Elena Ilinykh & Ruslan Zhiganshin

[Marta25]

I notice I/Z skates with more transitions this year. But somehow they got worse transitions score than Carmen SD. (???) Short dance performance was good, they have energy and she is selling like always.

Entry of the twizzles:In Carmen it was forward backward crossovers. This time there is face to face close holds, dance jump in holds and immediately after twizzles.
Entry of side by side steps:After twizzles they close holds, face to face and unexpected jump entry. In Carmen it was mostly open holds and crossovers.
Entry of the pattern dance: In Carmen, there is open hold crossovers, this time they come with different holds, change of holds it not so open.

This short dance probably hardest short dance Ilinykh ever skated. I don't remember any other program like that from I/K and I/Z.

Honestly, I was actually surprised that I/Z were that close to H/D in the PCS. H/D are coming off from a very strong season, while I/Z had obviously a very disappointing one. The transition score is already higher than what I/Z received for the Queen SD, besides last year you could see that judges didn`t know what to do with the concept of their Short Dance. There were judges that liked it and others went as far as giving them 6s and tons of 7s. This year`s Short Dance is easier to understand and it`s also visible in the PCS, since most judges gave them low to high 8s.

What I/Z need to do now is to skate this program as confidently as they showed it here and IMO the PCS will rise. I`m already looking forward to Paris, since they will be the only Russian team there and are going to compete against H/D on neutral ground.

 

[uhh]

They were really underscored on the transitions - I agree with elif, it was the main thing that stuck out for me the first time I watched it; there is very little dead time in the program. I loved all the transitional lifts in particular in the swing section. The only element where I didn't see a noticeable difficult transition was the midnight blues section, but equally, it wasn't like the entrance was only crossovers or easy edges. But we all know the judges don't score what they see straightaway, it has to be shoved in their faces repeatedly before it is recognised.

Other things that stood out to me: Beautiful leg lines in the blues section. They've clearly really worked on that because it was a weakness before. That whole section was fluid, languid and showed off how well they both use their knees in their skating. All the key points first time out too! I'd like them to focus a bit more on upper body unison and controlling their arms a bit more next, sometimes limbs were flung around with too much wild abandon & it looks a little messy! And clearly the partial sequence needs looking at to make sure they get at least a level 3.

Can't see the lift well, the camera angle was horrible but at least the entry and exit seemed smooth? Very happy with the step between the twizzles, they still have the great speed and ice coverage but now it is more controlled.

Swing section: my faaaavourite part! So much fun and energy, the steps are fabulous and really show off how well they both hear rhythms - especially the bit using the drums in the middle of the steps. It's such a joy to see ice dancers actually dancing! Again, the level is a slight concern, but I could see two bobbles, one from Elena towards the start of the sequence and one from Ruslan on the twizzle at the end. It's enough to mean that there weren't enough clean difficult turns for a higher bv, but the requirements are there, they just need to execute. It was almost like they got too excited by the end, just keep a lid on the adrenaline a little!

All in all, very positive start and I hope they keep it going for the free

 

[uhh]

I wasn't loving the FD and they really lost steam at the end. Breaking 100 internationally seems like an impossible barrier. It started off really well but needs a lot of work to get everything snappy and well integrated. At least PCS held up, but they have to solve these tech problems - before seeing the protocols, I'd guess they lost goe and maybe levels on the spin, straightline life (seems to get tangled in her skirt?) and the 2nd step sequence.

I don't know how much it suits them as a style - Elena really tries to sell it but Ruslan is too much in the background. I know everyone is sick of lyrical or soft programs, but I think that would help them be more equal in presentation. Or maybe they just need more time with this.

At least it's a higher overall total than they got outside of Russia last year.

 

[Bahar]

I have just watched their free dance and I love it very much.Unlike others their free dance is really enjoyable. I am sorry about the low score, I think they deserve higher. I don't understand technical issue of course but I want them to take higher scores because they are really good and a lovely couple. :sad46:

 

[Marta25]

(( I wasn't loving the FD and they really lost steam at the end. Breaking 100 internationally seems like an impossible barrier. It started off really well but needs a lot of work to get everything snappy and well integrated. At least PCS held up, but they have to solve these tech problems.

