Russian press on Cohen/Tarasova split

[Ptichka]

Here are some exerpts from various Russian sources. Note: I did not translate any complete articles, as they all start by stating the facts that we all know already.

Izvestiya
In the past years, Tarasova has often experienced health problems. Especially difficult for her was the Olympic season that ended with Yagudin's victories at Salt Lake City Olympics and Nagago Worlds. Despite this, she agreed to coach Sasha Cohen, realizing that she would continue to live in this competitive schedule, as Cohen's goals are the same as Yagudin's -- to win the Olympics.

A year and a half of Tarasova's work with Cohen can be looked at in several ways, which makes one doubt that the coach's health is the reason for the break up. On the one hand, many noticed that Cohen's skating skills improved considerably. On the other hand, Cohen's results don't show much technical progress. As before her work with Tarasova, Cohen's weakness is her psychological instability during most important championships. Having won the Grand Prix Final under Tarasoa's tutelage last year, Sasha did not skate well at the most important championships of the season, becoming 3d at US Nationals, and leaving the World Championship in Washington without a medal. This season, having spectacularly won three Grand Prix events, she lost the Final to Fumie Suguri. Again, Cohen had problems with her jumps.

Therefore, the choice of Robin Wagner to replace Tarasova seems logical. At Salt Lake City Olympics, Wagner's student Sarah Hughes overcame her far more famous and talented opponents (including Sasha Cohen) due specifically to her concentration and perfect jumps.

Sport-Express Article is written by Vaixovetskaya, who is Tarasova's friend, so this is probably the spin that TT wants to put in this
Even the skeptics had to admit that Cohen in 2002 and Cohen as she is now are like night and day.

Tarasova was never a jump specialist, but the coaches saw that when Cohen would have serious problems, the mentor would immediately find a specialist to quickly correct the shortcoming.

This was not the problem. Back in the beginning of the season, when nothing predicted a malfunction in the well functioning system, Tarasova mentioned that she never suspected how difficult it would be to work with an athlete whose mentality was so different for the Russian. The first indication of the problems came during Pro-Am championship, secondary from an eligible point of view. On the eve of it Cohen became sick, and Tarasova said that she should not compete. However, the skater's mom Galina, who doesn't leave her daughter's side for a moment off ice, protested this. She was the one who insisted that Sasha does not break her agreement with USFSA.

We know what happened. Skaing in Detroit with a fever, Cohen did not just loose, she really bombed.

During the Grand Prix Final in Colorado Springs it was evident that Tarasova herself has no illusions about the possible results. Her student has not gotten back in shape. She lost for the second time.

Somehow, I think this was the moment when the difference in mentalities really clinched. Knowing the ability to American mass media to create superstars out of athletes, one can imagine how proud Galina must have felt. And how devastating was the second loss in a row.

Certainly, she tried to explain this somehow. Therefore, the words of those who said that Tarasova is not god, and not the specialist who can teach the girl not to fall, really took root.

Tarasova, on the other hand, is used to sacrificing everything secondary for the main goal, and she could already smell victory. She could not comprehend how one could destroy the long work that took many months for one inconsequential performance. And she could not comprehend how someone who is not a professional, and does not understand the training process, can interfere like that.

Everyone is right in her own way…

What happened next is what has happened before. Due to such nervous pressure and disputes, the Russian coach’s health deteriorated, and the question as to whether to continue working together resolved itself automatically.

The decision was mutual, and therefore fast.

Conference with Artur Verner Very unofficial, but this guy often has inside informatin. This is his answer to the question of why TT and Cohen broke up
Maya Usova and Evgeny Platov don't work with singles; Tarasova is on very unfriendly terms with Galina Zmievskaya and Victor Petrenko, and Yagudin is now in France. As to TT and Sasha appearing happy together, they only appeared happy before Sasha started loosing. After that, they did not appear that way even to Sasha's mom, who cares about her daughter's career far more than about any friendship (with TT).

 

[mzheng]

Thanks for the translating.

What I can say. Looks to me whenever a family member interfered with an atheleter's profesional training, the atheleter is deemed. Danny Kwan is smart enough to leave Michelle alone on ice now.

There was a chinese american tennis player a few years back, Mike Chang? or something, he had a successful career at a very early age, then his family member got involved with his career, his Dady became his coach? and/or his brother became his agent? And bomb, gone, we never ever heard him again nowadays.

 

[berthes ghost]

OT, but Michael Chang retired this year.

