The funding could be overcome in an instant. Russia's Ice Dance eggs are all in that basket in terms of best chances at World's. I think that the exodus of the top teams from the Detroit Skating Club to Montreal and abroad were the nail in the coffin for Camerlengo and Krylova. They were just not able to do more with Kaitlyn and Andrew and the weakness of that team was in the elements which was really Krylova's so called expertise. Andrew was doing Twizzles like a dreidel among other weaknesses in the team that were glaring and lost ground big time. Also, they were skating very much so like they were next in line to win world's with the same old recycled thing which was a judgement call that cost them big time. I think that Camerlengo will be held back by his wife ( they're still married right?) since she is not as good at her supposed strength which is teaching elements as he is a coming up with creative and beautiful choreography. That said, If Camerlengo were working with Zhulin who does a pretty good job teaching dance, but is as uninspired with his choreography as Anjelica at elements, that could have worked for Bobrova and Soloviev.
I still wish Shpilband and Camerlengo would join forces. What do they have to lose? Igor is not what ANY artistically challenged team needs but much like MFD in Montreal, Pasquale is a master at coming up with beautiful themes for developing teams that are gorgeous to watch and that allow teams to find their style. To me, Igor's work is so stuck in the 90's. one thing that Tarasova did call RIGHT away when the Canton split happened was that both coaches would be fine without the other but never would they be as successful apart as when they were together. Marina has 3 coaches to try and compensate for 1 Igor and it's working OK, whereas Igor is using outside choreographers for top teams or worse, doing it himself and is largely unable to positively impact the overall look of a team which Marina could do no problem. The details that are important to Marina make the difference. I noticed for instance that even with Patrick, his stroking and how he maneuvers his hands ( something that simple) she changed because that's her thing!
I guess what i'm saying is, Bob/Sol stayed with Zhulin longer than they should have. They're comfortable and his best team right now and have been for a while. Zhulin like other coaches, and this is just my theory are sort of falling into the same arrogant trap as Linichuk in that they are so committed to doing things the old way/way they've always done them that they are not moving with the times which is causing their teams to suffer. Marina is the exception to the rule because at least she identifies her blind spot and has help for her skaters around the clock. That team of coaches ( Johnny Johns, Massimo Scali and Oleg Epstein) is getting stronger because, quite frankly, they had years to learn from the best teams ( Tessa/Scott, Meryl/Charlie, Shibs etc.) and to become more confident in how to approach dance teams and their roles within the team. Bob/Sol are a metaphor for staying with the wrong coach for too long, a coach that is too arrogant to admit weakness as well as possibly having limited Russian coaching options to suite their comfort level.
For the record, I do NOT think that Bob/Sol's best option is Marie-France, Patrice and Romain. I think that they would have kept Zueva relevant for a while longer had they went to Canton but there was NO WAY IN HELL the Shibs would have went along with that. BTW, I'm not certain that Maia and Alex have some lock on Marina taking on top level students but if they do, that's not a good thing for Marina. Also, ask me if i think the Shibs could use another coach? Another thread though...
Is it OK, that each of them has a flag and (even worse!!!) an anthem?
I should've known better than to trust that.
