Alexei YAGUDIN: “I’M COMING BACK”

[chuckm]

If the ISU makes an exception for one skater, then they will be bombarded with requests from lots of other skaters for special treatment as well. I have heard that Surya Bonaly has had thoughts about reinstating, and we know Baiul keeps trying to get a foot in the door.

 

[Mathman]

Well, as I understand it, skaters cannot request reinstatement on their own, only National Federations can request that a skater be reinstated.

So if the French Federation wanted to push for Bonaly's reinstatement, or the Ukrainian federation for Baiul's, it would be up to that Federation to lobby the Powers That Be. And there is always that pesky business about Rule 102, 2(ii) and (iii) which would have to be circumvented somehow.

Come to think about it, Bonaly is now a U.S. citizen, so maybe that would have to be factored in, too.

But then, too, if the French Federation decides that they don't have any lady to send to worlds as good as Surya, who does it harm if they decide to go that route?

And the ISU could always say no.

 

[Mathman]

I agree. Does this mean a skater would have to ask isu or federations permission to enter a charity event that included some kind of judging?

Yes, I think so. (Even to serve as a "celebrity judge" at such an event.)

There are other parts of the ISU Rules where they use language along the lines of, "The Council can also make necessary decisions to advance the spirit of these rules." This is a catch-all that acknowleges the fact that no set of formal rules can possibly anticipate every situation that might come up.

In the case of eligibilty requirements, the "spirit of the rules" is the ISU's goal and mission to control utterly all aspects of figure skating. This ranges from the nobly intended (only the ISU judging system and ISU sanctioned judges are allowed, to safeguard the integrity of the sport) to the -- well, not quite so noble (the ISU wants a cut of the money).

 

[Poe-Kat]

As mentioned before, I'll have a story up on the IFS magazine website in the future that covers his experience here in New York last month, done through a series of interviews at that time, chronicling his time with the doctors, and what he went through.

But talk of a comeback is not what is relevant to me at this point in time, getting the ISU to agree to reinstatement and then demonstrating on the ice what you can do is what matters. Getting a new hip was the first in a series of hurdles that would have to be conquered if, again theoretically, he would make a return to competition. He has that new hip thankfully, so step #1 complete.

First of all, an expletive is appropriate here...

I crawl out from under a nice cool rock in a very serene corner of the planet to discover that the skating world is once again in a tizzy... luvin' it!

In matters of Yagudin, garsh, he's been known for doing what some consider dangerous, crazy and impossible moves in the field. Just when we're convinced that he's finally fried the last of his marbles, he leaves us (and sometimes the experts in the sport) standing with lower lips pickin' up splinters off the floor.

If he has it in his mind to shape up for the eligible arena, I don't doubt he'll pour himself into it heart and soul. Lord only knows what he can or will accomplish.

BTW, Zanzibar, I am looking forward to your chronicles of Alexei's time in New York. The decision to finally have the surgery was a long time coming. I'm glad he went through with it... a much better alternative than living with pain on a daily basis.

AND... about keeping all those tidbits to yourself for the last six weeks... tsk, tsk, tsk... that must have really been agony, what with all the rumors floating around... Now we'll at least get the scoop straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, without the confudgement that often accompanies the many translations offered throughout Net Land.

 

[hockeyfan228]

I thought Slutskaya and Plushenko were only commentators, not skaters or judges, in the celebrity competition. Did I miss something?

 

[antmanb]

Well, not always, but certainly often. I think Rules are meant to be tweaked (semantics here). It's progress and hopefully fairness.

I don't feel happy with the word EXCEPTION to the Rule. And, I am not against Yagudin making a stab at returning to competitive skating under the Rules of the ISU. It's more than 5 years that he has been in an Eligible competition. It won't be easy and, there is that upcoming surgery. But for me I do not want him reinstated as an EXCEPTION to the Rule. I want the RULE changed for everyone.

If such action is taken on a change of rules, then we must prepare for a new format of Figure Skating Competition, with rules of skating and open to all who are properly accredited. A bit of work ahead, but there would be no controversy if Oksana and Midori want to skate in the Figure Skating Competition.

If the Rule is changed - no problem!! If an EXCEPTION to the Rule is given, there should be an open announcement on WHY such an exception was made.

