Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolesnik

[Rackon]

Just to let you know, the link you posted has a pile of bumf at the end, including a timestamp that results in it starting to play at 36m 11s (roughly half-way through the episode) instead of at the start. So, here is the link that plays from the start:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wm8mXyANZTiGXEJif45qy

I really hate the way a lot of websites add unnecessary bumf like this onto the end of addresses. Especially since a lot of it is to do with tracking. It makes links unnecessarily long.

Anyway, I am not able to listen to the whole episode right now, but I did listen to the introduction at the start, and it was so funny!

It was interesting that it was Vadym's name that presenter Lindsay Wang (Rink Results Bio; Skating Scores Bio) didn't know how to pronounce. For me, the problem isn't Vadym; it's Emilea! I always pronounced her name the same way as Lindsay does, but then last season I heard a rinkside announcer pronounce it a different way. And so I don't actually know which way is correct now.

For me, the best tactic is to introduce yourself, and then ask your guest(s) to explain who they are themselves. That way, you avoid the embarassment of mis-pronouncing names.



Great choice, Emilea! I love Piper, and I love everything about the partnership between her and Paul. They are the perfect role models.



She shouldn't. She is beautiful, make-up or no make-up.

(Just like Piper, actually! )



Before I go and update the OP with the details for this season, can I ask for clarification on something?

Is the final song "You Should Be Dancing" by the Bee Gees, or "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" by Leo Sayer?

I wanted to check because either of them would be great for an Ice Dance programme! And both of them would fit in well with the other songs!

Can't wait to see them!

CaroLiza_fan

You’re right! I typed the wrong song. It is “You Should Be Dancing”!

Emi pronounces her name EM- uh- LEE- uh so that’s what I hear in my head.

I was thrilled to hear Emi admires Piper and was moved by PP’s Wuthering Heights FD. Emi and Piper also have ovarian disease in common (thankfully Emi’s is benign).

Yes, Emi is beautiful and has gorgeous hair. And her personality is radiant on the ice!
Can’t wait to hear what you think of the rest of the interview!

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

You’re right! I typed the wrong song. It is “You Should Be Dancing”!

Thanks for the correction. I had a feeling it would be that song, but just wanted to make sure before I added the music to the OP.

I still would like to see somebody do a programme to the Leo Sayer song, though...

Emi pronounces her name EM- uh- LEE- uh so that’s what I hear in my head.

That's what the rinkside announcer I heard last season said! And what I changed to using. But, then Lindsay pronouncing it the way I used to use confused me, because surely if you are interviewing somebody, you would check the pronounciation their name before you started broadcasting...

I was thrilled to hear Emi admires Piper and was moved by PP’s Wuthering Heights FD. Emi and Piper also have ovarian disease in common (thankfully Emi’s is benign).

Oooh. I had heard about Emilea, but I didn't hear about Piper. As you say, thankfully they are well now.

Yes, Emi is beautiful and has gorgeous hair. And her personality is radiant on the ice!

I have to be honest - I hadn't come across Emilea before she started representing Cyprus in Singles. And so I haven't seen the full range of what she did over the years. But, from the few programmes I have seen, you could see traces of her personality coming through. Since the switch to Ice Dance, though, that has exploded! It has given her more freedom to express herself through her skating.

As for Vadym, well, we all know how expressive the partnership with Avonley was. So, I am delighted that it is happening again in his partnership with Emilea!

Can’t wait to hear what you think of the rest of the interview!

Steady on, it could be a while until I get the chance to listen. Motorsports are my first love, and the championships I follow are now entering an intense period that lasts until the start of December. Which means that I am already starting to get behind on other things.

I hate the way that the motorsports calendars have been expanded so much and the seasons have got so backloaded in recent years. It used to be that you could follow motorsports and wintersports seasons no bother, as there wasn't much of an overlap. But, now there is. And I have reluctantly had to cut back on my wintersports viewing to just my favourite, figure skating.

But I'll try to get the interview listened to sometime during the coming week.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Rackon]

Thanks for the correction. I had a feeling it would be that song, but just wanted to make sure before I added the music to the OP.

I still would like to see somebody do a programme to the Leo Sayer song, though...



That's what the rinkside announcer I heard last season said! And what I changed to using. But, then Lindsay pronouncing it the way I used to use confused me, because surely if you are interviewing somebody, you would check the pronounciation their name before you started broadcasting...



