Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[Spiral]

I have to disagree with you a little bit. While they have indeed found something that works for them, I still think they have yet to fully explore everything they are capable of. I think they can be very versatile, and two seasons isn't enough to show it. Even four seasons isn't enough! It's why I want them to stick around till 2022. I think they are capable of portraying so many different characters and stories and dances on the ice, and I'd love for them to show off all the different kinds of programs they can do.

Actually ITA! And I think Frieda, Someone to Love and Carmen will all be very different programs, but all of them passionate (I hope!). I also agree that they're very versatile and could certainly do something without a lot of passion too, but there are other teams who can do quietly romantic as well, while I think no other female dancer can touch Elena in temperament, passion and drive, while amazingly Ruslan can match her, so this seems to me to be their strength for now (which doesn't mean that their programs can't have quieter interludes). But yes, they both are very expressive, and I won't be surprised at all if in the future they'll be able to stand out in the presentation department in almost any kind of program. So I'm just very glad that for this season when they need to set themselves apart from the pack they'll be doing something they've shown to be exceptional at already. (And I also think that three more seasons won't be enough for them to fully explore their potential and hope for more!)

On her Ask.fm, Olga Jakushina said their training camp is until July 2

Only till July 2? So they'll be spending the hottest months in Moscow, poor things?

Maybe someone could drop Olga a little innocent question like; How are you guys? How are Lena and Ruslan doing? How is the weather? What's the beach like?

I don't know, maybe it's best to leave it up to them when to communicate with the public, so as not to give them the feeling of breathing down their necks. They've been very generous in keeping in touch with fans, but everybody needs some space every now and then, probably especially so while they're making up new programs from scratch.

 

[Abraxis12345]

Only till July 2? So they'll be spending the hottest months in Moscow, poor things?

You do realize they spend most of their time in a freezing rink?

 

[bramweld]

You do realize they spend most of their time in a freezing rink?

I didn't realize Moscow was that warm in summer. But given the heat waves we're seeing now around the world I might need to adjust my frame of reference a bit. About the snooping you're right Spiral, these two have been more than generous.

 

[MK's Winter]

Speaking of our girl:

https://instagram.com/p/4cSJ-VKBjk/

Beach life!

 

[alithia]

Speaking of our girl:

https://instagram.com/p/4cSJ-VKBjk/

Beach life!

Finally a non working day right?

I guess sometimes people forget that they are working hard and a training camp is hard work, you need to stay away from things, you need psychological support from your family and friends. It's not that they are on vacation or something. But then when the poor things don't post, there is always something wrong , as if they are some celebrities that need to post photos to stay popular.Keeping up with the IZians

 

[bramweld]

Speaking of our girl:

https://instagram.com/p/4cSJ-VKBjk/

Beach life!

Way to go girl. Work hard then play hard.

 

[Marta25]

Maybe someone could drop Olga a little innocent question like; How are you guys? How are Lena and Ruslan doing? How is the weather? What's the beach like?

How subtle.

Anyway, I would love Ruslena to do a Tango or a Samba one day. I think other styles that would suit them is something classical like Four Seasons or Carmina Burana.

 

[bramweld]

How subtle.

Anyway, I would love Ruslena to do a Tango or a Samba one day. I think other styles that would suit them is something classical like Four Seasons or Carmina Burana.

Haha, right. ROFL.

No offence, but I never, ever want to see Ruslena skate Four Seasons, it just doesn't work for me on any level, but I dig that others might be into it. After seeing what B/S and W/P did to it no thanks, too generic and flat. Not even the great V/M could get me to like the Four Seasons.

As long as its bright and vivid it could work, a tango, Carmina Burana, or even a lovely version of Dark Eyes maybe?

 

[MK's Winter]

Haha, right. ROFL. No offence, but I never, ever want to see Ruslena skate Four Seasons, it just doesn't work for me on any level, but I dig that others might be into it. After seeing what B/S and W/P did to it no thanks, too generic and flat. As long as its bright and vivid it could work, a tango, Carmina Burana, or even a lovely version of Dark Eyes maybe?

