Evgeni Plushenko

[Sweet Dream]

I am not at all surprised to see the on-going traditional Russian dramas, except that this is not the right timing.

This is a small world, and people here are free to make their own choice. However, before making such decisions, there are some rules you have to observe. IMO, leaving without informing your current coach or anyone else at this acadamy in advance is totally wrong! Plushy's hard work and sincere devotion to her should be well respected and taken seriously, not be discarded like a piece of junk! It is the skater herself who is becoming an object of ridicule, not Plushy! Anyone's leaving or not will never determine the fate of his ambitious grand projects. I have full confidence in his success!

 

[anonymoose_au]

I have full confidence in his success!

Aww, I wish I could too l, but I worry.

The latest thing I saw was that apparently TV1 is going to broadcast an announcement regarding Aliona's decision tomorrow.

I don't like the sound of that...it seems so unnecessary too. Isn't enough that Plushy's been unceremoniously dumped by one of his top students? They have to broadcast the whole embarrassing affair throughout all of Russia just so nobody misses it?

I mean he'll be almost duty-bound to respond, which will only make things worse.

I guess I shouldn't blame figure skating fans for treating this like a TV soap opera...the Russian Figure Skating Fed seems to

 

[Sweet Dream]

Aww, I wish I could too l, but I worry.

The latest thing I saw was that apparently TV1 is going to broadcast an announcement regarding Aliona's decision tomorrow.

I don't like the sound of that...it seems so unnecessary too. Isn't enough that Plushy's been unceremoniously dumped by one of his top students? They have to broadcast the whole embarrassing affair throughout all of Russia just so nobody misses it?

I mean he'll be almost duty-bound to respond, which will only make things worse.

I guess I shouldn't blame figure skating fans for treating this like a TV soap opera...the Russian Figure Skating Fed seems to

Russians just love to make a fuss over nothing. They cannot live without FS. IMO, no one is a goddess in this field. This sport is already coming to a dead end!

 

[anonymoose_au]

Well it's official, Aliona is gone.

I still peek in the Russian Ladies Thread from time to time...I guess I can now look forward to endless speculation about which skaters are gonna leave next.

I can't be positive about this, I just can't. To the haters and the doubters Plushy looks like an idiot, a complete fool. He looks exactly like what Eteri called him...a fake coach with no idea.

He had a house built for Aliona, he paid for the new programs and maybe the new costumes and Aliona just ditched him!

Sure we can pretend this makes Aliona look bad, but let's face it. In popularity Aliona is a 10 and Plushy is a -1000. If she left even after all that then obviously the Academy is such a mess it's not worth it.

The Sarnovsky brothers are supposed to be competing at the Moscow Novice Championships, it's their last chance to make the Russian Novice Nationals this season.

I don't even want to imagine what the comments on the live stream will be.

I'm so upset.

What an utter sh*tshow, Trainwreck, clusterf**k...take your pick.

 

[Sweet Dream]

Plushy did everything for Kostornaya, a personal trainer, a world-class choreographer, a separate ice and a dreamy cottage, and even her first coach and Tchaikovskaya were invited to help her, but alas, the ending was quite sad. In this case his conscience is crystal clear, and he has nothing to be ashamed of. According to Plushy, Kostornaya has very serious health problems, and he can only wish her all the best.

I know Plushy was hurt deeply this time, but her leaving will somehow greatly reduce his pressure and workload, which is a blessing in disguise, imho. He will not fall, his academy will not close down and his coaching career is just beginning: The Best Is Yet To Come!

BTW, it was not Plushy's idea to change her programs right before the Finals.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

To haters, anybody will always look at the very least as a fool.
Anybody looking objectively will see that Evgeny Plushenko did his best.
To be honest I quite worried when Alexandra Trusova and even more the Zhilina sisters (because they are younger) transferred. But it seems that now he is quite decided to have a big school, and he is doing what it takes to. To this date he is not acknowledged as a great coach by the Federation, but remember Eteri Tutberidze's struggles ten years ago, those things can change.

 

[anonymoose_au]

Ahem...hello fellow Plushy fans.

Thank you for your kind words, it does seem things are different this time...I was just recalling how awful it was when Aliona originally came to the Academy - I felt like it was me and like 5 people against the wrath of the Crystal fans.

Perhaps after seeing how Sasha T has really improved her artistry has made people realise that Plushy and his team are serious and will do all they can to help their students. They may not do the exact same thing as Crystal but that doesn't make them bad.

