Ilinykh & Katsalapov switch coaches

[colleen o'neill]

:think:I thought that earlier in the year it was stated that they had worked with a ballet specialist who helped them to adapt the ballet movements to the ice.

 

[let`s talk]

Eeh, what a kids... They are all over with their bitching about Zhulin in Russian press. Doesn't seem to me that people support their attitude, judging by the comments in Russian forums and blogs.　

 

[Shlepa]

:think:I thought that earlier in the year it was stated that they had worked with a ballet specialist who helped them to adapt the ballet movements to the ice.

They did. They worked with Ludmila Vlasova - ex-ballerina of Bolshoi Theatre. She was their choreographer.

In Russia now almost all fans of figure skating change their opinion about I/K on the negative. Even those who loved them before. And it is not because of coach's change, but because of their ugly words in interviews after that.

 

[jaylee]

Oh, drama.

I hope this coaching change works out for them. They have a great deal of talent, but now more pressure to succeed next season.

 

[alithia]

It looks like I/K have a very good PR team.Ever since the JGPF they were hyped,they were declared the next Olympic Champions and even in Russian forums everyone was convinced that B/S are temporary team leaders because of course,everyone was expecting for I/K to fulfill their potential.Not only this but B/S were and are being constantly attacked even for the fact that they breathe Poor R/T were second at Russian Nationals,but of course nobody promoted them and they lost the place at Euros.If things were normal,I/K's choice for the world team would be under question after their FD at Worlds, but of course not.
Now they think that the federation didn't make them number ones because of their coach and they attack the coach to get the 1st spot.It happens all the time.

I just wonder how hard it must have been for B/S to fight for places as the number one team when everyone behind the scenes was probably telling them that their place is at stake because it's already decided.

Now, I have another theory for all that...Supposing that they promote I/K to 1st position and they fail, which I very much fear....Who is the one that can save Russia from Sochi humiliation?Of course Yana and Fedor...Just a thought...

 

[ImaginaryPogue]

Relying on Yana and Fedor to save Russia from Sochi humiliation.... well, miracles happen.

 

[KKonas]

Now, I have another theory for all that...Supposing that they promote I/K to 1st position and they fail, which I very much fear....Who is the one that can save Russia from Sochi humiliation?Of course Yana and Fedor...Just a thought...[/QUOTE]

Seems to me I&K should talk less and work more. Re Yana & Fedor, I don't think you can turn a singles skater (even a talented one) into an Olympic winning ice dancer in just a couple of years.

 

[alithia]

Now, I have another theory for all that...Supposing that they promote I/K to 1st position and they fail, which I very much fear....Who is the one that can save Russia from Sochi humiliation?Of course Yana and Fedor...Just a thought...

Seems to me I&K should talk less and work more. Re Yana & Fedor, I don't think you can turn a singles skater (even a talented one) into an Olympic winning ice dancer in just a couple of years.[/QUOTE]

Of course you can't..But the way they had them 3d in the FD in Russian Nationals makes me think all kinds of options.I honestly can't understand how the Russian Federation is thinking at times.

 

[blue dog]

Now, I have another theory for all that...Supposing that they promote I/K to 1st position and they fail, which I very much fear....Who is the one that can save Russia from Sochi humiliation?Of course Yana and Fedor...Just a thought...

Seems to me I&K should talk less and work more. Re Yana & Fedor, I don't think you can turn a singles skater (even a talented one) into an Olympic winning ice dancer in just a couple of years.[/QUOTE]

I can't, but I'm sure his mom can.

 

[bsfan]

I too think that I&K should talk less and work more. Don't talk to the media that much. Maybe I&K need a PR to handle these, or a better PR if they already have one.

I don't like the way that some posters (esp. in other forum) make this whole thing related to RF and politics. Afterall, it is normal that I&K consulted others before the change. And the competitions they entered were judged fairly. They were not held up in some competitions and put down in others, same for other teams like B/S, R/T.

 

[evangeline]

NOOOOOOOOO

If Elena Ilinykh shows up in tacky boob-tassels like Elena Grushina next season, I WILL SCREAM.

But on a more serious note, why Morozov? Unless I am quite mistaken, Morozov has not been known for his stellar ice dance choreography or even giving his students great technique, if past students such as Grushina/Goncharov are any indication....

 

[ImaginaryPogue]

bsfan, recall that Piseev (de facto head of the Russian federation) criticized Zhulin quite harshly earlier. When the head of the federation criticizes your coach and you switch coaches and join the bashing, it's not hard to speculate on political/behind-the-scenes machinations. Because they're Morosov, who's clearly emerging as the top Russian coach heading into Sochi (again, Piseev's comments imply this), there's definitely the idea that they are going to be politicked to the top (which isn't entirely fair, truth be told. This season wasn't a good demonstration of that) and it has some credence.

Only time will tell, but I think this will harm Russian ice dance more than it helps.