Oooh. I had heard about Emilea, but I didn't hear about Piper. As you say, thankfully they are well now.



I have to be honest - I hadn't come across Emilea before she started representing Cyprus in Singles. And so I haven't seen the full range of what she did over the years. But, from the few programmes I have seen, you could see traces of her personality coming through. Since the switch to Ice Dance, though, that has exploded! It has given her more freedom to express herself through her skating.

As for Vadym, well, we all know how expressive the partnership with Avonley was. So, I am delighted that it is happening again in his partnership with Emilea!



Steady on, it could be a while until I get the chance to listen. Motorsports are my first love, and the championships I follow are now entering an intense period that lasts until the start of December. Which means that I am already starting to get behind on other things.

I hate the way that the motorsports calendars have been expanded so much and the seasons have got so backloaded in recent years. It used to be that you could follow motorsports and wintersports seasons no bother, as there wasn't much of an overlap. But, now there is. And I have reluctantly had to cut back on my wintersports viewing to just my favourite, figure skating.

But I'll try to get the interview listened to sometime during the coming week.

CaroLiza_fan

Piper had ovarian cancer 2 seasons ago, fortunately found early and treated successfully. But she and Paul had some significant downtime and missed training and comps, most notably 4CC. It affected them through 2023 Worlds.

Emi also discussed feeling pressure last season during GPs and Nationals, both as Vadym’s partner and dealing with expectations after their highly successful debut season. She admitted to suffering from a bit imposter syndrome. They’ve worked with sports psychologists inside and outside USFS. She mentioned they want to bring the energy and attack they displayed at 4CC to their international comps this year - and enjoy their skates more. Emilea has come so far so fast, their programs have such difficulty, they have such star power, that some people forget they’re a young, new team. Vadym went two years without competing after winning Junior Worlds until partnering with Emi. They actually made their senior ice dance debuts together in 2022. It really is a remarkable story. Thank you Igor, for finding Emi! (She goes into quite a bit of detail about their meeting in Germany in the interview.)

Ah, motor sports. I live in Indianapolis, home of the Indy 500 and Brickyard, and the National Drags. I follow horse racing and owned and showed horses for many years - I actually quit figure skating to pursue equestrian competition. There’s a little overlap with the Kentucky Derby preps in early spring and the Breeders Cup in November but it works out pretty well with the FS season.

 

[Rackon]

Vadym’s childhood home rink in Kharkiv was destroyed in a Russian attack this weekend. He posted a video of himself skating in his first competition there intercut with footage of the smoking ruins. Heartbreaking.


Instagram post

 

[Rackon]

Here’s a long excerpt from the new RD including Emi and Vadym’s actual music (You Should Be Dancing).

2024 Rhythm Dance

They compete in Germany in only two weeks!

 

[Rackon]

Here’s a preview of their Rhythm Dance in practice at Nebelhorn Cup. Emi and Vadym are scheduled to compete their short in the last group.

This program is choreographically packed - full of transitions, memorable moves and it never lets up. The Bee Gees medley works for me!

On pins and needles to see FD.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Emilea and Vadym kick off their 2024-25 season today at the Nebelhorn Torphy in Oberstdorf, Germany.

The Short Dance is due to start at 17:30:00 CEST (11:30:00 EDT / 15:30:00 GMT / 16:30:00 BST / 18:30:00 EEST). So 9 hours from now.

Emilea and Vadym will be the 15th partnership to start. So, third and middle partnership in Group 4 (and antepenultimate partnership to go in the segment).

The Group 4 Warm-Up is due to start at 19:10:30 CEST (13:10:30 EDT / 17:10:30 GMT / 18:10:30 BST / 20:10:30 EEST ). So 10h 40m from now.

Emilea and Vadym are due to start at 19:28:20 CEST (13:28:20 EDT / 17:28:20 GMT / 18:28:20 BST / 20:28:20 EEST ). So 10h 58m from now.

But, those times may change if somebody that is due on before them withdraws.

More information in the event forum:
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/forums/1023

Hope this helps

ALL THE BEST!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Rackon]

Terrific performance from Emi and Vadym in their RD today. They are currently in third, only .19 behind Cpom, who are second.