I agree after watching W/P's program I never want to here it again. I can get behind Carmina Burana

 

[bramweld]

I agree after watching W/P's program I never want to here it again. I can get behind Carmina Burana

:thumbsup:

 

[chameleon]

Actually ITA! And I think Frieda, Someone to Love and Carmen will all be very different programs, but all of them passionate (I hope!). I also agree that they're very versatile and could certainly do something without a lot of passion too, but there are other teams who can do quietly romantic as well, while I think no other female dancer can touch Elena in temperament, passion and drive, while amazingly Ruslan can match her, so this seems to me to be their strength for now (which doesn't mean that their programs can't have quieter interludes). But yes, they both are very expressive, and I won't be surprised at all if in the future they'll be able to stand out in the presentation department in almost any kind of program. So I'm just very glad that for this season when they need to set themselves apart from the pack they'll be doing something they've shown to be exceptional at already. (And I also think that three more seasons won't be enough for them to fully explore their potential and hope for more!)

I see your point, I just think that there are other types of programs that they could be exceptional at! They have great chemistry and are so versatile, so I'd hate for them to just end up doing passionate programs because they've already proven to be good at it. I'd love to see them do a ballet, something really elegant and refined to really polish them as a team. Something dramatic and emotional and powerful would also be good for them, I think. Or something upbeat and light, like a quickstep. I really want them to utilize their dance abilities, maybe for something like a samba like Marta25 said. There are just so many programs I want to see from them! I'm a little disappointed that they didn't do something soft and elegant for the waltz, but they (hopefully!) have time to explore that in the future. I've got a feeling that the Olympic SD will be the tango, so maybe the could contrast by doing a ballet or something like that.

 

[bramweld]

I see your point, I just think that there are other types of programs that they could be exceptional at! They have great chemistry and are so versatile, so I'd hate for them to just end up doing passionate programs because they've already proven to be good at it. I'd love to see them do a ballet, something really elegant and refined to really polish them as a team. Something dramatic and emotional and powerful would also be good for them, I think. Or something upbeat and light, like a quickstep. I really want them to utilize their dance abilities, maybe for something like a samba like Marta25 said. There are just so many programs I want to see from them! I'm a little disappointed that they didn't do something soft and elegant for the waltz, but they (hopefully!) have time to explore that in the future. I've got a feeling that the Olympic SD will be the tango, so maybe the could contrast by doing a ballet or something like that.

Their waltz isn't classically elegant but it has its own charm. I think and hope we'll be pleasantly surprised by the actual dance.

 

[lauravvv]

Not even the great V/M could get me to like the Four Seasons.

Virtue/Moir were not skating to Four Seasons. It was The Seasons by Alexander Glazunov + two other pieces (one by Glazunov too, the other by Scriabin).

No offence, but I never, ever want to see Ruslena skate Four Seasons, it just doesn't work for me on any level, but I dig that others might be into it. After seeing what B/S and W/P did to it no thanks, too generic and flat.

I agree after watching W/P's program I never want to here it again. I can get behind Carmina Burana

I loved both W/P's FD and the Four Seasons version rearranged by Max Richter that they used. I also love Lambiel's Four Seasons program (especially as done some years later in an exhibition - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xy2nkYB0Pg). But I agree that Bobrova/Soloviev didn't do the music justice, probably because the FD was originally choreographed to another music. And I also don't want Elena and Ruslan to do a Four Seasons program - there are other expressive classical pieces that are less used if they would decide to do a program to classical music.

 

[alithia]

Their waltz isn't classically elegant but it has its own charm. I think and hope we'll be pleasantly surprised by the actual dance.

Actually if we take a look at the ISU papers for the short dance, it's any kind of waltz, which probably means that we will sees soft, elegant, pseudo elegant, balletic, modern, and dark, really dark. It can be a bluesy kind of waltz,even, just keep the tempo for the pattern.Reading the actual ISU stuff sometimes is really an eye opener.

For me I/Z aren't soft, they are passionate, yet versatile, but as Nelli Z said, these two are fire. Which is good cause this makes them more versatile, they can have program that can be lyrical and explode at the right moment, something a lot of other teams fail to do and end up being a bit on one note. B/S come to mind, even their biggest explosions in programs fell just flat.
But I just want I/Z to have programs they like, skate well, and be happy ( mantra time again)

 

[chameleon]

I admit that the waltz may just be my personal preference, I prefer the SD to be more traditional and the FD to be more out of the box. Still, they seem excited about their programs, and I suppose that's what really matters.

 

[alithia]

I admit that the waltz may just be my personal preference, I prefer the SD to be more traditional and the FD to be more out of the box. Still, they seem excited about their programs, and I suppose that's what really matters.