Joe

:agree: Sounds good to me - a single exception i take issue with (like the exception that some people wanted just for Mao) but if the rule is changed then fair enough.

But what about rules that change for everyone that only really affect a couple of skaters....like the Zayak rule being re-written for pairs not allowing them to repeat the same triple whether in combo or not (unless it is with itself) being changed in the summer before the Olympic season which basically gave Tot&Mar the nod since they did two different triples and indirectly caused Hongbo's achilles tendon rupture? That to me was a very fishy change. Changes like that i think should be announced giving at least a seasons notice and basically radical changes like that should be kept to the start of an Olympic cycle.

One more thing - i think that Yag has had his operation - i think they said he had it in July. Does he need another?

Ant

 

[antmanb]

That's okay- I always appreciate a little cheekiness!

Unlike my usual self, I am basically staying out of the reinstatement argument, except to say that I think Speedy will definitely do it. Doesn't mean his Congress will agree with him (for instance, if I was the Federation that represented, oh, say Thomas Verner...I sure as heck wouldn't want the top Russian men getting back into the eligible game and I'd do whatever I could to prevent it). But Cinquanta has been favorable in his comments overall, and with the sad state of affairs regarding popularity of the sport, it really would not make sense to just change the rules - for everyone - and to do so also because there is no longer any "pro" world to speak of (in terms of competitive pro events).

As mentioned before, I'll have a story up on the IFS magazine website in the future that covers his experience here in New York last month, done through a series of interviews at that time, chronicling his time with the doctors, and what he went through.

But talk of a comeback is not what is relevant to me at this point in time, getting the ISU to agree to reinstatement and then demonstrating on the ice what you can do is what matters. Getting a new hip was the first in a series of hurdles that would have to be conquered if, again theoretically, he would make a return to competition. He has that new hip thankfully, so step #1 complete.

Thanks for sharing this info Zanzibar! I also love reading your interviews and hearing your comments.

Ant

 

[amber68]

In matters of Yagudin, garsh, he's been known for doing what some consider dangerous, crazy and impossible moves in the field. .

Just curious, what "dangerous, crazy and impossible moves in the field" has Yags ever done?
(I confess that I can't remember seeing any move in the field that could be described as dangerous, crazy etc. )

 

[Ptichka]

Just curious, what "dangerous, crazy and impossible moves in the field" has Yags ever done?
(I confess that I can't remember seeing any move in the field that could be described as dangerous, crazy etc. )

Some would say this counts :

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

But talk of a comeback is not what is relevant to me at this point in time, getting the ISU to agree to reinstatement and then demonstrating on the ice what you can do is what matters. Getting a new hip was the first in a series of hurdles that would have to be conquered if, again theoretically, he would make a return to competition. He has that new hip thankfully, so step #1 complete.

Step 1. everyone was hoping for successful surgery and return to the ice.

Step 2. I would like to see the reinstatement in the form of a revised rule to inlcude all skaters wishing to be reinstated and not as an exception.

Step 3. Great to see Yags back and may the best man win.

Joe

 

[NansXOXOX]

Step 1. everyone was hoping for successful surgery and return to the ice.

Step 2. I would like to see the reinstatement in the form of a revised rule to inlcude all skaters wishing to be reinstated and not as an exception.

Step 3. Great to see Yags back and may the best man win.

Joe

Sounds like a great plan, Joesitz. :agree:

 

[Dee4707]

Some would say this counts :

I saw him do this live and it was rather nerve wracking, especially once when he unwound himself very fast.

Dee

 

[GoldMedalist]

and we know Baiul keeps trying to get a foot in the door.

I'd just LOVE to see that. She can't even land a double loop anymore.

 

[hockeyfan228]

Well then, what reasons were given for the reintstatement of Midori?

The ISU didn't have to give a reason. They allowed skaters to apply for reinstatement between 92 or 93 when the rules were changed until 95 (for the 95-96 season), and they granted it.

 

[Zanzibar]

Zanzibar - if the Rules are not changed for everyone, then there has to be an exception to the rules regarding Yagudin pending. Am I correct?

You seem to be in favor of giving Alexei that exception. No problem, neither am I.

