Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin | Page 339 | Golden Skate

Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

The bottom line is Ruslena is not doomed forever. I totally reject that notion, and don't see that it holds any water. Know who was a trainwreck last year? S/K. Somehow they've figured it out in spite of the doom hundreds of people here alone were forecasting. I/Z can and will figure it out too. They have still been skating together for only 18 months. Write them off if you want but don't come to me being all shocked when they actually make a comeback, like countless skaters before them have also done.
 
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Their twizzels in the SP are incredibly fast, I like them taking a risk, trying to make an impression. It backfired today, but I don't think that this is a reason to change the twizzels as some people are suggesting. You can't win anything by playing it safe. They had an incredible GP season last year and maybe they were more lucky than they are this year. No reason to be overly disappointed. Remember when Charlie White fell three times? This is not the end.
Now I want them to give the FS a great outing tomorrow, I hope we'll see it's full potential. The pressure is off for the moment.
 
Despite the fall from Rus, that skate was great, those judges should be tazzered for those PCS. I'm a bit conflicted. I love this SD for them, but maybe they should consider changing it. I think it suits them, but they have the skills to do something more sophisticated. However if the judges are going to give them such low PCS, they can skate to whatever they want to in my book. Albeit maybe the fall precipitated that?

Pleased as punch that they didn't allow the fall to affect the rest of the skate. Their levels were also very good :)
 
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also, this is the first time they didnt get above 60 in their sd. Especially for a new team, this is an impressive feat
 
Their twizzels in the SP are incredibly fast, I like them taking a risk, trying to make an impression. It backfired today, but I don't think that this is a reason to change the twizzels as some people are suggesting. You can't win anything by playing it safe. They had an incredible GP season last year and maybe they were more lucky than they are this year. No reason to be overly disappointed. Remember when Charlie White fell three times? This is not the end.
Now I want them to give the FS a great outing tomorrow, I hope we'll see it's full potential. The pressure is off for the moment.

The problem is twofold: first, that the twizzles have consistently given them minor issues. Second, that it's not in fact worth the risk when, as others have said in this thread already countless times, they could still get the same GOE and levels by making some minor modifications to make them easier. It would be different if they were getting +3's across the board when they pull them off, but the GOE's on them have actually been quite conservative at every competition they've done them at, even when done flawlessly. Since this is the case, no it's not worth the risk.
 
The problem is twofold: first, that the twizzles have consistently given them minor issues. Second, that it's not in fact worth the risk when, as others have said in this thread already countless times, they could still get the same GOE and levels by making some minor modifications to make them easier. It would be different if they were getting +3's across the board when they pull them off, but the GOE's on them have actually been quite conservative at every competition they've done them at, even when done flawlessly. Since this is the case, no it's not worth the risk.

Agreed, their scores could really increase if they did that. I am pleased with how they've handled themselves this season despite the rough outings. They'll be okay.
 
I`m used to be a fan of skaters, who aren`t really the embodiment of consistency *coughCarolinaKostnercough* :laugh:, so I don`t see I/Z`s situation as critical. There are plenty of ice dance teams, who seemed to get dumped and then made a turnaround. Let`s not panic and instead we should :ghug:
 
I do not think this is a disaster by any means. I'd rather this happen here than at Nationals. I have faith in this team. Ruslan heel caught and it happens. He finished that program like a boss though. I do think they need a sports psychologist though. This event was broadcasted as Elena Vs. Nikita and Ruslan probably feeling pressure living up to naysayers expectations. I think Victoria is struggling with this with Nikita as well. Russian media has been critical. He just needs to dust off, put it behind him and kill Frida with Elena.
 
The problem is twofold: first, that the twizzles have consistently given them minor issues. Second, that it's not in fact worth the risk when, as others have said in this thread already countless times, they could still get the same GOE and levels by making some minor modifications to make them easier. It would be different if they were getting +3's across the board when they pull them off, but the GOE's on them have actually been quite conservative at every competition they've done them at, even when done flawlessly. Since this is the case, no it's not worth the risk.
I agree, but maybe they'd get +3's if they would do those twizzels consistently throughout a couple of competitions. I don't like how twizzels are judged right now anyway, because rather "easy" level 4 twizzels get high GOE. So maybe it's not worth the risk, but I still think it makes an impression that will affect their PCS in the long term also. The real question is how they feel about those twizzels, if they're not confident that they're worth the risk and that they can get them consistent they should definitly change them.
 
