Hat tip to the Nathan Chen thread for the heads up. Today TSL interviewed Raf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgQLeq5JKnI&frags=pl,wn
Thoughts:
1. Fascinating interview overall. I'd never really sat down and listened to Raf. It took me a few minutes to train my brain to understand everything, but it was worth it. He's very wise.
2. On the recent trend of quads and triple axels by youngsters: "You’re killing your bones. You’re killing your joints." I think this is a valid concern. I hope some of these girls don't end up messing up their bodies permanently.
3. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of warmth he has for Adam and Ashley. I guess I'd stereotyped him as someone who didn't share his feelings. He was quite open in saying he missed them.
4. He is so straightforward and honest. It never comes across as rude though. According to Raf, Michelle Kwan was always very professional. Adam and Ashley "became professional." Nathan reminds him of Michelle in his level of professionalism.
5. Did I mention straightforward? Comparison between Adam and Ashley leading up to the Olympics: he put the work in. He was more hungry.
6. His thoughts on Marin's previous coaching situation were especially interesting. He is much more progressive than I thought. He views his job quite broadly and seemed to be very in tune with the psychological state of his skaters and their motivation.
7. Loved his points about our pairs. He said in Russia they put together two single skaters who can do all the jumps while here we put together skaters who cannot jump.
8. Finally there was my favorite quote. Raf was discussing why skater's opinions of their own skating is not as valuable as his own analysis of their skating: "They have feelings. I have eyes." Well played sir!
Thoughts:
1. Fascinating interview overall. I'd never really sat down and listened to Raf. It took me a few minutes to train my brain to understand everything, but it was worth it. He's very wise.
2. On the recent trend of quads and triple axels by youngsters: "You’re killing your bones. You’re killing your joints." I think this is a valid concern. I hope some of these girls don't end up messing up their bodies permanently.
3. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of warmth he has for Adam and Ashley. I guess I'd stereotyped him as someone who didn't share his feelings. He was quite open in saying he missed them.
4. He is so straightforward and honest. It never comes across as rude though. According to Raf, Michelle Kwan was always very professional. Adam and Ashley "became professional." Nathan reminds him of Michelle in his level of professionalism.
5. Did I mention straightforward? Comparison between Adam and Ashley leading up to the Olympics: he put the work in. He was more hungry.
6. His thoughts on Marin's previous coaching situation were especially interesting. He is much more progressive than I thought. He views his job quite broadly and seemed to be very in tune with the psychological state of his skaters and their motivation.
7. Loved his points about our pairs. He said in Russia they put together two single skaters who can do all the jumps while here we put together skaters who cannot jump.
8. Finally there was my favorite quote. Raf was discussing why skater's opinions of their own skating is not as valuable as his own analysis of their skating: "They have feelings. I have eyes." Well played sir!