And I also realised I don't actually have the chat box open when watching streams so who cares what they say

Speaking of the Moscow Novice Championships I'm a bit sad that Kirill is in 10th! I wonder if he's tired, he's been at a lot of competitions lately. I hope he can have a good FS, I love his FS.

Here's a question, I wonder what will happen to Sergei R? I feel bad for him Plushy may have avoided a lot of backlash so far (fingers and toes crossed this can continue!) but people are picking on Sergei R and saying it looks like he's not coaching material after all. I remember when he was Hot Sergei... although it's probably better not to be considered just a piece of eye-candy.

There's also the Worlds to be concerned about, apparently Sweden's infections are on the rise. As a Liza fan it'll be horrible if it needs to be cancelled.

Anyway! I have links!

Coachshenko content!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAf-pnpKtK and https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAiQr3piAK - This is really interesting! The students are all doing the same sequence - I guess it's too see what where each is at. The second slide is Coachshenko showing the sequence.

Sasha P Shenanigans:

It's been a bit quiet on the skating front, but Sasha's having fun hanging out with his friend Viola.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CL6_9v6IVxU and https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAHwf6gd-j - Cute!

Yana Stuff:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CL7Ax9hlE2l - At the Cartier show.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAX_3xlM0e - At the Dior show, looks like florals are in this season! Which is good news for the shirt I'm wearing

OK work call so I must be off!

Until next time!

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Ahem...hello fellow Plushy fans.

Thank you for your kind words, it does seem things are different this time...I was just recalling how awful it was when Aliona originally came to the Academy - I felt like it was me and like 5 people against the wrath of the Crystal fans.

Perhaps after seeing how Sasha T has really improved her artistry has made people realise that Plushy and his team are serious and will do all they can to help their students. They may not do the exact same thing as Crystal but that doesn't make them bad.

And I also realised I don't actually have the chat box open when watching streams so who cares what they say

Speaking of the Moscow Novice Championships I'm a bit sad that Kirill is in 10th! I wonder if he's tired, he's been at a lot of competitions lately. I hope he can have a good FS, I love his FS.

Here's a question, I wonder what will happen to Sergei R? I feel bad for him Plushy may have avoided a lot of backlash so far (fingers and toes crossed this can continue!) but people are picking on Sergei R and saying it looks like he's not coaching material after all. I remember when he was Hot Sergei... although it's probably better not to be considered just a piece of eye-candy.

There's also the Worlds to be concerned about, apparently Sweden's infections are on the rise. As a Liza fan it'll be horrible if it needs to be cancelled.

Anyway! I have links!

Coachshenko content!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAf-pnpKtK and https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAiQr3piAK - This is really interesting! The students are all doing the same sequence - I guess it's too see what where each is at. The second slide is Coachshenko showing the sequence.

Sasha P Shenanigans:

It's been a bit quiet on the skating front, but Sasha's having fun hanging out with his friend Viola.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CL6_9v6IVxU and https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAHwf6gd-j - Cute!

Yana Stuff:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CL7Ax9hlE2l - At the Cartier show.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAX_3xlM0e - At the Dior show, looks like florals are in this season! Which is good news for the shirt I'm wearing

OK work call so I must be off!

Until next time!

Sergei Rozanov was recruited without any perspective of Alena Kostornaia's coming. I don't know if it was expected that he should work with Alexandra Trusova, but clearly the Zhilina sisters were to be coached by their mother from the beginning.
So he will be pretty much next year what he was at the beginning of this year, while maybe he had great hopes in the middle of the year.
This being said, there is still turnover at Angels of Plushenko.

 

[Sweet Dream]

Here's a question, I wonder what will happen to Sergei R? I feel bad for him Plushy may have avoided a lot of backlash so far (fingers and toes crossed this can continue!) but people are picking on Sergei R and saying it looks like he's not coaching material after all. I remember when he was Hot Sergei... although it's probably better not to be considered just a piece of eye-candy.

Rozanov has his own group of skaters to care about there, so don't worry. I think he will travel with that Azerbaijani guy to the Worlds.

 

[eliana]

My dears.. I'm sorry for Plushy, I'm sorry for Aliona. I hope her return to the old coaches will bring her happiness. Plushy did everything she could for her. Better days will come for Evgheni as well.

 

[anonymoose_au]

Hello fellow Plushy fans.

Hands up who feels personally victimised by time zones

I went to bed last night feeling a bit disappointed that the Sarnovsky brothers and Maxim A aren't going to the Russian Novice Nationals, I woke up this morning couldn't resist a quick peek into the RLT and was surprised to see so many new pages.

A complete trainwreck is currently occuring and I'm dying.

Apparently Aliona (or her parents rather) did sign something and the Academy legal team won't let her go.

