Choreography

Music

Elements

Performances

Skate Canada 2nd
  November 7 - 10, 1996
Kitchner/CAN
(tano lutz instead of quad attempt)

NHK Trophy 2nd
  December 5 - 8, 1996
Osaka/JPN  

Russian Nationals 1st
December 26-29, 1996
Moscow

European Championships 4th
  January 19 - 26, 1997
Paris/FRA

Champion Series Finale 4th
  February 28 - March 2, 1997
Hamilton/CAN
( successful quad) 

World Championships 5th
  March 16 - 23, 1997
Lausanne/SWI

Links

Photo Copyright  J. Barry Mittan

The season of Romeo and Juliet was a difficult one for Ilia; his world was changing. His mind and body were changing and in an unfamiliar setting: a new country, a new coach. A striking parallel can be drawn between this and his earnest portrayal of Romeo. The heart swells to the opening, dreamy strains of Tchaikovsky's stirring piece. We truly see the beautiful young Romeo, so full of awakening possibility, opening his eyes on a world made strange through the new gaze of love. By means of complex, innovative choreography, we see Romeo struggling in his altering surroundings, fighting with great passion against the unfeeling world and we so want him to win! It is a hard, heart-rending journey, a coming-of-age epic but in the end, Ilia's Romeo triumphs. A new level of maturity has been reached.

(Miriam Ellis)

Black Costume
 (c)  J. Barry Mittan

White Costume worn in later part of season. 
(c) Charles E. Covell