Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[MK's Winter]

I don't think there is anything they can do to increase Kustarova's power at the moment, so I think what they have to do is consistently skate well and let the skating speak for itself. This might though limit the kinds of risks they can take in creating programs, which is something I hadn't really thought about before- I hate to sound like a negative broken record especially in a fan fest but I legitimately do think some of the judges were confused about this program and scored PCS lower due to their confusion. Maybe for the moment that's something this team can't afford? I also absolutely do not think they should switch coaches, at least not now. I think Kustarova seems to understand them and they all seem to have an excellent relationship, and I think that is absolutely something that can't be overestimated on how important it is.

This makes me angry. Even though it happens, a coach in power should not be why a team gets a world medal, title ect. Such garbage. Kustrova is a great coach for I/Z, she adds to the team when needed. She is a very smart women and carried these 2 a long way. Change is not necessary.

 

[tulosai]

I so want these two to go with Igor like for two month just to see the "magic" it will come up with the scores, with the same exact skating and hear people saying: oh they have "improved" soooo much. :rofl2:I bet today they would've got 70. :handw:

The thing is though Igor would never have let them skate anything edgy and fun like this program to begin with. His teams all play it safe and color in the lines. Honestly, it's probably part of what they're rewarded for with some of the more traditional judges. I know you're not really serious that they should go to him, but I think it is a death of creativity to go to him, even temporarily, although I do believe it would help their scores.

 

[tulosai]

This makes me angry. Even though it happens, a coach in power should not be why a team gets a world medal, title ect. Such garbage. Kustrova is a great coach for I/Z, she adds to the team when needed. She is a very smart women and carried these 2 a long way. Change is not necessary.

Believe me, it makes me angry too.

 

[Alba]

The thing is though Igor would never have let them skate anything edgy and fun like this program to begin with. His teams all play it safe and color in the lines. Honestly, it's probably part of what they're rewarded for with some of the more traditional judges.

Maybe so but I don't think Carmen was a risky choice last season and yet they didn't got the scores they truly deserved. You might say that was because they were a new team, fair enough but let's see what will happen with Igor's new teams this season. I'm sure they will be so so so gooooood. :handw:

I know you're not really serious that they should go to him, but I think it is a death of creativity to go to him, even temporarily, although I do believe it would help their scores.

That's why I don't like him. I don't have other reasons honestly because I think he is a good coach for his student and he has been very good with CB. I also like the fact that he's quiet and doesn't usually engage in bs PR.

 

[Marta25]

The thought that I/Z skate to the kind of programs C/B skated to in the past has me like :scard7:

I/Z could take the P/B approach and just say "we do what we believe in", but their successes will probably come slower.

 

[Alba]

The thought that I/Z skate to the kind of programs C/B skated to in the past has me like :scard7:

I/Z could take the P/B approach and just say "we do what we believe in", but their successes will probably come slower.

I'm not an underdog lover at all costs. I mean we all love and have sympathy for the so called underdog teams but I do love champions and I truly want my favorites to become champions. However, I truly believe in this team and I want them to continue on this road. I was a Grishuk&Platov big fan, I loved them since forever and I loved Pasha since in Juniors. I'm so happy they won everything and became twice OGM despite the haters. Still, in my heart, I still have a regret, if I may use that word, that while they had very difficult programs they had very few which were really beautiful and for that I still feel a kind of pity. For me as a fan. I feel the same about V&T in Pairs. I think they are an amazing Pair. One of the few best of all time in terms of quality, chemistry etc. but I truly loved 1 program from them, Masquerade in 2014, and I think they deserve so much more. On their defence though V&T paired too late and they had the objective and a huge pressure from a whole country to become OGM in Sochi so I kind of understand them. IZ are young and they can continue till 2022. They are creating their own style and identity. I think it's lovely to see what they are doing and where they are heading to.


Meanwhile, enjoy their SD with no commentary.

 

[Marta25]

I'm not an underdog lover at all costs. I mean we all love and have sympathy for the so called underdog teams but I do love champions and I truly want my favorites to become champions. However, I truly believe in this team and I want them to continue on this road. I was a Grishuk&Platov big fan, I loved them since forever and I loved Pasha since in Juniors. I'm so happy they won everything and became twice OGM despite the haters. Still, in my heart, I still have a regret, if I may use that word, that while they had very difficult programs they had very few which were really beautiful and for that I still feel a kind of pity. For me as a fan. I feel the same about V&T in Pairs. I think they are an amazing Pair. One of the few best of all time in terms of quality, chemistry etc. but I truly loved 1 program from them, Masquerade in 2014, and I think they deserve so much more. On their defence though V&T paired too late and they had the objective and a huge pressure from a whole country to become OGM in Sochi so I kind of understand them. IZ are young and they can continue till 2022. They are creating their own style and identity. I think it's lovely to see what they are doing and where they are heading to.


