quiqie
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Igor Shpilband: I want a completely new look for Ilinykh/Zhiganshin
http://rsport.ru/interview/20160318/905477120.html
Q: Igor, your French pupil Angélique Abachkina looked very furious after the short dance!
A: She's fierce. From Krasnoyarsk.
Q: Which of your many teams has a potential to become top ice dancers, in your opinion?
A: I am lucky to work with many very good young teams. I have two at these championships alone - Angélique and Louis (Thauron), representing France, and Elliana Pogrebinsky/Alex Benoit, skating for the USA. By the way, Elliana's family is from Odessa. I have several more teams from different countries at home — for example, Christina Carrera/Anton Ponomarenko. Anton is a very talented guy.
Q: An American?
A: He is a son of Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko. He has clearly inherited his parents' talent, but he is different. He has his own promising qualities — good skating skills that he probably got from Sergei, and expressiveness that is definitely from Marina. Chloe Lewis/Logan Bye are also my pupils, very unique team that won silver at the Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer. Each of my juniors have their own strengths and individuality.
Q: Do you have enough time for the last year's US national champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates?
A: Sure. I've been working with them for many years and I pay enough attention to them.
Q: It seems they have a difficult and uneven season, especially compared to the amazing success of Maia and Alex Shibutani. Is it hard to prepare them for the World championships in Boston?
A: Each competition is difficult in its own way. Madison and Evan are seasoned skaters. Evan had skated at two Olympic Games, Madison — at one. They won Junior Worlds with other partners, they are reigning World silver medalists. I hope their experience will help them to prepare for Boston.
Q: What will be their main trump card at Worlds?
A: They definitely can compete with other leading ice dancing teams. But what really sets them apart, it's their great skating skills, soft stroking, and also they are both very good dancers. This year's programs are built on their amazing expressiveness and sophisticated skating skills. New and intricate transitions are also important, and this is were they have the edge over other teams.
Q: Which teams?
A: The European champions who have a very beautiful program, but it's simple.
Q: Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron have simple program?
A: Yes. Their current programs are much simpler compared to the last year's. They are indeed very beautiful but consist of crossovers and two-foot skating.
Q: What is the reason for the Shibutanis' progress, in your opinion?
A: They are talented, very hard-working people, they always have been worthy competitors — amazingly consistent, which is a great plus. There is no shame in losing to them.
Q: Will the judges' stereotypes be a problem for Chock/Bates at the upcoming WC after the Nationals?
A: No. I don't think there is a problem, the judges actually put C/B ahead of Shibutanis in both programs. It's very important. It was the technical score that let us down. We worked on that, made significant changes in the step sequences, the spin. I hope technical panel will notice the improvement in Boston.
Q: Is there room left at your rink for Lena and Ruslan?
A: We made a room, so that's fine, they fit.
Q: How did you find them?
A: Essentially, we just started working together — it's been only three weeks after their arrival, it's very little time, but we already decided what we are going to work on and how.
Q: And what is it?
A: I would prefer not to go into details.
Q: What do they need to change?
A: It is important for me that they have a different look in the next season. Just different.
Q: Completely different?
A: Yes. Different movements, different skating, different expressiveness. Especially Ruslan, because for me, the partner's role is very important.
Q: Does it mean that Lena is clearly superior now?
A; I would prefer not to talk about it because every athlete has his strengths and weaknesses, and the coach's job is to correct the weaknesses. Every athlete has them, but there is no point in discussing it, because we just started working together. It is very important for me that both athletes are dying to improve and are open to work. It's the most important.
Q: When Ilinykh/Katsalapov have split, it was a shock for many people. Will Ilinykh/Zhiganshin be able to achieve the level of the 2014 Olympic bronze medalists and rise above it?
A: That's something I can't answer definitely, it would be unfair. But I know what needs to be done in order to achieve that. Is it possible to achieve that in minimal time, let's say, a year? I don't know. It will depend on the skaters and their progress. It will depend on how they are going to adapt to the work I'm going to offer them.
Q: If you won't be able to do everything you plan to achieve, do you have time to use the next year as a kind of transitional period? Or are we speaking about a partner change here?
A: There is too little to be said and too much to be done. The plans are huge, and I really hope it all works out well.
Q: They had an original free dance this season. Do you think it suits them?
A: I would prefer not to comment on that.
Q: They aren't skating «Frida» when they train with you?
A: No, but since they are alternates for the World championships, they will have to practice this program just in case.
Q: Are you going to make any changes in it?
A: No, because we are not going to prepare for the Worlds specifically. We work more keeping in mind the next season.
Q: Have you started working on new programs?
A: No, now we are looking for music, themes, I try to understand what is the best way to put it together. I try to answer the question, what will work best for Lena and Ruslan.
Q: Having worked with Elena more closely, did you change your opinion about her?
A: I've known Lena for many years, I worked with her when she was 12. I know her very well and I've been watching her career development. I can't help but admire her talent.
Q: Did you discover any new qualities in her?
