Who should coach I&K?

[Carmen Ovsiannikov]

arakwafan, I guess it's subjective as always. I think even after B&K retired he still did some great work as far as choreography goes. IIRC the problem many began to have with Morosov was that he was working with so many different skaters that their choreography began to look quite similar.

I do think one of Morosov's best seasons was 02/03 when he worked along side TAT. Not only were the programs from their dancers excellent but that season was one of my favorite years for Sasha Cohen programs. I loved her Rachmaninoff LP as well as the programs for Yagudin (the race car SP).

However, I do think that the SP's he created for Grushina/Goncharov beginning with the 02/03 Waltz were fantastic. All four of them. Of course now I can't remember if G&G were with Morosov for that entire quadrennial or if they changed coaches.

I guess I'm still not quite willing to write off Linichuk. She hasn't really worked with any top level skaters since the 09/10 season. And even then she must have had some sort of political pull left since she managed to get DomShabs a European title and an Olympic bronze. I'm inclined to think that we don't really know where she stands in the skating community.

[caseyedwards]

Linichuk For a half way out the door f/s did their 2010/2011 programs. They won world bronze in 2010 and if had not been so mistake plagued that last season had the potential to be p/b. But then everyone just fled from Her so fast!!

[DORISPULASKI]

Just saying, but how do you know it wasn't the Russian fed who did the politcking for DomShabs rather than Linichuk?

[skateboy]

Am I the only one who thinks that Morozov has not choreographed anything good dance team wise since Bourne and Kratz? It's almost like he has a hard time weaving the skating skills and highlights together. The work does not look fresh at all!!!

Camerlengo/Krylova have a deep team of people who work with the dance teams. There is N. Dellar, E. Punsalon, M. Scali as well as Camerlengo and Krylova. I bring this up because each coach has a specialty and really work within that framework. However, the dance teams are expected to train on their own and work the technique taught to them by doing repetitions. I dont think that this would be a good place for a team that is not motivated to bust their butts open training. However, if you enjoy the training process then you will flourish here. Skaters who put a lot into the work get a lot out of it. All of the professionals are very professional and work incredibly well with all the skaters. The dance teams are so respectful and encouraging of each other until I completely see why the turnover is not high. It's like every coach on the team exploits their strengths.

(Arakwa, I've been trying to PM you for days. You need to clear your inbox, no messages can get through to you!)

[Twilight1]

Linichuk also put together Domnina & Shabalin awful and horrific original dance that year.

[Macassar88]

I wish they had some glitter in their FD costumes! They are so BLAH.

I can't really decide because while choreography is an issue, I still think they need some work on the basics. To that end I am thinking Linichuk or Platov, but both have had questionable taste in recent years. Krylova is probably a good mix of technique and code-whoring and choreo, but I've yet to love any FDs coming out of her camp (they are better than Morozov's though of course). Shpilband is a let down so far and I also saw him as more of a technical coach in terms of level/GOE but not stuff like posture and edgework (think B&A).

Platov would be cool - and he could send them to Dean for choreography
And Krylova is good at getting levels (her top 2 outleveled Igor and Marina's top 2 worlds) but she has so many students right now (i know she has a big team, but still, she only has one rink, right?)

Anyway, about Linichuk having questionable taste, I feel like a lot of what she did for Domnina and Shabalin was to mask Shabalin's knee issues. She did great work for Denkova and Staviski.

[Macassar88]

Yes anyone but Morozov. What has he done to them? He choreographed this thing didn't he? The 'music' is horrible and she looks like she's wearing a sack. I know Demi Moore look, whatever this thing needs to be trashed ASAP. It's awful. As I said in annother pI aost when I watch it I don't know whether to oror Zhulin's probably doing a little bit of both I imagine.

I agree Cherub721 they do need to work on their basics as well. Stop acting like you're gunning for gold and do the work. I suppose Morozov put that line of thinking in their heads as well.

Zhulin is probably doing a little of followed by a little of followed by some and then going to Russian fed like this

[Macassar88]

In the interest of being fair, Morosov isn't the only coach who has ups and downs when it comes to choreography. However, with the Olympics next season and I&K looking to set themselves up for the four years after Sochi, I'm not sure they should wait around for Morosov's choreography to trend back towards the better material he has come up with.

I voted for Linichuk because of the comments regarding I&K's work ethic or lack thereof. Linichuk is the one coach who most definitely would not coddle Elena and Nikita and she would make them work their butts off. I also disagree that all of Linichuk's programs are horrible and her style would certainly suit I&K.

I can imagine the first day of their practice with Linichuk -

5 minutes in -
I/K: We're tired. We need a break.
Linichuk: No break - do it again
I/K: We don't want to
L: Shut up and practice or no dinner tonight. And give me your phones - you can have them back when you win a medal at worlds.
I/K: We don't have to deal with this. You're fired.
L: No I'm not. Get back on the ice.

[zotza]

They need to be taken from Morosov tomorrow morning!At the latest...
But I can't see anyone to take them.They cut bridges with Zhulin,Zueva is out of the question,Krylova has their direct competitors...So maybe they're just stuck there.And what is worse is that they've improved,their speed was good,they fixed some issues..But there are no programs...

