Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[chameleon]

I believe Marina is at least partially paid for by S/K themselves. And Nikita chose to call Marina, while Ruslena decided they'd rather stay in Russia with Kustarova. Both I/Z and S/K were subject to a large amount of media attention and scrutiny, S/K just chose to welcome it while I/Z stayed relatively out of the press.

 

[LenaRusfan]

As well as good connections with Russian Federation of Figure skating

 

[LenaRusfan]

I believe Marina is at least partially paid for by S/K themselves. And Nikita chose to call Marina, while Ruslena decided they'd rather stay in Russia with Kustarova. Both I/Z and S/K were subject to a large amount of media attention and scrutiny, S/K just chose to welcome it while I/Z stayed relatively out of the press.

Ruslena did not decide anything ... They first found themselves without partners ...their decisions followed the departure of SK

 

[Abraxis12345]

There hasn't been any proof that IZ have gotten less attention from the federation. The deputy sports minister said he and Gorshkov watched IZ's practices during the summer and Ruslan said, in a throwaway comment, that the federation was dropping in on them constantly to give feedback

 

[Snow63]

Probably kinda late but here's my own version of Kustarova's interview translation. Kinda rough around the edges but still

- How are you preparing for European Chanpionships?
- Nothing new is happening. Every coach always create a training plan for preparing to certain starts. We're trying to clearly follow it (the plan).

- Which goals do you set for I/Z for Euros?
- Considering the team is freshly created and have a lot of work to do we don't think about final placement. Main goal is to show the maximum of what we can do at the moment.

- What do you think about the fact that according to many experts I/Z's FD is not as good as their SD?
- These opinions about the FD are really have a reason to be, but we're not going to change the dances. The thing is the FD was set in May when Elena and Ruslan just started to skate together. We took that into account at the time. Within last six months, we have made the dance more difficult, because we saw that they are able to do more difficult elements for 'pluses' (she means +GOE bonus).
As for the short dance, it really turned out great, and I see a big merit of choreographer Antonio Naharro and Ilya Averbuch in that fact.

-What exactly Elena and Ruslan need to improve now?
- Elena and Ruslan are both very bright and versatile persons. Their potential is, of course, not yet fully discovered. But now they have their own face, their own style, which is hard to mistake with anyone else's. In the future we plan to please our fans with new, diverse programs that will further highlight the talent of Elena and Ruslan.

 

[bramweld]

Oh what a much better translation. I should really stop using google translate. So many little things get lost. Important things.

As for everything else I/Z don't appear affected by perceptions, so maybe silence really is golden..

 

[uhh]

I believe Marina is at least partially paid for by S/K themselves. And Nikita chose to call Marina, while Ruslena decided they'd rather stay in Russia with Kustarova. Both I/Z and S/K were subject to a large amount of media attention and scrutiny, S/K just chose to welcome it while I/Z stayed relatively out of the press.

And Kustarova said I/Z paid for Antonio to work with them themselves. Both teams only have reserve team funding & have to commit financially to make it work this season at least.

 

[MK's Winter]

And Kustarova said I/Z paid for Antonio to work with them themselves. Both teams only have reserve team funding & have to commit financially to make it work this season at least.

Elena received a good amount from endorsements, I'm not sure how well off Ruslan was but I'm sure they have foot the majority of their own skating costs as well.

 

[Alba]

There hasn't been any proof that IZ have gotten less attention from the federation. The deputy sports minister said he and Gorshkov watched IZ's practices during the summer and Ruslan said, in a throwaway comment, that the federation was dropping in on them constantly to give feedback

I believe that to be true. I never believe the rumors that I&Z were neglected but the FED, they are not that stupid. However, I think LenaRusfan was speaking about the media attention and I think he/she has a point there.

I know this is a small example, but this is an itar-tass article: http://itar-tass.com/sport/1689669
It's about a region/town who wants to host Russian Nationals in 2016, if I'm not mistaken? Now, the picture accompanying the article is the one of S&K. Can somebody give me any logical reason behind that choice? Why is their picture and not the picture of the Russian Champions, or any other medalists?

It might very well be a personal choice, depending on the taste of the one who chose the picture for that artcile. But I think we can at least say that it is a very odd choice.

 

[chameleon]

Personally, I don't really care whether or not the media supports them, so long as they get the scores they deserve. But they've had many nice articles written about them.