And then I/Z come out dressed traditionally, singing ' We will rock you' and throw a fist in the air. I'd so love that

Btw, I love traditional waltzes and I have a feeling that we won't get good ones cause all the wrong couples will go the traditional way, cause they won't be able to cope with other options. And we will end up having interesting waltzes and boring traditional ones, when it could be the other way round

 

[bramweld]

And then I/Z come out dressed traditionally, singing ' We will rock you' and throw a fist in the air. I'd so love that

Btw, I love traditional waltzes and I have a feeling that we won't get good ones cause all the wrong couples will go the traditional way, cause they won't be able to cope with other options. And we will end up having interesting waltzes and boring traditional ones, when it could be the other way round

I think the S/D this year will be very diverse and interesting and very evenly contested. F-B/S are doing their waltz to INXS, and Tiffany and Jonathan will be using a waltz from the nutcracker, just nice variety all around. We haven't even heard what the top 4 will be doing yet. I think however it will be the strength of the FD's that will decide our medalists.

As for I/Z not being soft, I think its too early to tell, who knows what better programs and maturity will bring.

 

[paravolar]

They didn't last year, but in previous seasons the group has done a little show before leaving Latvia & sometimes there are videos, so I'm crossing my fingers they'll do it this time. I guess it depends how well preparations are going.

That sounds interesting. Did they show at least parts of their new programs?

 

[alithia]

https://instagram.com/p/4eaVt5qBoD/
Everyone has a day off and for us it's Monday
Love these two

 

[Spiral]

Loved the new pics - simply wonderful, both of Elena enjoying a day off on the beach and of them both at the start of a new training week.
Here are a couple more, of the entire team:
https://instagram.com/p/4hVwq1pFqq/
https://instagram.com/p/4hWXnBKBuI/

I see your point, I just think that there are other types of programs that they could be exceptional at! They have great chemistry and are so versatile, so I'd hate for them to just end up doing passionate programs because they've already proven to be good at it. I'd love to see them do a ballet, something really elegant and refined to really polish them as a team. Something dramatic and emotional and powerful would also be good for them, I think. Or something upbeat and light, like a quickstep. I really want them to utilize their dance abilities, maybe for something like a samba like Marta25 said. There are just so many programs I want to see from them! I'm a little disappointed that they didn't do something soft and elegant for the waltz, but they (hopefully!) have time to explore that in the future. I've got a feeling that the Olympic SD will be the tango, so maybe the could contrast by doing a ballet or something like that.

I'd also love to see them try all of the above in the future. Of course, I don't wish them to do only passionate programs throughout their career - I just think that they may be wise to choose such programs for this year (but still different ones, both from each other and from Carmen!). I also love Alba's idea way back on this thread for them to skate to the LOTR soundtrack as Arwen and Aragorn, if this appeals to them. And considering that they both have a great sense of humor, I'm sure it would be fun to see them do a humorous number at some point, maybe for an exhibition. In general, I agree with you - they're so talented both technically and artistically, there are few things I wouldn't have loved to see them do.

And I was also initially disappointed that they didn't choose to do a traditional waltz, since it's my favorite of the SD dances, by a long shot. I love listening to waltz music even just as music. So I also hope that they'll yet do something like that in the future, especially if they do skate beyond Korea. But I understand their reasoning for choosing rock this year and am looking forward to seeing them do it now - because they seem to believe in it, and because I think it'll suit them very well.

I loved both W/P's FD and the Four Seasons version rearranged by Max Richter that they used. I also love Lambiel's Four Seasons program (especially as done some years later in an exhibition - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xy2nkYB0Pg). But I agree that Bobrova/Soloviev didn't do the music justice, probably because the FD was originally choreographed to another music. And I also don't want Elena and Ruslan to do a Four Seasons program - there are other expressive classical pieces that are less used if they would decide to do a program to classical music.

ITA. I also loved WP's FD this past season, but I think it would be better for IZ to choose something less commonly used. There's such a plethora of rich, beautiful classical music out there, it does surprise me that skaters choose to skate the same pieces over and over (but still better than everybody skating to Phantom, lol).

As for I/Z not being soft, I think its too early to tell, who knows what better programs and maturity will bring.

Yes, I also think so, although it's an interesting idea of Alithia's that, perhaps, they could combine the two.

P.S.
Another pic: "How figure skaters change light bulbs."
https://instagram.com/p/4hbpz4qBna/
Frankly, looking at makes me feel anxious, even though I'm sure they would have caught her with the free hands if need be.

P.S.'
Now this looks much safer!
https://instagram.com/p/4htbqCKBrH/?taken-by=blackswanei
The caption reads: "I found myself a cheerleader."