Meanwhile, enjoy their SD with no commentary.

The bizarre thing is, that artistically and technically they are going into the right direction. It`s just that they don`t get the scores they deserve, at least not yet.

 

[uhh]

Kustarova was 100% what they needed last year, and I think she's done a decent job this season, but she's never taken a team to the very top.
Sorry, posted too soon...
And I find in general that her teams aren't as polished as they could be. I think that's what I/z are lacking for the judges to give them a push to the top. Compare just the costuming and way they present themselves to the judges to a team like c/l. c/l are all about the perception and the polish, and I/z are stronger in general, but it's easier for thee judges to give higher marks to the Italians because everything is classic and polished. Remember rhey don't have all that long when judging a program - you have to make it as easy as possible for the judges to give you high scores. The Merry Widow with big smiles and a classic sparkly dress is easier to get than queen. It's that same with S/K - bland as hell this season, but they have a coach that knows how to play the game and present a package that it's easy for the judges to go with. That's what team kustarova have to learn how to do.

 

[Alba]

The bizarre thing is, that artistically and technically they are going into the right direction. It`s just that they don`t get the scores they deserve, at least not yet.

I agree. I also think, or at least I really hope so, that their time will come. A lot of great couples suffered the same thing, like Klimova&Ponomarenko, Grishuk&Platov also in 1992 and many more. They really had to dig and work hard and be perfect almost always in order to achieve what they achieved in the end. We can't do anything about the judges and I'm angry with them but can we (fans) at least don't go mad and talk about changed coaches, change programs, polish this and polish that? :scard8:

Kustarova was 100% what they needed last year, and I think she's done a decent job this season, but she's never taken a team to the very top.

And what makes you think she can't take this team to the very top? How do you know people can't do something if you don't let them work?

 

[Marta25]

Kustarova was 100% what they needed last year, and I think she's done a decent job this season, but she's never taken a team to the very top.

I think we have to wait how this season will develop. A coaching change at this point of the season is out of the question anyway. The only realistic alternative to Kustarova is Platov and I`m not sure if he has that much more power with the judges.

 

[Alba]

I think we have to wait how this season will develop. A coaching change at this point of the season is out of the question anyway. The only realistic alternative to Kustarova is Platov and I`m not sure if he has that much more power with the judges.

Platov who was not "good" enough for C&B UK? Do we really think Robin Cousins forced them to go with Igor to actually improve their skating?!:roll9:

 

[Marta25]

Platov who was not "good" enough for C&B UK? Do we really think Steven Cousins forced them to go with Igor to actually improve their skating?!:roll9:

I`m just speculating, that`s all. I think it won`t make any difference, I/Z can be coached by Kustarova and hit their levels or be coached by Platov and hit their levels. They don`t seem to have problems with the technical aspect, it`s more about politics. Or maybe we are all overreacting But how it went today, I`m scared what the judges will do with Frida.

 

[uhh]

I agree.t their time will come. A lot of great couples suffered the same thing, like Klimova&Ponomarenko, Grishuk&Platov also in 1992 and many more. They really had to dig and work hard and be perfect almost always in order to achieve what they achieved in the end. We can't do anything about the judges and I'm angry with them but can we (fans) at least don't go mad and talk about changed coaches, change programs, polish this and polish that? :scard8:



And what makes you think she can't take this team to the very top? How do you know people can't do something if you don't let them work?

On my phone and posted too soon, I went back to explain what I think she's missing- there's no reason she can't do it, but I do think she has to be more willing to "play the game" to get them established as a top team.

 

[Alba]

I`m just speculating, that`s all. I think it won`t make any difference, I/Z can be coached by Kustarova and hit their levels or be coached by Platov and hit their levels. They don`t seem to have problems with the technical aspect, it`s more about politics. Or maybe we are all overreacting But how it went today, I`m scared what the judges will do with Frida.

No I know what you meant and I was just adding more to your point. Platov has been a great coach and yet they had to leave him because they were forced to just because he doesn't have a rep. How the hell is he going to build that rep. if you don't leave him, or others, work it's a mystery to me.

