Alexei YAGUDIN: “I’M COMING BACK”
- Thread starter Ptichka
- Start date
As always, Ptichka, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I read your translation late last night, while on IM, and I have not yet read the rest of this thread at all, but I simply could not wait to thank you this morning. It is so generous of you to do this for us!
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2007
wow
I think it's great that Yagudin finally made this decision!!
He just belongs there, in competition
though I'm hesitant to say he'll be a contender.
Wish you all the luck, Yagudin!
I think it's great that Yagudin finally made this decision!!
He just belongs there, in competition
though I'm hesitant to say he'll be a contender.
Wish you all the luck, Yagudin!
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
The russian federationi has always owned figure skataing. Now they have nobody. So they are begging T&M, Plushy and even Yagudin, who has been retired for years to return. I am stunned. Will he be back this season??????
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
I think they have kind of made up after that. For example, when TT went back to Russia, she handed some of her teams to Morozov. I remember an interview with him; it in, when asked why he took on that extra burden, he said that it was such a great honor to be asked by such a master, and that he wouldn't dream of saying "no" to her.
I think the whole thing can be likened to a parent and child who have a big fight when the child decides to leave home and pursue their own interests without the parent's cuddling. The parent feels this is a betrayal, is very angry, but then with time they make up. I think TT had a similar situation with Bestemianova - they were both quite angry when going their separate ways, but are very friendly now.
Okay, now I have read all the posts thus far. I am too emotionally affected to post well, but here goes, anyway.
I believe that Tatyana Tarasova and Nikolay Morozov are Russians who care about Russia and the tradition of Russian figure skating. Great changes have taken place in Russia, and the old Soviet system of preparing youngsters to be eligible figure skaters is no longer there. So now, new systems are being developed in a free enterprise environment. But meanwhile, the results of the last Worlds was devastating for Russia. As a result of it, they now have only one slot/spot for a male single skater in the next Worlds. With their winning the Olympic bid for 2014, they must certainly want to improve their results for the Olympics of 2010, in what is usually considered the premier sport of the Winter Olympics. I think it is a matter of understandable national pride.
Many Russian coaches have gone home to help. At first, after the loss of the old system, there was not enough of a financial base for them, so they worked abroad. But now, the financial base is there, and so they have returned, to rebuild Russian figure skating.
I say all this in response to the wonder at TT, Morozov, and Yagudin being able to work together again. Whatever misunderstandings may have occurred in the past, I believe they are all on the same side, the side that says how can we help Mother Russia? I hope I do not sound corny to you by saying this, but it does come from my heart; this is what I believe.
Okay, as to the question of *if* Yagudin is reinstated, how well can he do? I think that Morozov knows the CoP pretty well, judging from his recent results. And I think the key point is this: Russia only has to finish in the *top ten* to earn a prized second slot in the next Worlds. The top ten! That's all. Then, with two slots, they can work toward the next Olympics with the younger skaters participating.
I really believe that Yagudin is being heroic here. He is willing to chance being ridiculed, having his gold "tarnished" in some people's minds, and perhaps even damaging his new hip. I think he is doing it because he knows Russia *needs* that second slot. If all the Russian male skaters compete in the Nationals, the federation will be able to see whom they wish to send. Fans of Yevgeny Plyushchenko have been worrying on one of his boards, lately, about his doing too many show type events to be in the right shape for the next Worlds. We can all remember what happened to Petrova and Tikhonov, from exhaustion. So, having both Yevgeny and Alexei competing in the Nationals, along with the younger guys, would be ideal for the federation, giving them more options. They must try to choose a skater that will finish in the top ten.
Okay, one more thing, and I apologize for going on so long. I felt as if I could not speak, from excitement, and now I cannot seem to stop lol. But I want to address this, also. Yagudin's age. He is 27. Maria Butyrskaya was the oldest woman ever to win a World's, I think. She was not expected to win, but she skated with a strong will, and did not fall, which under 6.0 was important. I think that Alexei Yagudin has a strong will, too. If he skates in the World's, he may not triumph under CoP, where revolutions get a skater points, even when the skater expects to fall. He may not triumph, but I think he will not fall
. And if he gets into the top ten, that is enough for me to have profound respect for his effort, for his intentions, and for him.
I believe that Tatyana Tarasova and Nikolay Morozov are Russians who care about Russia and the tradition of Russian figure skating. Great changes have taken place in Russia, and the old Soviet system of preparing youngsters to be eligible figure skaters is no longer there. So now, new systems are being developed in a free enterprise environment. But meanwhile, the results of the last Worlds was devastating for Russia. As a result of it, they now have only one slot/spot for a male single skater in the next Worlds. With their winning the Olympic bid for 2014, they must certainly want to improve their results for the Olympics of 2010, in what is usually considered the premier sport of the Winter Olympics. I think it is a matter of understandable national pride.
Many Russian coaches have gone home to help. At first, after the loss of the old system, there was not enough of a financial base for them, so they worked abroad. But now, the financial base is there, and so they have returned, to rebuild Russian figure skating.
I say all this in response to the wonder at TT, Morozov, and Yagudin being able to work together again. Whatever misunderstandings may have occurred in the past, I believe they are all on the same side, the side that says how can we help Mother Russia? I hope I do not sound corny to you by saying this, but it does come from my heart; this is what I believe.
Okay, as to the question of *if* Yagudin is reinstated, how well can he do? I think that Morozov knows the CoP pretty well, judging from his recent results. And I think the key point is this: Russia only has to finish in the *top ten* to earn a prized second slot in the next Worlds. The top ten! That's all. Then, with two slots, they can work toward the next Olympics with the younger skaters participating.