They barely beat Guignard/Fabbri in the PCS. I read that Elena had also a cold after test skates and with Ruslan`s injury, they probably didn`t have enough time to prepare. The Short Dance looks great, but the Free Dance needs work.

Sigh, I wonder if they should have gone with something more generic OTOH this FD is a stand out.

 

[Meoima]

I really enjoy it. But they need someone who help them with the tech.

 

[bramweld]

I really enjoy it. But they need someone who help them with the tech.

Time. It will come with time. Any video?

 

[ppoison]

I think it's good that they went with something livelier, we saw with Frida how difficult it is to sell a quieter program especially if the tech isn't on on the day. Also practically everyone and their mother is skating to a P/C-esque fd, it's a good contrast. They need to polish their elements and I'd really like them to do some challengers/senior Bs because at this point its SOOOO frustrating that they can't break 100 internationally (i dont count the Mordovian Cup). I just want them to make at least Euros and score well there. Their PCS will improve with higher tech. I hope they continue doing well and they continue to improve their rankings ahead of the Olympic season. (I'm sad you guys )

 

[Marta25]

Time. It will come with time. Any video?

The question is if they have that time.

Sigh, anyway the good thing is that they went through a competition without any major mistakes. Now with Bobrova/Soloviev probably getting Bronze here, it looks like it will be even difficult for them to get into the GPF. Not a good start for Russian ice dance.

 

[uhh]

@Marta - I'm torn on the program. It really is a contrast to what other teams are doing, which you would think would be a positive. I loved the opening to Ringa Ringa, but by the 2nd half it was all seeming a bit disjointed - maybe if they could find a way to have fewer music cuts?

I'm not surprised the PCS was close to G/F - they are a team that have been improving, their program looked more prepared and they weren't running out of steam by the end. But in comparison to I/Z's SD, PCS are steady, and the transitions is up. And against the last international outing at CoR when they skated the FD wonderfully against getting sloppy here the SS mark is up too.

edit: lol you all go to fast - I think they can iron out the tech/stamina problems with time, but whether they have enough time to do that before RN & get into the 2nd half of the season is the big question. They almost have to do it before RN so they get a fair hearing there. We saw last year how a rocky GP meant the judges cut them down at Nationals even though they were skating much better by then. I really hope they do Golden Spin or something after Paris to keep getting more mileage in the programs.

 

[Marta25]

@Marta - I'm torn on the program. It really is a contrast to what other teams are doing, which you would think would be a positive. I loved the opening to Ringa Ringa, but by the 2nd half it was all seeming a bit disjointed - maybe if they could find a way to have fewer music cuts?

I'm not surprised the PCS was close to G/F - they are a team that have been improving, their program looked more prepared and they weren't running out of steam by the end. But in comparison to I/Z's SD, PCS are steady, and the transitions is up. And against the last international outing at CoR when they skated the FD wonderfully against getting sloppy here the SS mark is up too.

Well, that sounds a little bit more encouraging, I mean even S/B and S/K lost the FD to G/F at Worlds.

I just wonder why it`s so difficult for their coaches to give I/Z a good FD. They are so talented.

 

[tvuckic16]

I wasn't loving the FD and they really lost steam at the end. Breaking 100 internationally seems like an impossible barrier. It started off really well but needs a lot of work to get everything snappy and well integrated. At least PCS held up, but they have to solve these tech problems - before seeing the protocols, I'd guess they lost goe and maybe levels on the spin, straightline life (seems to get tangled in her skirt?) and the 2nd step sequence.

I don't know how much it suits them as a style - Elena really tries to sell it but Ruslan is too much in the background. I know everyone is sick of lyrical or soft programs, but I think that would help them be more equal in presentation. Or maybe they just need more time with this.

At least it's a higher overall total than they got outside of Russia last year.

