More from Orser's interview (only where evgenia is mentioned):
"Orser understands the emotions that led to Tutberidze’s critical comments about Medvedeva when the Russian coach learned Medvedeva was ending their working relationship after 11 years.
“This transition, it’s always hard,” Orser said via telephone Monday. “I had a hard time when Yuna left. I had a hard time when Adam (Rippon) left. You take it personally as a coach. You’re disappointed and sometimes you get angry.”
Yet when he first talked with Medvedeva about the possibility of their working together at an April 22 meeting with the skater and her mother in Seoul, South Korea, Orser was concerned about the way Medvedeva would address the change publicly.
“The first thing I spoke to her about was, `They (Tutberidze and her coaching team) have done something right, and you need to be grateful,’” Orser said. “You are here (as a 2-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist) because of them.”
Medvedeva, 18, expressed just that in a statement released Monday by The Figure Skating Federation of Russia.
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There have been questions raised about how Medvedeva will pay for working with Orser and his coaching team, including coach Tracy Wilson and choreographer David Wilson.
Russian Federation of Figure Skating spokesperson Olga Ermolina said in a Tuesday email, “Evgenia will meet with Orser discussing the work plan and then FSRF (the Russian figure skating federation) can talk about details of training expenses.”
Orser said he discussed the issue of finances with Medvedeva and her mother in Seoul. He said he charges an hourly rate and takes no percentage of a skater’s earnings. In 2010, Orser told me his rate was $110 per hour; he declined to reveal the current rate, saying, it “has gone up, but not much.”
“I told them (Medvedeva and her mother) that for the first six months, it (the cost) is probably going to be a little more than usual,” Orser said. “We’re going to have to jump in with both feet, spend extra time on skating skills and choreography.”
Since her first senior season, 2015-16, Medvedeva has earned just over $300,000 in International Skating Union prize money.
Medvedeva also has three personal sponsors, Pantene, Nike, and John Wilson blades, according to her agent, Ari Zakarian.
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Orser said the plan to have Medvedeva work with him and the two Wilsons was based on “wanting to try to keep the same program we had with Yuna.”
Asked if he already had some ideas about what type of programs he might like Medvedeva to try, David Wilson replied in a text message, “I’m gonna wait ‘til she’s here and we take some time to know her. I think she needs to have a voice now as well. She can do anything, such limitless potential.”
“Brian, Tracy and David are a dream team for Medvedeva,” Sandra Bezic said via text. “They do not need me! But if I were asked I’d happily add what I could.
“David and I work well together and share ideas regardless of whether it’s a formal relationship or not. We are similar in our approach and how we hear music. . . This is a time (for Medvedeva) to explore her expression as a woman - and the full range of what that can be. . .Since this is coming off an Oly year it all doesn’t have to happen overnight. There’s time for an authentic creative journey.”
David Wilson did instant choreography for Medvedeva on a solo she did in the 2016 version of Fernandez’s show, “Revolution on Ice.” He said she had never received the email about the music planned for her, so they pulled together a program at the last minute.
“She was so professional,” David Wilson said of Medvedeva.
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Orser said expected new figure skating rules should help Medvedeva as she competes over the upcoming four years with Zagitova and the next wave of Russian tyros, many coached by Tutberidze, some doing quadruple jumps.
“I have talked to her about some of these rules changing, and I honestly believe it is going to be in her favor,” Orser said."
http://www.globetrottingbyphilipher...kating-olympics-russia-canada-orser-medvedeva
Good luck in Canada.