 

[CARA]

bsfan, recall that Piseev (de facto head of the Russian federation) criticized Zhulin quite harshly earlier. When the head of the federation criticizes your coach and you switch coaches and join the bashing, it's not hard to speculate on political/behind-the-scenes machinations. Because they're Morosov, who's clearly emerging as the top Russian coach heading into Sochi (again, Piseev's comments imply this), there's definitely the idea that they are going to be politicked to the top (which isn't entirely fair, truth be told. This season wasn't a good demonstration of that) and it has some credence.

Only time will tell, but I think this will harm Russian ice dance more than it helps.

Meanwhile, Z/S are working crazy hard to better their teams...

 

[Jammers]

Say what you want about S/Z but they and all their teams are on the same page. They are like a machine with the way they run things. And like you said their teams just keep getting better and better. They don't seem to take things for granted.

 

[bsfan]

bsfan, recall that Piseev (de facto head of the Russian federation) criticized Zhulin quite harshly earlier. When the head of the federation criticizes your coach and you switch coaches and join the bashing, it's not hard to speculate on political/behind-the-scenes machinations. Because they're Morosov, who's clearly emerging as the top Russian coach heading into Sochi (again, Piseev's comments imply this), there's definitely the idea that they are going to be politicked to the top (which isn't entirely fair, truth be told. This season wasn't a good demonstration of that) and it has some credence.

Only time will tell, but I think this will harm Russian ice dance more than it helps.

There might be something going on that caused the criticise to Zhulin, I/K, or any others. I don't try to get it clear. But I don't want to link these with politics. The kids are not matured to handle media.
There is nothing wrong that a federation want to improve. Just like here, if one group in a company made error in production, the boss/ceo will have something to say/do to that team. They are not using politics to push I/K to no.1, not even in Russia. R/T beat I/K in Nationals and I/K beat R/T in Europeans. Both were fair. Let's wait to see if I/K skate to the top or be politiked to the top.
But I don't like them to go to Morozov though. He has too many students.

 

[doubleflutz]

He has too many students.

Does he even have any serious ice dancers anymore, now that he doesn't have the Reeds? He's clearly mostly a presentation and mental/physical conditioning coach. I don't think number of students matters as much in his case, because all his singles skaters are going to be working with specialists for a great deal of their time. I'd be more worried in this case that he has too few students. If I/K are his only ice dancers, they won't have good training partners to compete with each day and to inspire them to push themselves.

 

[bsfan]

I too think that Zhulin is a brilliant coach, with tons of creativity and excellent technique. But they can't work well together. what else can we hope?

About trainingmates, I feel it is hard to have another team at same high level(or say with same high expectation) training together. One will leave eventually. There are too many examples about that.

But other than Morozov, who else can be the coach? Maxim S. ?

 

[Jammers]

D/W and V/M have been training together for years now and it doesn't seem to have affected them at all. In fact both teams have thrived pushing each other to get better.

 

[ImaginaryPogue]

There might be something going on that caused the criticise to Zhulin, I/K, or any others. I don't try to get it clear. But I don't want to link these with politics. The kids are not matured to handle media.
There is nothing wrong that a federation want to improve. Just like here, if one group in a company made error in production, the boss/ceo will have something to say/do to that team. They are not using politics to push I/K to no.1, not even in Russia. R/T beat I/K in Nationals and I/K beat R/T in Europeans. Both were fair. Let's wait to see if I/K skate to the top or be politiked to the top.
But I don't like them to go to Morozov though. He has too many students.

1. Right, the boss will have something to say to that team. But to the media, the CEO is expected to take responsibility for his company. Piseev was playing the blame game relatively quickly.

2. There is nothing wrong with the federation trying to improve the results of their students. I absolutely agree.

3. As Jammers mentioned, V/M and D/W have been training together since juniors. I do think it takes a particular kind of coach to create the atmosphere, though.

 

[nikiya]

These newest developments shouldn't be of surprise to those who have followed Russian ice dancers for years. It wouldn't be Russian ice dance if there wasn't drama involved with teams and/ or coaches. I have a gut feeling that one of the top teams is going to implode before Sochi, let alone be contenders for the podium. I don't know if it's going to be I/K (golden couple/ favored/ not likely unless same result in '12 & no progress), B/S (need to step up and nix any future program set to 3rd rate '80s musicals), R/T (basement stepchild), or K/A (most likely to fade away b/c Andreev is still suspect IMO)

Seriously, I don't see any good arising out of the blame game in the long run and also reputation-wise. I/K may be too immature emotionally to realize this, or they may be caught up/ playing along with Piseev in order to garner more favor. If it's the latter, it's smart game to play right now, because it sets them up nicely as pawns or victims and not underachievers. Let's not underestimate the role of politics in the world of Russian ice dance. On the other hand, they've got to at least be close to the podium next year, or else they'll be looked upon as just another team caught up in politicking.