 

[Alba]

Personally, I don't really care whether or not the media supports them, so long as they get the scores they deserve. But they've had many nice articles written about them.

Yes, they have. I'm not complaining about I&Z media coverage, especially after they rocked in CoR. I think it would've been very difficult to ignore them anyway. What I'm saying is that these two, S&K, are getting a lot of attention and hype, and for what exactly? It's not even a matter of "helping" a young couple who they think are talented and deserve not to be burned from a not a great season - which I would understand - because this started a long time ago, before they even skated. So, as LenaRusfan stated above, this is not about being conspiracy theorists. Just stating some facts and being honest about it.
Do I care that much? Not at all, and here I agree with you, as long as I&Z get the scores they deserve.

 

[bramweld]

Yes, they have. I'm not complaining about I&Z media coverage, especially after they rocked in CoR. I think it would've been very difficult to ignore them anyway. What I'm saying is that these two, S&K, are getting a lot of attention and hype, and for what exactly? It's not even a matter of "helping" a young couple who they think are talented and deserve not to be burned from a not a great season - which I would understand - because this started a long time ago, before they even skated. So, as LenaRusfan stated above, this is not about being conspiracy theorists. Just stating some facts and being honest about it.
Do I care that much? Not at all, and here I agree with you, as long as I&Z get the scores they deserve.

This.:thumbsup:

 

[MK's Winter]

Yes, they have. I'm not complaining about I&Z media coverage, especially after they rocked in CoR. I think it would've been very difficult to ignore them anyway. What I'm saying is that these two, S&K, are getting a lot of attention and hype, and for what exactly? It's not even a matter of "helping" a young couple who they think are talented and deserve not to be burned from a not a great season - which I would understand - because this started a long time ago, before they even skated. So, as LenaRusfan stated above, this is not about being conspiracy theorists. Just stating some facts and being honest about it. Do I care that much? Not at all, and here I agree with you, as long as I&Z get the scores they deserve.

They are getting all sorts of love from the fans and from commentators, people in Ice Dance (ie: Tanith, Nahalie, even Gabreilla Papadakis) the judges have given them love) that's all the love I care about!

 

[bramweld]

They are getting all sorts of love from the fans and from commentators, people in Ice Dance (ie: Tanith, Nahalie, even Gabreilla Papadakis) the judges have given them love) that's all the love I care about!

Double this!! arty: Gabriella? What did she say?

 

[Abraxis12345]

I know this is a small example, but this is an itar-tass article: http://itar-tass.com/sport/1689669
It's about a region/town who wants to host Russian Nationals in 2016, if I'm not mistaken? Now, the picture accompanying the article is the one of S&K. Can somebody give me any logical reason behind that choice? Why is their picture and not the picture of the Russian Champions, or any other medalists?

It might very well be a personal choice, depending on the taste of the one who chose the picture for that artcile. But I think we can at least say that it is a very odd choice.

No more strange than Pushkash and Guerreiro being put on posters for this year's Rostelecom Cup.

And no more strange than Stepanova and Bukin's lack of interviews outside of press conferences (it's usually their coaches who talk).

 

[bramweld]

You know this press attention and self promotion is a double edged sword. Some can feed off of it, Usain Bolt from track and field comes to mind, while others are clamped by it. So in essence all we should really care about is what a team does on the ice, consistently. Everything else is just fluff.

 

[LisaM]

Only about a week (and about 3 hrs) to go!!!

 

[MK's Winter]

Double this!! arty: Gabriella? What did she say?

She favorited a lot of the tweets announcing Ruslena as National Champions as well as when they made it to the GPF

 

[bramweld]

She favorited a lot of the tweets announcing Ruslena as National Champions as well as when they made it to the GPF

Cute and so sweet :

I admire Kustarova so much. http://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/allresp/729490.html She manages to politely say that yes the FD does not capture Ruslena at their best but they will press on. She gushes about Pap/Ciz and talks about he healthy rivalry with Y/M. Oh, I just wish them good things for EC.

 

[uhh]

Guillaume loves Elena too - he said in an interview at French Nats when he was asked about competition at Euros that he was sad when I/K split because they were his favourite team to watch, but he's glad she is doing so well with Ruslan & that they will be a great team to watch in the future.