Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[Tanka]

I do not understand why they are bashing so much I/Z. IMO the real threat is S/K. The FED probably prefers a team of B/S, I/Z and S/K and after last season S/K seem to be the weak link.

S/B's camp doesn't think that S/B should compete with the weakest link. They've hinted more than once that if S/B were treated as the #1 Russian dance team and got all the promotion then their results would be fantastic. I'm pretty sure that as soon as B/S are back healthy and sound they'll get as much bashing as I/Z.

 

[Snow63]

I do not understand why they are bashing so much I/Z. IMO the real threat is S/K. The FED probably prefers a team of B/S, I/Z and S/K and after last season S/K seem to be the weak link.

I think there's a possibility Y/M will jump out of the blue right in the Top 3.
Seriously, their basic skating skills are already on par with top teams and with good dances they will score very high. I don't know if their FD music is really good choice tbh, but I definitely can see them beating M/K and S/B, or at least being very close to them.
BTW, how many spots Russia has for Euros and Worlds, two or three?

 

[uhh]

3 for Euros, 2 for Worlds. The last time they only had 2 for Worlds, the team was decided based on Euros results - B/S, R/T and I/K finished in that order at Nats & were sent to Euros, then I/K beat R/T at Euros and got the 2nd spot at Worlds.

 

[Snow63]

3 for Euros, 2 for Worlds. The last time they only had 2 for Worlds, the team was decided based on Euros results - B/S, R/T and I/K finished in that order at Nats & were sent to Euros, then I/K beat R/T at Euros and got the 2nd spot at Worlds.

This will be cruel!

 

[Alba]

- Bestimianova was right calling Elena 'fat', because 200 gramms of weight is too critical for a 'small' partner;

Shameless self-promotion continues!

What do you expect? It's papa Bukin. I'm just surprised that took him so long.
Not only Elena is fat but also Ruslan is small. The French Fed shouldn't worry about the PR for their team. Russians are doing that job just fine.

 

[bramweld]

Bukin's tactics just scream tactless and classless. If you go back and look at C/B or H/D or W/P in their first season together you'll really appreciate the hard work I/Z have done to come this far so quickly. They burned themselves out. Looking forward to them hopefully kicking it up a notch this season. Please, I need to see these people eat their words.

 

[Snow63]

A lot of cool fan-art. I don't know if it was already posted or not.
http://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/moonlight/821020.html

 

[bramweld]

A lot of cool fan-art. I don't know if it was already posted or not.
http://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/moonlight/821020.html

Just so sweet, aww....

 

[alithia]

Andrei Bukin has given a similar interview some years ago, same story about Elena's mom and same complaints.This time around he was more subtle the vocabulary he used back then didn't show his best attributes as a person.
And I think people just read too much into it, both him and Bestemjanova are like family and of course S/B are also their family,and most of the people interviewed work for some group, are friends with some people , so it's normal. I would be surprised if a bitter dad ex-champion would talk otherwise, or wouldn't think that his son is as good as he was or that he deserved the best partner in the world even if he was a beginner cause he had the family name. It happens in every profession.

And of course as I/Z are focused in competing with the top world couples S/B are aiming to compete with P/C and I/Z for example. S/K and the rest are like looking back for them.

 

[Alba]

A lot of cool fan-art. I don't know if it was already posted or not.
http://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/moonlight/821020.html

These are really cool. Thanks. I love that alphabet book. Great idea.

Andrei Bukin has given a similar interview some years ago, same story about Elena's mom and same complaints.This time around he was more subtle the vocabulary he used back then didn't show his best attributes as a person. And I think people just read too much into it, both him and Bestemjanova are like family and of course S/B are also their family,and most of the people interviewed work for some group, are friends with some people , so it's normal. I would be surprised if a bitter dad ex-champion would talk otherwise, or wouldn't think that his son is as good as he was or that he deserved the best partner in the world even if he was a beginner cause he had the family name. It happens in every profession.

No it is not "normal". This concept should never pass. I'm not surprised considering who's talking but things should be called with their names and this is bashing your son's rivals, colleagues, whatever and it's a very low thing to do. Especially if you consider yourself a pro. You're bitter? Well, suck it up and let the ice do the talking.

 

[Marta25]

I struggle how anyone can think of S/B being on par with I/Z. There is so much difference in their skating skills, charisma and chemistry, IMO, it shouldn`t even be questioned who is better. I/Z just have that certain something that can`t be taught, you either have it or you don`t.

Re how S/K will improve next season, I think if you exclude their NHK performance, their season was similar to C/B`s and G/P`s first seasons. In a way the hype around S/K reminds the one G/P had. Both, Nikita and Paul are the golden boys of their respective federations and are seen as the next big thing. I remember how ridiculously overscored G/P were at their first national championship and how their first international results were rather mediocre. I see something similar with S/K.

