Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin
- Thread starter OrdinaryDreamer
- Start date
I hope they will keep going with diverse characters in their dances, using big, famous music pieces (but please no POTO). For example, I really like Cannuscio/McManus FD at Nationals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-qBmdhtGZQ) and I keep wondering how that would look on Ruslena.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2014
Vlasova is with Vasiliev's group now. Vasiliev also, at the moment, happens to be based at the same rink where IZ are.
Anyone know if Druchinina is actually employed these days? S&Z's pOTO was actually a good vehicle for them and she seems to have understood who to focus on in the choreograohy.
Anyone know if Druchinina is actually employed these days? S&Z's pOTO was actually a good vehicle for them and she seems to have understood who to focus on in the choreograohy.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2013
...
— Ruslan managed to remove a quite noticeable gap between you, Lena, in class within quite a short period. If it has happened so quickly, does this mean that when skating with the previous partner, Victoria Sinitsina, Ruslan has been holding himself back in some kind of way?
R.ZH.: I really tried to reach Lena’s level.
E.I.: When I was looking back at our performances with Nikita, Olympics included, I realised, that I used to hold myself back as well in a certain way. I can only guess what was the reason for that… But being with Elena Kustarova and Svetlana Alekseeva, my current coaches, who trusted me from the very beginning, I finally got the amount of freedom that was needed for real self-confidence and, as a result, self-realization. They convinced me that I am the best. Of course they may critisize me, but my professionalism and artistic potential have never been doubted. That is why, when I hear “I believe in you”, I know that this is not just a general phrase.
R.ZH.: I remember when at one of our first performances with Lena we were extremely worried and nervous. But our coaches managed to find the words with the help of which all our worries simply disappeared and the confidence came instead.
— Are there really the coaches that don’t believe in their pupils?
R.ZH.: Yes. But then, it was at Cup of Russia in Moscow, we realised how important it is for athletes to hear from their coaches that they can do everything and they will do it now. There we came 2nd.
E.I.: They show us with their entire look that they believe in us. There are people who say as it is nothing: let’s go, like, work. And there are the ones who really believe in you and are ready to give all their energy, knowledge and soul to you. That is the reason why I was so happy when we won Nationals. It turns out, I did not disappoint my coaches. Of course, there were mistakes, but for me, a new person, it was extremely important to realize their support in any situation. In general, the amount that Elena and Svetlana have done to me in this short period, no other coach has ever done. And Lena Kustarova, I can say, became my second mom.
R.ZH.: For me, as well, my coaches are my second parents.
—Could you name the main qualities of each other.
E.I.: Confidence, patience, diligence and, in a good way, stubbornness. It happens that I am dying from pain in my feet during a training. Ruslan says: “You are not the only one in pain. Let’s go, let's die together”. He is like an engine machine, carries me through the routine forward not looking at all the difficulties and tiredness. Ruslan is a very strong partner.
R. ZH.: And Lena’s main qualities are emotionality, expressiveness (in real life as well) and the ability to hold it together during the competition. Not all the athletes have the last quality, so this is a major advantage.
— You came to you first European championship together as current Russian National champions and with an experience at international competitions, which is enough to rightly evaluate your possible place among your main competitors – pairs from England, France and Italy. What is the difference between you and them?
E.I.: Their bigger experience in skating together. We basically haven’t had enough time to skate and prepare our programmes properly. If only we had three months more, we would have conquered the mountains.
R.ZH.: We would come up with new lifts and transitions, more work would be given to the upper body. Basically, we would improve every aspect. We feel that we can that. But to prepare for this season we only had three months. The process of doing a programme started just two weeks after we had taken the ice together fot he first time: what we could do – that is what we did. We were polishing parts of our programmes during the short time we had between competitions.
E.I.: To do something new, something “wow” for the Championship we did not have time. But we do have plan for the next season. But there are millions of ideas in my brain, and if we bring them to life, I believe, our skating will improve millions of times.
—Do you realize that you are at the end of the line?
R.ZH.: We have moved already. We are not at the end, we are in the middle.
—What will you get the judges with in Stockholm?
E.I.: The good thing is that in principle we can “get” the judges. This is the most important thing for us. To put one pair who has been skating for such a little period of time on one side and the other pair who have skated together for a long time is not right. Well, who actually could have imagined that this season we would win any medals, become national champions, get to the GPF and get the 4th score for the free dance? But next season, if we bring into life all our ideas and make a breakthrough, we will be competing against the pairs who are currently at the European and World podiums as equal teams. Today our goal is to work hard and progress as much as we can, and a year later – to surpize, amaze, and, at the end, do something that our fans are waiting from us.