What the actual Hell do they think they're doing? Are they stupid?! Self-destructive?! This is a disaster, a complete, utter disaster.

It's one thing to have skaters ditch you, it looks bad, but there's a sliver of sympathy.

Refusing to let a skater go?! It's career suicide! Plushy has to step in and stop the Academy legal team NOW. Unless Aliona breaking her contracts with the sponsors they found for her will bankrupt them (and what kind of legal team should let such a contract be drawn up?) they have to take the hit. It absolutely necessary to make a clean break.

More than anything I wish I could say this to Plushy. It's not worth it! It's not fair, but it's not worth it, just let Aliona go, I beg of you. This won't end well, this will jeopardise everything you've worked so hard for, your dream!

I have to go to work today, so I have to remain calm...

For the love of all things skating I desperately wish when I get back on my phone in like 5 hours that this is over. The contracts are ripped up, the Aliona issue no longer has anything to do with Plushy and we can look forward to Mishin's Birthday show.

Maybe Mishin can talk some sense into Plushy...

This is a dark day...

 

[Flying Feijoa]

Refusing to let a skater go?! It's career suicide! Plushy has to step in and stop the Academy legal team NOW. Unless Aliona breaking her contracts with the sponsors they found for her will bankrupt them (and what kind of legal team should let such a contract be drawn up?) they have to take the hit. It absolutely necessary to make a clean break.

I got the impression Yana is on board with it, though? I'm not very familiar with her, since she was never a skater herself.
How is their business dynamic - do you reckon Plushenko could override her if he thinks it's necessary?

 

[anonymoose_au]

I got the impression Yana is on board with it, though

Sigh, Yana has an even worse reputation than Plushy (I know right?) People hate her guts.

I've never thought so badly of her, she and Plushy seem happy together and all that. But words fail me if she truly believes screwing over a 17 year old girl (who was once the best skater in the world and technically still is in the ISU ranking list) will get her, Plushy and the Academy any kudos.

They look like monsters! Fans have set up a GoFundMe to rescue Aliona.

Who will ever want to train at a place where if you leave, the owners, who are super rich, will bleed you dry?

My Plushy fangirl heart is breaking

 

[Philippa8187]

Sigh, Yana has an even worse reputation than Plushy (I know right?) People hate her guts.

I've never thought so badly of her, she and Plushy seem happy together and all that. But words fail me if she truly believes screwing over a 17 year old girl (who was once the best skater in the world and technically still is in the ISU ranking list) will get her, Plushy and the Academy any kudos.

They look like monsters! Fans have set up a GoFundMe to rescue Aliona.

Who will ever want to train at a place where if you leave, the owners, who are super rich, will bleed you dry?

My Plushy fangirl heart is breaking

Sorry I respond with a sad face because I feel the same way. It’s devastating all around.

 

[Sweet Dream]

anonymoose, business is business. This is a private school, and Yana is the co-owner of it. They have to act according to the professional rules. Kostornaya's mother signed the commercial contract in which their legal rights and obligations were clearly stated, but now they are trying to scrap it like nothing happened. Do you think it is feasible? To gain the support of the sponsors, you have to perform your duties conscientiously. This applies not only to Kostornaya, but also to Yana. If you think all these rules are nothing but some optional decorations of the agreement in her case, then I have nothing to say.

As for all other expenses on her programs, dresses, accommodations etc., Plushy is asking for nothing in return.

Seems like I am working as some agent for Plushy. Alas, rationality is quite rare in today's world.

 

[anonymoose_au]

I understand that logically, but there's always room for compromise isn't there?

The way I see it, is Plushy can either pay out Aliona's contracts for her or he can look like an asshole.

Imagine you're a parent of a talented little skater considering where to take them to be coached? Are you going to go to a school where you need to be a lawyer or need legal advice before you sign up because God forbid if you want to leave you'd lose everything?

What happens if Sasha T decides to leave or Sofia Titova? Will the legal team take all their money too?

In 10 years time no-one will will remember or care that Aliona's mother signed an ill-advised contract. But they'll remember that Plushy refused to help her, even though he didn't get her any results during the time she trained with him.

His reputation will be ruined. In the western world of figure skating fans he'll be spoken of in the same way as those awful Karoliys. He'll be reviled and hated more than ever before.

I can't even defend him! What am I supposed to say?! That I think it's fine that someone as rich as he is doesn't even care if Aliona's family is ruined? He found these sponsors for her, if they're the ones demanding money from her then he bears some responsibility for bringing them in in the first place!

Yeah it sucks, yeah it's not fair, but life isn't fair.

