Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[surimi]

Don't be sorry, LisaM, mixed opinions keep this thread active and interesting. I'm not in the panic mode myself about IZ, and definitely not because their former partners had a very good outing. I don't think the Federation has picked a favorite yet, either. I also believe Ruslena have it in them to challenge the best of the best. I admit I have doubts though, about two things - their SD music choice, and their ability to pull off two clean performances. I know the latter is kind of unfair as they must have been beyond exhausted from last December on, but I still wonder. The former is because it seems the GP judges don't love modern programs like they do traditional ones. But, one good thing about me having these doubts is that when I doubted before, it was before CoC last year, and I/Z kicked off the season with a beautiful debut. I hope that's the case again!

 

[bramweld]

Zueva'a words will only further motivate I/Z and every other Russian and Non-Russian ID team. She's not even hit Russian soil yet and its begun. Shame. If I were Kustarova I would not say a word. I would invest my energies into preparing I/Z for a great showing at COR. I remember in her day when the old creaky federation were up to their dirty tricks and they broke up her and Ovsiannicov (not sure about spelling). He got Krylova and she and her new partner went on to get third at RN and I don't think they continued for much longer.

My prayer is this is Kustarova and Svetlana's time to shine. They have a team that can finally put their names on the map if they get the results. I'm putting my faith in that they all know just how special this moment is and they're all committed to work for it.

 

[Marta25]

The judges are not responding very well to GP`s modern approach to the SD, but I think I/Z`s Queen SD can still be very successful. They have a more contemporary approach to the SD than B/S or S/K, but IMO their program is not in the weird territory like GP`s SD. I`m glad that they didn`t go too overboard with their costumes, otherwise it could have looked campy.

Regarding Zueva, I really don`t know what she means when she says that S/K are a true Russian team. Is it because they are tall and blonde? And why should B/S or I/Z be considered to be lesser Russian? I really don`t get it. I mean B/S have the longevity of past Russian teams and I/Z have the emotions and fire that I personally connect with Russian Ice Dance. So, every one of those teams has qualities that you could call truly Russian.

 

[MK's Winter]

Zueva'a words will only further motivate I/Z and every other Russian and Non-Russian ID team. She's not even hit Russian soil yet and its begun. Shame. If I were Kustarova I would not say a word. I would invest my energies into preparing I/Z for a great showing at COR. I remember in her day when the old creaky federation were up to their dirty tricks and they broke up her and Ovsiannicov (not sure about spelling). He got Krylova and she and her new partner went on to get third at RN and I don't think they continued for much longer. My prayer is this is Kustarova and Svetlana's time to shine. They have a team that can finally put their names on the map if they get the results. I'm putting my faith in that they all know just how special this moment is and they're all committed to work for it.

Agreed. I am so sick of these coaches being as underrated as they are. Marina's words motivated them last year and it will do it again.

 

[bramweld]

P2 Don't have the skills yet to pull something like that off. Besides which I don't think it really works as a cohesive dance, IMHO.

Zueva has been saying this for the second season now. And apparently because they've both graduated from University, they also are the most cultured Russian pair. For all her apparent good taste, Marina strikes me as just....words fail me....

 

[surimi]

P2 Don't have the skills yet to pull something like that off.

Who are P2?

 

[uhh]

Piper & Paul.

 

[solani]

P2 Don't have the skills yet to pull something like that off. Besides which I don't think it really works as a cohesive dance, IMHO.

Zueva has been saying this for the second season now. And apparently because they've both graduated from University, they also are the most cultured Russian pair. For all her apparent good taste, Marina strikes me as just....words fail me....

Marina reigned ID (or she thought she did ) and the reign has ended. She still has to accept that, because she seems to think that she can make champions. I don't deny that she greatly supported her top teams and has given them great programs in the past, but they had great talent and she had great help in the person of Igor. But she hasn't given S/K her best this season, she's still waiting for them to be worthy, hahah. I know I'm not making sense, but Marina doesn't either. When you're politicking like she does you have to give your top team great programs, she only gave them nice programs.
I think that I/Z have the right approach: work with very good technical coaches and choose choreographers you want to work with. You have to trust your coaches, there's no need to trust your choreographer.

 

[Alba]

The judges are not responding very well to GP`s modern approach to the SD, but I think I/Z`s Queen SD can still be very successful. They have a more contemporary approach to the SD than B/S or S/K, but IMO their program is not in the weird territory like GP`s SD. I`m glad that they didn`t go too overboard with their costumes, otherwise it could have looked campy.

Well, the judges didn't respond very well to GP's modern approach to both their programs in SA. In Nepala they had good scores and won in the end. I would wait for other competitions to see how the judges will respond to modern approach. However, the problem with GP is that: a) they are not gifted skaters and don't have a good technique and SS. IMO you need that if you want to do a modern program; b) I think they should've gone either with Beatles and Mozart only, using Yellow Submarine maybe as a march, or Mozart and J.P.Rameau only. Instead they went for 3 pieces which are very different from one another and a bit too much: Beatles, Mozart and Rameau, which is Baroque music. As for their costumes in the SD, I love them. Ruslena are using 2 pieces both from Queen. One is waltz and the other one is march, and very clearly so. There is a continuity in the story and in their dance. Nothing is abrupt or out of place in their concept and choice of music. We will see if the judges will respond well to that or not.

Regarding Zueva, I really don`t know what she means when she says that S/K are a true Russian team. Is it because they are tall and blonde? And why should B/S or I/Z be considered to be lesser Russian? I really don`t get it. I mean B/S have the longevity of past Russian teams and I/Z have the emotions and fire that I personally connect with Russian Ice Dance. So, every one of those teams has qualities that you could call truly Russian.

