Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin
- Thread starter OrdinaryDreamer
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I thought their FD looked in better shape, unless they've said they need to make a lot of adjustments to their FD?
While I think that I/Z will come out on top by the end of the season, if they do compete at Saransk with B/S I think it's a toss up. It'll probably come down to who can get the levels.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
I don't think so. The Fed officials loved Frida.
- Joined
- May 4, 2015
Neither Queen nor the Frieda music is my cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed both IZ’s programs regardless. It reminded me in this respect of how I once watched Ilia Kulik skating to break dance on Stars on Ice – that’s something I like even less as music, but I enjoyed every minute of his program.
First of all, I can’t say how impressed I was by the shape they’re in already in September – their speed, their twizzles across the entire rink, and the spectacular lifts! I know she’s a small and petite girl, but the way he swiftly and so lightly manipulates her in their air, you’d think she weighs no more than a cat! And the way he puts her back on the ice softly afterwards again creates that weightless effect!
The joy of life they exude in their SD is so catching that I don’t care what they skate to! I want to see it again and again. In Frieda I’m impressed by how well – almost seamlessly – all these different melodies were put together, and, of course, they seem to live every music they skate to. I think it’s very well choreographed and very moving. It’ll definitely stand out among all the other FDs for its individuality and originality. It also doesn’t hurt that they are both so charming, and that the pleasure they both take in their partnership is so palpable.
Now I’m even more looking forward to seeing both their programs after a month and a half of further polishing, in costumes and with professional film shooting and editing and sound recording. Elena looks great both in a head band and in a wreath of flowers, although part of me misses seeing her magnificent mane. Well, maybe in the gala…. She actually looks a bit like Frieda in the wreath, although Ruslan looks nothing like Diego, thank goodness : ).
I’m also grateful to the people who understand much more than me about the technical side of ice dance who shared their impressions here. And I have a question. I’ve read several comments that Ruslan has again improved a lot over the last half year that we haven’t seen them. Does it mean that his skating skills are now close to Elena’s? And if yes, does it mean that they’re the best ID team in technique in the world, given that Elena has been generally acknowledged as the best female ice dancer in the field now?
And why do you think Bobrova/Soloviev will go to Saransk too? Has there been a new interview with them? I googled their names and Saransk and got only articles about past Russian nationals there.
Thank you very much for the info!!!
First of all, I can’t say how impressed I was by the shape they’re in already in September – their speed, their twizzles across the entire rink, and the spectacular lifts! I know she’s a small and petite girl, but the way he swiftly and so lightly manipulates her in their air, you’d think she weighs no more than a cat! And the way he puts her back on the ice softly afterwards again creates that weightless effect!
The joy of life they exude in their SD is so catching that I don’t care what they skate to! I want to see it again and again. In Frieda I’m impressed by how well – almost seamlessly – all these different melodies were put together, and, of course, they seem to live every music they skate to. I think it’s very well choreographed and very moving. It’ll definitely stand out among all the other FDs for its individuality and originality. It also doesn’t hurt that they are both so charming, and that the pleasure they both take in their partnership is so palpable.
Now I’m even more looking forward to seeing both their programs after a month and a half of further polishing, in costumes and with professional film shooting and editing and sound recording. Elena looks great both in a head band and in a wreath of flowers, although part of me misses seeing her magnificent mane. Well, maybe in the gala…. She actually looks a bit like Frieda in the wreath, although Ruslan looks nothing like Diego, thank goodness : ).
I’m also grateful to the people who understand much more than me about the technical side of ice dance who shared their impressions here. And I have a question. I’ve read several comments that Ruslan has again improved a lot over the last half year that we haven’t seen them. Does it mean that his skating skills are now close to Elena’s? And if yes, does it mean that they’re the best ID team in technique in the world, given that Elena has been generally acknowledged as the best female ice dancer in the field now?
And why do you think Bobrova/Soloviev will go to Saransk too? Has there been a new interview with them? I googled their names and Saransk and got only articles about past Russian nationals there.
I very much doubt that. They loved the SD, imagine the FD.They have checked them before the test skates and they were thrilled about their FD.
Thank you very much for the info!!!
I never thought that Ruslan's SS were much worse than Elena's, and always thought they had the best SS of any dance team, but yes, his SS are even better now. Its not just his technique either, he has so much presence and command I could scarcely take my eyes off of him, especially in the SD. In the future I'd like to see more emphasis on synchronicity and matching line, his movements are more refined than Elena's, but they can always work on that later. They've improved so much, I'm very excited.
http://rsport.ru/interview/20150914/863220856.html
I think it's this interview that B/S said they're doing Saransk.
I think their programs will stand out nicely from the other top teams. I can't wait to see these programs more polished in a month.
http://rsport.ru/interview/20150914/863220856.html
I think it's this interview that B/S said they're doing Saransk.
I think their programs will stand out nicely from the other top teams. I can't wait to see these programs more polished in a month.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2014
I always love Frida's music but I agree the editing of the music was spot on.
It means they woke up.
I think BS announced after the test skates that they are going to Saransk.
