Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin | Page 416 | Golden Skate

Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

I think the same goes for S/K they're still listed as being part of Moser's group? Am I wrong here?

Yeah. I think Sinitsina had to change club back when she teamed up with Nikita.

This admin stuff is quiet confusing, so I will stop worrying about this :biggrin: I mean both Shpilband and Elena stated that they would go back to Novi, so I guess this is going to happen, regardless if Kustarova is officially still stated as their coach. Even Popova and Kovtun who already have changed coaches aren`t mentioned in the document.
 
Even Popova and Kovtun who already have changed coaches aren`t mentioned in the document.
Actually they're mentioned, but the mention is that they didn't send official application so on paper they stay attached to their previous coaches for 2016/17.
 
Honestly, Ruslena could skate circles in their sleep around Aldridge/Eaton, who were only at worlds anyway because both D/W and H/D skipped. It's not like that team fared any better with their more conventional GWTW program. I see no reason a clean, high quality Bollywood FD wouldn't be scored well from Ruslena. The fact is, not many teams have tried it, and most of the teams that did just weren't very good. Igor coached D/W when they did their OD, he knows what he's doing.
I don’t mean that Aldridge/Eaton placed 17th a world because they used Bollywood music, only that in not high-ranking teams the judges probably don’t care what music the skaters use as long as it listenable and within the rules, but with those with pedestal potential they might.

Spiral, why do you post in this thread if you genuinely have no faith in Ruslena's ability to do any sort of program well? Why not take a wait and see approach?
To the contrary, in the very post you quoted I wrote that I have no doubt whatsoever that IZ can make a wonderful program to Bollywood music, and that it’s the judges’ reaction to a top team using such music (regardless of how good the program and the skating is) that I’m unsure about. Waiting and seeing the approach won’t resolve my worry, because, based on previous experience, I’m sure their approach will be fine. In fact, I’m certain they can do a terrific program to about any music – they’re very versatile, but that’s no guarantee they’ll get the scores they deserve.

Indian music sounds like a good choice for IZ, I like it better than the Frida announcement last year. But since it's pure speculation at this point, I'll stick to trusting Shpilband's expertise to know what he's doing and what he wants to achieve with IZ. Can't wait to hear about their senior B outings; the season can't start soon enough. :D
I think Frida was an excellent choice for them too, as far as the program itself went, and that there the underscoring was probably due to behind-the scenes politicking rather than the music choice. But as for the judges’ reaction to Bollywood in FD by a top team, I also feel that the only thing that ameliorates my worries somewhat is Shpilband’s experience in such matters. But I’m afraid my worries about to the program’s reception will only be set to rest if its scored fairly at GP.

Regarding IZ’s official coach transfer, I wrote in the Edge subforum that I think IZ will add Shpilband as a third coach to their official list of coaches. I think Shpilband has done that with some other ID teams, as well as Zueva with C/L. If so, then I think it’s a good thing. They train mostly with Shpilband who’ll also accompany them to competition, but they won’t be cutting ties with Kustarova and Alexeeva either, possibly training with them for a week or so now and then and having them accompany them to competitions as well. It may be that IZ have a very high opinion of KA as coaches, who are, after all, considered the best ID technicians in Russia. It may also be that Elena and Ruslan are grateful to the coaches who’ve made them the most interesting and promising ID team starting from their first season together. I think that it’s likely both, and it makes me admire IZ even more, both as people and as professionals. Personally, I think it’s the best solution.
 
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Didn't Riazanova/Tkachenko have a similar setup? I think they were mostly training in Shpilband's group, but Gorshkov also was there with them at the competitions.
 
Didn't Riazanova/Tkachenko have a similar setup? I think they were mostly training in Shpilband's group, but Gorshkov also was there with them at the competitions.

No, no no. R/T were coached by Gorshkov who traveled with them to the states. Igor was an assistant coach/consultant. A/K are in Moscow. I/Z are in the US with Igor only. Besides which the latest transition documents lists Igor as their only coach while they remain associated with their previous club for administrative reasons. It's really, really weird that we're still asking this question. I think even FSO doesn't question whether or not they're with Igor. :rolleye:
 
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No, no no. R/T were coached by Gorshkov who traveled with them to the states. Igor was an assistant coach/consultant. A/K are in Moscow. I/Z are in the US with Igor only. Besides which the latest transition documents lists Igor as their only coach while they remain associated with their previous club for administrative reasons. Why is it so difficult to grasp with everything we've seen that Igor is their new coach?
Sorry, I didn't see that. I only saw the list that was posted in this forum.
 
Wait, what? Bollywood? I haven't been following the developments very closely. I hope it is not Bollywood, honestly...
 
Wait, what? Bollywood? I haven't been following the developments very closely. I hope it is not Bollywood, honestly...

I know right because they'd be really good at it:agree:. C/B also going off the grid with Under Pressure. Really looking forward to everything coming out of Igor's camp. Well now that it's June we should be hearing more about everyone's choices. Curious to see how everyone is shaping up in this pre-Olympic season:hap85:.
Warhorse galore or calculated risks?
 
