Her name is Elena Ilinykh!!! Have faith in her.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHlIeZKSR...Gso/Da_bk0Sk3pc/s1600/Elena+Ilinykh_hot03.jpg
Karponosov (and Linichuk) haven't had much luck in US ice dance in years. If they/he can't put together a team to win either US seniors or juniors, I don't see how he is going to suddenly make a huge difference in Russia.
However, two good Russian teams split and swapped partners. None of them forgot how to skate when they switched. I expect one or both of the new teams to do well. If Bobrova & Soloviev heal up in time to get in shape for Worlds, they will be in the mix for podium spot., IMO.
And there are a flock of promising junior teams.
So you should not declare Russian dance dead yet.
I can't see how Elena training with such weak technical coaches as Kustorova is going to be a big success. I am expecting them to be beaten easy by Papadakis/Cizeron next week All hopes for Russia now lie with Sinitsina/Katsalapov in my opinion.
ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I worry about her new partner! And the fact that she is in a program with a terrible technical system.
You make the good point of is it symbolic of bad governance that Russian fed would put such an unsuccessful (in recent years) coach in charge! So unsuccessful and so infamous for problems of program and tech.
The key to Russian ladies renaissance was I believe in new coaches people never heard of really or they had heard of but were not main establishment coaches doing new things. So is old time establishment like korponosov just a big mistake?!
Alarm clock goes off.....!!!!
TBH ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz was how I felt about both GP ID gold medal performances but I guess I just don't get this discipline at all. Regardless.....I love Elena!!!
I can't see how Elena training with such weak technical coaches as Kustorova is going to be a big success.
All hopes for Russia now lie with Sinitsina/Katsalapov in my opinion.
I think a series of events/bad luck may force a "lull" in Russian ice dance this year. The musical chairs of the top young teams, plus Bobrova/Soloviev's injury... But I expect them to come back strong in the second half of the season or next year.
...Why is Stepanova/Bukin a bust? They just had their first GP (EDIT: okay, not first GP, but pretty close to it), and they won bronze as everyone expected. Surely they can't be considered failures just 'cause they didn't beat Chock/Bates and the Shibutanis?
Dreck? Their lifts and spins are quite interesting, even innovative. The twizzles didn't work out for them, but that wasn't due to lack of skill. Some of their footwork and skating do get sloppy (especially noticeable at the end of their SD, imo). But I'm not sure it's time to hit the panic button on the second GP (where they medalled) or to get in on the musical chairs of split teams.They are not progressing at all. Mid 50s in the SD and under 90 in their FD is not good enough, it's their 2nd senior season after 2 very successful junior years, and they should be making a big big push now. Ilinykh and Katsalapov were crucified for getting higher scores than that in their 1st senior season, and they hadn't had the time together that S/B have had, I am very surprised that people seem to be OK with the dreck S/B have presented this season. He should find himself a better partner as their coaching team is making no progress in addressing the major flaws in her basic skating, and that will always hold them back.