The way I/Z gelled is extraordinary, the last time we saw something like this happening was in the 90s with K/O, that`s how seldom this is, what I/Z achieved last season. The amazing thing for me is, that it seems like I/Z are already in a stage of their partnership, where they have found an own identity. If you consider that other teams who are skating together for many, many years still aren`t able to show who they are as a team, then this is really amazing.

 

[Alba]

The way I/Z gelled is extraordinary, the last time we saw something like this happening was in the 90s with K/O, that`s how seldom this is, what I/Z achieved last season. The amazing thing for me is, that it seems like I/Z are already in a stage of their partnership, where they have found an own identity. If you consider that other teams who are skating together for many, many years still aren`t able to show who they are as a team, then this is really amazing.

I totally agree. :yes:

 

[bramweld]

Sometimes I believe silence is just pure gold.

 

[Spiral]

These are really cool. Thanks. I love that alphabet book. Great idea.

Me too! I wish I could see the whole book!

No it is not "normal". This concept should never pass. I'm not surprised considering who's talking but things should be called with their names and this is bashing your son's rivals, colleagues, whatever and it's a very low thing to do. Especially if you consider yourself a pro. You're bitter? Well, suck it up and let the ice do the talking.

Exactly! The sad thing is, he and Bestemianova apparently haven't got a clue as to how they come across to any unprejudiced fan.

I struggle how anyone can think of S/B being on par with I/Z. There is so much difference in their skating skills, charisma and chemistry, IMO, it shouldn`t even be questioned who is better. I/Z just have that certain something that can`t be taught, you either have it or you don`t.

I guess, a parent can . And, yes, that's exactly what makes some of IZ's rivals and some of their rivals' fans so mad - they have something that most others will never have, no matter how much they work. Not only are they individually extraordinarily talented, both in technique and in artistic expression, but they have also gelled together unbelievably quickly, as you've pointed out, and, plus, they complement each other perfectly psychologically and have a wonderful, mutually appreciative and supportive, working relationship. It must be tough for their rivals to swallow.

Re how S/K will improve next season, I think if you exclude their NHK performance, their season was similar to C/B`s and G/P`s first seasons. In a way the hype around S/K reminds the one G/P had. Both, Nikita and Paul are the golden boys of their respective federations and are seen as the next big thing. I remember how ridiculously overscored G/P were at their first national championship and how their first international results were rather mediocre. I see something similar with S/K.

I don't now remember, but did Gilles/Poirier and Chock/Bates also fail to earn tech minimum scores in their first seasons together, including even at their nationals, if those scores had been applicable?

 

[Alba]

Exactly! The sad thing is, he and Bestemianova apparently haven't got a clue as to how they come across to any unprejudiced fan.

This is the same man who also says:

A: Natasha and I had exactly the same attitude. Even back when we made our way from the level of the third team of the country and realized what we had already been far behind Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. Instead of thinking about fighting with them, we spent too much energy making our way out of the country.

Poor him, the "victims". The two who always won against the best ID soviet couple at the time, Klimova&Ponomarenko. :sarcasm:

I am well aware of the fact that under more favorable circumstances - if there had not been mistakes at the World Championships - Ivan and Sasha could have finished the season a little closer to the team that will be the main competition for all those three years that are left until the Olympics games.

Yeah, and I&Z without a mistake would've finished lower.

But there is nothing to worry about - it's a lesson all the same. It's not so easy to get on the podium. Especially for the first time.

Oh right. The double standards. hwell:

Q: At the same time, you do not attend your son's practices, you are not interested in his programs.
A: Of course, I'm interested. But I'm afraid. I'm afraid I won't like them and I don't want to say that I don't like them.

Q: Why?
A: Because in the world of figure skating, you hear all the bad things from other people. Why would I add to it?

Yeah, why would you add to it? Do that to your son's competitors. That's a real Pro.

 

[bramweld]

^^ What a hypocrite !!!

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Yeah, why add to it? Do that to your son's competitors. That's a real Pro.

Couldn't agree any more. I guess some people just aren't cut out for self awareness. Im loving the irony though...it's like free comedy:yes:

 

[Alba]

Couldn't agree any more. I guess some people just aren't cut out for self awareness. Im loving the irony though...it's like free comedy:yes:

I guess they take themselves too seriously in order to have that sense of self awareness. It's free comedy indeed.

 

[Meoima]

I kinda lost respect to the men after this. I/Z will do well and he will continue whining I am sure.

 

[solani]

Poor him, the "victims". The two who always won against the best ID soviet couple at the time, Klimova&Ponomarenko. :sarcasm:

:thumbsup: And he was downright scary looking back then, and that hasn't changed.