__________________
Go Ruslena!
(hope the translation is ok)
— Ruslan managed to remove a quite noticeable gap between you, Lena, in class within quite a short period. If it has happened so quickly, does this mean that when skating with the previous partner, Victoria Sinitsina, Ruslan has been holding himself back in some kind of way?
R.ZH.: I really tried to reach Lena’s level.
E.I.: When I was looking back at our performances with Nikita, Olympics included, I realised, that I used to hold myself back as well in a certain way. I can only guess what was the reason for that… But being with Elena Kustarova and Svetlana Alekseeva, my current coaches, who trusted me from the very beginning, I finally got the amount of freedom that was needed for real self-confidence and, as a result, self-realization. They convinced me that I am the best. Of course they may critisize me, but my professionalism and artistic potential have never been doubted. That is why, when I hear “I believe in you”, I know that this is not just a general phrase.
R.ZH.: I remember when at one of our first performances with Lena we were extremely worried and nervous. But our coaches managed to find the words with the help of which all our worries simply disappeared and the confidence came instead.
— Are there really the coaches that don’t believe in their pupils?
R.ZH.: Yes. But then, it was at Cup of Russia in Moscow, we realised how important it is for athletes to hear from their coaches that they can do everything and they will do it now. There we came 2nd.
E.I.: They show us with their entire look that they believe in us. There are people who say as it is nothing: let’s go, like, work. And there are the ones who really believe in you and are ready to give all their energy, knowledge and soul to you. That is the reason why I was so happy when we won Nationals. It turns out, I did not disappoint my coaches. Of course, there were mistakes, but for me, a new person, it was extremely important to realize their support in any situation. In general, the amount that Elena and Svetlana have done to me in this short period, no other coach has ever done. And Lena Kustarova, I can say, became my second mom.
R.ZH.: For me, as well, my coaches are my second parents.
—Could you name the main qualities of each other.
E.I.: Confidence, patience, diligence and, in a good way, stubbornness. It happens that I am dying from pain in my feet during a training. Ruslan says: “You are not the only one in pain. Let’s go, let's die together”. He is like an engine machine, carries me through the routine forward not looking at all the difficulties and tiredness. Ruslan is a very strong partner.
R. ZH.: And Lena’s main qualities are emotionality, expressiveness (in real life as well) and the ability to hold it together during the competition. Not all the athletes have the last quality, so this is a major advantage.
— You came to you first European championship together as current Russian National champions and with an experience at international competitions, which is enough to rightly evaluate your possible place among your main competitors – pairs from England, France and Italy. What is the difference between you and them?
E.I.: Their bigger experience in skating together. We basically haven’t had enough time to skate and prepare our programmes properly. If only we had three months more, we would have conquered the mountains.
R.ZH.: We would come up with new lifts and transitions, more work would be given to the upper body. Basically, we would improve every aspect. We feel that we can that. But to prepare for this season we only had three months. The process of doing a programme started just two weeks after we had taken the ice together fot he first time: what we could do – that is what we did. We were polishing parts of our programmes during the short time we had between competitions.
E.I.: To do something new, something “wow” for the Championship we did not have time. But we do have plan for the next season. But there are millions of ideas in my brain, and if we bring them to life, I believe, our skating will improve millions of times.
—Do you realize that you are at the end of the line?
R.ZH.: We have moved already. We are not at the end, we are in the middle.
—What will you get the judges with in Stockholm?
E.I.: The good thing is that in principle we can “get” the judges. This is the most important thing for us. To put one pair who has been skating for such a little period of time on one side and the other pair who have skated together for a long time is not right. Well, who actually could have imagined that this season we would win any medals, become national champions, get to the GPF and get the 4th score for the free dance? But next season, if we bring into life all our ideas and make a breakthrough, we will be competing against the pairs who are currently at the European and World podiums as equal teams. Today our goal is to work hard and progress as much as we can, and a year later – to surpize, amaze, and, at the end, do something that our fans are waiting from us.
__________________
Go Ruslena!
(hope the translation is ok)
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2013
I think it would suit them really well. I actually now really want them to skate to it...
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2014
...
Fo Ruslena!