I agree...

I like it better than Frida, to be honest, so that is a plus but it needs some work. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but some of you in this thread will remember that I was skeptical of Bollywood. It is a style hard to hit for many teams without turning it into a cultural stereotype. Lena can pull off almost anything...but... basically for it to work it needs to be flawless and it wasn't.

As far as the technical side of things, I defer to your expertise, but from my limited understanding of technique I probably agree that it needed some polish on technical issues too.

It has promise, but I think it needs a lot of work.

 

[Marta25]

Protocols are out http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1617/gpusa2016/gpusa2016_IceDance_FD_Scores.pdf

They lost one level on their diagonal step sequence, other than that it`s clear from the GOEs that they have to work on the second part of the FD. It kind of falls apart after their rotational lift.

 

[uhh]

http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1617/gpusa2016/gpusa2016_IceDance_FD_Scores.pdf

Protocols - the only element where they really lost a level is the 2nd step sequence - Lena missed a twizzle at the end so that's not surprising. The big problem is the GOE reeeeally dropping off in the 2nd half. That is conditioning and fitness. Lots of gym sessions, lots of double runthroughs.

I wonder if they are going back to Russia or staying with Igor?

 

[Abraxis12345]

I think Igor made the right decision in choosing something high energy with a clear, distinct style. Frida and Secret garden showed lyrical and soft is not really their thing and it highlights how sloppy they are. The problem is, the music is disjointed and it dies in the end. And it is clear there is still a lot of polishing that needs to be done to get this FD into shape. And they also need to be sent to boot camp to work on their fitness.

 

[Meoima]

I think it's good that they went with something livelier, we saw with Frida how difficult it is to sell a quieter program especially if the tech isn't on on the day. Also practically everyone and their mother is skating to a P/C-esque fd, it's a good contrast. They need to polish their elements and I'd really like them to do some challengers/senior Bs because at this point its SOOOO frustrating that they can't break 100 internationally (i dont count the Mordovian Cup). I just want them to make at least Euros and score well there. Their PCS will improve with higher tech. I hope they continue doing well and they continue to improve their rankings ahead of the Olympic season. (I'm sad you guys )

I agree that their FD really stands out among all lyrical quite programs which need 100 kg of salt to be memorable. But please someone do something with their tech. I am so sad. They're so fast and so good. They have huge potential.

 

[tvuckic16]

I agree that their FD really stands out among all lyrical quite programs which need 100 kg of salt to be memorable. But please someone do something with their tech. I am so sad. They're so fast and so good. They have huge potential.

I think the most important thing is that they get it right and polish it. Whether lyrical or lively, the dance needs to be less sloppy.

I do like this better than Frida, so that is a start.

 

[Idontsk8]

I was very worried for them and all I wished was a problem without glaring mistakes and this happened gladly. Of course TES is not ideal but I have to say I love the program, so fun and uplifting. I don't have any issue with the music cuts except for the first music transition, it is too abrupt. I think the tech problem comes more from a stamina issue as most have said and the mistakes that stood more were the spin and the last sequence but I think this program is a step in the right direction for them. Shame about the final result though, being 5th won't do them any favors with the fed...

 

[Marta25]

I really don`t know what they should do. Maybe the right thing would be to skip TDF? OTOH they would probably lose even more ground.

 

[uhh]

I think Igor made the right decision in choosing something high energy with a clear, distinct style. Frida and Secret garden showed lyrical and soft is not really their thing and it highlights how sloppy they are. The problem is, the music is disjointed and it dies in the end. And it is clear there is still a lot of polishing that needs to be done to get this FD into shape. And they also need to be sent to boot camp to work on their fitness.

maybe lyrical isn't quite what I mean - just something where Ruslan being the strong support rather than super extroverted doesn't come across as him being overpowered. I'm thinking of something like the final pas de deux in Manon where a lot of the emotional weight is carried by the female partner & the male partner's role is mainly to present her, but he isn't diminished by not being in your face with the drama. They haven't got the balance right yet.