A: New qualities? I helped her prepare for the Olympic Games when Kolya Morozov asked me for help. I've known her as a teenager, an adult, I understand her well, and I didn't notice any significant changes.
Q: She seems to be a deeply impressionable person. Isn't it a problem?
A: It's called talent. How talent can be a problem? For me as a coach it is a big gift and a great luck to work with such a talent. And, of course, great responsibility.
Q: What does she need to improve?
A: Lena is one of the most talented (female) partners in the world. Everybody has room for improvement. I can go into technical details, but, you see, at some point they don't matter anymore. When a person goes on the ice and lives in a music and dance like Lena, it's very rare. I mean that she has enough skating skills to express herself on ice completely. Yes, she has to work on elements, spins, lifts, twizzles — like everyone. But practice can make that perfect, while this absolute natural talent is extremly rare.
Q: Olympic Games are fast approaching, you have one of the best American and one of the best Russian ice dancing teams. Doesn't that constitute a conflict of interest?
A: I have experience of working with top teams, but there is rarely any problem, because usually skaters feel my support and involvement 100%. I don't work better or worse with anyone. I put the same effort in working with Madison and Evan as I do with a junior team.
Q: Without a doubt you will be able to prepare both teams, but won't the national federations mind?
A: No, American federation is used to me working with teams from different countries, and, most importantly — I don't work for the American federation, and therefore I am an independent man.
Q: What about the Russian figure skating federation?
A: They undoubtedly are interested in skaters and their work. As far as I know, they approved Lena and Ruslan coming to me to train, I feel that they trust me, and I hope they won't regret it.
Q: Can you say already that they are going to stay with you permanetly?
A: I will let them talk about it. So far, they came for several months, let's see how it works, how productive our collaboration is. I want them to improve and for it to work out too.
Q: Officially, Ilinykh and Zhiganshin coming to you to train is regarded as a joint project of Elena Kustarova's group and Igor Shpilband. What kind of project is it?
A: I don't even know what to say. Everybody wants the best for the skaters. If it works out, everybody's happy. Of course, Elena Kustarova and Svetlana Alexeeva did so much for Elena and Ruslan, so much energy, a part of themselves. I have a great respect for these coaches.
Q: Is there going to be any other Russian team in your group, by any chance?
A: There are no plans, and anyway, I don't have much space on my rink.
Q: Did you get any offers to move to Russia to work in the pre-Olympic season? For example, to Novogorsk?
A: No, definitely not, and I don't think it's feasible. I have good training conditions and enough ice time here. No one is going to benefit more from training in Novogorsk or in Novi.
http://rsport.ru/interview/20160318/905477120.html
Q: Igor, your French pupil Angélique Abachkina looked very furious after the short dance!
A: She's fierce. From Krasnoyarsk.
Q: Which of your many teams has a potential to become top ice dancers, in your opinion?
A: I am lucky to work with many very good young teams. I have two at these championships alone - Angélique and Louis (Thauron), representing France, and Elliana Pogrebinsky/Alex Benoit, skating for the USA. By the way, Elliana's family is from Odessa. I have several more teams from different countries at home — for example, Christina Carrera/Anton Ponomarenko. Anton is a very talented guy.
Q: An American?
A: He is a son of Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko. He has clearly inherited his parents' talent, but he is different. He has his own promising qualities — good skating skills that he probably got from Sergei, and expressiveness that is definitely from Marina. Chloe Lewis/Logan Bye are also my pupils, very unique team that won silver at the Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer. Each of my juniors have their own strengths and individuality.
Q: Do you have enough time for the last year's US national champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates?
A: Sure. I've been working with them for many years and I pay enough attention to them.
Q: It seems they have a difficult and uneven season, especially compared to the amazing success of Maia and Alex Shibutani. Is it hard to prepare them for the World championships in Boston?
A: Each competition is difficult in its own way. Madison and Evan are seasoned skaters. Evan had skated at two Olympic Games, Madison — at one. They won Junior Worlds with other partners, they are reigning World silver medalists. I hope their experience will help them to prepare for Boston.
Q: What will be their main trump card at Worlds?
A: They definitely can compete with other leading ice dancing teams. But what really sets them apart, it's their great skating skills, soft stroking, and also they are both very good dancers. This year's programs are built on their amazing expressiveness and sophisticated skating skills. New and intricate transitions are also important, and this is were they have the edge over other teams.
Q: Which teams?
A: The European champions who have a very beautiful program, but it's simple.
Q: Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron have simple program?
A: Yes. Their current programs are much simpler compared to the last year's. They are indeed very beautiful but consist of crossovers and two-foot skating.
Q: What is the reason for the Shibutanis' progress, in your opinion?
A: They are talented, very hard-working people, they always have been worthy competitors — amazingly consistent, which is a great plus. There is no shame in losing to them.
Q: Will the judges' stereotypes be a problem for Chock/Bates at the upcoming WC after the Nationals?