Just wait...it won't be so easy to ignore when any mention, any image of Plushy will set off a wave of pure hate from our fellow posters. This won't be a petty argument about whether Plushy's arm movements were artistic or not. This will be an argument about what kind of people we are to support this behaviour.

I don't know if I'm strong enough not to crumble in the face of it.

 

[Sweet Dream]

anonymoose, this school needs the support of those private sponsors, you know. There must be some agreement between them that cannot be revealed to the public.

Plushy is the real victim of the whole scandal, but why are people ranting and raving at him like he is a cold-blooded gangster? If the mother had a sober mind, she would have made her daughter calm down to avoid taking such impulsive actions. Kostornaya is a shining star in FS, but she should also learn how to accept the defeat gracefully. This is not the right time to only think about herself and her career. Plushy is preparing Trusova for her first Worlds, which is the MOST IMPORTANT THING right now!

I feel really sad for him. Deep down his heart must be bleeding...

 

[anonymoose_au]

anonymoose, this school needs the support of those private sponsors, you know.

You're right... But this is a nightmare for everyone...is gettting money from Aliona and her family worth all this? What if people are so angry they boycott those same sponsors? Then everyone loses...is this the hill they want to die on?

Plus there's the fact Plushy said there were no contracts, in fact he even said they were going to look into having them in the future. Fair enough, but then it all comes out there are contracts and the Academy's legal team are involved. It makes Plushy look like a liar, or like he doesn't even know what's going on in his own school.

The biggest issue of all is Aliona is a minor...this isn't like Tiger Woods or Roger Federer or some football player making a bad contractual agreement, it's a 17 year old girl. Plushy may have the law on his side - he probably does, but will that give him any comfort if the international students he hoped to have come to the Academy refuse because of what happened to Aliona? Will Yana still feel like she's vindicated if no new students come to the Academy because their parents can't afford legal advice and they don't want to risk it?

Will the Russian Figure Skating Fed even want the Academy around after this mess? They could bury every Angel in under-rotation and edge calls. They could force Plushy out of coaching altogether.

Is it worth all that just to prove a point?

I'm worried about Mishin's birthday show...what if the crowd turns their backs? What if Mishin doesn't even want Plushy there anymore. What if the St Petersburg TV channel cuts his program from the broadcast because the situation becomes so bad, he's a liability and an embarrassment now?

 

[MintGreen]

Oh dear Anonymoose, don’t get so upset and I hope you are feeling better now. There is nothing we need to defend for Plushy, as I can see nothing wrong from his side. He is gracious and only showed goodwill to her departure. I am saying this not as a Plushy’s fan but as an average person with common sense. It is also the opinion of a lot of other people. We don’t hear them as loud as the haters, but just let you know there are many people out there who are supportive of him.

Plushy did what he could for Aliona logistics wise. He took her in outside the transfer window. That means all the funding and prize money go to Sambo 70. He accommodated her requests of not sharing ice and coach with certain skaters, something Eteri wasn’t willing to. He hired Shae-Lynn Borne to choreograph three new programs. He found sponsorship for her. He built private cabins for her and other skaters next to the ice rink. He has a heart for skating and skaters. He really takes care of them. Plus, the whole transferring in and out are not his ideas. Throughout, it is Aliona’s (or her parents’) decision. What to blame Plushy for?

I love Aliona. I love her skating quality and her pure beauty on ice. I have a soft spot for her in my heart. I am sorry that the past season was so hard on her. I hope she will get back to health soon and I wish her the best in the new arrangement, whatever it will be.

Remember Plushy is running a school. It is not a school for one certain skater. He is responsible for the operation of the school, for the well-being of the coaches and dozens of talented skaters. Business is business. The school is a business entity. He also needs to maintain a good relationship with the sponsors of the school. If there is a contractual agreement signed, then it should be taken care of in the civil and legal way. No question of that.

Don’t feel overly upset for what the haters said. They will find shady things to say no matter what. Even Plushy does what you said, you won’t hear a thankful response from them. People you with common sense will reach the right judgment, which is that Plushy is not at fault at all in this situation. Rather, he has done way more than he should.

I hope the situation will get resolved promptly and peacefully. Even they parted ways, after everything settles down, I hope her and her family can at least acknowledge and show their gratitude for what he did. No flower bouquet is needed. He may not want it as a return but to me that’s the least amount of decency.

 

[MintGreen]

Plushy is preparing Trusova for her first Worlds, which is the MOST IMPORTANT THING right now!

Second this. Let’s leave the business part to the professionals. Plushy should focus on preparing Sasha for the worlds.