Ilinykh & Zhiganshin stay with Shpilband

Great news for Russian ice dance! Elena Ilinykh and Ruslan Zhiganshin will stay training with Igor Shpilband. Igor confirmed it:

Guys are now in Moscow, but in early June are planning to return to US for permanent work. – Shpilband said.

So there was no test skates, no showing the results and this collaboration was approved by the Russian figure skating federation. Actually, it was obvious from the very beginning. So, I really don’t understand why they called it “internship”, why called “a joint project with Kustarova’s group”? There’s nothing wrong if skaters decide to change something in their trainings, it’s their career.  I’m excited to see whether Igor will be able to solve some technical problems and to create a solid lifts for Elena and Ruslan. I also hope that he will think of a more convenient twizzles. But I’m not too optimistical. Igor is a wizard but not in such short period of time. Hope guys understand it too and setted for the long-term work that may not bring an immediate result. It’s also interesting who will choreograph programs for them. Igor? Or they will invite someone else?

But I excited even more to see the battle Igor Shpilband vs Marina Zueva, now in two national teams – USA and Russia) Upcoming season promises to be extremely interesting!

And just to refresh in memory – interview with Igor Shpilband about Ilinykh and Zhiganshin.

Related topics: Elena Ilinykh Ruslan Zhiganshin, ice dance, Igor Shpilband, Team Russia