2017-2018 State of Russian Ice Dance

[NAOTMAA]

I think its admirable that B/S do try to do something different theme wise but it never seems to work out. Not only choreographically but performance wise as well and I think that's harmed and held them back quite a bit. Its been like that for a number of years you would think they would realize that by now. Especially after the 2014 Olympics where Bronze should have been theirs had it not been for their own self sabotage

 

[gmyers]

B/S Mummy arms (or Frankenstein arms) with blindness means only failure and is disaster. Needs to change.

 

[Cherry blossom]

I know the seniors are in a bit of a rut rn but the juniors look very promising.

 

[Sugarpova]

BTW, if the person that I heard commentating is really Elena, then she will be much better skater than commentator

actually I liekd her commentary
ofc it was clear she used notes & all but for a fist time commentator both her & Yulia I quite liked

Especially after the 2014 Olympics where Bronze should have been theirs had it not been for their own self sabotage

IK would have been hard to beat even without BS self sabotage the hype train was full on IK
stars just aligned @ the right time. (& unrelated probs but Katia being blond really didnt do them any favours tho She looks fab now)

Now, I`m curious to see how S/K will be scored at NHK. It looks like the Russian Fed is backing S/B as their future #1 and if they keep skating like this weekend, it will be hard to beat them for the 2nd Olympic spot.

as a huge fn of Sinkats I say that yeah they dont have a single chance (they blew it themselves over the years) They just need to skate clean this year & gain reputation again from scratch.
SB & BS are in the team for this year its pretty clear.

some of this thread tho still everyone is so confident to throw the word 'abuse' around:reye::disagree: poor Vika She's probably forced to post happy pictures on insta

 

[LittleLotte29]

actually I liekd her commentary
ofc it was clear she used notes & all but for a fist time commentator both her & Yulia I quite liked


IK would have been hard to beat even without BS self sabotage the hype train was full on IK
stars just aligned @ the right time. (& unrelated probs but Katia being blond really didnt do them any favours tho She looks fab now)


as a huge fn of Sinkats I say that yeah they dont have a single chance (they blew it themselves over the years) They just need to skate clean this year & gain reputation again from scratch.
SB & BS are in the team for this year its pretty clear.

some of this thread tho still everyone is so confident to throw the word 'abuse' around:reye::disagree: poor Vika She's probably forced to post happy pictures on insta

I found the way Elena speaks rather dull tbh. Or it's her voice maybe. Yulia's voice sounds much better, more confident and I think her tone is lower thus suits the TV more. Just IMO.
As for S/K Olympic chances - well, it's rather clear that it's about 0%. I only hope that S/B won't be Russia's no 1 for long. They have so many talented junior teams plus P/M now, plus highly probably promising pair Solovieva/Vlasenko (at least I hope so, they look very well for such a short partnership).

 

[bramweld]

B/S are just too comfortable pleasing everybody, always afraid to offend. The execution of their choreography for their SD is regrettable. If Zhulin were really interested in them I don't see how he could have given them that. This is their worst SD since they've worked with him. The blind woman FD has already been done much more interestingly and charmingly by Pechalat and Bourzat in 2011, when they also worked with Zhulin no less. Katya and Dima don't have much in the line of chemistry, so in fact the programs that he gave to SinKats would have been more appropriate for them, as they ahve the technical skills and maturity to handle those. They should have run out the door the moment they saw where the material was headed. The music choices alone should have been a huge RED FLAG. Its a bit sad actually, because I believe they're capable of much, much more than what Zhulin gave them this season. Their programs are not Olympic programs.

 

[Snow63]

I found the way Elena speaks rather dull tbh. Or it's her voice maybe. Yulia's voice sounds much better, more confident and I think her tone is lower thus suits the TV more. Just IMO.

I agree. Elena's commentary was SO undetailed and empty that it's not even funny. She tried to read something with monotonous voice she prepared about every team, but overall her comments were the same 'such a good team, they did good, they won there and here, they train with that coach, etc.' She gave out zero ice dance technical info, zero 'inside' knowledge, that's basically what I hoped to hear from her. Yulia on the other hand gave us more details.

 

[gmyers]

B/S are just too comfortable pleasing everybody, always afraid to offend. The execution of their choreography for their SD is regrettable. If Zhulin were really interested in them I don't see how he could have given them that. This is their worst SD since they've worked with him. The blind woman FD has already been done much more interestingly and charmingly by Pechalat and Bourzat in 2011, when they also worked with Zhulin no less. Katya and Dima don't have much in the line of chemistry, so in fact the programs that he gave to SinKats would have been more appropriate for them, as they ahve the technical skills and maturity to handle those. They should have run out the door the moment they saw where the material was headed. The music choices alone should have been a huge RED FLAG. Its a bit sad actually, because I believe they're capable of much, much more than what Zhulin gave them this season. Their programs are not Olympic programs.