I really believe that Yagudin is being heroic here. He is willing to chance being ridiculed, having his gold "tarnished" in some people's minds, and perhaps even damaging his new hip. I think he is doing it because he knows Russia *needs* that second slot. If all the Russian male skaters compete in the Nationals, the federation will be able to see whom they wish to send. Fans of Yevgeny Plyushchenko have been worrying on one of his boards, lately, about his doing too many show type events to be in the right shape for the next Worlds. We can all remember what happened to Petrova and Tikhonov, from exhaustion. So, having both Yevgeny and Alexei competing in the Nationals, along with the younger guys, would be ideal for the federation, giving them more options. They must try to choose a skater that will finish in the top ten.
Okay, one more thing, and I apologize for going on so long. I felt as if I could not speak, from excitement, and now I cannot seem to stop lol. But I want to address this, also. Yagudin's age. He is 27. Maria Butyrskaya was the oldest woman ever to win a World's, I think. She was not expected to win, but she skated with a strong will, and did not fall, which under 6.0 was important. I think that Alexei Yagudin has a strong will, too. If he skates in the World's, he may not triumph under CoP, where revolutions get a skater points, even when the skater expects to fall. He may not triumph, but I think he will not fall
. And if he gets into the top ten, that is enough for me to have profound respect for his effort, for his intentions, and for him.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
You know, I think it's really much more personal than that. Tarasova cares about Yagudin as if he were her son; her helping him has nothing what-so-ever to do with "Mother Russia" or anything like that; she'd help him with any reasonable undertaking (if it helps the Russian Glory, so much the better, but for her Lesha certainly comes first).
As for Morozov - he is of the generation that doesn't care all that much about motherland and all that; the choices he has made as a coach likewise do not support the hypothesis of him working toward the "Russian Glory" in skating (once again, this does set him apart from older coaches like TT). I think it's just really fun for him to work with such a talented skater as Yagudin. Also, if Alexei fails, it's not Nikolai's fault as people will say Yagudin is just too old, had too many injuries, etc. However, if he succeeds, than Morozov can take a lot of credit for it, thus increasing his stature in the figure skating world.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Personally, I feel the Russians with so much talent should be building up with the new system and to stop relying on the old one. However, I see the Fed ok with Plush going to get 3 places for Russia in the Mens Division. If the 3 begin in 2009, that will be a start for a new system.
The Rules on Amateur Skating have been bent to death and the new Rules on Eligible Skating have already headed in that direction. Piseev is buddy buddy with Cinquanta and I think the case for reinstatement of Yagudin lies with Piseev. One has to wonder where Mishin is in this melodrama? Is he buddy buddy with Pisseev? There should be mucho intrigue behind the scenes of all this.
IMO, it's sad commentary that the country can't continue without the old guard.
Joe
The Rules on Amateur Skating have been bent to death and the new Rules on Eligible Skating have already headed in that direction. Piseev is buddy buddy with Cinquanta and I think the case for reinstatement of Yagudin lies with Piseev. One has to wonder where Mishin is in this melodrama? Is he buddy buddy with Pisseev? There should be mucho intrigue behind the scenes of all this.
IMO, it's sad commentary that the country can't continue without the old guard.
Joe
I totally agree with Joe. While I personally would love to see Yags compete again (as opposed to Pluschenko, JMO), I don't see how this does anything but hurt "Mother Russia" in the long run. Sooner or later, someone else has to step up and carry the flag. Putting that off seems like it will only make the struggles last longer...
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2007
So, wait, is Yagudin planning to come back for the 2008-2009 season or THIS season?
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
How profound!
Unless something has changed in the last day or two (although in Russia you never know!) Alexei will be on the Russian Channel 1 "skating with celebrities" type show now called Ice Age during the next few months, and after that will tour for the winter season.
Well? May be. But it's unreal absolutely. New guys! Hah!!! Lambiel, Brian and DT are new guys!
I definitely agree with you about Tarasova loving Yagudin as if her were her son. Of course, I think that enters into it, too, but she has always talked in interviews about wanting to go home, and I truly believe she cares about the future of Russian skating. I know that Morozov has worked with people from other places; that is why I think he would like the idea of working with a Russian skater again, especially Yagudin. Your point is well made that if it does not go well in this case, he risks less, and stands to gain much if it does go well, but I honestly think that these three are old companions, who would enjoy working together again. Maybe I am wrong about the patriotic aspect, but I do think that everyone likes to be loved in their homeland, and figure skating has become very popular with the Russian public.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Well? May be. But it's unreal absolutely. New guys! Hah!!! Lambiel, Brian and DT are new guys!
By the "new guys" I meant skaters like Dobrin (age 20), Lutai (21), Voronov (20) and Uspenski (20).The question was, if the Russian Federation invests a lot of effort in the resurrection of Yagudin's and Plushenko's careers, will this hold back the development of the next generation of Russian skaters and hurt Russia's prospects in the long run?
My thought was, let them all skate and the devil take the hindmost.
The competitions themselves -- that's what matters. Everything else is just Internet chatter, marking time until we see someone actually skate.
(BTW, Lambiel, Joubert, Takahashi, Buttle, Lysacek, Weir -- those are now the "old guys." Who will the "new guys" be? Go Patrick Chan!
)- Joined
- Mar 28, 2005
1. I will believe this when I see it. Sorry it is too far fetched for me to believe at this point.
2. Even if he does come back, unless he is twice as strong as he was in those pro ams he was in, then his return is of little significance anyway.
2. Even if he does come back, unless he is twice as strong as he was in those pro ams he was in, then his return is of little significance anyway.
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