Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[Marta25]

Thank God! I read some rumors about them having a trial period with Shpilband on one of the Russian forum, I`m glad those rumors were true. Am I understanding it right that they also consider retiring? Hopefully, this is going to work out for them. The fact that they got the funding and that Shpilband is ready to take them, shows that people still believe in them, so hopefully they will continue.

 

[uhh]

I think this is a really good choice for them. Lena was close with Igor when she trained in the US before, and having a fresh pair of eyes on Ruslan can only be good for him. Plus I'm super excited that they'll be with Fabian - they are one of the few couples that have the flair and personality to bring his ideas to life.

 

[Sorrento]

Thank God! I read some rumors about them having a trial period with Shpilband on one of the Russian forum, I`m glad those rumors were true. Am I understanding it right that they also consider retiring? Hopefully, this is going to work out for them. The fact that they got the funding and that Shpilband is ready to take them, shows that people still believe in them, so hopefully they will continue.

Not at this point, no. But they are pretty serious about big change and upping their game. If it is not rewarded then... Not yet though.

 

[Marta25]

I think this is a really good choice for them. Lena was close with Igor when she trained in the US before, and having a fresh pair of eyes on Ruslan can only be good for him. Plus I'm super excited that they'll be with Fabian - they are one of the few couples that have the flair and personality to bring his ideas to life.

I`m also very happy about this. Lately, I rewatched P/B`s Olympic FD and thought that Ruslan could be able to develop a similar style as Fabian. I think it`s good for Ruslan to have a stronger male presence in his coaching team. Besides, Elena seemed to have a good relationship with Nathalie and Fabian when they were training with Zhulin.

 

[bramweld]

I am so absolutely proud of them. To achieve what they have under what must have been two very dire seasons is highly commendable. Words cannot describe how strongly I think of Lena's character. They have endured so much without even a murmur. May God grant them every success.

 

[uhh]

I`m also very happy about this. Lately, I rewatched P/B`s Olympic FD and thought that Ruslan could be able to develop a similar style as Fabian. I think it`s good for Ruslan to have a stronger male presence in his coaching team. Besides, Elena seemed to have a good relationship with Nathalie and Fabian when they were training with Zhulin.

Yeah, Lena said back when she was still with Nikita that going to work with Kustarova before worlds 2013 was really great for her because she'd never had female coaches before and it taught her a lot that she'd never thought about. I guess it's the same for Ruslan, he's always had female coaches so working with guys might open his eyes to some new things too.

 

[uhh]

Thank God! I read some rumors about them having a trial period with Shpilband on one of the Russian forum, I`m glad those rumors were true. Am I understanding it right that they also consider retiring? Hopefully, this is going to work out for them. The fact that they got the funding and that Shpilband is ready to take them, shows that people still believe in them, so hopefully they will continue.

I read the retiring comment as "The ice dance world changes and we have to change with it. Otherwise you may as well just retire." So not really saying it's actually an option, just that if you don't try all that you can, it's not worth carrying on the career. Any other Russian speakers agree or want to correct me?!

 

[Marta25]

I read the retiring comment as "The ice dance world changes and we have to change with it. Otherwise you may as well just retire." So not really saying it's actually an option, just that if you don't try all that you can, it's not worth carrying on the career. Any other Russian speakers agree or want to correct me?!

That`s great to read

It`s like you wrote few months ago. If all they can achieve are mediocre results, it`s better they move on, because both are too talented to just settle for a few GP medals here and there. I think Shpilband would probably not take them, if he didn`t see any potential, so I really, really hope this is going to work out.

 

[NaVi]

How many couples is Igor coaching... isn't he kind of stretching himself thin?

