2016-17 State of Russian Ice Dance

[Mattieu]

Sinitsina and Katsalapov have been seen at the rink of Zhulin according to a very reliable source.
How strange Zhulin would take Nikita back after some of the things he said about I/K when they left.
Desperate times for both Zhulin and Nikita it seems to be.

 

[gmyers]

Maybe they're showing happiness at B/S's third place in the free dance?

I just think that would be strange because they are punishing pogorilaya for a 4/15 but are rewarding bobrova for 8/3. Both skaters bombed a program even if it might be better to bomb a sp now than fs. And unlike bobrova pogorilaya wasn't an only hope.

 

[bramweld]

Sinitsina and Katsalapov have been seen at the rink of Zhulin according to a very reliable source.
How strange Zhulin would take Nikita back after some of the things he said about I/K when they left.
Desperate times for both Zhulin and Nikita it seems to be.

Or he simply needs a new project considering B/S may retire after this season..What's there to lose?

 

[uhh]

Which rink is Zhulin at now? Wasn't he at Novogorsk at one point, which is a centre for lots of coaches? And where is Tchaikovskaya based, as she gave an interview not 2 weeks ago sounding like she is still coaching them? I would be very surprised if Zhulin took them considering that a) after 2011 he said he would never work with Nikita again, and b) he already has 3 top senior teams and no major assistant coach now that Volkov is gone. It would be strange imo for S/K & B/S to be happy to be training together when they are fighting over an Olympic spot.

 

[Mattieu]

Which rink is Zhulin at now? Wasn't he at Novogorsk at one point, which is a centre for lots of coaches? And where is Tchaikovskaya based, as she gave an interview not 2 weeks ago sounding like she is still coaching them? I would be very surprised if Zhulin took them considering that a) after 2011 he said he would never work with Nikita again, and b) he already has 3 top senior teams and no major assistant coach now that Volkov is gone. It would be strange imo for S/K & B/S to be happy to be training together when they are fighting over an Olympic spot.

However bizarre it seems, the fact is that S/K have been seen training at Zhulin's rink. So clearly Zhulin has accepted Nikita back.

Which makes me feel sorry for the other 3 Senior teams, if Zhulin is going to focus his attention on S/K

 

[Ice Dance]

If he has taken them in, it is a good thing. (It's not any good having talent meandering around the universe). Just as it was a good thing for Zoueva to take them in in the first place. And as it is a good thing for Dubreil & Lauzon to have taken in three top teams. All of whom are scoring quite a bit higher than two of Zhulin's teams. "Top" is being used pretty loosely here, isn't it? Zahorsky & Guerreiro and Hurtado & Khaliavin are teams with potential, but neither is top ten in the World. With the speed they have, Sinitsina & Katsalapov should be. And haven't been this season. It's anyone's guess how all these teams will develop. It seems pretty clear that Bobrova & Soloviev are Zhulin's top team for the season. After that, we'll see. We'll see if all three teams go another four years, for one. Zhulin lost Agafanova & Ucar and Nazarova & Nikitin so there should be room at the rink. I'm a bit surprised, but mostly at the timing. I figured Zhulin would wind up with one of the split teams after next season.

 

[bramweld]

Mattieu, these are desperate times indeed for Russian ice dance. All top teams outside of Russia for the most part sent their B teams to the WTT, Russia on the other hand sends B/S. The Shibs, V/M and P/C are all recuperating from this season and building strategy for next season. Does anyone else besides me find the lack of foresight and strategic planning in Russian ID laughable? You just can't make this stuff up. Personally, I'll wait patiently for the official news from all top 5 couples. Let's see.

 

[uhh]

However bizarre it seems, the fact is that S/K have been seen training at Zhulin's rink. So clearly Zhulin has accepted Nikita back.

Which makes me feel sorry for the other 3 Senior teams, if Zhulin is going to focus his attention on S/K

"Zhulin's rink" doesn't mean Zhulin's team. Lots of coaches share rinks, which is why I was asking where Tchaikovskaya is currently based.

And leaving aside what people think the level of H/K & Z/G is, I'm still struggling to see a situation where B/S are happy with their coach taking on direct national competitors in an Olympic season, or S/K thinking that going to a coach where they will be at best 2nd in line is a good idea. But then again, they've burnt bridges with everyone else.

