Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[solani]

I wasn't able to follow the competition and I haven't watched it yet ... but you all tell me that they ended up in 4th position because Elena lost her bracelet? :hslap:
I'm obviously not strong enough for this kind of drama.

 

[bwayrose7]

I wasn't able to follow the competition and I haven't watched it yet ... but you all tell me that they ended up in 4th position because Elena lost her bracelet? :hslap:
I'm obviously not strong enough for this kind of drama.

By less than 0.2 points. I'm not great at reading protocols, but it looks like the judges propped up S/K in PCS just enough to get 3rd overall, even though I/Z still ended up 3rd in the FD even with the 1 point deduction.

 

[tvuckic16]

A point deduction for costume malfunction???

Oh, ffs... just... well....

take the jewelry and decorations off... not the first time this has happened to IZ (or IK)... the chances of getting a deduction because something has fallen on the ice are significantly higher than the benefit you will receive from wowing the judges with accessories.

At first someone had commented it was a lift deduction (I didn't watch live). I wouldn't have been thrilled, but would have felt better about them being 4th than due to a wardrobe malfunction!!

Headache...

 

[bwayrose7]

Thinking about it now, I do wonder: since the 3rd Euros spot is up to the Russian fed/officials/whoever, and I/Z did skate better than S/K, only ending up in 4th because of a stray bracelet, do you think they might take that into consideration? Or is it just a formality and S/K has the spot for sure?

 

[uhh]

Thinking about it now, I do wonder: since the 3rd Euros spot is up to the Russian fed/officials/whoever, and I/Z did skate better than S/K, only ending up in 4th because of a stray bracelet, do you think they might take that into consideration? Or is it just a formality and S/K has the spot for sure?

Technically, there is a selection committee who picks who goes, and in other disciplines previously they have skipped over skaters in favour of lower ranked ones - like 2013 men, Kovtun was 5th but was sent to Euros (and then Worlds) over Menshov & Gachinski. But he'd had a strong junior season & won the JGPF, and he had TAT in his corner pushing for his selection. And I just don't think there is anyone fighting like that for I/Z

 

[bramweld]

My takeaway. I/Z know they can beat Mr. and Mrs. Skinny, the we have too many coaches to number, couple. So take a good rest and begin planning their Olympic Games season. This season was very tough for them based on Lena's most recent interview, so let them recover and push forward.

 

[Spiral]

I'm curious, do you think it really is possible that they'll leave Russia? I mean, we on this board can talk about it all we like, but how likely is it that they'd go through with it, or even consider it? But I agree with you, Spiral, that it would be infinitely better to skate for a fed that actually tries to support them, rather than one that has dropped them. After 2018, the ice dance field is probably going to thin considerably on an international level, and if I/Z were in Kazakhstan, for instance, they could compete at 4CC instead of Euros, where the field is less crowded and less political.

I personally am not an insider and don’t know what their intentions are or whether it’s possible for them to leave Russia. Uhh wrote that the rules about representing another country have changed (see the quote below), and this gives me hope that they can do it. In fact, it’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.

Federations can't hold skaters for long periods any more, they have to give a legitimate reason for not releasing a team, and it can't be "we don't want to". They'd have to sit out a year from their last international competition. So if they switched now, they could compete again from the end of November 2017. But they couldn't go to then Olympics, because you can't have represented another country within 3 years of the games. Plus of course they'd need citizenship for the Olympics.

Reg. 4CC it’s less crowded because top skaters generally don’t go there, unlike Europeans, but that’s not the reason why I wish IZ would change countries. They need a federation that will support them instead of the other way around. Then they can defeat anybody anywhere. I hope to see them on Worlds and Olympic podiums. 4CC is just one of the competitions they’ll be able to go to if they skate for Kazakhstan.

By less than 0.2 points. I'm not great at reading protocols, but it looks like the judges propped up S/K in PCS just enough to get 3rd overall, even though I/Z still ended up 3rd in the FD even with the 1 point deduction.

Exactly! If it weren’t for that bracelet, the judges would have simply given them less PCS and GOE to ensure that they still end up fourth overall.

That’s why they need to leave that federation as soon as possible. If Rus Fed wouldn’t send them to Europeans for two seasons in a row, even though they placed higher at their first and only Worlds, even with a fall, than SB and SK without a fall, there’s no way it’ll send them to Olympics. With another Fed they could at least go to Worlds next year.

 

[Tex]

2016, you have been a hard year to experience. At the start of the season, I had these ridiculously high expectations for Ruslan and Elena. My expectations and reality clashed big time. For me, at the start of the season, they seemed seemed undertrained and less prepared compared to their other two seasons. Yes, there were injuries, illnesses, moving away from home to train, etc, but I still I expected more and maybe even demanded more.

