot of improvement in the SP (speed, free leg extention, things like that). I think it's admirable that they were able to keep the performance level up after that fall.
Sometimes a silly fall is only a silly fall and it's no good to interpret more into it, because that will only make things worse. I think the fall right at the beginning affected the judges negatively and it's understandable. A first bad impression is never good. Considering that the score wasn't that bad. And I think the judges have to lower the SS score if there is a fall. I don't doubt that they will at least finish in 3rd place today. But I'll keep my fingers crossed that they'll be able to give a inspired performance.

 

[tvuckic16]

I am not concerned. That is not to say that IZ don't need to get their heads in the game and stop making errors like they have since Euros of last year. They still have time to pull it together this season before a reputation of inconsistency becomes synonymous with them...

 

[MK's Winter]

I only got the chance to watch the SP now and I did that after reading the comments in the forum about it and because of the comments I expected a complete mess. It wasn't. I think that they recovered really well from that silly fall going into the twizzles like that. I saw a lot of improvement in the SP (speed, free leg extention, things like that). I think it's admirable that they were able to keep the performance level up after that fall. Sometimes a silly fall is only a silly fall and it's no good to interpret more into it, because that will only make things worse. I think the fall right at the beginning affected the judges negatively and it's understandable. A first bad impression is never good. Considering that the score wasn't that bad. And I think the judges have to lower the SS score if there is a fall. I don't doubt that they will at least finish in 3rd place today. But I'll keep my fingers crossed that they'll be able to give a inspired performance.

It's not so much that her mistake was small but that it keeps happening, whether it's Ruslan or Elena. I can understand nerves being crowned Russia's number 1 last year, just like we did not expect it, I don't think they did either. And with that comes pressure. I also think there is a psychological factor- that they both need to work on. While it's no ones business what skaters do in their personal life, it's not uncommon to see Elena up late posting on VK. With strong training you need a strong routine, one that includes rest and a focus. And don't get me wrong- I truly believe they work hard, but you have to be all in or nothing. I love this team so much- they have a potential in them that I don't believe any other team has. They skate with heart and soul and are creative, original. I have not seen that in dance for sometime. Elena and Ruslan have "it", they have a wow factor, and a fire that so many people have come to love. I believe in them, this season have been up and down so far but they can pull it together.. I also love Kustrova and Aleva as coaches but there has to be a redirect there. They need to listen to the Fed and judges when given advice and part of me feels like, they will give I/Z reign because they do not want to lose them as a team. But they are the coaches and they need to keep it real.

 

[bramweld]

If she continues to make these silly mistakes people will begin to believe Katsalapov's case more and more. I think she lacks real discipline. You need that to be competitive in ID. If she doesn't have the heart for it she needs to walk away and allow Ruslan to find a more stable partner.

Don't get me wrong I love this girl. And it pains me to say this. But today's mistake was just too costly and just seemed too flippant. I think I would have empathized more if she cried or even looked disappointed the way Yuka does when she knows she's tried her hardest and failed. Ruslan has worked so hard this season, I think its only fair that she be a bit more focused and concentrated when she skates. Because what she does has consequences for him too.

 

[Bumdid]

If she continues to make these silly mistakes people will begin to believe Katsalapov's case more and more. I think she lacks real discipline. You need that to be competitive in ID. If she doesn't have the heart for it she needs to walk away and allow Ruslan to find a more stable partner.

Don't get me wrong I love this girl. And it pains me to say this. But today's mistake was just too costly and just seemed too flippant. I think I would have empathized more if she cried or even looked disappointed the way Yuka does when she knows she's tried her hardest and failed. Ruslan has worked so hard this season, I think its only fair that she be a bit more focused and concentrated when she skates. Because what she does has consequences for him too.

This quote doesn't ring well to me because Ruslan has made his fair share of mistakes too. Honestly, at least her fall is not on some element. Ruslan's falls at COR basically invalidate their whole element. They're only 2 points below the other skaters. We should all see what happened at the end of the competition before proclaiming the end of the world for them.