^^ Actually their program this year is very risky. Its one those you either hate or love. Its one of those program that if they hit it stonecold, judges wont hesitate to give them the world gold. When I saw the Mordovian performance I thought they were at the right track(I thought the mistake was just because they were too relax). But now since they havent skated clean both SD or FD since last year makes you worry a bit. Im quite confident that they will perfrom well for the FD here since pressure is off. Honestly the one competition they need to hit big time will be Euros. A mediocre/okish (NO FALL) performance at Russian nationals will be enough to get them to Euros(Lets be honest a M/K and S/B are not better even with a hit routine) so that they can go to worlds. Their exclusion in GPF is a blessing so they have time to address their mistakes. And I think if B/S goes to GPF as the only russian couple, their position at the russian team is still much intact.
 
I do not think this is a disaster by any means. I'd rather this happen here than at Nationals. I have faith in this team. Ruslan heel caught and it happens. He finished that program like a boss though. I do think they need a sports psychologist though. This event was broadcasted as Elena Vs. Nikita and Ruslan probably feeling pressure living up to naysayers expectations. I think Victoria is struggling with this with Nikita as well. Russian media has been critical. He just needs to dust off, put it behind him and kill Frida with Elena.

They need to cut it out and recognize this will do more harm that good. Slaps myself in the face :palmf:, this is the Putin era. These people wouldn't know good sense if it jumped up and nuked them right in the face:drama:.

And I still say their PCS was bogus. With that type of skate they should have gotten 58 - 60, to keep them in the competition.:frown::furious:
 
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Now I am glad I wasn't at home yet during the SDs. Sad for IZ, and unfortunate to have a string of unclean skates. But I agree with others: they're far from doomed. I don't doubt the federation sees the potential and energy in these two, how unique and popular they are. And it's biding its time, observing and giving the skaters room until their long-term results convince them one way or another. And with the right programs and mindset, I bet the judges would give IZ high PCS as well. The road to PCS appreciation will just be more difficult now, that's all.
I agree they should reconsider the SD music choice. This would IMO make a lovely exhibition (one that would wake you up among all those slow romantic galas that couples apparently prefer!). But I just can't see it as these two classic dances. Same problem as I had with another experimenting couple, Gilles/Poirier. I think Elena especially would be stunning in a more classic waltz, and that I've heard a number of lovely, interesting and not widely used polkas and waltzes when listening to the Easter (or maybe New Year) concert by the Viennese philharmony. A more palatable SD music choice could also help them with their nerves. Or maybe not, but it might be worth a try. They remind me of last year's and this year's Liza, actually! Results exceeding expectations last season, and a hard start for this season, when they have much to prove and defend after a suden rise to the top. But with the right programs and packaging, I'm confident they'll be back sooner rather than later.
Hey Ruslena, still on your fan bandwagon and hoping to see you at Europeans! :hap10:
 
Now I am glad I wasn't at home yet during the SDs. Sad for IZ, and unfortunate to have a string of unclean skates. But I agree with others: they're far from doomed. I don't doubt the federation sees the potential and energy in these two, how unique and popular they are. And it's biding its time, observing and giving the skaters room until their long-term results convince them one way or another. And with the right programs and mindset, I bet the judges would give IZ high PCS as well. The road to PCS appreciation will just be more difficult now, that's all.
I agree they should reconsider the SD music choice. This would IMO make a lovely exhibition (one that would wake you up among all those slow romantic galas that couples apparently prefer!). But I just can't see it as these two classic dances. Same problem as I had with another experimenting couple, Gilles/Poirier. I think Elena especially would be stunning in a more classic waltz, and that I've heard a number of lovely, interesting and not widely used polkas and waltzes when listening to the Easter (or maybe New Year) concert by the Viennese philharmony. A more palatable SD music choice could also help them with their nerves. Or maybe not, but it might be worth a try. They remind me of last year's and this year's Liza, actually! Results exceeding expectations last season, and a hard start for this season, when they have much to prove and defend after a suden rise to the top. But with the right programs and packaging, I'm confident they'll be back sooner rather than later.
Hey Ruslena, still on your fan bandwagon and hoping to see you at Europeans! :hap10:

Right. I remember I/K had a great waltz the year when they won JW.
 
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