 

[bsfan]

Sinitsina and Katsalapov have been seen at the rink of Zhulin according to a very reliable source.
How strange Zhulin would take Nikita back after some of the things he said about I/K when they left.
Desperate times for both Zhulin and Nikita it seems to be.

From outsider's view, I think that leaving Zhulin and moving to Morozov in 2011 was the worst thing Katsalapov did to I/K team. Maybe it made sense if one knew all the situation.

 

[bramweld]

From outsider's view, I think that leaving Zhulin and moving to Morozov in 2011 was the worst thing Katsalapov did to I/K team. Maybe it made sense if one knew all the situation.

I don't even know what to think anymore.

 

[Mattieu]

Having been less than impressed by the programs Zhulin gave his teams this season (excepting H/K), I can't wait to see what craptacular program he gives Nikita next season.
4 seasons greatest hits medley FD?

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Nice to see S/K managed to get out of purgatory aka Tchaikovskaya.

 

[madison]

However bizarre it seems, the fact is that S/K have been seen training at Zhulin's rink. So clearly Zhulin has accepted Nikita back.

Which makes me feel sorry for the other 3 Senior teams, if Zhulin is going to focus his attention on S/K

I hoped Zhulin will focus on Tiff and John after 2018:shocked:
One of the latest Sinitsina's post in Instagram was from Megasport Arena... i dont think Zhulin trains there though.

And what about Elena and Ruslan? Any news?

 

[coldblueeyes]

Zhulin does stupid things every now and again, but the possibility of having a team with potential for the next cycle is not bad. He wouldn't throw B/S to the gutter now, especially because it's Russia's only chance at a medal elsewhere, but Z/G haven't shown any chance of moving up, and Zhulin needs a team with a chance of surpassing S/B after the Olympics.

 

[Marta25]

The Russian Fed usually makes an announcement at the end of the season who is getting funding, any coaching changes and releases to other countries. So we will find out soon if there is any truth about this coaching change. If this is true Zhulin would be the 4th coach in 3 seasons for them.

 

[Anyasnake]

Somehow S/K make me think that they don't want to skate anymore when I watch them, they look ... elsewhere. Almost as if the fire/light was gone. Okay, you are talented but something is missing big time. It's a bit sad to watch. :disapp:
I wish they would train in a good environment. When you see the the people from Montreal, they almost puke rainbows. When D/W and V/M where training mates, it wasn't perhaps the most friendly place BUT the skating was just insane when you push each other like that.
I'll understand if Zhulin wants to take them. He wants the 2 russian spots with him that's absolutely normal. But more Anna Karenine and less creepy 4 seasons please.

 

[Barb]

Somehow S/K make me think that they don't want to skate anymore when I watch them, they look ... elsewhere. Almost as if the fire/light was gone. Okay, you are talented but something is missing big time. It's a bit sad to watch. :disapp:
I wish they would train in a good environment. When you see the the people from Montreal, they almost puke rainbows. When D/W and V/M where training mates, it wasn't perhaps the most friendly place BUT the skating was just insane when you push each other like that.
I'll understand if Zhulin wants to take them. He wants the 2 russian spots with him that's absolutely normal. But more Anna Karenine and less creepy 4 seasons please.

They had a good enviroment in Canton and they did not know how to take advantage of it. At first people were trying to be friendly with them https://www.instagram.com/p/oSA-4pQm_O/?taken-by=alexshibutani. We all know that Nikita is the problem.

 

[Abraxis12345]

Zhulin was the only coach who wouldn't pander to Nikita's ego, so I can see him as being a last resort to get Nikita to shape up

 

[Mattieu]

Zhulin was the only coach who wouldn't pander to Nikita's ego, so I can see him as being a last resort to get Nikita to shape up

It didn't work out too well last time though?

 

[Marta25]

It didn't work out too well last time though?

He was very young back then and he and Elena were considered to be future stars, while his partnership with Viktoria has been struggling a lot lately.
Honestly, I had the hope that Zhulin would take over Shpilevaya/Smirnov after next season. I fear they will be stuck forever behind Stepanova/Bukin if they stay with Svinin.