 

[gracefulswan]

uh, i believe the split now was more bitter than it appeared on the surface. TAT language gives off some subtle hints.. not to mention what other 'insiders' say. i think she got fed up with sasha and her mom's decisions. if you are going to hire a coach, you need to follow some 'sage' advice regarding competitions. she's not one to sit back and let sasha's mom run the show regarding competitions. if that's the case then i fully agree that this 'mutual' decision was the best.

 

[gracefulswan]

Tarasova, on the other hand, is used to sacrificing everything secondary for the main goal, and she could already smell victory. She could not comprehend how one could destroy the long work that took many months for one inconsequential performance. And she could not comprehend how someone who is not a professional, and does not understand the training process, can interfere like that.



this says it all... so how in the world will sasha and her mom work in concert with wagner? if sasha and galina won't listen to tatiana.....:sheesh:

 

[LBC]

uh, i believe the split now was more bitter than it appeared on the surface. TAT language gives off some subtle hints.. not to mention what other 'insiders' say. i think she got fed up with sasha and her mom's decisions. if you are going to hire a coach, you need to follow some 'sage' advice regarding competitions. she's not one to sit back and let sasha's mom run the show regarding competitions. if that's the case then i fully agree that this 'mutual' decision was the best.

The dispute was over the contract Sasha had with the USFSA to do the cheesfests. To TT this was a minor competition and could be skipped. We don't know exactly what that contract says and the amount of money Sasha could be giving up by skipping it. I don't care how much money the Cohen's have , they've spent years spending a fortune on her skating and that contract probably pays for everything. Tim was sick at NHK and had boot problems but still went to the cheesefest and then withdrew from GPF. It is all about the money.

A dispute over a competition should not sever a relationship unless something was wrong to begin with. If Sasha hadn't of totally bombed it wouldn't have mattered. If Sasha had won GPF despite the falls it would have been OK. The problem was that the press and everybody else started talking about how Sasha was backsliding. Even the great Tarosava couldn't help her. Sasha never mentioned being sick to the US press. She talked about being sick at Lalique afterwards but never said a word about being sick in Detroit. With the flu going around and the way she skated I don't think anybody would have questioned it. Instead she did the "ice was wet" comment. CMM would have surely comeout with her being sick just to counteract the bad PR. I mean Micheal Weiss talked about being sick at GPF and Sasha never said a word. Blame it all on Galina. She defies Tarosava and causes TT to get ill and it is all over. At least Sasha doesn't look so bad.

I feel that a breakup involves both parties. They both had their differences and parted ways.

 

[Mathman]

LBC, thanks for your insightful posts, and welcome to the forum.

Mathman

 

[Ptichka]

LBC, I agree with much of what you say. TT's general philosophy has always been to NOT let her students compete when they are not ready. She has come up with some lame excuses for that over the years! I recall some reasons she used, for example, to keep Yags from competing with Plushy at Nationals.

 

[Gardenkitty]

Ptichka, thanks so much for the translations (and the background tips on the writers). It's interesting to hear the reports from the Russian press.

 

[RealtorGal]

If Sasha had a fever and flu, why did her mother prod her to skate? Why would any mother allow her sick child to compete in anything? Oh, well... That may or may not be true.

Let's see how many different theories we can come up with while the story continues to unfold!

 

[SusanBeth]

Theory- Sasha knows Nationals could be one of the most important competitions of her career. She's been the next-big-thing for way too long. She's going to have to start delivering. Last year, people cut her a little slack because it was her first year with TT. Plus, she had made big advances.

This year, she was going great and then disaster. IMO, she doesn't have nearly as much self-confidence as she pretends. Now, she's scared. She needs someone to blame. She needs an excuse in case she bombs at nationals. This is an excuse.



I can't believe this came from TT. What professional coach dumps a student just weeks before such an important competition? That would be indefensible.

 

[alina]

Tarasova, on the other hand, is used to sacrificing everything secondary for the main goal, and she could already smell victory. She could not comprehend how one could destroy the long work that took many months for one inconsequential performance. And she could not comprehend how someone who is not a professional, and does not understand the training process, can interfere like that.

...and Tarasova was right in the end and came to a consequent
decision.
Tarasova has a great name as trainer and she cannot accept that her name will be destroyed by wrong decisions of people who haven´t a clue about training. Sasha´s parents should leave the sporting decisions to the trainer - that would help Sasha - and they should be what they are: parents.
Alina

 

[Ogre Mage]

Ptichka, thanks so much for the translation. This article seems to confirm what I suspected in my earlier post: Tarasova's health DID falter, but there was more to the story than there appeared to be. The situation appears to be a conflict of priorities. Tatiana wanted Sasha to rest and get prepared for the more prestigious competitions. While Galina and perhaps Sasha herself wanted to honor the commitment to the USFSA and compete in the cheesefest.