[aka_gerbil]

I can imagine the first day of their practice with Linichuk -

5 minutes in -
I/K: We're tired. We need a break.
Linichuk: No break - do it again
I/K: We don't want to
L: Shut up and practice or no dinner tonight. And give me your phones - you can have them back when you win a medal at worlds.
I/K: We don't have to deal with this. You're fired.
L: No I'm not. Get back on the ice.

Love it! That's pretty much exactly how I imagined it.

[algonquin]

They need to be taken from Morosov tomorrow morning!At the latest...
But I can't see anyone to take them.They cut bridges with Zhulin,Zueva is out of the question,Krylova has their direct competitors...So maybe they're just stuck there.And what is worse is that they've improved,their speed was good,they fixed some issues..But there are no programs...

Please recap what happened with Zhulin. Doesn't have to be long. Thanks.

[sequins]

Zhulin is probably doing a little of followed by a little of followed by some and then going to Russian fed like this

Yes you're probably right.

I can imagine the first day of their practice with Linichuk -

5 minutes in -
I/K: We're tired. We need a break.
Linichuk: No break - do it again
I/K: We don't want to
L: Shut up and practice or no dinner tonight. And give me your phones - you can have them back when you win a medal at worlds.
I/K: We don't have to deal with this. You're fired.
L: No I'm not. Get back on the ice.

[Cherub721]

Linichuk For a half way out the door f/s did their 2010/2011 programs.

I had forgotten about that. I liked those programs, especially the FD. The My Fair Lady SD wasn't to everyone's taste but I thought it was a nice mix of tango and waltz.

Just saying, but how do you know it wasn't the Russian fed who did the politcking for DomShabs rather than Linichuk?

I'm sure the fed contributed, but they did better under Linichuk. In 2007 with Gorshkov they were expected to contend for the title and certainly medal, but they only came 5th, without huge mistakes. They did win GPF and Euros the next year, but since he was injured, we'll never know how they would've done at Worlds. By 2009 K&N were the World bronze/Euro champs and most thought the fed had hitched their wagon to them, but they came 6th at Worlds and Linichuk/DomShabs got the title. (Similarly, with Denkova Staviyski Gorshkov could only get them silver and bronze, and Linichuk got them two golds, something I thought was impossible for a couple from a small federation).

Also, in 2009 both of Linichuk's teams beat both of Shpilband's teams at Worlds. That was the first year it looked like D&W could pass B&A, but it didn't happen and I think Linichuk had a bit to do with it. By 2010 the Shpilband teams were too strong technically to overcome.

Anyway, about Linichuk having questionable taste, I feel like a lot of what she did for Domnina and Shabalin was to mask Shabalin's knee issues. She did great work for Denkova and Staviski.

Yeah, DenSta's 2007 FD is my favorite dance ever. I actually liked what she did with DomShabs in 2009. The waltz was clever and Spartacus really worked for them. So yeah, I think I can forgive the aboriginal dance by now, especially compared to Morozov's stuff.

I would love to see Linichuk training them exactly as you wrote it.

Please recap what happened with Zhulin. Doesn't have to be long. Thanks.

I&K trained with him as juniors in 2005, then split up for a couple of years, returning in 2009. He told them that if they ever left him, he would not take them back again. Their senior debut season was a struggle, and Nikita went on the record saying Zhulin did not spend enough time working with them and that he had to spend his own time reading the rulebook and watching youtube to figure things out. The fed made P&B leave Zhulin so he could focus on Russian skaters, but then they took I&K away right after that, supposedly because he was spending too much time with his TV shows. Zhulin then gave some interviews about how I&K were lazy and did not like to work.

[Macassar88]

Please recap what happened with Zhulin. Doesn't have to be long. Thanks.

Basically, Ilinykh and Katsalapov were with Zhulin and left him. Then he agreed to take them back but told them that if they left again, he wouldn't take them back again.

[pinky166]

I'd love to see I/K with Krylova but idk how likely that is considering she has W/P and A/E. The whole situation with Morozov is just awkward, there's like all this tension in the Kiss N Cry, like he and Elena are trying to pretend they are not together and poor Nikita, I can't imagine how hard it must be to train with his ex and be coached by her new boyfriend each day. I must say he's handling things well. Elena is apparently a sweetheart, so that combined with her beauty and talent is more reason to get away from Morozov fast, she can do so much better. And when/if they break up, things will just get even more awkward. Basically they need to get away from Morozov ASAP. Yes they are doing well but it's not like their scores are huge now, so there is little reason to stay with Morozov especially now that B/S are doing so well while their programs suck.

[Twilight1]

Surprised at the number of people who want them to train with Igor. He would be much better than Morozov though

[babayaga]

I voted for Kustarova, just for the entertainment value of that. It would be funny to see Elena in whatever Bobrova was wearing last year with feathers sticking out of her
If seriously, maybe Platov would be a good choice for them.

[Susan M]

I voted Platov. I always liked him as a competitor and I think his style of skating would also be very good on them. Someone above said they wanted to be innovative, but IMO that's just nuts. The reason they had such success as juniors was because they are very classic ice dancers. In the long run they will have better luck if they go with their strengths.

[Fancypancy]

I vote Platov to. I think he is very good with technical elements.. & he doesn't have as many students. He could devote
Lots of time to them. I do believe Russian Federation would never allow them to train outside of the country

[Fancypancy]

I also think Platov can do a lot with very good talent.. something he has not had yet.