Debut of the new FD tomorrow. Updated correction on the music:

FD Music: "Epilogue" by Olafur Arnalds and "Lost It to Trying" by Son Lux

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Terrific performance from Emi and Vadym in their RD today. They are currently in third, only .19 behind Cpom, who are second.

Debut of the new FD tomorrow. Updated correction on the music:

FD Music: "Epilogue" by Olafur Arnalds and "Lost It to Trying" by Son Lux

Thank you!

By the way, I updated the OP last night, and it now includes a video of yesterday's programme, which I am going to watch in a moment so that I can edit an SD report into the FD reminder post that I will be putting up in a couple of minutes.

Thank you again



CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Nebelhorn Trophy Senior Short Dance: Results; Protocols

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is-od88KMHM

Emilea and Vadym finished 3rd out of 17 in the Short Dance, with a score of 77.47.

I was not able to watch LIVE at the time due to catching up on the MotoGP Free Practice 2 from earlier in the day (when I was watching Formula 1 Free Practice 2), but videos were posted on YouTube very soon afterwards. So, here is the sort of comment that I would have written for the competition thread if I had been watching LIVE:

Emilea wearing a gold tassly dress. Vadym wearing black trousers and a plain royal blue top with a large gold collar that matches Emilea's dress. And it has a serious plunging neckline!

Have to be honest, I don't really like the intro to "Jive Talking". But, the choreography they were doing to it was great, so I won't complain too much.

Liked the way that the music transitioned so smoothly into "Staying Alive". But then just before when the vocals came it, it changed from the original recording to a weird re-mix that sounded awful.

The music got worse at the point the chorus should have started. But, Emilea and Vadym's choreography to it was great, so again I won't complain too much.

Thank goodness the next song came on, because I was getting ready to reach for the mute button because I couldn't stand they way a song I love was getting mutilated. Fortunately, "You Should Be Dancing" was not messed about with.

I loved the finish! Yes Vadym, you are totally right. Emilea is a star! But, you didn't do so bad yourself!

Awwww, big hug after they finished. You guys deserve it!

That was so funny. Vadym doing a silly dance while Emilea was bowing to the audience.

I get the impression that Vadym is exhausted, but he is so happy that it is hard to tell.

Apologies that this comment has been so heavily about the music. The simple reason is that the skating was so sublime that I can't pick anything out to critique!

Well, there was a moment at the end of the Twizzles where I wasn't sure if they were out of sync or not because they were changing positions at the same time. Which is something you don't see many Ice Dancers attempting to do.

They were just amazing!!! And if this doesn't go into the lead, I will riot!!!

THIRD?! Whoever is above them must have been out of this world good to be above Emilea and Vadym!

Going by their expressions, they do not agree with those scores.

Forget about the scores. You guys were amazing!

WELL DONE EMILEA AND VADYM!!!

CaroLiza_fan​

The problem with not watching LIVE is that it is sometimes hard to tell which comments are about which programme. I am guessing that this comment from @TontoK is about Emilea and Vadym, because the partnership on before them were skating to a George Michael medley:

I realize these are interpretations and not recreations, but this Saturday Night Fever program is a miss for me.

In particular, he lacks the swagger and smoldering sex appeal. It's just not good. Sorry.

No, it wasn't about Emilea and Vadym, because the same member added this comment 7 minutes later:

Lordy, this one, too. Did any of these teams even watch the movie? These look like numbers from a high school glee club fundraiser event.

In the meantime, my good friend @elektra blue had replied to the initial post, saying:

how was Kolesnik as Tony Manero?

To which @TontoK replied:

The judges disagree with my assessment of this program. 77+ and into 3rd.

Oh well, they can't always be right.

To which @elektra blue replied:

sometimes they give scores to a program that they saw in their heads...it must be kind of a superpower i guess

Anyway, going back up the thread, @Seven Sisters commented this about Vadym:

Vadym has grown his hair out, ready for another installment of our drinking game

To which @elektra blue replied:

what do we do for Boney M?

@Seven Sisters made another comment, saying:

He is working very, very, very hard in this and she..does a lot of posing and wiggling.

What are we, Chock and Bates?!

And this developed into a discussion about Igor Shpilband and the type of programmes his skaters do. I won't bother quoting it all, except for this post specifically about Emilea and Vadym:

I think the paramount concern with their programs is the need to work around her ability level. I always do prefer more equally balanced teams, but, that’s on me

I know I am biased because I came to this partnership because of Emilea. But I think she is amazing!