Thanks for the translation! They sound pretty confident indeed, which is good.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2014
Vlasova works on their lines and other balletic aspects.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
... — Ruslan managed to remove a quite noticeable gap between you, Lena, in class within quite a short period. If it has happened so quickly, does this mean that when skating with the previous partner, Victoria Sinitsina, Ruslan has been holding himself back in some kind of way? R.ZH.: I really tried to reach Lena’s level. E.I.: When I was looking back at our performances with Nikita, Olympics included, I realised, that I used to hold myself back as well in a certain way. I can only guess what was the reason for that… But being with Elena Kustarova and Svetlana Alekseeva, my current coaches, who trusted me from the very beginning, I finally got the amount of freedom that was needed for real self-confidence and, as a result, self-realization. They convinced me that I am the best. Of course they may critisize me, but my professionalism and artistic potential have never been doubted. That is why, when I hear “I believe in you”, I know that this is not just a general phrase. R.ZH.: I remember when at one of our first performances with Lena we were extremely worried and nervous. But our coaches managed to find the words with the help of which all our worries simply disappeared and the confidence came instead. — Are there really the coaches that don’t believe in their pupils? R.ZH.: Yes. But then, it was at Cup of Russia in Moscow, we realised how important it is for athletes to hear from their coaches that they can do everything and they will do it now. There we came 2nd. E.I.: They show us with their entire look that they believe in us. There are people who say as it is nothing: let’s go, like, work. And there are the ones who really believe in you and are ready to give all their energy, knowledge and soul to you. That is the reason why I was so happy when we won Nationals. It turns out, I did not disappoint my coaches. Of course, there were mistakes, but for me, a new person, it was extremely important to realize their support in any situation. In general, the amount that Elena and Svetlana have done to me in this short period, no other coach has ever done. And Lena Kustarova, I can say, became my second mom. R.ZH.: For me, as well, my coaches are my second parents. —Could you name the main qualities of each other. E.I.: Confidence, patience, diligence and, in a good way, stubbornness. It happens that I am dying from pain in my feet during a training. Ruslan says: “You are not the only one in pain. Let’s go, let's die together”. He is like an engine machine, carries me through the routine forward not looking at all the difficulties and tiredness. Ruslan is a very strong partner. R. ZH.: And Lena’s main qualities are emotionality, expressiveness (in real life as well) and the ability to hold it together during the competition. Not all the athletes have the last quality, so this is a major advantage. — You came to you first European championship together as current Russian National champions and with an experience at international competitions, which is enough to rightly evaluate your possible place among your main competitors – pairs from England, France and Italy. What is the difference between you and them? E.I.: Their bigger experience in skating together. We basically haven’t had enough time to skate and prepare our programmes properly. If only we had three months more, we would have conquered the mountains. R.ZH.: We would come up with new lifts and transitions, more work would be given to the upper body. Basically, we would improve every aspect. We feel that we can that. But to prepare for this season we only had three months. The process of doing a programme started just two weeks after we had taken the ice together fot he first time: what we could do – that is what we did. We were polishing parts of our programmes during the short time we had between competitions. E.I.: To do something new, something “wow” for the Championship we did not have time. But we do have plan for the next season. But there are millions of ideas in my brain, and if we bring them to life, I believe, our skating will improve millions of times. —Do you realize that you are at the end of the line? R.ZH.: We have moved already. We are not at the end, we are in the middle. —What will you get the judges with in Stockholm? E.I.: The good thing is that in principle we can “get” the judges. This is the most important thing for us. To put one pair who has been skating for such a little period of time on one side and the other pair who have skated together for a long time is not right. Well, who actually could have imagined that this season we would win any medals, become national champions, get to the GPF and get the 4th score for the free dance? But next season, if we bring into life all our ideas and make a breakthrough, we will be competing against the pairs who are currently at the European and World podiums as equal teams. Today our goal is to work hard and progress as much as we can, and a year later – to surpize, amaze, and, at the end, do something that our fans are waiting from us. __________________ Go Ruslena!
Thank you! The translation was fantastic. The are brutally honest and I love it. Their drive is going to push them far!
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2013
To the person who copied the translation from me and Tanka to the FSU(not registered there, so commenting here).
It would be nice if you mentioned at least that translation was from this forum like we usually do here when we take info from FSU.
(sorry, might be selfish, but I just don't like when things are done like that)
And sorry for off topic!
It would be nice if you mentioned at least that translation was from this forum like we usually do here when we take info from FSU.
(sorry, might be selfish, but I just don't like when things are done like that)
And sorry for off topic!
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2014
You are not selfish at all.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
You are not being selfish at all. It takes time for you to translate and type it out. Please know that you are appreciated!
Only one question was about Nellie & Alexander (I skipped it), all other questions were about Nellie's brother.
-Our previous conversation in Japan ended with the sad marks of omission: people were excited by rumors about the split of Ilinykh-Katsalapov and that your younger brother's partner was about to leave him for the Olympic champion Katsalapov. No one thought that this story will be a destiny. Nikita Katsalapov and Victoria Sinitsina didn't not get to the European Championship while Lena Ilinykh and Ruslan Zhiganshin have become Russian champions, Grand Prix finalists!
