2016-17 State of Russian Ice Dance

[gmyers]

If there's any Russian team that should be sent to Dubreil and Lauzon, it should be Tiffany and Jon. One, there will be no whatsoever language barrier as they're both fluent in English. She's fluent in French too. Two, Zhulin's vision is not doing them any wonders. Three, wouldn't it be nice to see a Russian team compete with Montreal-style programs? It would surely be a breath of fresh air.

Both are used to adapting to new countries too! lol. If they don't want to send a jr team a more advanced but not top senior team who also wants 2022 could be good.

 

[tulosai]

Elena and Nikita are better together than apart, on the ice at least. He's an idiot, and he should issue her a public apology. He doesn't have to take out a billboard or anything, a simple interview admitting he made a mistake would be a start. Elena made her mistakes but she's no worse than he is. She didn't deserve to be thrown to the dogs the way she was. So,even if this is true, in order to make the Olympic team in 2018 they would have to have one stellar season, I mean, complete consistency which is something that they haven't ever done. That's a lot of pressure on a precarious partnership. Nikita has technical problems that top coaches have not been able to fix and they both have psychological issues that leech into their skating. They would need to do a lot of work with a sport psychologist (does Russia have those?)to help salvage their working relationship. Unless they are getting back together, laying low, putting the work in, and focusing on the next quad, with Beijing as their goal... That, to me, is more realistic than trying to claw back three lost years in 11 months. They could have a shot at the world championship medals in 2018, if enough top teams skip that event. Morozov as their coach, really? Maybe for the skating skills, but what's he going to do for them artistically, he didn't exactly do anything groundbreaking for Weaver and Poje. Hopefully they could work with Najarro for choreo. Just my two cents.

Mozorov's choreography to me is THE MOST hit or miss of literally any choreographers. He has some gems (He was responsible for I/K's Swan Lake which might not have been groundbreaking but you have to admit was effective, and for Anna P's Bolero and Scharazade which again, effective if nothing else and were what really launched her into the 'top' tier last year. He also did most of Lipnitskaia's choreo as a Junior, and while I wouldn't call that stuff profound or groundbreaking either, it was again super effective for her, there is no denying it. He also choreographed V/T's black swan and dracula, both of which were IMO perfectly suited to them). OTOH he was also responsible for I/K's Ghost disaster and Elena Radionova's Titanic program so he can definitely have huge misses as well, and some of what he does is sort of middle of the line/blah, like with W/P this year.

 

[AmyKar3n]

Mozorov's choreography to me is THE MOST hit or miss of literally any choreographers. He has some gems (He was responsible for I/K's Swan Lake which might not have been groundbreaking but you have to admit was effective, and for Anna P's Bolero and Scharazade which again, effective if nothing else and were what really launched her into the 'top' tier last year. He also did most of Lipnitskaia's choreo as a Junior, and while I wouldn't call that stuff profound or groundbreaking either, it was again super effective for her, there is no denying it. He also choreographed V/T's black swan and dracula, both of which were IMO perfectly suited to them). OTOH he was also responsible for I/K's Ghost disaster and Elena Radionova's Titanic program so he can definitely have huge misses as well, and some of what he does is sort of middle of the line/blah, like with W/P this year.

I guess I liked Pog's programs this year, Morozov did those ones, right? Otherwise, Black Swan was the only one that really stands out for me, but mostly because of Elena. Also, he's kind of recycling IK programs and style a bit. I think his wife looks like Elena 2.0, also reusing Ghost for WP. I guess I think IK should try some new ideas if they decide to reform their partnership.

 

[Skater Boy]

I don't know why and it isn't perhaps logical but I would love to see I and K skating together and some amazing story of healing, forgiveness and that they bring out the best in each other and then they podium fall in love and live happily ever after. I know I am a romantic at heart.

 

[Aqua Lady]

I don't know why and it isn't perhaps logical but I would love to see I and K skating together and some amazing story of healing, forgiveness and that they bring out the best in each other and then they podium fall in love and live happily ever after. I know I am a romantic at heart.

You're not the only one. A part of me wants to see that but a part of me is hesitant to give Nikita another chance after he did what he did. Having said that, what you said really reminded me of Maks Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff of Dancing With The Stars. They were engaged, about to get married, then they suddenly had a bad break up in 2009. They didn't talk for three whole years. Then on 2012, they did a passionate Broadway show (Forever Tango) together... And it was like those three bitter years never happened. Look it up on YouTube. Their interviews during that time period were so cute. They said they couldn't imagine doing the show with anyone else. It was really sweet. Hope something like this comes out of I/K's renewed partnership, if the rumors are true.

 

[Barb]

UGH UGH UGH!!!, enough nasty is imagine them skating together, let alone to have a romantic relationship.

 

[surimi]

It might just be a rumor, nothing more. I don't think getting I and K back together would be a good idea. They didn't have stable results when they were together, they haven't had them with their new partners so far, and there's no reason to think anything would change if they got back together. If Ruslan (and Viktoria) wanted to retire, I would understand the decision, but it would take me long to warm up to IK again, if at all. But until we get some sort of official statement, this might just be the off-season coming up.