A: No. I don't think there is a problem, the judges actually put C/B ahead of Shibutanis in both programs. It's very important. It was the technical score that let us down. We worked on that, made significant changes in the step sequences, the spin. I hope technical panel will notice the improvement in Boston.
Q: Is there room left at your rink for Lena and Ruslan?
A: We made a room, so that's fine, they fit.
Q: How did you find them?
A: Essentially, we just started working together — it's been only three weeks after their arrival, it's very little time, but we already decided what we are going to work on and how.
Q: And what is it?
A: I would prefer not to go into details.
Q: What do they need to change?
A: It is important for me that they have a different look in the next season. Just different.
Q: Completely different?
A: Yes. Different movements, different skating, different expressiveness. Especially Ruslan, because for me, the partner's role is very important.
Q: Does it mean that Lena is clearly superior now?
A; I would prefer not to talk about it because every athlete has his strengths and weaknesses, and the coach's job is to correct the weaknesses. Every athlete has them, but there is no point in discussing it, because we just started working together. It is very important for me that both athletes are dying to improve and are open to work. It's the most important.
Q: When Ilinykh/Katsalapov have split, it was a shock for many people. Will Ilinykh/Zhiganshin be able to achieve the level of the 2014 Olympic bronze medalists and rise above it?
A: That's something I can't answer definitely, it would be unfair. But I know what needs to be done in order to achieve that. Is it possible to achieve that in minimal time, let's say, a year? I don't know. It will depend on the skaters and their progress. It will depend on how they are going to adapt to the work I'm going to offer them.
Q: If you won't be able to do everything you plan to achieve, do you have time to use the next year as a kind of transitional period? Or are we speaking about a partner change here?
A: There is too little to be said and too much to be done. The plans are huge, and I really hope it all works out well.
Q: They had an original free dance this season. Do you think it suits them?
A: I would prefer not to comment on that.
Q: They aren't skating «Frida» when they train with you?
A: No, but since they are alternates for the World championships, they will have to practice this program just in case.
Q: Are you going to make any changes in it?
A: No, because we are not going to prepare for the Worlds specifically. We work more keeping in mind the next season.
Q: Have you started working on new programs?
A: No, now we are looking for music, themes, I try to understand what is the best way to put it together. I try to answer the question, what will work best for Lena and Ruslan.
Q: Having worked with Elena more closely, did you change your opinion about her?
A: I've known Lena for many years, I worked with her when she was 12. I know her very well and I've been watching her career development. I can't help but admire her talent.
Q: Did you discover any new qualities in her?
A: New qualities? I helped her prepare for the Olympic Games when Kolya Morozov asked me for help. I've known her as a teenager, an adult, I understand her well, and I didn't notice any significant changes.
Q: She seems to be a deeply impressionable person. Isn't it a problem?
A: It's called talent. How talent can be a problem? For me as a coach it is a big gift and a great luck to work with such a talent. And, of course, great responsibility.
Q: What does she need to improve?
A: Lena is one of the most talented (female) partners in the world. Everybody has room for improvement. I can go into technical details, but, you see, at some point they don't matter anymore. When a person goes on the ice and lives in a music and dance like Lena, it's very rare. I mean that she has enough skating skills to express herself on ice completely. Yes, she has to work on elements, spins, lifts, twizzles — like everyone. But practice can make that perfect, while this absolute natural talent is extremly rare.
Q: Olympic Games are fast approaching, you have one of the best American and one of the best Russian ice dancing teams. Doesn't that constitute a conflict of interest?
A: I have experience of working with top teams, but there is rarely any problem, because usually skaters feel my support and involvement 100%. I don't work better or worse with anyone. I put the same effort in working with Madison and Evan as I do with a junior team.
Q: Without a doubt you will be able to prepare both teams, but won't the national federations mind?
A: No, American federation is used to me working with teams from different countries, and, most importantly — I don't work for the American federation, and therefore I am an independent man.
Q: What about the Russian figure skating federation?
A: They undoubtedly are interested in skaters and their work. As far as I know, they approved Lena and Ruslan coming to me to train, I feel that they trust me, and I hope they won't regret it.
Q: Can you say already that they are going to stay with you permanetly?
A: I will let them talk about it. So far, they came for several months, let's see how it works, how productive our collaboration is. I want them to improve and for it to work out too.
Q: Officially, Ilinykh and Zhiganshin coming to you to train is regarded as a joint project of Elena Kustarova's group and Igor Shpilband. What kind of project is it?
A: I don't even know what to say. Everybody wants the best for the skaters. If it works out, everybody's happy. Of course, Elena Kustarova and Svetlana Alexeeva did so much for Elena and Ruslan, so much energy, a part of themselves. I have a great respect for these coaches.
Q: Is there going to be any other Russian team in your group, by any chance?
A: There are no plans, and anyway, I don't have much space on my rink.
Q: Did you get any offers to move to Russia to work in the pre-Olympic season? For example, to Novogorsk?
A: No, definitely not, and I don't think it's feasible. I have good training conditions and enough ice time here. No one is going to benefit more from training in Novogorsk or in Novi.