There are a couple of things to think about here. For one, while the conflict over competing at the cheesefest seems to have been the catalyst, somehow I get the feeling that it may have been a case of "kitchen sinking" -- that that argument brought to the surface feelings that may have been brewing for some time.

Also, as Rgirl said, Tarasova knows the politics of the Russian Federation but not the USFSA. Sasha and Galina know it better and perhaps they were more concerned about staying on good terms with the organization. Although it seems dumb to mess up Sasha's health over it.

There also is the whole $$$ issue, which certainly must have motivated Camp Cohen. Finally, I think Sasha herself was worried about how it would look to pull out of a competition that Michelle Kwan was in. People would say she was just making excuses because she didn't want to compete against her.

As for how Sasha and Tarasova really feel about one another now, the answers to that may not emerge for some time, if ever. I still like the programs Tatiana created with Sasha and thought Sasha showed great improvement in her overall skating. It's a pity that Tatiana won't be able to still act as choreographer for Sasha. But who knows, perhaps Sasha can actually make Robin's cluttered choreography look good. Hopefully Sasha herself has learned something about choreography under Tarasova.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

As usual, thanks so much, Pitchka for the translation of these articles. The following is just my take:

Isvetia - spoke of Sasha's technical skills, while improving under TT did not show technical results. This is a bit of contradiction, imo. I noticed that there was an absence of 3x3s in Sashas programs this year. She was close to getting them down pat. Maybe it was strategy for CoP, but her main competitor is also strong in the presentation areas. It could be TT advising her not to worry about 3x3s but one has to note that TT is not a jump specialist.

Sport Express - spoke of Sasha's family interfering, but that's nothing new in the world of entertainment and sports. In the GP Final, TT was not surprised that sasha had not gotten back in shape after the poor showing in Detroit because of illness. It seemed to me that the GPF was Saha's most cautiously skated program ever - not Sasha's personality, imo.

Arthur Verner - More fuel for the fire because of ''mom's involvment in the whole matter.

My personal take on Sasha is that she is a Type A hyperactive personality. I can recognize that personality because I have it. It takes a lot of work to control that. She's writing her academy award speech before she even gets a nomination.

Sasha is a great skating talent but who can guide her to victory in Torino?

As for the present supposed conflict between the skater and the coach, the real answers are not yet there, for me.

Joe

 

[Jaana]

Based on what has been mentioned on this thread and elsewhere, I would imagine that maybe the difference in personalities between Sasha and Tarasova might have also something to do with the split. Maybe Sasha is too much American and Tarasova too much Russian, LOL? As has been mentioned somewhere, also I would think that Tarasova would find it difficult not to be the one who is in charge. It is never good if family members start to interfere, and she surely is not used to that.

It is nothing new that Tarasova had problems with her heart and a pressure to train someone under circumstances she is not used to, does not help. Also the Russian Nationals and politikking there must be very different to that at US Nationals.

> Verner
Tarasova is on very unfriendly terms with Galina Zmievskaya and Victor Petrenko>

That must have been caused because Petrenko had to leave Simsbury rink (where he had trained for years) because of Tarasova´s students?

Marjaana

 

[Panther2000]

LBC, I agree with much of what you say. TT's general philosophy has always been to NOT let her students compete when they are not ready. She has come up with some lame excuses for that over the years! I recall some reasons she used, for example, to keep Yags from competing with Plushy at Nationals.

Yeah, I have to agree with you about TT. I mean it was the end of 2001 or the start of 2002 right before oplymics. That lame excuse about alexei being injured. They weren't fooing anyone. oh Yeah, Alexei was injured( Not his ankle but that hip was his problem) but, hell he should have skated anyways. To Hell with the Olympics & Worlds & His early retirement.



Anyways, I saw this coming as soon as they announced TT & Sasha were together. Not, to rag on someones mother ( I have kids myself) however, the worse thing for a kid actor Or athlete. Is a Freaking Stage Mother.

Skating when sick like that. Please,

Tell me is anyone at all suprised about this. But, I did belive that they would at least make it to the end of the season.

 

[Doggygirl]

Very interesting....

I know nothing first hand of USFSA or Russian Federation or ISU politics or USFA contracts. I do have questions about a couple of the ideas put forth here.