 

[Mattieu]

From the instagram postings, Victoria and Nikita look to still be a happy couple, so I can't imagine that Nikita is about to break that by trying with Elena.
Though something is not quite right with Elena, she has been unusually quiet on her public social media. Is she injured?

Also, with respect to a possible I/K reunion, it would in my eyes be too late.
Even though they have skated with each other before, it would take them time to get used to each other again.
IMO they would need to do as VM have done, get at least 1 competitive season under their belts before the Olympic season to have any chance of being competitive at top level in the Olympic season.

 

[elysium]

Also, with respect to a possible I/K reunion, it would in my eyes be too late.
Even though they have skated with each other before, it would take them time to get used to each other again.
IMO they would need to do as VM have done, get at least 1 competitive season under their belts before the Olympic season to have any chance of being competitive at top level in the Olympic season.

Agreed, unless they both are committed to carry on to 2022. I don't really see a realistic chance for either of them getting a medal next year, although I wish for Lena. But during the next Olympic cycle they have a better chance, especially once people start to get tired of the Montreal style.

 

[gmyers]

Russia only has two spots and right now I/z and S/k have no future. Those teams are total history and completely irrelevant for 2018. If Russia wants I/k to reunite that is the only future for ilinykh and katsalapov. Both would be very smart to reunite or just retire and skate in popular shows with their current partners. Russian nationals this year said S/b and b/S are the teams and I/z and S/k are over with no future.

 

[uhh]

From the instagram postings, Victoria and Nikita look to still be a happy couple, so I can't imagine that Nikita is about to break that by trying with Elena.
Though something is not quite right with Elena, she has been unusually quiet on her public social media. Is she injured?

Elena pretty much stopped using her public instagram account about 6 months ago, she has a locked one now. I don't think you can read anything into it either way, both Elena & Nikita were posting pictures of each other looking like a very happy team in the weeks leading up to worlds in 2014, and we all know that what was being presented to the public, at least by Nikita, wasn't the truth. So maybe yes, Victoria & Nikita are still good together, or maybe Nikita is playing the same game as he was three years ago, who knows.

The one thing that makes me think there might be an element of truth is that it came from Dave Lease - yes, often just a gossip stirrer, but he does skate at the rink that Morozov uses as his US base, so in the past he's been pretty well informed about what is going on in that group. But on the other hand, wouldn't the Russia media have picked up something by now if it was legit?

 

[madison]

Nikita recently started to follow The Skating Lesson and also Nikoloi Morozov on Instagram. But it may be a coincidence.
To believe he could skate again in a couple with Elena trained by Morozov!!! it's fiction :eeking: at least for me.
Victoria posted a short clip with Nikita's training from Megasport Arena, all things seem all right with them 2.

 

[Mattieu]

Nikita recently started to follow The Skating Lesson and also Nikoloi Morozov on Instagram. But it may be a coincidence.
To believe he could skate again in a couple with Elena trained by Morozov!!! it's fiction :eeking: at least for me.
Victoria posted a short clip with Nikita's training from Megasport Arena, all things seem all right with them 2.

Of course, that could just mean that Vika and Nikita are changing coaches to Morozov, it doesn't anywhere implicate Elena other than in the TSL tweet.

 

[tulosai]

From the instagram postings, Victoria and Nikita look to still be a happy couple, so I can't imagine that Nikita is about to break that by trying with Elena.
Though something is not quite right with Elena, she has been unusually quiet on her public social media. Is she injured?

There is a rumor on the Russian forums that it is Ruslan who is injured and he is actually unable to skate, but as far as I can tell this isn't backed up by anything other than the total radio silence from him and Elena... not even a deleted tweet

 

[Mattieu]

There is a rumor on the Russian forums that it is Ruslan who is injured and he is actually unable to skate, but as far as I can tell this isn't backed up by anything other than the total radio silence from him and Elena... not even a deleted tweet

That doesn't sound good, poor Ruslan

 

[Anastasi14]

Russian Ice Dance is DEAD.

"What is Dead May Never Die" (c)

 

[gmyers]

Bobrova was made captain of Russia wtt squad which shows happiness at b/S 8th place in short dance

 

[bramweld]

Bobrova was made captain of Russia wtt squad which shows happiness at b/S 8th place in short dance

Well, come on, Bobrova doesn't have many chances left to be team captain. This may be one of her last opportunities. Besides she might have thrown a little hissyfit if she wasn't made captain let her have it

 

[gmyers]

Well, come on, Bobrova doesn't have many chances left to be team captain. This may be one of her last opportunities. Besides she might have thrown a little hissyfit if she wasn't made captain let her have it

That's awful. Her results should be treated like pogorilaya. She did in sd what pogorilaya did in fs.

 

[evangeline]

Bobrova was made captain of Russia wtt squad which shows happiness at b/S 8th place in short dance

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