Good for them for making greater strides with their consistency and making less errors than in their previous seasons. They didn't let their nerves get the best of them this season which I applaud them for big time Someone mentioned that Elena and Ruslan should take an "us against them" mentality for this next season which is good thought to ignite the fire and drive in them to get the results they and us Ruslena fans want. The woman scorned mentality Elena and even Rulsan had in their Carmen SD was perfection.

Here at Russian nationals, Ruslan really upped his performance level. His facial expressions in the SD were much improved and went really well with the music. This is still an area they both can continue to work on and improve. He and Elena need to take some acting and improv classes/workshops to learn to how to feed off each other better and connect with their characters more. They could even learn about acting from Dustin Hoffman and Kevin Spacey on that Masterclass website I would also recommend watching tons of dance and even skating routines of other couples to study and learn from.

As far as next year, they could start going to Salsa/Bachata clubs as part of their preparation for next year's short dance to get they feel of these dance styles. I figure they will have Najarro choreograph the SD. Is it too early to start making music suggestions for next year's programs?

For FDs, I'm still campaigning for a Victorian Gothic dance to the music from Penny Dreadful. There are themes in the show that I think they can bring to life brilliantly on the ice. There's a great waltz aptly titled "Melting Waltz." https://youtu.be/-I6HjBHQoTM
Some of the other music I love from this TV show include:
https://youtu.be/9ywQNtbK580 (I could see a footwork sequence with this music)
https://youtu.be/5OgHJV1I-x4 (I can see fierce facial expressions from Elena here)
https://youtu.be/8yr_DXz54ok
https://youtu.be/SNbfAdwXhcY (I love this song Back Hand of God especially starting at 1:18 marker)
https://youtu.be/eZAfy4gL6_A
I wouldn't mind a Sherlock and Irene Adler FD either. Whatever they choose, I hope they delve deep into researching it like watching all 3 seasons of Penny Dreadful, reading Gothic novels like Frankenstein, watching gothic movies, reading about Victorian times, looking at the clothing/costumes of that time, etc.

Does anyone know who designs and makes their costumes? The only costumes I have really like we're the Carmen SD ones (Ruslan looked very handsome in his tux this season, but it didn't really fit the blues music for me). They're costumes aren't awful, but they don't add anything to the programs and the beauty that is Ruslena. I will gladly send them an idea board of costumes for next year's programs

Will we see a Frida exhibition at RN? I hope so!

 

[bramweld]

Just goes to show that Igor isn't all that and a bag of chips. To this day I miss the true novelty that was zlobina and sotnikov. First they were robbed of their identity and next they suffered a career ending injury. Look it even Madison and Evan struggling these last two seasons. Yes, I know they had to go their separate ways but separately Igor and Marina are no match for the team they used to be. Ruslena did great this Nationals primarily due to their current coaching staff so I hope they remain and continue to progress. Really like what I saw these last two days. And bring me back some Najarro.

 

[Marta25]

What it shows, IMO, that it really depends on the team if a group training approach works or not. Some teams just need a more individual approach like IZ or even Hawayek/Baker, who made huge improvements once they became #1 at DSC.

Regarding their programs, I hope they will choose Samba as one of their rhythms. They have the energy and personality to pull it off. Batucada is a lot of fun, but it was quiet overused back in 2012. As their FD, my hope is that they will finally use a classic. For me it`s hard to imagine that anything could suit them better than Carmen, but they already used it as a Short Dance. Maybe Danse Macabre, the young prince and princess or Notre Dame de Paris could work for them.

 

[bramweld]

What it shows, IMO, that it really depends on the team if a group training approach works or not. Some teams just need a more individual approach like IZ or even Hawayek/Baker, who made huge improvements once they became #1 at DSC.

Regarding their programs, I hope they will choose Samba as one of their rhythms. They have the energy and personality to pull it off. Batucada is a lot of fun, but it was quiet overused back in 2012. As their FD, my hope is that they will finally use a classic. For me it`s hard to imagine that anything could suit them better than Carmen, but they already used it as a Short Dance. Maybe Danse Macabre, the young prince and princess or Notre Dame de Paris could work for them.

I like this for them as well but I'm just excited to see their progress, if this Nationals is any indication.

Dance Macabre is so depressing though. They might truly hurt each other before test skates.

 

[Abraxis12345]

Oh, I definitely agree they need to continue developing! And maybe don't wear so much jewelry on the ice? But the likelihood is high that Virtue/Moir, Weaver/Poje, and maybe Chock/Bates will step away after the Olympics, and Canada at least doesn't have much second-tier depth at the moment, meaning there would be a vacuum for teams from other countries to slip in.