Right, this is starting to get me angry. I need positive comments to cool me down.

Here is a funny comment from @Carol1:

The amount of cheese Zingas and Kolesnikn are serving would kill anyone who is lactose intolerant, but I like their kicky spirit!

And a simple to-the-point comment from my Norwegian friend @norwegianfairytale:

Wowsa

@Ruthypegs, from the city that British skating revolves around, Sheffield, also appreciated them:

Bravo, Emilia and Vadim!

The Ukranian team are still my favourties so far.

And @LadyB, who is also in the UK, liked them too:

Emilea was great! Totally brilliant clothes, loved it! That pattern and colours remind me of adhesive flowers on a washing up liquid bottle that you could stick on the tiles surrounding the kitchen sink. I loved it - my mum hated it, called it 'tacky'. How dare she!!!

To which @TontoK replied:

Be a good child, and listen to your mother! LOL

The final word came from my colleague in this Fan Fest thread, @Rackon:

I thought ZK were Virtually tied for second. Really excited to see their Benoit FD tomorrow.

And no, unless something extraordinary happens, Vadym will never leave Igor. I just hope Igor loves Vadym enough to continue seeking outside choreography for them.

Today reminded me how much I hate beige, brown and tan on the ice. I hated these colors all through the 70s too.

Agree with everything you say. Except for the last sentence. I wasn't even born then!

Emilea and Vadym are currently 0.19 points behind 2nd position, Christina CARREIRA / Anthony PONOMARENKO (USA), and 2.37 points ahead of 4th position, Natálie TASCHLEROVÁ / Filip TASCHLER (CZE).

I normally use a two point gap to define groups. And, although there is are gaps of more than two points either side of the Taschlers, I am inclined to say that this is a 4-way battle for second position, because Olivia SMART / Tim DIECK (ESP) in 5th position are only 5.23 points behind Carreira / Ponomarenko. And 5.04 points behind Emilea and Vadym.

The leaders, Lilah FEAR / Lewis GIBSON (GBR), are 4.56 points ahead of Carreira / Ponomarenko, and 4.75 points ahead of Emilea and Vadym.

To be fair, there is still a chance that Emilea and Vadym could win this, but it would probably require Fear / Gibson to make mistakes. But, 2nd position is defintiely manageable.

Emilea and Vadym just need to be careful not to make any mistakes themselves, because there is a chance that they could drop a position or two.

So let's hope they have a good Free Dance to ensure that they get the best result that they can.

WELL DONE!!!

---

The Senior Free Dance is due to start at 15:30:00 CEST (09:30:00 EDT / 13:30:00 GMT / 14:30:00 BST / 16:30:00 EEST). So 8 hours from now.

Emilea and Vadym will be the 15th partnership to start. So, third and middle partnership to go in Group 4 (and antepenultimate partnership to go in the segment).

The Group 4 Warm-Up is due to start at 17:24:30 CEST (11:24:30 EDT / 15:24:30 GMT / 16:24:30 BST / 18:24:30 EEST). So 8h 54m from now.

Emilea and Vadym are due to start at 17:44:40 CEST (11:44:40 EDT / 15:44:40 GMT / 16:44:40 BST / 18:44:40 EEST). So 9h 14m from now.

But, those times may change if somebody that is due on before them withdraws.

More information in the event forum:
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/forums/1023

Hope this helps

ALL THE BEST!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[dorispulaski]

Their FD:

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

youtu.be

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Their FD:

https://youtu.be/YXeRdbEt2sk?si=zXVemXusQrdn6_uM

Thank you!

I'm planning on starting into the Free Skate / Dance reports for my Fan Fests tomorrow. This weekend has been really chock-a-block for me. (No, that wasn't a reference to the comparison to Chock / Bates in the Shpilband discussion! ) So, I haven't had a chance to watch the programmes and write about them yet.

By the way, Emilea and Vadym were invited to skate in the Gala, so I really hope somebody uploads a video of that performance as well. I bet they would be in their element doing exhibition programmes!

Thank you again!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Thank you!

I'm planning on starting into the Free Skate / Dance reports for my Fan Fests tomorrow. This weekend has been really chock-a-block for me. (No, that wasn't a reference to the comparison to Chock / Bates in the Shpilband discussion! ) So, I haven't had a chance to watch the programmes and write about them yet.

