Mao leaves coach Arutunian

[netnuts]

It's a bit odd that Rafael Arutunian is not accompanying Mao Asada at 'Four Continents'. Any idea what's going on?

I have a feeling a coaching change is inevitable if not already under way. 2008 World championships might be Mao/Rafael Arutunian's farewell party.

If Mao does decide to leave Rafael Arutunian, whom will she go with? Will she hire Tatiana Tarasova?

Your thoughts?



BTW, found this, not sure about the original source.
http://www.sashafans.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20009

"He [Arutunian] went to Canadian Nationals, and I wanted to come to Japan to train, as it's closer to Korea. So I went to Japan and trained with Japanese Skating Federation people," Asada explained, and it looks like a coaching change is under way.

 

[bibi]

I'm wondering that too....that's strange..

I don't want Mao to change coach!! I really like Rafael Arutunian! They seems to have such a beautiful relationship! Look at the video of the GPF, his reaction in the kiss'n'cry!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxg-Omi9D78

 

[summervie]

To be honest, I don't see any reasons for such a conclusion.

 

[kandidy]

He was not in Korea with her. Maybe because Mao is now traning in Japan?
Wasn't Arutunian also coach another skater?like co-coach or sort of, i forgot whom, Joubert?

 

[museksk8r]

^^ Rafael works with Jeffrey Buttle, not Joubert. Joubert is coached by Jean-Christophe Simond.

 

[Ptichka]

If Mao does decide to leave Rafael Arutunian, whom will she go with? Will she hire Tatiana Tarasova?

Tarasova could consult Mao, but I doubt she'd coach her full time. To do so, she'd have to move to US (or Japan); in Russia, she does not have the ice to train an elite athlete.

 

[Tonichelle]

Morosov decided to go to US Nationals instead of Euros this year, perhaps Rafael had other commitments?

 

[justine]

I don't think a coaching change would be wise. They seem to really work well with each other, and Mao improved greatly under Rafaels' guidance. They also seem to have a great working relationships.

I hope this is not another "smart" decision by JSF, willing to blame Arutunian for Mao's recent mental and jump-related issues.

 

[Ms.Anthrope]

Just how much say does JSF have in the skater's coaching/training staff? Can they just tell Mao who she'll train with or is it totally up to Mao?

 

[ks777]

I haven't heard any news about Mao changing coach yet. I know he was with Jeff at the canadian nationals but that was awhile back.. Weird that he isn't there but he is probably busy with Adam Rippon since the world jr is a few weeks away? I don't see any reasons why she needs a coaching change at the moment. She has improved so many things with Arutunian. She is struggling with her jumps but that's expected for a 17yo female skater.

 

[floskate]

Traditionally the JSF has had a major say in who trains with who, seeing as they pick up the tab for training costs. But I would think Mao would have some say in the matter.

 

[demarinis5]

I hope this is not another "smart" decision by JSF, willing to blame Arutunian for Mao's recent mental and jump-related issues.

This is a distinct possiblity. Rafael also coaches Buttle. I am curious why Rafael is MIA.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Just how much coaching does Mao need? She seems to have everything now ready for the 2010 Olys. I don;t think Rafael or a new coach could teach her anything she doesn't already know.

What she would need in a coach is to keep her up to standards. Someone to watch over her and correct anything that seems to be slipping. TT could give her good choreography but TT will not be in Japan and would Mao want to live half a year in Russia. There is too much to consider when a question of coach change comes up.

IMO, her Tech is excellent, but she could use another choreographer to show more that she now a young lady.

Joe

 

[mylastduchess]

I actually blame Mao's coach for her inconsistent 3A, because he added in a step before that jump, I mean who does that!!

 

[clairecloutier]

Joesitz . . . you say that Mao has it all and there's nothing a coach could teach her. But, Mao doesn't appear to have a triple Salchow in her repertoire of triples (and I'm not sure if she has a triple toe loop either). Doesn't she only do triple loop/flip/Lutz/Axel?

If this is correct, then a new coach could teach her the triple toe loop and Salchow . . . which would certainly help her.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I actually blame Mao's coach for her inconsistent 3A, because he added in a step before that jump, I mean who does that!!

Apparently, Mao does not work with a coach. She is unable to tell him why that step has caused the loss of her 3A?


erya - From what I saw recently, the points that she earns is more than enough for a win. If she needs a 3Sal and a 3Loop in her programs, she can add them. I am sure she can already do both those moves. Since the SP has limited tech, we must wait and see if those missing 2 triples show up in the LP.

Joe

 

[Mathman]

erya - From what I saw recently, the points that she earns is more than enough for a win. If she needs a 3Sal and a 3Loop in her programs, she can add them. I am sure she can already do both those moves. Since the SP has limited tech, we must wait and see if those missing 2 triples show up in the LP.

We won't have to wait long to see what she does in the LP at Four Continents!

But going by past competitions, her program is pretty well set: 3A, 3F+3T, 3F+3Lo, 3Lz(e), 3Lo, 2A+2Lo+2Lo, 2A.

Is this enough to win? It was enough to win Skate Canada (against Nakano) and Eric Bompard (against a struggling Kimmie Meissner). But Mao only scored in the 170s in both of these events. She'll need 190 to win worlds.

In the Grand Prix Final, this layout wasn't enough to overcome Yu-na Kim's short program lead, and Mao lost overall by five points.

I don't think Mao has done a Salchow in two years or more. Last year she got so many deductions for her toeloop (toe Axel) that she took it out of her program. She uses it now only as the second jump of a combo, where evidently pre-rotation is allowed.

The lack of a true Lutz is a disadvantage not only because of the -1 GOE for the edge call, but also because she can't do a second Lutz or a Lutz combo without getting yet another -1.

She can do a loop just fine. But the lack of a full repertoire makes her overload on this element. She does four of them (two triples and two doubles). The CoP does not disallow that, but I would think that the judges would be better pleased with more variety in her technical elements.

So I would say that this is no time for Mao to rest on her laurels, and as good as she is, there is plenty for her and her coach to work on.

JMO.

 

[Bennett]

I am kind of surprised that she can actually work by herself for such a long time (I believe already 1 and a half months?). This is really an important period of time prior to two competitions. If she doesn't need RA at this time, then I wonder a bit how he is helping her at other times. She has had lots of problems this season esp. with her 3-3. She also seems to be needing more help with her interpretation. I don't think that it was a good idea to be alone for such a long time. That's said, I don't think that she should abandon RA because they seem to get along well and RA is known for jump coach from whom she is, and will be, benefiting a great deal.

 

[netnuts]

I am kind of surprised that she can actually work by herself for such a long time (I believe already 1 and a half months?). .

I don't believe it's that long. She was with RA prior to Japanese Nationals?

She does have coaches from Japanese federation to guide her, so it's not entirely 'coachless'.

 

[abbykitty]

I dunno, that quote seems sketchy at best.....with no original source...maybe a bad rumour/translation?:scratch:

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Rafael wasn't at the sidelines for Jeff Buttle either (even though he usually is)...so I think it's more of a question as to why he is MIA at this event, rather than Mao dumping him altogether as a coach. Mao has improved tremendously under RA and has become an amazing top-tier skater with his guidance, so it would be ridiculous for her to dump him now right before Worlds.

though I'm pleasantly surprised that people noticed his absence....his hawtness is certainly missed by at least some of us. I'm sure he's just being his sexy self elsewhere at the moment....