Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[Snow63]

Really cute new interview here: http://winter.sport-express.ru/figureskating/reviews/50579/
But it's on russian

She said that it was really hard to skate in that skirt (for both of them ) And she said that they lost a bunch of points on elements which people are not even able to see (under her skirt probably). But they seem pleased.
Sorry, I can't translate full article, since it's too late and I'm going to bed right now.

 

[elif]

Twizzle and lift exit mistakes cost them at least 1.5 point GOE probably. Skating in first group hurt them very much also. Their step sequence should have got way better GOE than that.:disapp: But I believe that also hurt other teams. In here all teams got less GOE for their steps and paso dobles, comparing to SA and SC. Shibs SA step sequence got 2.20 GOE, here it was 1.32 GOE. (same score as I/Z) :think:

Cup of China has 7 judges, not 9 like other GPs. Because of that scores could be a little bit low.

 

[Meoima]

Cup of China has 7 judges, not 9 like other GPs. Because of that scores could be a little bit low.

Why is that? With single it's still 9 judges. I am curious.

 

[Orange Cat]

Wow, their FD works quite nicely! I was worried about the music cuts but the music flowed fairly seamlessly. Big Russian Drama galore! I liked it but I didn't love it, but they have time to work on that. Anyway, their SD is a stunner, and to ask for a team to have two stunning programs in one year feels a bit greedy haha.

In any case, they placed above P/I who have been together for much longer, so I'm excited to see how they shall continue to progress! Upward and onward to Rostelecom!

 

[elif]

I don't like Averbukh's work of FD. :disapp: SD was much much much better. They lost spin, lift levels but showed they can do clean edge work in step sequences. You can correct spin and lift levels but step sequences very hard to get level4. I'm happy they are best in here for them. Judges are really strict on them for some GOEs. (-1 on FD twizzles :disapp: I could understand SD twizzles) But judges didn't forgive Capellini/Lanotte and Shibs too. It was strange event. I liked result, I love Papadakis/Cizeron

Cup of Russia will be another event, we will see legendary Zoueva politik power (!?), If there is any, after today's fiasco

 

[Snow63]

They had best step seqs today, best edges and good twizzles. Nice speed (I think they were fastest today). Spins and lifts were pretty bad tbh. But they know what they need to improve now, and I'm sure they're going to work on these elements a lot. Next season they will be one of the top teams.
Their PCS today should be on par with P/C, IMO. Drama, tears and speed with clean steps at the same time. I'm impressed tbh. And that's not fiasco, what are you talking about? I think it's just your expectations were too high.

 

[elif]

And that's not fiasco, what are you talking about? I think it's just your expectations were too high.

Fiasco of Zoueva's teams. I never seen another World Dance Champions treated that badly from judges. And both of her teams losing to Papadakis/Cizeron, team who have no reputation. As a fan of Papadakis/Cizeron, I can't be more happy today.

 

[Snow63]

Fiasco of Zoueva's teams. I never seen another World Dance Champions treated that badly from judges. And both of her teams losing to Papadakis/Cizeron, team who have no reputation. As a fan of Papadakis/Cizeron, I can't be more happy today.

Oh, I'm sorry I misunderstood you There's still S/K, so it's her last chance I don't think Shibs are contenders for Worlds podium anymore

Edit: Oh, and congrats with P/C win!

 

[Orange Cat]

Fiasco of Zoueva's teams. I never seen another World Dance Champions treated that badly from judges. And both of her teams losing to Papadakis/Cizeron, team who have no reputation. As a fan of Papadakis/Cizeron, I can't be more happy today.

It does seem that Zoueva's teams aren't getting quite as much love, doesn't it? But they are losing it on the levels big time. It'll be interesting, to say the least, to see how S/K fare against I/Z next week.

And oh, yes, P/C were stunning!! Such a deserved win

 

[bramweld]

People that was absolutely amazing from I/Z. They have the makings of a great pair. What was TAT talking about? They should have won the bronze.

 

[Alba]

People that was absolutely amazing from I/Z. They have the makings of a great pair. What was TAT talking about? They should have won the bronze.

I know this is not the right place, but whats up with C/L? That was embarrassing.

