Iliushechkina and Maisuradze

**Vash01** · 10-30-2010, 11:26 PM

Just watched their LP. Loved her reaction in the K&C. She has a nice personality. Her partner is rather bland though. He needs to work on his posture and do some stretching.

There were some mistakes but a great win for them- I think first time at the senior level?

**dinakt** · 10-31-2010, 02:48 AM

Originally Posted by hanca

6 strong teams vying for 3 spots, not 4!

Make it 7

K/S, V/T, B/L, I/M, G/E, S/K, M/B.
Stolbova / Klimov are on Junior Curcuit, as well, so maybe they can get better ISU points there. And we have not seen M/B yet in a competition. Still, potentially 7 strong teams.

**love skating** · 10-31-2010, 02:53 AM

Add me to the list of fans for I&M. I really liked them last year, but I thought her jumping would hold them back. I'm glad it looks like she's improved a lot this year in the jumping department. They have a special quality about them!

**hanca** · 10-31-2010, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Vash01

Just watched their LP. Loved her reaction in the K&C. She has a nice personality. Her partner is rather bland though. He needs to work on his posture and do some stretching.

There were some mistakes but a great win for them- I think first time at the senior level?

No, first time they went to senior level was 2 years ago (2008-2009). They have done reasonably well at Europeans (they were 5th) but then they didn't go to worlds, I think Maisuradze was injured.

Last year they had some problems (she suddenly couldn't land her jumps) and then placed at Russian championships at 4th (behind Bazarova-Larinov) so they were not sent to Europeans and Worlds. (only 3 slots, so Bazarova and Larinov went to Europeans and worlds.)

This pair was very good at 2007-2008 (second at junior worlds) and 2008-2009 (first at junior worlds). They had some trouble last year, but I really hope they overcome that now.

**~tapdancer~** · 10-31-2010, 03:30 PM

I really like them. They have a very nice quality. I still see potential in them, not full realization just yet. They need more speed. If they improved that and also their spins, the program would feel more cohesive. I hope they continue to improve. Their win at SC was a huge boost for them, I'm sure. I love their program.

**Fashionista** · 10-31-2010, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by ~tapdancer~

They need more speed.

They already look very short-track-esque. I don't think they need more speed otherwise they'll look like all those North American pairs whose skating looks like messy senseless chase.

**eleonorad** · 10-31-2010, 03:37 PM

I am a fan too but they desperately need a decent coreography

**hanca** · 10-31-2010, 04:06 PM

What's wrong with their choreography? I have been following them for the last 3 years and there is nothing wrong with their choreography.
What they need is consistency; to make sure that they keep landing their jumps (especially Lubov).

**lclevers** · 10-31-2010, 04:32 PM

They remind me of G & G in the way they move, and I don't think they are trying to remind us of them, which is a good thing. It's just a very natural quality that they have about them but it's easy to oversee that with all the difficult elements pairs have to perform today. Really, that's what I hate about pairs now because everything is so difficult it's very hard to have a perefect program. He is very balletic and expressive which I really love, reminds me of the late Sergei Grinkov. She too has those qualities along with a very natural youthful look like Ekaterina Gordeeva. They also have a bit of humor in their skating (watch their sp) and I think he's especially good at playing that character. They probably don't have the most difficult programs yet, but if they can stay consistent throughout the year then they can possibly stay by the Chinese. All they need is for the Chinese to make a mistake or two (which they do at times) and then I think this young russian team will enjoy some spotlight. But that is only if they perfect all their jumps and throws. The chinese have the techical edge but I think they are still lacking in artistry a little. This russian team doesn't seem to have a problem with artistry because they look like they have a natural originality about them, which is russian tradition. They have all the same tricks that the Chinese have, now they have to put the whole package together, which they nearly did at Skate Canada except for their spins and a throw. These two seem to do everything by the textbook and when they are on they are near perfection (lifts, jumps, throws, expression). If this team can match the Chinese in technical difficulty then I think they'll have an artistry edge over them as well. If you think about it, that's why G & G were so superior over everyone else, because they weren't only good technically but also presented great artistry. This team is young and talented and I think they will build from here on.