Isn't on of the main objectives of the USFSA to ultimately win medals at the World / Olympic level? If that is true (and I'm not sure) then I find it hard to believe they would pressure a skater of Sasha's potential and early season results to skate when ill. It just seems to me skating when ill presents high risk of bad skating, and that's what happened. (although I don't recall Sasha saying anything about illness after bombing at the Cheesefest) I can't imagine a contract to perform at these events doesn't make some accomodation to be "excused" due to illness or injury? (LOL maybe I'm too logical for this sport)

I'm sure that the politics of the UFSFA are much different than the politics in the Russian Federation. But...once again at the end of the day, these organizations want to promote skaters bringing home important medals. Since skating is TT's life, and I can't imagine her being totally naive to USFSA politics.

Of course this is all speculation, but my gut isn't buying the "had to skate ill due to the contract" defense. My suspicion is that Sasha and /or her Mom didn't want to pull out of a comp with Michelle. If that is the case (which it might not be) then it was a bad decision. I wouldn't want to face my most formidable competitor if I were sick / tired from travel / under trained etc. where the risk of a bad skate is so high.

So I really do suspect that this boils down to skater not taking wise advice of coach. I'm sure with Sasha's stature the contract could have been dealt with (unless of course the Cohen's really needed the money which is certainly possible - I have no idea and it's none of my business). Even if it was about the money, it's got to be very tough to coach an elite athlete that doesn't want to take advice. Sounds like however this went, it must have been extremely frustrating to TT, epecially since the Cheesefest / scheduling (and illness?) issues ultimately caused the GPF to be sacrificed.

Just some thoughts....your ideas? Thanks too for the translations from the Russian press. Very interesting.

DG

 

[Panther2000]

Arthur Verner - More fuel for the fire because of ''mom's involvment in the whole matter.

My personal take on Sasha is that she is a Type A hyperactive personality. I can recognize that personality because I have it. It takes a lot of work to control that. She's writing her academy award speech before she even gets a nomination.



Joe

I just busted a gut laughing at your Oscar statement. How true how True.

But again, as I stated before. I am not suprised. I new that this would happen. There were just too many people their ALL trying to stir the soup. Did anyone really think that Sasha & her family would take a back seat to TT. NO! I noticed last year when she 1st started skating under TT. In her interviews, There was always the I do this & I have input on that( in regards to her having a say in what is done with her skating or costumes,ect) Nothing wrong with that. But, Just look at TT last champ. Alexei pretty much always said that what ever TT told him to do he did. With the exception of loosing all that weight.
& frankly, all the talk about her not liking the lossing or whatever. I think that may have very little to do with it. Alexei had an off year( 2nd place mostly) in 2001. somewhat out of shape & his injuries. But, she did not bail on him. He himself, got his act together( But stupid move starving himself). I belive that there may have been too much second guessing or Co coaching to suit her taste. & Her Health is an issue. She does not need that crap. Spoiled Americans( & I myself am an American) but, that is how it looks. Just when, I was thinking that Sasha has Matured mentally. I mean come on she is 19 now. Tell your mother to take a seat & let TT do the talking. Jesus

 

[curious]

Maybe sasha wants her coaches to do miracles. If she expects to win without working hard she is in for a rude awakening. Anyone think Sasha will keep getting those over inflated marks falling from the international judges? I don't think so. We also know what those stage parents do to their kids careers,anyone remember macauly caulkin?

 

[doria]

Skating parents are often quite crazy, including some I know, and I've seen them wear their children out before they were near their full potential. These kids get burnt out, reach adolescence and want more freedom that their parents will not give them, and the parents still stand by the boards or watch every session and tell their kids, you need to stretch, you need to do more off-ice, etc. IMO if the kid can't motivate himself/herself and actually needs all that parental poking and prodding, they will (1) get burnt out and want to quit (2) never be a great skater because they aren't self-motivated.

Sasha, OTOH, seems to be self-motivated and very driven. It doesn't seem like she's lazy and doesn't like working, because she does a bunch of off-ice training and her programs appear well-trained at competitions, even if she doesn't land all of the jumps. In this case, there really is no reason for her mother to be calling shots, or interfering with decisions (if that is what really happened). I can't see that it would do her any good. I've seen it work for ten year olds struggling on double axels and their parents making sure they stay focused, but then again, most of them have quit by now .

Finally, I think that a skater can compete when sick. Most skaters train when they're moderately sick, so I think they could compete. I've actually done it and I skated fine. However, injury is another story and competing on an injury can make it worse. If a skater's contracted a virus or something, it usually wouldn't risk their health permanently to skate with an illness for just one competition. In the end, it depends on the skater, but if that's what was really wrong with SC (which I'm not sure I believe) I can see her skating the competition. I think it was more of a mental freak-out in the cheesefest and that messed up her confidence for the GPF.