Wow, her conditions are worse than I thought. Prior to this season Lena's parents had to pay for all the additional specialists they involve in their training. The music is mixed by Inna's friend who's doing it for free. "It's an amateur production", Inna says. She says Lena would love to go to US for training like Yulia and Liza did this season, but they don't have the money for it. Inna says Lena would love to work with Lambiel, Zueva, Lori Nichol or Morozov, but she can't afford it. And Lena's ice time was really inconvenient this season. She was on ice at 8.15, so she had to get up at 5 in the morning.
There's a full translation on FSU here thanks to TAHbKA:
http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/ind...can-always-leave-for-better-conditions.95691/
This is so upsetting! From the previous articles, I knew that the conditions in Goncharenko's group were very bad compared to Buyanova's group (where all the specialists are paid for, and you get more ice time), but I felt like Lena was not really aware of this disparity. But now to know that she
wants to work with other choreographers and
can't because it's too expensive--that is heartbreaking!
Since she is so artistic/expressive, I feel like she would so enjoy working with other choreographers and trying something new--and I think they would really enjoy working with her too.
Perhaps I'm feeling extra bummed because Lena posted this message on VK which makes it sound like she's struggling with some difficult times:
https://vk.com/wall33602606_5271
I can't help but think these two things are connected, though maybe I'm wrong...
Well, I think it was good that Goncharenko put this out in the open in the interview, because perhaps if more people know about Lena's lack of funding, she might find some sponsors, and it will put more pressure on the Russian Fed to give her more funding. Perhaps finding private/corporate sponsors might be better, because with the Russian economy struggling, I'm not sure how much the government will spend on figure skating, now that the Sochi Olympics are in the past.
Sigh...When I was following Mao's career closely, money was never something I ever thought about, because by the time I started following her, she had plenty of sponsors and enough money to train abroad and hire foreign choreographers...I guess this just reminds me how tough/expensive the sport really is...
Actually, if Mao had decided to retire, I think Lena might have actually been able to get some sponsors or commercials in Japan! She is very popular there, and if you recall, that designer at Chacott Japan made her a blue & gold FS costume (as a gift). I know Evgenia Kanaeva (rhythmic gymnast) did a yogurt commercial there. But now that Mao is working toward coming back, I don't think Japanese companies will want to be supporting someone who would be a rival to Mao.
But I agree with
janav, Lena totally should be doing some hair commercials! :yes: And mascara ads! (I totally have Lena hair AND eyelash-envy!)
And since most of my post was pretty downbeat, here's an *adorbs* photo of little Lena that I found (with Adelina in the middle, I think, and two other girls I don't recognize):
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CFnLj-RVAAAT-jS.jpg 
And wouldn't it be cool to open some glossy magazine and have an ad with Lena in it? 
She would definitely sell hair related products well,I'm sure I'm not the only one with rather serious Lena-hair envy
I'm guessing that's a typo!
Minneapolis isn't really a tourist destination, seems weirdly specific. Is there some coach or choreographer in Minneapolis?
