Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[madison]

She said 'I don't like it' about B/S FD by the way That's why they'll probably change the ending.
Don't know what she said about I/Z dances sadly. All I know the officials were generally pleased with their 'Frida' FD [/QUOTE]
That's interesting cause last year, after test skates, TAT was pleased with BS's programs. She said smth like what a shame they have the right programs a year later (after Olympic Games). And she made them to change the music for FD 2 years ago and we all saw that was a disaster. Hope this will not be the case again this year.

I think it's good both teams IZ and BS will compete in Saransk. They will gain points and feedback from the judges on levels right before the GP.
If they stay healthy (fingers crossed), I am sure both teams will make the team for Europeans.

 

[chameleon]

Honestly, at this point in time I'd just flip a coin as to who will win Saransk. This early it'll mostly come down to levels. But looking at how complex ruslena's programs are, I've been kind of thinking that they'll pull ahead by the end of the season.

Either way, I think we already have the world's team, I don't see anyone else getting a foot in the door.

 

[solani]

I don't think it will hurt them in the long term if they would lose in Saransk. Radionova beat Tuktamysheva last season and Tuktamysheva still came out on top. No need to worry imho. The better team should win. Nothing better than two great russian ice dance teams pushing each other.

 

[Meoima]

I don't think it will hurt them in the long term if they would lose in Saransk. Radionova beat Tuktamysheva last season and Tuktamysheva still came out on top. No need to worry imho. The better team should win. Nothing better than two great russian ice dance teams pushing each other.

Yeah, it's one and two competitions, not the whole season. There is no worries of being beaten. It's normal or else we shouldn't go to competition at all.

 

[alithia]

I agree, and I/Z aren't the ones to be afraid of competing, generally.
I'm not in for the conspiracy theories, I actually don't believe in them, and nobody knows any fed's plans, I don't consider 'insiders' of groups the best of sources generally.And many times these 'insiders' have been proven to be wrong in the history of this sport, generally.But in Russia for the last 7 years there was no number one set in stone, and this didn't hurt neither the 1st or 2nd couple until now. Sochi is the proof,anyway and even back with D/S and K/S changing places.I/Z are new and have a set of very demanding programs,I'm actually excited to see how it evolves throughout the season.
Saransk is a toss, it will be very interesting to see how the programs develop.Anyway I/Z care about their skating and generally do their talking on the ice like they did last season.I love their attitude, as they described it the fed site interview and not only there. The rivals are themselves, if they skate as they should they get their marks. This , for me , is a sign of a great couple

 

[uhh]

C/L looked very well prepared at Lombardia, but their programs didn't stand out. (I love Anna & Luca but it feels like they always always skate the same peppy style using some comic opera or a classic film score). Not sure whether I/Z can get past them at their GP events - a lot will depend on how much the judges like their modern & slightly avant garde approach to the programs, or if they prefer C/L's classic tried & tested approach.

 

[LisaM]

C/L looked very well prepared at Lombardia, but their programs didn't stand out. (I love Anna & Luca but it feels like they always always skate the same peppy style using some comic opera or a classic film score). Not sure whether I/Z can get past them at their GP events - a lot will depend on how much the judges like their modern & slightly avant garde approach to the programs, or if they prefer C/L's classic tried & tested approach.

I agree, if I had just looked at Anna's faces in the SD and nothing else I would think they were still doing a Paso! They have the elements however, so it might be a struggle. I soooo hope they can beat them though! That would be a good confidence booster

 

[Marta25]

Anna and Luca are going to be at Nebelhorn Trophy, next week, I`m curious how their scores will be then, since the panels at Nebelhorn has been rather strict in the past. A modern choreography is always a risk, but Elena and Ruslan have good programs. They are modern, but they are still understandable. Besides, the international judges loved them last season. At the beginning of the season I had the feeling the international judges loved them more than the Russian

 

[LisaM]

I must say, that when I watched the SD again just now, I already started loving it a bit more than before Now if only the march part can be tighter, then I will truly start loving it!

 

[chameleon]

Actually, C/L withdrew from Nebelhorn.

Honestly, I'm not too concerned with I/Z winning Saransk, I just want to see their progress.

 

[uhh]

Anna and Luca are going to be at Nebelhorn Trophy, next week, I`m curious how their scores will be then, since the panels at Nebelhorn has been rather strict in the past. A modern choreography is always a risk, but Elena and Ruslan have good programs. They are modern, but they are still understandable. Besides, the international judges loved them last season. At the beginning of the season I had the feeling the international judges loved them more than the Russian

Lol, I feel like Elena has always been loved more by the international judges than by the ones from her own country.