- I remember my mother called me and said that it was a confirmed fact: Vika had left Ruslan. At first I was very upset. I cried all night. I was very worried. Then, the next morning ... People knowingly say tomorrow is another day. The next morning I asked myself, "Nellie, are you stupid or what? Your brother will now skate with an Olympic champion! With the best female dancer in the world according to many people. And what do you cry over? Everything goes well! Calm down!" And I didn't regret anything since then. On the contrary, I always think about how well it turned out. It's better! I like it better! Lena is lighter, smaller than Vika, she is more suitable to Ruslan. With her nature as well. They are both so fiery. Why were I crying? Now I do not understand.
- Is it true that Lena was the one to choose and she chose Ruslan? She had options. Were you told why Lena had chosen your brother and not someone else?
I personally didn't talk much to Lena but I heard that she'd said she would skate with Ruslan only. Or with no one. I'm not saying it is hundred-per-cent true, but I hope it to be so. In any case, I would be pleased if it were true.
- This is a very strong statement. They seemed not to know each other very well.
They both were "leftovers". It was obvious that if they get angry and unite, they will prove all that is needed to prove. Besides, there weren't any other partners of this level at the moment, I think. The ones Ruslan could be compared to...
- But if you compare Ruslan to himself, what was he with Vika and what is he with Lena?
I don't think these are two different people - old Ruslan and today's. Lena is just so strong emotionally... She is strong in many ways but emotionally too. Vika Sinitsina was short of it. She was not fiery. She is quite different. Lena is a fire, she is so emotional that it superimposes on Ruslan's emotionality. And I don't mean only their nature but the way they express themselves in dance, their ability to express the inner feeling that arises when you hear the music, i.e. "Carmen". There's abundant energy in this music, it bursts every minute, and Lena and Ruslan show it, that's why they suit each other so well, I think.
- When Nikita left Lena there was a lot of talk about her difficult nature which Nikita wasn't able to bear. Did Ruslan have to face this?
You know, I heard it as well, and even believed in it. But now I realize that, perhaps, Nikita is not all sugar by himself, and that's why it happened. Judging on what I hear from Ruslan... of course they happen to quarrel - but all people quarrel. And we with Alexander Haji, my partner, are no exception. This is a common workflow. But Lena and Ruslan are adequate, they don't bring it over the top. Like all normal people.
- I have the impression that Ruslan has bloomed with Lena. She supports him so much, she tells him feminine, very wise things, for example: "We made a mistake, but sometimes we need to make mistakes." It was Ruslan's mistake, but it was veiled with a correct "we".
Even our mother says: "I did not expect Lena to be so wise. How can she be that wise in her age?" Another surprise for us was how tenderly Lena cares about parents, including my and Ruslan's parents. She uses to send us pictures: "My aunt Allochka, we are here now, here's a picture, we are fine." That's what Vika never did. Lena is always trying to keep us up to date. Both her mother and ours. Mum is very happy: "It's good, Lena has sent a new picture, now I am calm, I can see where my son is and what he is doing, and that he's all right!"
- What is this pair still lack of?
I'm too indifferent to them to speak up about their shortcomings or mistakes. There's still a lot of work, an abyss, but it was impossible to do more than they had done over the last six months. They even did more than was possible. And in the future they will overcome. There's enough anger in them.
- Anger? But will these logs burn long?
They will. Recall the history of figure skating. People who had been dumped like this achieved great heights. Recall Marina Anissina. It was a matter of life fo her to look down at Ilya Averbuch from the top step of the Olympic podium. She did it in Salt Lake City...
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Alexander Gazsi's interview:
http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/774442
Here's a little about Lena&Ruslan. In the beginning of the interview a lot was said about FS losing ratings, especially TV ratings.
- I'm curious what your opinion on the two newly formed pairs - Ilyinykh-Zhiganshin and Sinitsin-Katsalapov, which emerged from the wreckage of a crashed duo of Olympic champions Ilyinykh-Katsalapov. Has Russia lost or gained?
Since Ruslan is the younger brother of my partner Nelli, he is our own, and of course we support him and Lena Ilinykh. But at the same time I wonder why there's no Katsalapov in Stockholm. Katsalapov and Sinitsina skated the best free dance in the championship of Russia, but they were placed fourth. It is inexplicable. I do not understand why they are not here as a second Russian pair. That would be interesting. Both for us and for Ruslan and Lena. It could be written or spoken about. About how these pairs meet each other during the training, how they don't speak, how one looked at another. This is Shakespeare! Drama! We are all harshed off buzz. Both fans and reporters. We were with them in Japan, they didn't have a very good skate, but in fact Nikita and Victoria are a good, strong, beautiful pair. Why punish them so much ... Apparently, Russia has its own games.