Thoughts on what else I/Z can be doing? I've heard some say that they need to work on their training habits, but that seems to also often be mentioned in conjunction with Lena's weight, so I'm not sure how to take that.

Weight gain and improper training habits go hand in hand. There's no denying Elena came back from America looking a lot bigger, and even her FSO mouthpiece said Kustarova had a personal trainer waiting for her. I don't know if it's 10 kilos like TAT and Vaitsekhovskaya are saying, but Vaitsekhovskaya said the weight gain was so out of control that Igor wouldn't let them train new lifts. And considering they have only one new lift, I think she was telling the truth.

And no, weight lifting exercises alone will not make you bulky. The Tracy Anderson "lifting more than 3lbs makes you look like an East German swimmer" bs has been debunked by just about every competent personal trainer. There's a girl in my weight training class who is built like Sinitsina and deadlifts 150lbs with ease. You gain the bulk if you are also packing calories. If anything, weight lifting increases your metabolism and helps you lose weight.

 

[bramweld]

Weight gain and improper training habits go hand in hand. There's no denying Elena came back from America looking a lot bigger, and even her FSO mouthpiece said Kustarova had a personal trainer waiting for her. I don't know if it's 10 kilos like TAT and Vaitsekhovskaya are saying, but Vaitsekhovskaya said the weight gain was so out of control that Igor wouldn't let them train new lifts. And considering they have only one new lift, I think she was telling the truth.

And no, weight lifting exercises alone will not make you bulky. The Tracy Anderson "lifting more than 3lbs makes you look like an East German swimmer" bs has been debunked by just about every competent personal trainer. There's a girl in my weight training class who is built like Sinitsina and deadlifts 150lbs with ease. You gain the bulk if you are also packing calories. If anything, weight lifting increases your metabolism and helps you lose weight.

Please gather your belongings and go to the appropriate forum to discuss Lena's weight. What is the objective here to fat shame the girl? Well fortunately this is out of place in a fan thread.

 

[uhh]

Weight gain and improper training habits go hand in hand. There's no denying Elena came back from America looking a lot bigger, and even her FSO mouthpiece said Kustarova had a personal trainer waiting for her. I don't know if it's 10 kilos like TAT and Vaitsekhovskaya are saying, but Vaitsekhovskaya said the weight gain was so out of control that Igor wouldn't let them train new lifts. And considering they have only one new lift, I think she was telling the truth.

And no, weight lifting exercises alone will not make you bulky. The Tracy Anderson "lifting more than 3lbs makes you look like an East German swimmer" bs has been debunked by just about every competent personal trainer. There's a girl in my weight training class who is built like Sinitsina and deadlifts 150lbs with ease. You gain the bulk if you are also packing calories. If anything, weight lifting increases your metabolism and helps you lose weight.

Depends on the body type. If I do lots of weights I look a lot bulkier because I have broad shoulders anyway. And weight loss isn't the only answer - Tanith got so skinny she didn't have the strength to do lifts. Elena has a naturally stocky build & is never going to be a waif. There have been times when she hasn't looked in peak condition, but to get down to the weight that some people seem to want her at she'd have to develop an eating disorder. Even when she was a teenager and doing Don Q & Swan Lake people on FSO were screaming that her bum was too big for a tutu, when there wasn't a scrap of extra weight on her.

 

[Alba]

Weight gain and improper training habits go hand in hand. There's no denying Elena came back from America looking a lot bigger, and even her FSO mouthpiece said Kustarova had a personal trainer waiting for her. I don't know if it's 10 kilos like TAT and Vaitsekhovskaya are saying, but Vaitsekhovskaya said the weight gain was so out of control that Igor wouldn't let them train new lifts. And considering they have only one new lift, I think she was telling the truth.

And no, weight lifting exercises alone will not make you bulky. The Tracy Anderson "lifting more than 3lbs makes you look like an East German swimmer" bs has been debunked by just about every competent personal trainer. There's a girl in my weight training class who is built like Sinitsina and deadlifts 150lbs with ease. You gain the bulk if you are also packing calories. If anything, weight lifting increases your metabolism and helps you lose weight.

Please, tell us how you really feel about her.

 

[Mattieu]

Please, tell us how you really feel about her.

Ha Ha
Though I am glad though that someone is facing reality on this forum!
Yes, it's OK to love Elena and Ruslan, but we should not be blind to the reality of the situation.
Fact, Elena got fat, but equally fact, she is taking steps to lose the weight for which no one is giving her credit.
She has already lost a lot of weight since her first GP.
I seem to be the only one to have noticed that she was looking slimmer at these championships even than at her last competition.
If she keeps this up, she will be back in shape very quickly, which if it makes me happy, must be making her very happy indeed!