This is strange as b/s is almost always offensive in some way or another. I am reading your statement as they are afraid to offend the powers that be in Russia. The desire to please the powers that be in Russia is destroying b/s and they should have moved to North American but then that be offensive.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

In other Russian ice dance news, it looks like the Shibs are still in Russia and were training with some of the younger Russian teams. Nikita Nazarov and others posted photos of practicing with the Shibs at Balashikha Arena in Balashikha, Russia.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BamCBcEACvr/?hl=en&taken-by=_nikita_nazarov_

Three more photos here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BamCh9SAADR/?hl=en&taken-by=katashinskaya

 

[Snow63]

some of this thread tho still everyone is so confident to throw the word 'abuse' around:reye::disagree: poor Vika She's probably forced to post happy pictures on insta

Yes, that's disturbing. No one knows nothing, but everyone are the first to judge.

I actually believe that Nikita and Victoria still have their chance. I don't see how Stepanova/Bukin can beat them in PCS internationally, so they need CONSISTENTLY get high TES and clean skates.

 

[coldblueeyes]

B/S are just too comfortable pleasing everybody, always afraid to offend. The execution of their choreography for their SD is regrettable. If Zhulin were really interested in them I don't see how he could have given them that. This is their worst SD since they've worked with him. The blind woman FD has already been done much more interestingly and charmingly by Pechalat and Bourzat in 2011, when they also worked with Zhulin no less. Katya and Dima don't have much in the line of chemistry, so in fact the programs that he gave to SinKats would have been more appropriate for them, as they ahve the technical skills and maturity to handle those. They should have run out the door the moment they saw where the material was headed. The music choices alone should have been a huge RED FLAG. Its a bit sad actually, because I believe they're capable of much, much more than what Zhulin gave them this season. Their programs are not Olympic programs.

Says who? You?
If they are going to the Olympics, their programs are Olympics programs. That's it.

 

[bramweld]

Says who? You?
If they are going to the Olympics, their programs are Olympics programs. That's it.

Yes, says me and yes they may be going to the Olympics, but Olympic quality programs they do not have. And yes, remember, this is my opinion and not a fact. But the fact that it touched a nerve in you so sharply, means, that you know I'm saying the truth.
SinKats FD and both programs from I/S are more impressive in terms of composition than theirs. They have been together some 17 years and they should be savvy enough to realize when they're being tossed under a bus. That's all I'm trying to say. They are the ones who are presenting themselves on Olympic ice, not Durnev and not Zhulin, so for once I would have liked it if they stood up for themselves and said, really? "I want better than this, so either we can get it from you or we can go elsewhere." That's what I'm talking about.

 

[Skater Boy]

I agree to a point. This team I think has so much more potential that with hard work they could be innnovative and glorious. Yes, technically all the Russian teams seem prone to errors. The Shibsibs may be the best technicians in the world and consistent. I don't think Russia will podium at the olympics and will be hard pressed for top 5. We have P/C, V/M, Shibs, Chock and Bates, Hubbell and Donahue, Weaver and Poje, C andL, G and P and Coomes and Buckland if the scoresfor their first outing are any signs who can beat them so top ten could even be an issue. That being said I assume 1 of the Russian teams will make the top ten.

 

[Marta25]

I think B/S will be at least in contention for the Olympic Bronze. If they will win it is another question, but I doubt that a Russian team won`t even make it to to the Top 5.

Anyway, Stepanova/Bukin really impressed me this weekend. I never was a fan of them, but this time they skated with a lot of confidence. Although I do admit that I cringe everytime the lyrics start

Sinitsina/Katsalapov and Zahorski/Guerreiro are going to skate this week in Minsk, while Loboda/Drozd are entered for Skate Canada. I really hope L/D`s coach has improved their FD since Lombardia.

 

[coldblueeyes]

Yes, says me and yes they may be going to the Olympics, but Olympic quality programs they do not have. And yes, remember, this is my opinion and not a fact. But the fact that it touched a nerve in you so sharply, means, that you know I'm saying the truth.
SinKats FD and both programs from I/S are more impressive in terms of composition than theirs. They have been together some 17 years and they should be savvy enough to realize when they're being tossed under a bus. That's all I'm trying to say. They are the ones who are presenting themselves on Olympic ice, not Durnev and not Zhulin, so for once I would have liked it if they stood up for themselves and said, really? "I want better than this, so either we can get it from you or we can go elsewhere." That's what I'm talking about.

I believe firmly on their programs, so no, it didn't touch a nerve, at least not regarding that.
Also, I could go into a discussion on how things always go back to Elena when it's you we're talking about, but I'd rather not.

 

[coldblueeyes]

I agree to a point. This team I think has so much more potential that with hard work they could be innnovative and glorious. Yes, technically all the Russian teams seem prone to errors. The Shibsibs may be the best technicians in the world and consistent. I don't think Russia will podium at the olympics and will be hard pressed for top 5. We have P/C, V/M, Shibs, Chock and Bates, Hubbell and Donahue, Weaver and Poje, C andL, G and P and Coomes and Buckland if the scoresfor their first outing are any signs who can beat them so top ten could even be an issue. That being said I assume 1 of the Russian teams will make the top ten.