 

[Alba]

And I find in general that her teams aren't as polished as they could be. I think that's what I/z are lacking for the judges to give them a push to the top. Compare just the costuming and way they present themselves to the judges to a team like c/l. c/l are all about the perception and the polish, and I/z are stronger in general, but it's easier for thee judges to give higher marks to the Italians because everything is classic and polished. Remember rhey don't have all that long when judging a program - you have to make it as easy as possible for the judges to give you high scores. The Merry Widow with big smiles and a classic sparkly dress is easier to get than queen. It's that same with S/K - bland as hell this season, but they have a coach that knows how to play the game and present a package that it's easy for the judges to go with. That's what team kustarova have to learn how to do.

Yes, I can get that but this is saying death of their own style and identity. Go with generic crap or classics. There is no way out and that's exactly what I don't like otherwise I would love CL , CB etc.

As for costuming I have my complains but it's unfair to blame Kustarova for it. Elena is the one making the choices.

 

[Marta25]

Kustarova was 100% what they needed last year, and I think she's done a decent job this season, but she's never taken a team to the very top.
Sorry, posted too soon...
And I find in general that her teams aren't as polished as they could be. I think that's what I/z are lacking for the judges to give them a push to the top. Compare just the costuming and way they present themselves to the judges to a team like c/l. c/l are all about the perception and the polish, and I/z are stronger in general, but it's easier for thee judges to give higher marks to the Italians because everything is classic and polished. Remember rhey don't have all that long when judging a program - you have to make it as easy as possible for the judges to give you high scores. The Merry Widow with big smiles and a classic sparkly dress is easier to get than queen. It's that same with S/K - bland as hell this season, but they have a coach that knows how to play the game and present a package that it's easy for the judges to go with. That's what team kustarova have to learn how to do.

But isn`t this exactly what people complain about? That all ice dance teams look the same? Last season, they had a good package with Carmen and that SD really stood out. I just don`t want them to lose what makes them so special, because C/L and C/B look like hundred of other ice dance teams, whereas I/Z have a distinctive style.

 

[uhh]

Yes, I can get that but this is saying death of their own style and identity. Go with generic crap or classics. There is no way out and that's exactly what I don't like otherwise I would love CL , CB etc.

As for costuming I have my complains but it's unfair to blame Kustarova for it. Elena is the one making the choices.

I'm all for teams being creative, but they are still establishing themselves and so the judges don't give them the benefit of the doubt, especially on the SD. I don't think other top coaches would have supported them doing this sd at this stage in the partnership, and yes it's more boring, but they'd get an easier ride from the judges, and still have the FD to make freer more creative choices. You have to decide what's more important, sticking rigidly to a creative vision, or making compromises so you get the best results.

And we don't know who chooses the costumes, but the coach should have a role in ensuring their skaters have the best package possible, and if that means telling your skaters to change the clothes, you do it. But her teams have always been criticised for having heavy looking or old fashioned outfits.

 

[tulosai]

They could potentially go to Zuhlin if he'd take them. He has more pull than Kustarova and would probably still let them be somewhat creative, but it's not clear if he'd be willing to take them for a few reasons.

Either way I will again say I don't think a coaching change is a good idea at this point.

 

[uhh]

But isn`t this exactly what people complain about? That all ice dance teams look the same? Last season, they had a good package with Carmen and that SD really stood out. I just don`t want them to lose what makes them so special, because C/L and C/B look like hundred of other ice dance teams, whereas I/Z have a distinctive style.

You don't have to lose your own style. Carmen is the most traditional dance they could have done, but they did it in a way that was true to them as a team - the whole package worked. I don't want them to lose what makes them distinctive, but I think there is still work to be done in the overall packaging that makes tge risks more palatable to the judges. So, shorten the dresses to show the leg line, work out if the judges really do have a problem with Queen, accept that you might have to stick to a closer adherence to classic ballroom in the SD. Otherwise they might be coming from behind all year.

 

[bramweld]

I'm all for teams being creative, but they are still establishing themselves and so the judges don't give them the benefit of the doubt, especially on the SD. I don't think other top coaches would have supported them doing this sd at this stage in the partnership, and yes it's more boring, but they'd get an easier ride from the judges, and still have the FD to make freer more creative choices. You have to decide what's more important, sticking rigidly to a creative vision, or making compromises so you get the best results.

And we don't know who chooses the costumes, but the coach should have a role in ensuring their skaters have the best package possible, and if that means telling your skaters to change the clothes, you do it. But her teams have always been criticised for having heavy looking or old fashioned outfits.

Well all that challenging choreo given to the Shibs in the past that seemed to be just over their heads at times, is paying dividends now. Everybody, just needs to bear in mind that in spite of their promise they're still only a two year union.