- Joined
- Mar 13, 2004
I agree with him that the interest in figure skating has waned in America. However, I don't think it was because of a lack of a Gold Olympian. For me, it was the fraudulent judging that finally came to a blow out in Salt Lake City.
Joesitz said:Thanks Mikhail - I enjoyed reading the translation.
I ate in that restaurant Sphinx in Petersburg but who knew it belonged to Anton? It was very cozy, intimate and I had a delicious dinner. Not unlike those cafes where 'artsy' people hang out and dine. I recommend it for your next visit to Petersburg.
Alexei to me seems lonely. He doesn't talk much about friends but he reminisces about skating pasts. He's certainly not happy in the US. He takes jabs at it here and there. Again, he seems lonely - not really befriending anyone. He relies a lot on TT and visits with Katia and Ilia but not often.
Even in SOI he seems distant from the others. It would be nice if Russia could offer him more. I think he would like to live there.
I agree with him that the interest in figure skating has waned in America. However, I don't think it was because of a lack of a Gold Olympian. For me, it was the fraudulent judging that finally came to a blow out in Salt Lake City. In any event figure skating at its highest rating doesn't put him in a class with George Clooney. No figure skater from whereever and with whatever medals reaches hollywood stardom. that is reserved for the big screen. C'est la vie en Amerique
I've enjoyed his eligible skating for some time and hope he finds his way in life. Gets some good friends, Alexei! anywhere.
Joe
hockeyfan228 said:What I hear from Yagudin's interviews -- in the NA and translations of the Russian press -- he has a lot of interest in being a celebrity, and it's easy to blame lack of this on the vapidity of North American promoters and audiences. North America is good as long as he is idolized, but in his position as the outgoing Miss Universe, so to speak, he must realize that he is only one of an elite, not The One. If he's going to attempt to create the Three Tenors on Ice (with Abt in the Carreras role), his neediness reminds me of Pavarotti's "Love Me" side, while Plushenko reminds me more of Domingo. I suspect, like Pavarotti and Domingo, teaming up will reap more rewards -- internationally -- than Yagudin on his own.
soogar said:I hope SOI loses more money if it decides to keep Todd on and hire Mike Weiss and boots out Alexei Yagudin.
Thank you, Soogar! I think I love you!soogar said:However he is worried that he won't be re-signed (a la Ilia Kulik) which is a shame for a skater of his stature. He's a wonderful skater and he's giving his all to that tour, why should he have less of an opportunity for a job than Todd Eldredge based on his nationality? That smacks of discrimination.
You can't discriminate against people because they are immigrants and I don't understand how SOI can participate in such blatant discrimination (esp if they don't rehire Alexei). The film industry doesn't have a problem hiring Australian and English actors yet the figure skating industry doesn't want to employ Russians (or give Russians the fair opportunity for employment like Americans) despite the Russian having an OGM. I hope SOI loses more money if it decides to keep Todd on and hire Mike Weiss and boots out Alexei Yagudin.
Joesitz said:However, Alexei was always a fan of mine and I find it sad that I think he is at this point, lonely.
Joe
Mathman said:Did this paragraph jump out at anyone else?
"Yagudin is rather lucky, since the 'house on wheels' made for eight people only houses four – himself, Anton Sikhuralidze, Elena Berezhnaja and Sarah Hughes. The latter chose to escape her compatriots as they would often tease her about her weight."
MM
Touche, dfj. I guess I didn't want us U.S.A. folks to be the bad guys all by ourselves.dfj said:Not sure why Canadian skaters would be considered compatriots of Sarah but if they were making fun of her weight, someone give them a shot upside the head for me.