Sod the skating, I just want the beautiful Elena back again!

 

[Spiral]

Elena gave a brief interview after the FD: "This was definitely our best skate in the season. We spent a lot of time preparing for it, changed some things. Of course, it was difficult to switch back to our system [of training], but I think we've done the maximum we could. One always thinks one could do a lot more than one has done. It was difficult to start the season, a totally different atmosphere, different skaters. I think it was rather difficult for us to get on there. when we came back, although we hadn't planned for it, we realized that nowhere are we loved as much as here! In our situation it's an enormous plus, when people stand behind us with all they've got, when they are ready for absolutely everything for you. I think in our situation the return was the best thing that could have happened to us. Now [I feel] a general emptiness [inside]. The world is cruel and unjust, in my subjective opinion, as is this sport [fs]. From everything one should draw some conclusions, work more, as usual. It's all an athlete can do in this situation. An athlete has no influence whatsoever on the politics of sport, I don't know, if it's to the better or to the worse. It makes us stronger. I think we should simply train more."

Here's the link: http://rsport.ru/figure_skating/20161223/1114194865.html

It's the first time she speak openly in an interview about cruelty, injustice and politicking, and I'm glad she's brave enough to bring it into the open. Usually skaters try to be polite in interviews, thinking that criticizing powers that be will make them act even worse towards them. So it seems to me that Elena thinks that they have nothing to lose now. This makes me think that they might be ready to break it off with Rus Fed. As she says, one has to draw some conclusions from everything, and obviously it can't be just about practicing more. Naturally they can't say anything more now.

On the other hand, when she says that working more is all an athlete can do in this situation, that they should simply train more, and talks about feeling of emptiness inside, I wonder if I'm being overly optimistic, and Rus Fed can behave like a dog in a manger: neither let them go, nor treat them fairly. Also right before the Nationals Elena posted a photo of herself with a church in the background with the caption: "We live by faith alone." It's understandable that she didn't expect anything from these Nationals, but reading this fresh interview, I can't get rid of the feeling of hopelessness either.

Do you think my attempt to read between the lines in a hopeful way is justified, or I'm just deluding myself, and the hopeless literal interpretation is what's called for here?

And, as usual, some pics from fans:
FD: http://instaliga.com/ru/ilinykh_zhiganshin_official/1411853900616988826_1564688883
Poster with words: "Everything's possible. The impossible just takes more time. We believe in you." https://www.instagram.com/p/BOZ9nifAKAG/?taken-by=julbka_
Collage: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOYNzHBA7uv/?taken-by=julbka_

And, again, it seems to me that arguing with trolls makes them come back again and again, ad infinitum, with the same insinuations, like a broken record. I think that's what the ignore button is for. I think that trolls are like naughty kids who'll keep repeating the same trick as long as they get a reaction, any reaction.

ht tp://rsport. ru/figure_skating/20161223/1114194865.html
ht tp://instaliga. com/ru/ilinykh_zhiganshin_official/1411853900616988826_1564688883
ht tps://www.instagram. com/p/BOZ9nifAKAG/?taken-by=julbka_
ht tps://www.instagram. com/p/BOYNzHBA7uv/?taken-by=julbka_

 

[Marta25]

It`s pretty obvious what the Russian Fed is doing since last season, there is only so much Elena and Ruslan can take. I hope they find the strength to fight back.
I was actually surprised that they received so high PCS during the GP. Judges must really like them, because they are certainly not getting those scores thanks to the Russian Fed.

 

[bwayrose7]

It`s pretty obvious what the Russian Fed is doing since last season, there is only so much Elena and Ruslan can take. I hope they find the strength to fight back.
I was actually surprised that they received so high PCS during the GP. Judges must really like them, because they are certainly not getting those scores thanks to the Russian Fed.

As far as I can tell, international judges seem to like them and have since their first season together, and seem to want to score them higher if they can avoid fluke mistakes (ie tripping over nothing). I genuinely cannot figure out why the fed supports S/K instead. S/B, at least, I can understand: while not exactly World champions in the making, they have developed a reputation for consistency, and that's what Russian dance needs right now.

Is there anything Elena and Ruslan can do to "fight back?" I fear that a blocked attempt to leave Russia would make things worse, and all the popularity and good press in the world doesn't seem to do anything for them (one silly metric: look at how huge this thread is, compared with those for almost any other skater/team on this board). They had good programs this year, especially once they polished them up, but that didn't seem to help either.

 

[ppoison]

https://www.sports.ru/figure-skating/1046904201

According to this, Ruslena are being sent to the Universiade, which will be in Almaty. I hope they can put two clean performances together and break the 98 curse