There is nothing new in Zoueva's words. The same old words she's using since last season during summer. Did she mentioned blue eyes this time around? I mean really, I find her quite funny and predictable like her programs.

 

[bramweld]

[/QUOTE]There is nothing new in Zoueva's words. The same old words she's using since last season during summer. Did she mentioned blue eyes this time around? I mean really, I find her quite funny and predictable like her programs.[/QUOTE]

Word. I am still waiting on an original thought.

 

[tvuckic16]

So after watching SA, I think IZ is in very good position for gold in CoC. Was not impressed by CB, then again I am hardly ever impressed by CB, although I liked their FD last year. This year....it's just ok. I still don't like IZ SD, but... their FD is excellent. CL have two solid programs, but both CB and IZ are better technical skaters. HB are a fantastic team but not yet ready to challenge the more senior teams for medals, especially not IZ or CB. So....I think CoC is looking good for IZ.

 

[bramweld]

So after watching SA, I think IZ is in very good position for gold in CoC. Was not impressed by CB, then again I am hardly ever impressed by CB, although I liked their FD last year. This year....it's just ok. I still don't like IZ SD, but... their FD is excellent. CL have two solid programs, but both CB and IZ are better technical skaters. HB are a fantastic team but not yet ready to challenge the more senior teams for medals, especially not IZ or CB. So....I think CoC is looking good for IZ.

I hope the same. But I don't understand why C/B made those changes to their FD, it looks so empty now. I wonder if they plan to make further changes. IMHO, they should have just left it as it was at Nebelhorn. The crazy world of ID.

All that's left for C/B to do now is to bring back lasts years program. Well if it worked for B/S. I'm curious now about the original choreo Najarro gave them.

 

[tulosai]

So after watching SA, I think IZ is in very good position for gold in CoC. Was not impressed by CB, then again I am hardly ever impressed by CB, although I liked their FD last year. This year....it's just ok. I still don't like IZ SD, but... their FD is excellent. CL have two solid programs, but both CB and IZ are better technical skaters. HB are a fantastic team but not yet ready to challenge the more senior teams for medals, especially not IZ or CB. So....I think CoC is looking good for IZ.

I don't know about first but I certainly think second is doable, for sure!

 

[tvuckic16]

I don't know about first but I certainly think second is doable, for sure!

Lol...well...yes...I can't say anything for sure. I wish I were clairvoyant . But, yes... definitely second but first is not beyond the realm of possibility.

 

[Alba]

I hope the same. But I don't understand why C/B made those changes to their FD, it looks so empty now. I wonder if they plan to make further changes. IMHO, they should have just left it as it was at Nebelhorn. The crazy world of ID.

All that's left for C/B to do now is to bring back lasts years program. Well if it worked for B/S. I'm curious now about the original choreo Najarro gave them.

Did they made changes in the FD? It looked the same to me but I've seen it only twice, at Nebelhorn and here in SA. I think CB didn't train the FD during this period since they had to changed the SD and obviously they needed to work on the SD mainly. I think they're gonna be much better in CoC.

 

[tulosai]

Did they made changes in the FD? It looked the same to me but I've seen it only twice, at Nebelhorn and here in SA. I think CB didn't train the FD during this period since they had to changed the SD and obviously they needed to work on the SD mainly. I think they're gonna be much better in CoC.

Yes this is what I think too. I also didn't notice changes in the FD but to me it is a snooze fest so I probably wasn't really watching that closely either time...

I do expect them to be much better by COC and quite honestly they benefit from the judges being really on board with them for whatever reason... probably partly because Igor is their coach, partly because the USA does firmly support them as their number one, and partly because they are really good performers in person. So honestly I don't expect that Ruslena will be able to pass them at COC this year. But that's okay, second with a big score pretty close to C/B would be plenty good enough and a great stepping stone going forward.

 

[bramweld]

Did they made changes in the FD? It looked the same to me but I've seen it only twice, at Nebelhorn and here in SA. I think CB didn't train the FD during this period since they had to changed the SD and obviously they needed to work on the SD mainly. I think they're gonna be much better in CoC.

Wow, my eyes deceived me. It looked so empty the second time around I thought it couldn't possibly have been like this at Nebelhorn. My mistake. But this dance has an awful not of simple progressions and cross-overs. But say what I'm not a judge.

 

[LisaM]

Wow, my eyes deceived me. It looked so empty the second time around I thought it couldn't possibly have been like this at Nebelhorn. My mistake. But this dance has an awful not of simple progressions and cross-overs. But say what I'm not a judge.

I'm really curious to read sisinka's analyses of the GPs. I hope he/she(?) posts again soon!

 

[Alba]

Yes this is what I think too. I also didn't notice changes in the FD but to me it is a snooze fest so I probably wasn't really watching that closely either time...

I do expect them to be much better by COC and quite honestly they benefit from the judges being really on board with them for whatever reason... probably partly because Igor is their coach, partly because the USA does firmly support them as their number one, and partly because they are really good performers in person. So honestly I don't expect that Ruslena will be able to pass them at COC this year. But that's okay, second with a big score pretty close to C/B would be plenty good enough and a great stepping stone going forward.

I agree. I honestly believe that these two are ready to compete with everybody and win. However, if they beat the rest but not CB, WP and PC this season I'll still be very happy.

 

[bsfan]

....

But all they can do is get their heads down, keep working and perform to the best of their ability in China. There's no point worrying about what anyone else is doing & I expect that if I/Z are thinking about S/K at all, it's just driving them to work harder.

....

This is the most important. Good result comes from hard working, no matter how talent the skater is, though more talent one moves quicker and bigger.

I'm worried about them too. It's my style and I think it's good to always have a sense of 'unsafe' in mind.