You're right, it will be interesting to see the scores at Nebelhorn. I counted 2 big stumbles in one of C/L's step sequences, and stutters in the other one, but they both still got level 3 and tons of GOE. I'd guess if it was a GP event or Worlds/Euros, their tech score would have been about 3 points lower and all the PCS scores would have been high 8s instead of mid 9s.

 

[Marta25]

I remember last year the Shibs received huge scores at the Challengers they entered, so did H/D and G/F in Zagreb. I think, we really have to wait for the GP season to see how the top teams stack up against each other. I see the Challenger series more as a possibility to gain competition experience very early in the season.

I/Z really challenged themselves this year with their programs. That has the disadvantage that they don`t have yet the polish and speed, but their programs have much more room to grow throughout the season.

 

[Alba]

The only scores to be taken in serious consideration are GP's scores, Euros and Worlds. The rest are cookies. IZ should care about these competition and use B competition to test the programs, skate their best and take feedback from the international judges.

At the beginning of the season I had the feeling the international judges loved them more than the Russian

I never had that impression myself. I think they are very much loved in Russia. The Russian FED also brought international judges to judge the RN in Ice Dance. I thought that was a great move and I hope they will do that this season also.

It might be a signal for judges at GP to give them worse PCS cause they aren't number one in Russia anymore.

I don't know who told you who's number 1 in Russia , since none of the russian couples have competed against each other yet.

According to this but I guess the event's page hasn't been updated yet. And they are still listed as substitutes for Finlandia, they could practically do both but it's a week apart.( I'm selfish I know)

I will be very happy if they do Finlandia because I'm much more interested to see how will they do against W&P (and H&D as well) who are established as the no. 1 contenders for the world title.

I don't know why everyone is so sure Elena and Ruslan will lose.

I am not. The opposite in fact. If I&Z skates clean they are winners. Their programs are the best.

 

[Alba]

I counted 2 big stumbles in one of C/L's step sequences, and stutters in the other one, but they both still got level 3 and tons of GOE. I'd guess if it was a GP event or Worlds/Euros, their tech score would have been about 3 points lower and all the PCS scores would have been high 8s instead of mid 9s.

This is the FD you're referring to, right?

 

[Spiral]

Did this stop I/K to beat B/S ever? I/K didn't even qualify to GPF in olympic year unlike B/S, also lost nationals to them but they won olympic medal at end.

Yes, but that season apparently enough experts didn't like BS's FD which forced them to go back to their previous FD, which set them at a disadvantage. This season nobody says anything critical about their programs, at least so far.

I also absolutely sure that it was a political decision to bring both teams to Saransk.

What do you mean?

If I&Z skates clean they are winners. Their programs are the best.

Thanks for keeping our spirits up!

I know that it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things who wins in Saransk, but I'll still be very upset if it's not IZ - I'm afraid it might not be good for their morale.

 

[Alba]

I know that it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things who wins in Saransk, but I'll still be very upset if it's not IZ - I'm afraid it might not be good for their morale.

Don't worry. The important thing is they skate their best. This is not a die or do thing, in terms of competition of course. They are pros. and competition is good. In fact I want them to do Finlandia and see how they do against W&P. They should aim for much higher my dear.

 

[LisaM]

Losing to B/S will only inspire them to work harder, I would say!

 

[MK's Winter]

Don't worry. The important thing is they skate their best. This is not a die or do thing, in terms of competition of course. They are pros. and competition is good. In fact I want them to do Finlandia and see how they do against W&P. They should aim for much higher my dear.

I agree.

 

[Spiral]

Don't worry. The important thing is they skate their best. This is not a die or do thing, in terms of competition of course. They are pros. and competition is good. In fact I want them to do Finlandia and see how they do against W&P. They should aim for much higher my dear.

I agree too, of course, but do you think they'll be ready to challenge WP already in the first competition of the season - and that the judges will be ready for them to do it?

 

[Alba]

I agree too, of course, but do you think they'll be ready to challenge WP already in the first competition of the season - and that the judges will be ready for them to do it?

I don't think they will challenge them for a win - although who knows at this stage. It depends how both couples will skate and which program the judges will like most - but I think the most important thing right now is to close the gap. That would be fantastic and a great start considering that is early. Judging from the PCS scores IZ got from the judges last season I do think they are ready for them. Much more now that they have great programs. The only thing to be seen is if they will like the rock/waltz approach for the SD. I'm sure they will love Frida.

I do wonder though if it's the best strategy for Russia to have both their teams compete so early against each other. As I said, competition is good, but it is early and regardless of which couple will win there it doesn't tell much which one will have the best season, or mid-season, until they do their GP's. Russia is in need to boost their teams, separately, as much as they can. Considering that they have lost one spot.