Yagudin: "I am dying from boredom skating in the shows&

[Russian Fan]

Yagudin: "I am dying from boredom skating in the shows&

From Yagudin's interview of April 2 from Moscow newspaper "Commersant Daily" (it's a Russian language paper, don't be confused by it's title):

"...I am dying from boredom skating in the shows. Apparently I am "designed" in a way that I can't live without the competitions. And I don't want to. Thus, fully realizing that because of my work in the shows that I hate so much I can't practice as I have to I put a rather modest goal for myself - to take part in two Grand Prix events next season..."


Well, doesn't he sound like a condescending schmuck?

 

[Dee4707]

Re: Yagudin: "I am dying from boredom skating in the sh

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Well, doesn't he sound like a condescending schmuck?[/quote]
No, I don't think he does. I think he is saying that he really misses competing. Remember, he didn't write the article.

Dee

 

[Princess Leppard 625]

Re: Yagudin: "I am dying from boredom skating in the sh

I don't know that he sounds like a <em>schmuck</em>, it's certainly one of his less controversial statements, :lol: Do you know how accurately it's translated?

I think he's just saying he's bored in the shows, and misses competition, nothing wrong with that! Could he have said it a little nicer? Sure, but it's not a big deal.

I just hope he gets the surgery he needs, or takes the time off, or whatever he needs to do to get better, before he permanently messes himself up trying to come back to competition.

Laura

 

[Dee4707]

Re: Yagudin: "I am dying from boredom skating in the sh

I don't know if this is the same article but this was translated by Tanya at the Alexei Yagudin Discussion board. As I said before we are commenting on how the article was written. He says the same thing in this article but you'll see the difference of how he says it.

<a href="http://pub76.ezboard.com/falexeidiscussiongroupdiscussionsonalexei.showMessage?topicID=5548.topic" target="top">pub76.ezboard.com/falexeidiscussiongroupdiscussionsonalexei.showMessage?topicID=5548.topic</a>

Here is a quote from the Tanya article. <blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>The shows are very boring comparing to competitions. That’s why I want to be back so much. Now, I’ve realized I will continue competing until my health lets me down completely or until I feel I’m not able to skate at the high level.[/quote]

Now, couldn't we all have commented nicer.

Dee

 

[Russian Fan]

Yagudin

>Do you know how accurately it's translated?

What? The excerpt from the interview? I translated it myself. Other Russian speaking contributors here can correct me if I made mistakes in this translation which I'm sure I didn't.

 

[mathman444]

Re: Yagudin

:rollin: :rollin: :rollin:

Oops. Hey Russian Fan, I'm sure that Princess Leppard didn't mean any harm. Thanks for the translation.

Mathman

 

[Russian Fan]

Yagudin

>I don't know if this is the same article but this was
>translated by Tanya at the Alexei Yagudin Discussion board. >As I said before we are commenting on how the article was
>written. He says the same thing in this article but you'll see
>the difference of how he says

No, thie interview you mention is from Moscow daily MK, and the one I quoted is from another newspaper. Yes, he does use a softer language in MK interview but, in fact, a translator (Nadya) herself softened his expressions a bit.

He says "skukota" in an interview which she translated simply as "boredom". More accurately though is to translate it "what a boredom" or a "huge boredom" because "skukota" inflects a rather severe degree of boredom, not just neutral "boredom".

 

[Russian Fan]

Plushenko's approach

I don't mean to compare the PR skills of Yagudin and Plushenko, and believe me I am NOT a Plushenko fan, but that's what Plushenko said in his interview with the same journalist and in the same newspaper from April 1st:

"...Me and Mishin, we respect the audiences and try to make them have fun. Incidentally, not all of my colleagues take exhibitions as seriously as I do. I think that this time [at Worlds] they were boring and hardly interesting. As for me, I believe that I am well prepared for the spring Coillins tour where the elite skaters will perform more than 30 times in different US cities..."

 

[WindSpirit5]

Re: Yagudin: "I am dying from boredom skating in the sh

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Well, doesn't he sound like a condescending schmuck?[/quote] And the purpose of this post would be? <img src="http://www.bashful7.com/ohplease.gif" style="border:0;"/> Don't you people ever rest? Last time I check there's an open season for Yags at FSU, you can go there if you need you daily fix.

Starting a thread with a clear intention of bashing a skater, isn't it a violation of this board rules?

 

[Liminoya]

Comments

Who should give it a rest is people that can't "take it"
when their precious skaters are ever, ever criticized.

Alexei makes colorful and candid comments - that's
what makes his interviews fun to read. Can he also
be very contradictory from one day to the next?
You bet. Again, makes it soooo much more interesting
for the fans.

One thing that would help is understanding that the
russian skaters tend to be MUCH MORE candid with
the russian reporters - frequently, because they don't
think their comments to them will get big "air-play" over
here in the media - and they don't.

The ONLY place they get play is when they're translated to figure skating boards - big deal. People are all over
Plush for a few of his comments about's Goebel's skill level on other sites - big deal.

