Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[Marta25]

The draw is good but I was hoping that they would bring in outside judges. But then again coaches have ties to everyone..

I think Russia is one of the few countries who used foreign judges for the technical panel in the past, whereas Italy, France, Canada and US are using their own judges. This could also be a strategic decision by the Russian Fed, since the outside judges were stricter, which meant that the scores compared to the National Championships of other countries were more realistic, but also lower. This is only my theory but this could maybe be a reason why they are not again bringing in outside judges.

 

[MK's Winter]

I think Russia is one of the few countries who used foreign judges for the technical panel in the past, whereas Italy, France, Canada and US are using their own judges. This could also be a strategic decision by the Russian Fed, since the outside judges were stricter, which meant that the scores compared to the National Championships of other countries were more realistic, but also lower. This is only my theory but this could maybe be a reason why they are not again bringing in outside judges.

Good theory though. They did it last year, I thought they would do the same.

 

[Sugarpova]

Lena looked soooo gorg at the draw
well as usual

 

[tvuckic16]

Ooops, the Fed just posted a poster of B/S... so, if my theory is correct then it is BS, IZ, SK....lol... Well, I liked my theory better before...lol...oh well, we'll see how transparent the Fed really is, now won't we.

 

[Marta25]

I like this pic https://www.instagram.com/p/_osR_7vLPh/?taken-by=ilinykh_zhiganshin_official

 

[bramweld]

I like this pic https://www.instagram.com/p/_osR_7vLPh/?taken-by=ilinykh_zhiganshin_official

And so does Najarro, how cute

 

[MK's Winter]

I like this pic https://www.instagram.com/p/_osR_7vLPh/?taken-by=ilinykh_zhiganshin_official

They are soo gorgeous

 

[Alba]

I like this pic https://www.instagram.com/p/_osR_7vLPh/?taken-by=ilinykh_zhiganshin_official

Gorgeous position and body!

 

[uhh]

I just want two clean performances, and then we'll see where they land

 

[uhh]

There are so many Ruslena banners in the rink!

 

[bramweld]

There are so many Ruslena banners in the rink!

uh huh. Yes.

 

[Marta25]

There are so many Ruslena banners in the rink!

Cool!
Are you there or are you watching a stream?

I`m also hoping for clean skates.

 

[uhh]

Cool!
Are you there or are you watching a stream?
I`m also hoping for clean skates.

http://rus24.tv/match_tv.html I was watching here, I hope it will show the rest of the event.

 

[Marta25]

http://rus24.tv/match_tv.html I was watching here, I hope it will show the rest of the event.

Thank you!
Has anyone heard how their practice went today? I read in the Men SP thread that the ice is very hard to skate on.

 

[MK's Winter]

Thank you! Has anyone heard how their practice went today? I read in the Men SP thread that the ice is very hard to skate on.

I heard they practiced very well but heard no more than that.

 

[MK's Winter]

Dance starts in 8 minutes!

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I noticed the banners in the stands!!!

 

[uhh]

Agggh. They should still be in the mix for Euros with a strong FD, I hope, but this is so hard to take... Like I said on the B/S thread, it's clear the federation have picked a favourite.

 

[MK's Winter]

Agggh. They should still be in the mix for Euros with a strong FD, I hope, but this is so hard to take... Like I said on the B/S thread, it's clear the federation have picked a favourite.

I think this is the price for such a strong season last year. They wanted this too badly. The judges haven't loved the SD either.

 

[tvuckic16]

Ugh...well...I have to say, in fairness, that the top three teams do seem to be very close to me...so... it could have gone many different ways.