**loopey** · 10-31-2010, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Fallcolor

... Lubov's interview with CBC was

Please share, I didn't see it.

**Sugar** · 10-31-2010, 08:58 PM

i like this team they are very fun to watch.

they showed more personality and charm in their gala program than any Russian pair in recent years..

**AragornElessar** · 10-31-2010, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by mishieru07

I think Russia deserves more spots in pairs for Worlds. They have SO many good teams!!! Nationals is going to be nail-biting.

Only if Canada and the US gets more spots for Dance!!

Both our and US Nationals are going to be amazing in Sr *and* Jr Dance this year. Can't wait!!

Lubov is way too cute; her interview was just adorable! She's certainly one determined lady; Hopefully they'll skate well in the FS as well as for the rest of the season! I think they and B/L could make the GPF with good skates.

She truly is adorable and if she wants to stay in Canada, we'll take her!!

Seriously, after seeing their Gala number this afternoon, I now think he can shine as brightly as her. He's a ham and they need to bring that out more in their competition programs.

Not a bad backflip that boy has. That he hit that in the crappy show lighting they had for the Gala...Very impressive.

**Crazy4G&G** · 10-31-2010, 11:27 PM

They remind me of G & G in the way they move, and I don't think they are trying to remind us of them, which is a good thing. It's just a very natural quality that they have about them but it's easy to oversee that with all the difficult elements pairs have to perform today.

ITA, I thought that too when I watched I/M's SP from Skate Canada. Even though they don't look like Gordeeva and Grinkov, they have that same smooth quality combined with youthful exuberance that G&G demonstrated in the earliest years of their senior career. Looking forward to seeing more of them throughout the season and hopefully in the next few years as well.

**Wyliefan** · 11-01-2010, 01:57 AM

I've never heard the name Lubov before. Then again, I don't know that many Russians.

Is it a commoner name than I think?

**Amy L** · 11-01-2010, 02:04 AM

Lyubov isn't that common, but it's not uncommon either. "lyubov" is the word for love.

Like Jennifer Lyubov Hewitt or Courtney Lyubov.

**Wyliefan** · 11-01-2010, 03:14 AM

Oh, I see. Thanks! (Who knew Jennifer Lyubov Hewitt was Russian?

)

**Bournekraatzfan** · 11-02-2010, 05:12 PM

I am so excited about this team! I LOVED their SP and I was lucky enough to see their gala performance live! They related to the audience so well! They were able to pull off humour, which is so difficult--and they were just so charming. They had some very innovative and difficult lifts that the crowd was very receptive to. I appreciate the effort they put into delivering an entertaining program for the exhibition, and the audience did too, giving them a loud ovation. I just can't wait to see how this team develops. Congratulations to them on what I am sure is the first of many GP wins!

**mishieru07** · 11-02-2010, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by AragornElessar

Only if Canada and the US gets more spots for Dance!!

Both our and US Nationals are going to be amazing in Sr *and* Jr Dance this year. Can't wait!!

Oh definitely; Russian, Japanese, Canadian and US Nationals are going to be exciting!!

Throw in more Men and Ladies slots for Japan and we have a deal.

Honestly, sometimes I wonder if the country quota system ought to be scrapped (and not just in figure skating)

Great to hear I/M have a fab EX - I don't have access to YouTube for now so hopefully it'll be up by the time I do! She's just so cute.

Here's wishing them good luck for their next GP - CoC!

**Artemis@BC** · 11-02-2010, 07:47 PM

As a team they don't remind me all that much of G&G, no more so than any other Russian team anyway, but Lubov really reminds me of a young Katia.

I loved this team at SkateCanada, esp. their short. Haven't seen the ex yet, have to wait til the weekend.

Sign me up for the fan club!

**zilam98** · 11-03-2010, 02:17 AM

cant we just say we miss g/g terribly for ages and are waiting for the next coming?

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