Why what is TAT saying? I'm not surprised if she has something to say against them.
She's afraid for her darling Bukin

I slept today and didn't see them. I recorded the competition though, I hope everything is ok.

I saw the scores. What's the 2 point deduction for?

 

[dorispulaski]

Congratulations to I&K for a really good SD, and a good start to a career. They made no embarassing errors, and the SD will be great by Russian nationals They skated the paso sections with just the right attack. That is quite an achievement for so new a team. I hate the FD as elevator music dreck, but that doesn't mean they can't make it work

As to C/L: C/L showed up out of shape and not prepared, expecting PCS favors to be due a world champion. It is a strategy that worked in 6.0, but not these days, and a good thing that is. With the bad air, China is no place to skate when you are not in top shape. It didn't work for C&L's Italian coach with Faiella & Scali post Olympic year success either to show up at CoC to debut programs, and not in the best shape.

Beijing is also no place for another boy with respiratory issues to skate. i am looking at you Alex Shibutani. But as 6th place at Worlds, your team drew short straw. Sorry about that. I am not declaring them dead yet.

 

[Orange Cat]

Oh, I don't mean to say that I think Zoueva's teams are dead, just that they aren't getting as much of a PCS cushion as one might have expected after the past few seasons - last season, in particular, for C/L. (I'm aware they were with Igor then, and levels have a large part to play for both C/L's and the Shibs' results.)

I'm glad, though; I think the scoring for the most part has been fair in CoC (for ice dance, at least). I/Z had a fantastic outing and I am thrilled for them! They have one fantastic program and one program with potential to be quite good, and so much to work with - they're already scoring respectably after such a short period of time, so imagine what they'll be like by the end of this skating season - and then next season!

 

[bramweld]

Alba, for extended lifts but the program itself was lovely. They had the best step sequences. Ruslan is solid as a rock. Man you should go watch. They have real chemistry. I should just shut up now. Lastly, girl, they can actually dance!

 

[alebi]

I saw the scores. What's the 2 point deduction for?

They were for the lifts, which still seem a bit laboured so it's easy to get the extended penalty.

But they were the best in general in step sequences. I think it's completely understandable they have more problems in couple's elements (lift and spin) while everything else is already at a good point.

 

[Alba]

As to C/L: C/L showed up out of shape and not prepared, expecting PCS favors to be due a world champion. It is a strategy that worked in 6.0, but not these days, and a good thing that is.

It is not just because of the strategy that worked in 6.0 but let's be honest here. C&L ain't D&W or V&M.
They won the WC with a 4rth place FD, and with such a short distance between the top 4 couples overall.
No way they were going to be considered the strongest and give them PCS just for that World Title.
Technically, they are among the weakest top couples. Shibutani's are way better than them in that respect.

Having said that, it's their first competition. They have time to prepare better.

 

[Alba]

Alba, for extended lifts but the program itself was lovely. They had the best step sequences. Ruslan is solid as a rock. Man you should go watch. They have real chemistry. I should just shut up now. Lastly, girl, they can actually dance!

They were for the lifts, which still seem a bit laboured so it's easy to get the extended penalty.

But they were the best in general in step sequences. I think it's completely understandable they have more problems in couple's elements (lift and spin) while everything else is already at a good point.

I'm soo happy to hear that. That's what I wanted from them.
The rest will come, with work.

 

[Abraxis12345]

Obviously, a lot of work needs to be done but the material is there. They match beautifully with soft knees and excellent edges. The synchronization is already good. The lifts look a lot better than they ever did with Sinitsina although the exits could be smoother.

The impression is very good though. Russian Nationals will be very interesting.

 

[Alba]

Obviously, a lot of work needs to be done but the material is there. They match beautifully with soft knees and excellent edges.

And that's the only reason I'm mad with the judges. 7.50 for SS, really?! :sarcasm:

 

[bramweld]

And that's the only reason I'm mad with the judges. 7.50 for SS, really?! :sarcasm:

Seriously right? They must think we're blind. SS are just gorgeous. How can you get the best levels for step sequences, have such beautiful speed and flow and get 7.5 for SS? Their SS should be higher than C/L at least. Happy!!