I don't know where you get the idea that teams like Coomes and Buckland or Gilles and Poirier could even factor against B/S. They will fight with S/B at most, and that's debatable, depending on how well they will compete. P/C and V/M are on a league of their own, that's not up to discussion. However, none of the other teams demonstrated being above the other technically this year, considering that C/B and C/L are yet to compete. If anything, B/S got more lvl 4 on the steps than the Shibs already - but then we're going to discuss things about the panel and whatever, so we'll leave it at that.

 

[LittleLotte29]

I agree. Elena's commentary was SO undetailed and empty that it's not even funny. She tried to read something with monotonous voice she prepared about every team, but overall her comments were the same 'such a good team, they did good, they won there and here, they train with that coach, etc.' She gave out zero ice dance technical info, zero 'inside' knowledge, that's basically what I hoped to hear from her. Yulia on the other hand gave us more details.

Yes. By the way, what a wonderful example of the difference between "what we think skaters are" and "what skaters are", isn't it? Elena, who's allegedly emotional and energetic person turned out to be a dull commentator. On the contrary, Yulia, supposed to be shy and reticent, gave us much more interesting commentary.
Food for thought, no?

B/S are just too comfortable pleasing everybody, always afraid to offend. The execution of their choreography for their SD is regrettable. If Zhulin were really interested in them I don't see how he could have given them that. This is their worst SD since they've worked with him. The blind woman FD has already been done much more interestingly and charmingly by Pechalat and Bourzat in 2011, when they also worked with Zhulin no less. Katya and Dima don't have much in the line of chemistry, so in fact the programs that he gave to SinKats would have been more appropriate for them, as they ahve the technical skills and maturity to handle those. They should have run out the door the moment they saw where the material was headed. The music choices alone should have been a huge RED FLAG. Its a bit sad actually, because I believe they're capable of much, much more than what Zhulin gave them this season. Their programs are not Olympic programs.

SD was to be a classical latino, purely technical, not experimental at all. And so it is. You may not like it, I'm not a great fan either, but they are able to perform it well and there was a huge difference between their performances at Ondrej Nepela and at Rostelecom. So it works for them somehow.
As for FD, I personally like it, but to each his own I guess. However, I think it's the most elegant and the lightest of all their programs I've seen so far. And they are making it more and more watchable. Of course, it's still Russian drama and so on but at least it makes them stand out.
I think (my suspicions only) that there is kind of "conflict" between them and Zhulin - Zhulin would like to have a pair with a classical Russian style and they would like to do something more creative. So they met halfway.

 

[bramweld]

I believe firmly on their programs, so no, it didn't touch a nerve, at least not regarding that.
Also, I could go into a discussion on how things always go back to Elena when it's you we're talking about, but I'd rather not.

Okay, well let me restate with more clarity, of all the programs delivered at test skates, I found B/S's the least inspired. Especially when I consider their Chess SD, Crazy, AK etc. I was disappointed for them. Even with the questionable music choice from S/B they draw you in.

And yes, I own it I am a big fan of Lena, but I am not blind to when her material is bonkers or when she's over compensating. And frankly, IMHO, given the time that her and Shibnev have spent together, what they delivered at test skates was very good. So to each their own, I guess. After all, this is the Russian Ice Dance thread, so hey we're all free to discuss our favourites here, I imagine? And for future reference I also liked I/K but I also like the junior pair of Arina and Maxim

 

[Barb]

Yes. By the way, what a wonderful example of the difference between "what we think skaters are" and "what skaters are", isn't it? Elena, who's allegedly emotional and energetic person turned out to be a dull commentator. On the contrary, Yulia, supposed to be shy and reticent, gave us much more interesting commentary.
Food for thought, no?

The interviews that Yulia has given throughout her career have always been some of the most interesting for me, despite her age she always has something interesting and honest to say, so I am not surprised at all her good development as a commentator.

 

[Snow63]

Okay, well let me restate with more clarity, of all the programs delivered at test skates, I found B/S's the least inspired. Especially when I consider their Chess SD, Crazy, AK etc. I was disappointed for them. Even with the questionable music choice from S/B they draw you in.

I think we got your point first time you posted it You don't like them or their dances, you said it with different words even more times than you mentioned how good Elena Ilinykh and her dances are. By the way, aren't you the one who liked their Queen SD, and then 'Frida' FD, and even their Bollywood 'FD'? Not blind, huh?

To be honest, I don't like their SD very much either. But this FD is probably their best FD ever. I find it extremely well build, GOE awarding, beautifully choreographed and aesthetically pleasing. Much more pleasing than, for example, last 4 Elena Ilinykh's free dances with different partners. The strange thing though is that I really liked her and Ruslan's secret garden 'Apassionata' FD, while many people disliked it for being null and void.