By the way, Emilea and Vadym were invited to skate in the Gala, so I really hope somebody uploads a video of that performance as well. I bet they would be in their element doing exhibition programmes!

Thank you again!

CaroLiza_fan

They skated to their RD music (after a short mishap when the wrong music started playing, to which Vadym started improvising ) Maybe they don't have a gala program ready for the season. Many skaters chose their SP music or did an old gala (like Deanna and Max).

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Nebelhorn Trophy Senior Free Dance: Results; Protocols
Nebelhorn Trophy Senior Ice Dance: Results

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXeRdbEt2sk

Emilea and Vadym finished 3rd out of 17 in the FS, with a score of 116.87. This meant that they remained in 3rd position overall, with a score of 194.34.


More to follow


Sorry, I didn't have time to do the Nebelhorn Free reports immediately after the weekend they happened, and then forgot.


WELL DONE!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Rackon]

It was a happy weekend at Casa Broemel as our favorite ice dancers, Emmi and Vadym, debuted their new programs in Oberstdorf. The RD was terrific but this new FD, lovely and inventive, is something special. It was the talk of the competition.

I don’t know whether to thank Igor, or USFS, or both, for selecting Benoit to choreograph their free, but this move paid off in spades. Benoit and ZK are a great fit and this program is unlike any other FD this season so far - exactly what they need to move up in the standings.

For me this was the FD of the competition - lyrical, elegant, ethereal in part 1, dynamic, dramatic, powerful in part 2. The choreo fits the music beautifully and, thankfully, the music feels modern and fresh. Their costumes are simple, subtle and elegant. The whole look is understated and sleek. I love this aesthetic for them.

Emilea and Vadim are one of the most charismatic teams in ice dance. They’re strong and fast and exciting, and these are the aspects of their skating that have been generally exploited in their programs so far. It’s a smart move to explore their softer, more lyrical side. Plus, Emilea is only in her third year of ice dance - I don’t think they’re anywhere near their ceiling yet.

I felt the judging failed to reward their performance as it deserved.
(No way Cpom was 5 points better in the free.) But I hope the buzz around ZK and this program will enable them to have a breakthrough year internationally. I also want to see them solidify themselves as the #3 US team. I’m excited to see how this FD develops throughout the season - I want to see Emmi and Vadym turning cartwheels in Boston!

PS: Vadym turning a music miscue into a comedic improv during the gala was so on brand!

PPS: ZK don’t currently have an exhibition dance - they always used their most recent RD. I’d love to see them create one!

 

[momrk]

Just watched both programs. So happy and just loved their free dance. Rackon nailed it- so agree with this part of their comments

For me this was the FD of the competition - lyrical, elegant, ethereal in part 1, dynamic, dramatic, powerful in part 2. The choreo fits the music beautifully and, thankfully, the music feels modern and fresh. Their costumes are simple, subtle and elegant. The whole look is understated and sleek. I love this aesthetic for them.

Emilea and Vadim are one of the most charismatic teams in ice dance. They’re strong and fast and exciting, and these are the aspects of their skating that have been generally exploited in their programs so far. It’s a smart move to explore their softer, more lyrical side. Plus, Emilea is only in her third year of ice dance - I don’t think they’re anywhere near their ceiling yet.

 

[Rackon]

Emmi and Vadym tweaking their FD in preparation for Skate Canada. They are gonna be loaded for bear!

New lift

 

[curvedstraightline]

I really hope they are able to dance their way onto a GP podium. I think they have better programs than the French, but its Canada and Marie-France. I also think they are generally stronger than the Finns, but that is home soil for them.

 

[Rackon]

I can’t see Piper and Paul not winning at SC. I like Lopareva/Brissaud but not sure about their new programs. Still, they’re almost certain to medal. I just hope ZK have great skates so that they can contend for bronze.

 

[curvedstraightline]

Bronze will most likely be between ZK and the French at Canada with Piper Paul Gold and Lajoie Lagha Silver. At Finland, Gold and Silver are between Piper Paul and Fear Gibson with Bronze likely going to Turkkila Versluis because of home cooking. I'm hoping the kinda meh French RD and a US worlds will be enough to put ZK in Bronze in Canada BUT Marie France is probably trying to get a GPF spot for the French.