What are the present standards for granting an exception? This is where I am not with all his fans, unless of course, the reason for the exception if valid.

Joe

Yes, apparently so for your first question. Ditto on the second, as after all he IS the exception to the rule already,,,,kidding!

As for the 3rd question, don't know. I hope they just drop the whole eligible/pro distinction as there really isn't much of a "pro" world to go to unless you're one of the very lucky few who join a major tour, and even then most will only work 4 out of 12 months...not much of a career for such young people.

One more thing - i think that Yag has had his operation - i think they said he had it in July. Does he need another?

Ant

Not unless he becomes bothered again by pain, or a new lack of mobility. He had the operation July 5th and was already on a flight back home exactly two weeks later on July 19th.

I thought Slutskaya and Plushenko were only commentators, not skaters or judges, in the celebrity competition. Did I miss something?

You are correct! The duo co-commentated together on the Channel 1 show. There is talk of having Slutskaya back in some form as a commentator, even with the imminent birth of her baby - they are looking at how to possibly work that into the show as many viewers would tune in to see Irina's new baby and hear the details.

Now it's looking more like Plushenko is going to skate, probably for the rival station's show. No love lost between he and Auverbukh, so probably less tension all the way around if he does. But it was really the Channel 1 producers that held last season's contract with Plushenko and he had a good working relationship with them. So far it appears no one is being offered bigger money than Evgeni to skate in either of the shows. Initially he was not going to do the TV show(s) this season and instead concentrate on competing. Whether or not he will compete seems again an open question.

BTW, Zanzibar, I am looking forward to your chronicles of Alexei's time in New York...keeping all those tidbits to yourself for the last six weeks... tsk, tsk, tsk... that must have really been agony, what with all the rumors floating around...

Yes, not easy to say nothing for this long, LOL! Back in early May when Alexei made the final decision and scheduled the surgery, it was about the same day I was interviewing Evgeni Plushenko. Of course, I couldn't resist to ask how he would feel about Alexei's return, and in a strange way I knew I could trust Plushenko to be the ONE person who would definitely not say anything to the media, because he has such distaste for any extra publicity Alexei receieves that he does not deem appropriate. Talk about a peculiar situation.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I saw him do this live and it was rather nerve wracking, especially once when he unwound himself very fast.Dee

it's an old trick, Dee. The former skaters of yore who took off the skates and danced in the Corps in Las Vegas, would have their bodies dangle upside down and spinning over the people dining. Big hit in Las Vegas.

Joe

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

The ISU didn't have to give a reason. They allowed skaters to apply for reinstatement between 92 or 93 when the rules were changed until 95 (for the 95-96 season), and they granted it.

This is 2007, I presume what you are saying is that the ISU can do what it wants without referring to its own rules.

Joe

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Zanzibar - Please keep us informed without detriment to your article on Alexei's health and the decision by the ISU, and how he is doing on the ice. Also in the Plushenko camp, anything about his practice sessions?

Joe

 

[Zanzibar]

Joe, I'll try but I stay away from all machinations and rule changes regarding the ISU. You know, I do leave hints when possible...

The Golden Skate interview I did with Alexei published April 8th, ended like it did because Alexei had already shifted his internal gears toward competing again...he just hadn't scheduled the operation yet: "Yet, when I go to sleep at night it seems I cannot escape it. Sometimes the competitions come to me, as a dream, and they are so vivid, and I am back on the ice, in the middle of a big event. In my dreams I am still always fighting for the gold, and I love it."

When you do a Q&A interview, you don't always publish the interview in the actual order it went in. Sometimes it's because a lot of material must be cut, other times because it flows better to move things or group certain subjects together. If Alexei wasn't going to most likely attemtp a comeback, I would have ever ended with that paragraph - it would have been buried in the middle. It appears at the end to leave his fans on a hopeful note of expectation...and share a little bit of his dream. If it had been just a fantasy, it would have been perhaps too disheartening a note to end on.

Hope that makes sense.

Btw Pitchka: thanks for the translations - you do a great service - and also for the "Passion" program photo...that is a program one never gets tired of seeing.

 

[CzarinaAnya]

*girly scream!!!* ****YAY**** Welcome back Alexei!