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It would be great if we could get more range. No more P/C copy cats,please! In that regard I/Z doing a Bollywood FD would definitely stand out.
 
I know right because they'd be really good at it:agree:. C/B also going off the grid with Under Pressure. Really looking forward to everything coming out of Igor's camp. Well now that it's June we should be hearing more about everyone's choices. Curious to see how everyone is shaping up in this pre-Olympic season:hap85:.
Warhorse galore or calculated risks?


I feel Bollywood is just... difficult to portray well and accurately without making a stereotypical, ethnic caricature of it, but that is just my opinion.

And I don't mean it just IZ, I don't see Bollywood fitting any team in ice dance!
 
I feel Bollywood is just... difficult to portray well and accurately without making a stereotypical, ethnic caricature of it, but that is just my opinion.

And I don't mean it just IZ, I don't see Bollywood fitting any team in ice dance!

I don't know about that. Musicians have found ways to borrow from Bollywood without selling their musical souls. I don't see why it should be any different for ice dancers with artistic capabilities. In fact I think skaters who can maintain a signature style over a somewhat contrasting musical selection are far and few between.

http://youtu.be/H9UJFC8LLjM
 
I don't know about that. Musicians have found ways to borrow from Bollywood without selling their musical souls. I don't see why it should be any different for ice dancers with artistic capabilities. In fact I think skaters who can maintain a signature style over a somewhat contrasting musical selection are far and few between.

http://youtu.be/H9UJFC8LLjM

Oh I agree, I think the music can be incorporated quite nicely and tastefully... I guess... I just shudder at the thought of a possibility of Domnina and Shabalin Aboriginal Dance interpretation... or something like it.

The music is one thing but Indian dance (including Bollywood) is full of complexity and I just don't want to see stereotypical outdone costumes and overdone fake Indian dance moves...

Not that IZ would go that route, but it is hard not to fall into those types of stereotypes... which is why I was saying I didn't think Bollywood would fit the western style based ice dance teams.
 
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Oh I agree, I think the music can be incorporated quite nicely and tastefully... I guess... I just shudder at the thought of a possibility of Domnina and Shabalin Aboriginal Dance interpretation... or something like it.

The music is one thing but Indian dance (including Bollywood) is full of complexity and I just don't want to see stereotypical outdone costumes and overdone fake Indian dance moves...

Not that IZ would go that route, but it is hard not to fall into those types of stereotypes... which is why I was saying I didn't think Bollywood would fit the western style based ice dance teams.
Linichuk didn't make any effort at all to be authentic with that Aboriginal OD. I hope and believe that Shpilband is more professional than that.
 
Abachkina was only 15, not a fair comparison.
I was not thinking about difficulty and/or execution, but about the general choreography and the level of authenticity. I thought that was what you meant as well when you mentioned professionalism.

Also, why did you assume my post was negative in tone? Of course, that's very far from authentic traditonal Indian dance, but the dancing in the more recent Bollywood movies is not all that authentic to traditional dance either anymore from what I have seen. The choreography of this FD, while much simpler than what actors/actresses and dancers do in Bollywood movies, is quite close in the general feel and style/type (can't find the right word) of movements.


The question is - should a Bollywood themed FD be authentic to traditional Indian dance, to the Bollywood movies themselves, or to the dancing in the particular movie that the music was taken from (which would be 'Slumdog Millionaire' in I/Z's case)?
 
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Angelique & Louis's age & ability is actually very relevant when you are assessing their program - the coach & choreographer could have all the good intentions in the world, but ultimately they are limited by what the skaters are capable of, and very few ice dancers have the ability to translate a completely alien form of dance onto the ice and balance it with all the tech demands at that stage of their career. A/T did OK, I'm not sure it was the best choice for them, it's a style of movement that's easier for more compact dancers, but it was clearly Indian inspired dance, if not as "authentic" as D/W's, and the costuming & presentation was respectful & culturally sensitive.

I don't know exactly what I/Z's music is, but I know they have been working a lot with outside choreographers & dance teachers, so if it is a Bollywood program, or Slumdog Millionaire, it's not going to be a pastiche or stereotypes of Indian dance.
 
I don't know exactly what I/Z's music is, but I know they have been working a lot with outside choreographers & dance teachers, so if it is a Bollywood program, or Slumdog Millionaire, it's not going to be a pastiche or stereotypes of Indian dance.

I think Elena will do an incredible Indian dance, but I have great reserves about Ruslan, I just can not imagine him doing this. I hope he proves me wrong.
 
I think Elena will do an incredible Indian dance, but I have great reserves about Ruslan, I just can not imagine him doing this. I hope he proves me wrong.

And why is that?

Seriously, I'm honestly baffled. Part of bringing Bollywood dancing to life is actually, you know, dancing, and Ruslan is a crisper dancer than Elena with very placed movements. I think he's good at high energy stuff. One of his consistent strengths ever since he was a junior was adapting very nicely to every SD style and really interpreting the rhythm and character of the dance.

Anyway, I agree, A/T's Bollywood is at the very least okay, there were some nice moments in there, it's not embarrassing or insensitive. I don't think they always pulled off the moves perfectly, but it's decent enough.
 
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