- Do you have any suggestions?
There's always someone in Russia who decides. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not. My version is "Who broke the pair?". The pair of Ilinykh-Katsalapov. The Federation staked on them, counted on them. If they continued, they would always fought for first place, they had ratings and names. Therefore, Nikita is just being explained in such a way that it was not right.
- Will he being explained for the rest of life?
Of course not. One season.
--End--
I don't believe in this conspiracy theory (I believe in low levels of the elements). And I'm overdosed with all the drama of the previous months and am glad to have some rest with only one pair of the two at the European Championship. I must be a wrong fan in Alexander's eyes.
http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/774442
Here's a little about Lena&Ruslan. In the beginning of the interview a lot was said about FS losing ratings, especially TV ratings.
- I'm curious what your opinion on the two newly formed pairs - Ilyinykh-Zhiganshin and Sinitsin-Katsalapov, which emerged from the wreckage of a crashed duo of Olympic champions Ilyinykh-Katsalapov. Has Russia lost or gained?
Since Ruslan is the younger brother of my partner Nelli, he is our own, and of course we support him and Lena Ilinykh. But at the same time I wonder why there's no Katsalapov in Stockholm. Katsalapov and Sinitsina skated the best free dance in the championship of Russia, but they were placed fourth. It is inexplicable. I do not understand why they are not here as a second Russian pair. That would be interesting. Both for us and for Ruslan and Lena. It could be written or spoken about. About how these pairs meet each other during the training, how they don't speak, how one looked at another. This is Shakespeare! Drama! We are all harshed off buzz. Both fans and reporters. We were with them in Japan, they didn't have a very good skate, but in fact Nikita and Victoria are a good, strong, beautiful pair. Why punish them so much ... Apparently, Russia has its own games.
- Do you have any suggestions?
There's always someone in Russia who decides. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not. My version is "Who broke the pair?". The pair of Ilinykh-Katsalapov. The Federation staked on them, counted on them. If they continued, they would always fought for first place, they had ratings and names. Therefore, Nikita is just being explained in such a way that it was not right.
- Will he being explained for the rest of life?
Of course not. One season.
--End--
I don't believe in this conspiracy theory (I believe in low levels of the elements). And I'm overdosed with all the drama of the previous months and am glad to have some rest with only one pair of the two at the European Championship. I must be a wrong fan in Alexander's eyes.
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- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
Only one question was about Nellie & Alexander (I skipped it), all other questions were about Nellie's brother.
I am living for this interview! I love Nelli that much more now! Girl does not mince words!
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2014
What great interviews from everyone - Nelli and Alex have very great insight and lots of honesty. That, along with their creativity and passion, has been why I've liked them for so long. And Elena and a Ruslan sound poised and matter-of-fact themselves. Such drive will go far, and with a positive work environment and good coaching, they'll be incredible. Another thought - wouldn't it be lovely to see I/Z and Z/G on the same podium someday?
In other news, I'm super excited for the SD and to see the changes in the FD. I've been ill, but that does give me a good cover to be able to watch the SD live tomorrow. Wishing them lots of luck!
In other news, I'm super excited for the SD and to see the changes in the FD. I've been ill, but that does give me a good cover to be able to watch the SD live tomorrow. Wishing them lots of luck!
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2014
Very good point here.
All new pairs have problems with technical elements. Look at Ilinykh/Zhiganshin for example. Their lift in short and free often gets level2-level1 because of timing problems. Sinitsina/Katsalapov have their own problems with lifts or steps. (look at their TES in nationals) I never think I/Z's or S/K's TES problems as punishment of russian federation or russian games. Thanks to Gazsi, now I know who to blame.
They are only team who uses their bodys more than their facial expressions. Twizzles, spin and first lift all highlight of the dance for me. If she learn to use her limbs for dance they will be amazing team. I'm very very happy they were on European team. It would have been inexplicable, If they were not, result of russian games. 
Personally I liked Stepanova/Bukin's free dance most, they skated best free dance of nationals.
They are only team who uses their bodys more than their facial expressions. Twizzles, spin and first lift all highlight of the dance for me. If she learn to use her limbs for dance they will be amazing team. I'm very very happy they were on European team. It would have been inexplicable, If they were not, result of russian games. 
Their technique needed work. They had the second best PCS of the night though. I also think their FD in terms of composition shows them off well, the transitions appear stylish, but if you look closely they are pretty simple.