 

[borzaya]

Stunned by the news :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: But optimistic. That can be a really good chance and choice for them... Good luck for our RusLena! :yay:

 

[Meoima]

Yes, well, from Elena's interview: they spent all their earlier won money on choreos and other expences during the last two seasons. They applied for sponsorship and got the money. Then they applied to Igor and he said that they will have a different training scheme under him and he will not have that much of time for them only but there is Fabian Bourzat who helped them earlier and the new plan actually works for Russian athletes who were previosuly coached in a different way. The reason of going so early is that Igor's group will have additional hip hop classes and they will join that group too. Apparently hip hop helps a lot to figure skaters.
They will stay there for three months and then decide about coaching- the matter is still on the table, they've informed their current coaches and they still come and train under them. In May they plan to come back to Moscow and make a final decision. Also Elena said that Dance field moves so fast than either they evolve same fast or they might as well think of retiring because they aim high and if they can't reach that- then yes, career is a question of it's purpose. She said that as long as there are people who are willing to sponsor them- they need to take this chance and make the maximum out of it.
With all of my heart I wish them huge luck!

So it's not 100% sure they will switch?

 

[Marta25]

So it's not 100% sure they will switch?

It sounds like a trial period, similar to the one S/K had with Zueva, only longer.

 

[bramweld]

So it's not 100% sure they will switch?

I think they will evaluate their progress in May. I believe if their Federation is pleased with the progress and if they can form a good bond with their new team, then they will stay. I am very optimistic about their future. I think their sponsors would gladly continue to support them if they decide to stay with Igor, everybody is just being tactful at this point. Lena is a very intelligent lady.

 

[uhh]

How many couples is Igor coaching... isn't he kind of stretching himself thin?

In seniors, he has Chock/Bates, Coomes/Buckland & Tobias/Tchakencho as his main teams, plus juniors & some other less known seniors. But he also has a big team of specialists working with him. It's no more than Marina with S/K, Shibs, Muramoto/Reed, Chinese teams and all her choreo work on the side, Montreal with P/C, H/D, P/I, P/O, Adri Diaz & his new partner, other French juniors and now of course V/M, or even where they are currently - Kustarova had 3 senior Russian teams, couples from Latvia & Estonia and lots of juniors.

 

[borzaya]

So it's not 100% sure they will switch?

That's not totally understandable :think: Looks like it's some trial period for now.

 

[Marta25]

On FSU morqet translated Elena`s interview and Igor sent them a schedule. Apparently, they are going to work with hip hop, ballet and lift specialists. Sounds very exciting.

 

[katha]

That's not totally understandable :think: Looks like it's some trial period for now.

I think that makes sense. This is a major move, tied to totally uprooting yourself and moving to another country. And the financial burden is not to be underestimated. Setups that may look stellar on paper sometimes don't work so well in practice. It's good that they're being a bit cautious IMO. Anyway, good luck on their endeavour!

 

[Tanka]

How many couples is Igor coaching... isn't he kind of stretching himself thin?

All top level dance coaches have many couples, but they also have large coaching teams to help them. Of course Igor isn't going to spend all his time on Elena and Ruslan but I'm sure he will have enough time for them. And Igor doesn't have other Russian couples, it matters.

In seniors, he has Chock/Bates, Coomes/Buckland & Tobias/Tchakencho as his main teams, plus juniors & some other less known seniors. But he also has a big team of specialists working with him. It's no more than Marina with S/K, Shibs, Muramoto/Reed, Chinese teams and all her choreo work on the side, Montreal with P/C, H/D, P/I, P/O, Adri Diaz & his new partner, other French juniors and now of course V/M, or even where they are currently - Kustarova had 3 senior Russian teams, couples from Latvia & Estonia and lots of juniors.

I was about to type the same list but luckily decided to refresh the page and here it is. This is exactly what I meant to say.

 

[Sorrento]

So it's not 100% sure they will switch?

My guess it will be a switch but they just need to be sure if Igor's plan works for them so that they finalize everything in Moscow and move to US permanently to get ready to the next season.

 

[uhh]

https://t.co/QfZBW2cawY

This is from Kustarova & the director at their rink saying it's only for 2.5 months, and then they come back. Gorshkov has said similar. But from what Elena was saying, I would guess that if it goes well with Igor & they have the money, they will move full time.