These boys are big, rich, talented world class skaters
with full-time staff advising them of what to say,
when to say it, and what not to say.
THEY can handle a little controversy - hell, they love it.
Why can't their "fans"?!

:evil:
Liminoya

 

[WindSpirit5]

Re: Plushenko's approach

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I don't mean to compare the PR skills of Yagudin and Plushenko, and believe me I am NOT a Plushenko fan, but that's what Plushenko said in his interview with the same journalist and in the same newspaper from April 1st:[/quote] LOL, as if your intentions weren't already clear. This must one of the lamest attempts to pitch one skater's fans against another's.

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Who should give it a rest is people that can't "take it"
when their precious skaters are ever, ever criticized.[/quote] So now "X. is a condescending schmuck" is a "criticism"? Puhleeze.

 

[Show 42]

Re: Plushenko's approach

Well, I'm not suprised if Alexi is a bit bored with shows....he's a fierce competitor, I guess with some athletes, not just skaters, it's "in their blood".......I'd love to see him compete again........42

 

[Ladskater]

Re: Yagudin: "I am dying from boredom skating in the sh

Naturally, Yagudin would feel this way. After years of competing, skating in a show would feel rather dull. He lives for competition. Not all skaters enjoy touring in a show. Their programs are pretty scaled down to what they are used to doing in competition. I am sure it will be an adjustment period for him.


Ladskater

 

[Jaana]

Yagudin interview

>"...I am dying from boredom skating in the shows. Apparently I am "designed" in a way that I can't live without the competitions. And I don't want to. Thus, fully realizing that because of my work in the shows that I hate so much I can't practice as I have to I put a rather modest goal for myself - to take part in two Grand Prix events next season...">

I´m not sure I fully understand this? Is Yagudin speaking of the coming season or the past one? I mean hasn´t he mentioned in recent interviews that his intention is to compete in 2004 Worlds? Now in this interview he only mentions two Grand Prix events.

Anyway, I don´t think it sounds very good that Yagudin as a skater on SOI US and Canadian tours is informing the audiences that he is dying from boredom skating in shows and that he hates so much his work there because he cannot practice as much as he wants to for other events? That kind of attitude is not exactly an invitation for people to buy tickets and to come to see his skating in SOI now or in future, is it?

Marjaana

 

[Sally1214]

Re: Yagudin interview

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I don´t think it sounds very good that Yagudin as a skater on SOI US and Canadian tours is informing the audiences that he is dying from boredom skating in shows and that he hates so much his work there because he cannot practice as much as he wants to for other events? That kind of attitude is not exactly an invitation for people to buy tickets and to come to see his skating in SOI now or in future, is it?[/quote]

Hmmmm .... I hadn't thought about that, but you make a very good point. When a person had paid BIG BUCKS to see their favorite skater (or any kind of entertainer) perform, you don't really want to hear that person say that s/he finds performing for you boring and that s/he hates it.

He still has the whole CSOI tour to do, so the timing of this statement was unfortunate.
Sally

 

[DORISPULASKI]

Re: Comments

Liminoya,

Okay, so dish the dirt! What Did Plush say about Goebel? You're right. It is interesting to hear this stuff.

dpp

 

[NancyH]

Re: Yagudin interview

Jaana makes a great point. This statement, using any of the translations, is a slap in the face to the producers who are paying him top dollar to perform and the fans who are paying top dollar to see him perform. Alexei is certainly entitled to his feelings and to express them if he chooses. But these comments are ungracious at best.

I was in the entertainment business for years and if there's a PR person involved in this I would be surprised (or it's was their first day on the job!). One of the basic PR lessons you learn first is to express anything (even the negative) in terms of a positive if you can. He could have said something about how competitive skating is just part of who he is and that he needs a blend of skating opportunities to be really happy (and that appears to be the truth). Ok, here's a good example - I could say 1) Alexei sounds like an immature ingrate of a gold medalist or I could say 2) Alexei is young, bright and will learn a good deal more about effective PR during his career.

He's a big boy with a big medal making big bucks - hopefully he'll learn.

Nancy

 

[Dee4707]

Re: Yagudin interview

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>THEY can handle a little controversy - hell, they love it.
Why can't their "fans"?![/quote]
Liminoya, I am not sure what you mean by this. Can you explain?

Dee

 

[Joesitz]

Re: Yagudin interview

I can understand him. I am wondering if everyone now understands Michelle. There is something about competing that show skating doesn't give you. And let's face it Pro competitions is basically dead.

Good luck to Yags. I spoke with my "bone man" about Yags since my doctor treated Ron Luddington many years ago and is aware of skating problems. He said Yags problem is genetic and eventually the hiip will have to be replaced. He will still be able to skate but any excessive pounding will jar the replacement! That didn't sound good to me. Hope my doc is wrong.

Joe

 

[Dee4707]

Re: Yagudin interview

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>problem is genetic and eventually the hiip will have to be replaced. He will still be able to skate but any excessive pounding will jar the replacement! That didn't sound good to me. Hope my doc is wrong.[/quote]
Oh Joe, I hope your doctor is wrong too. I am keeping my fingers, toes and eyes crossed that Alexei will be OK.

Dee