He always had good skating skills, but I think it's more apparent now that he is more used to skating with Elena & so you see his quality more that you did last year (or ever with Victoria). The biggest change for me isn't in his skating skills, but in his presentation and use of his whole body to express the music rather than relying on facial expresssion. Working with dance choreographers obviously made a huge difference to him. Last year I found him a bit sloppy compared to Lena, but particularly in the SD he is much sharper than her at the moment.
I wouldn't go as far as calling them the best in the world quite yet - on their way there, but there's still work to do on getting everything to completely match, and that will take time.
I have to disagree with you a little here, last season I always thought Ruslan was much better at expressing the music with his body than his face. He may have improved in both aspects but when I watched him last season I tended to focus on his arms and back and so on.
Watching them this weekend, I really hope they continue past 2018. Not only for my own selfish reasons, but because there's a certain frenzied aura to them that will probably fade once the Olympics are over, whether they win or not.
Thanks for the interview, but there is nothing about Saransk in it. Maybe they said that somewhere else.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
I agree. Ruslan has a dancers grace. I noticed that during Carmen. He has wonderful posture and carriage. I always thought he was musical but even in his face. I found so many facial expressions from him in both programs. Carmen especially brought it out. People began to take note of him later on the season and I think that is due to people at first being so focused on Elena.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
Ruslan was always a strong dancer and skater. I think his style with Viktoria was more introverted, maybe that`s why so many people underestimated him. Like uhh wrote, he learned a lot of working with choreographers who are first and foremost dancers and not skaters. I think, Ruslan really needed a partner like Elena to push him to the next level and he did that this summer. These test skates made me so happy. We all saw their potential in their Carmen SD and now they are starting to slowly fulfill their talent.
After they teamed up and choose Kustarova as their coach, I also was worried about their future programs, but she clearly learned from the time she coached B/S and gave them two really strong programs. The choreography and technical elements are all there, it`s up to I/Z to realize their potential.
After they teamed up and choose Kustarova as their coach, I also was worried about their future programs, but she clearly learned from the time she coached B/S and gave them two really strong programs. The choreography and technical elements are all there, it`s up to I/Z to realize their potential.
Life is too hard for Ilinykh's fans.
Last year it was all about how weak Ruslan is, this year all about how weak Elena is.. Test skates are just test skates. They will know their mistakes and hopefully change by the time of grand prix. Target is: better march sequence in SD, working for 3 second time in all lifts. Sometimes skaters changes all their dance after test skates. Remember Davis/White for example. It is not like I/Z's programs are disaster and they made huge mistakes. Almost everything in their dances are new. Moves, transations and elements. They have more than one month to polish everything. This open test skates idea might not be good for fans.
Last year it was all about how weak Ruslan is, this year all about how weak Elena is.. Test skates are just test skates. They will know their mistakes and hopefully change by the time of grand prix. Target is: better march sequence in SD, working for 3 second time in all lifts. Sometimes skaters changes all their dance after test skates. Remember Davis/White for example. It is not like I/Z's programs are disaster and they made huge mistakes. Almost everything in their dances are new. Moves, transations and elements. They have more than one month to polish everything. This open test skates idea might not be good for fans.
- Joined
- May 4, 2015
Thank you very much for your responses! It helps me understand ID better and shows me additional aspects to focus on.
I must confess that I usually pay far more attention to the woman than the man in ID, and TBH I didn’t find Sinitsina/Zhiganshin particularly inspiring, but after Elena had teamed up with Ruslan, I re-watched several SZ programs, now making a conscious effort to focus on him, and found that he was actually very good even then expression-wise, but I agree that the presence and command of the ice is something he acquired when he began skating with Elena. She, of course, has always been a marvelous actress who can look authentic and breathtakingly charming in absolutely anything. So it’s really amazing for me that when I watch IZ I do look at him too, more than just for a moment or two. If somebody had told me this before I had first seen them together, I would never have believed it.
There is. The last question and answer with Soloviev reads:
In Russian:
In English:
Thank you, Chameleon, I also missed the ending of this interview at first, for some reason.
I must confess that I usually pay far more attention to the woman than the man in ID, and TBH I didn’t find Sinitsina/Zhiganshin particularly inspiring, but after Elena had teamed up with Ruslan, I re-watched several SZ programs, now making a conscious effort to focus on him, and found that he was actually very good even then expression-wise, but I agree that the presence and command of the ice is something he acquired when he began skating with Elena. She, of course, has always been a marvelous actress who can look authentic and breathtakingly charming in absolutely anything. So it’s really amazing for me that when I watch IZ I do look at him too, more than just for a moment or two. If somebody had told me this before I had first seen them together, I would never have believed it.
There is. The last question and answer with Soloviev reads:
In Russian:
In English:
Thank you, Chameleon, I also missed the ending of this interview at first, for some reason.
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I also think that part of Ruslan's problem is that he's very much a skater who connects to his partner first and the audience second. He didn't connect very well with Viktoria, and she wasn't very expressive, so I think he had a hard time emoting and keeping up the energy when he wasn't really getting much back.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
ITA. He is a very warm skater. As is Elena and together they create Summer baby!
- Joined
- May 4, 2015
I also fully agree. Actually it's what I like so much about his presentation - it makes it look so authentic.
Yep! Because she can emote back, he has acquired confidence he didn't seem to possess before to the same degree. And because it's a real give-and-take between them, they so pull the audience in into their performances. And, yes, the warmth between them makes them special.
