Figure skating in Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
- Thread starter Anna K.
- Start date
Right, here is my prognosis regarding the police investigation.
Police investigation is not about "he-said-she-said-he-said-she", it's about facts. In this case, the fact is mental and physical harm suffered by Sofja Stepcenko and it can be established by a medical expert only. Apparently, there is enough evidence in form of medical statements to sustain this case (Sofja visited doctors many times which is all documented).
However, the gathering of this evidence may take time because this is protected information (the police need to write requests, apply for permissions etc.). Also, Sofja visited doctors not only in Latvia but also in Switzerland; so, the doctors in Switzerland have to be reached via the Swiss police (more requests, permissions etc.).
The cause of the harm that Sofja suffered might be harder to establish; however, I think that Kovalkova has a fair chance to be summoned to court. Although the case has a greater chance to be qualified as a "harmful neglect" (what do you think @Karoltyna ?) instead of a criminal offense.
It's ironic but Reinsalu, who is the main abuser according to most claims, will rather get away with it because formally he was not Sofja's coach and, since this is all about historic abuse, the fact of his involvement might be very hard to establish.
So, I can only agree with the Latvian media: too bad that we don't have any agency like SafeSport that would have powers to suspend the coaches while the investigation is ongoing.
It's good though that now we know that we need one.
Police investigation is not about "he-said-she-said-he-said-she", it's about facts. In this case, the fact is mental and physical harm suffered by Sofja Stepcenko and it can be established by a medical expert only. Apparently, there is enough evidence in form of medical statements to sustain this case (Sofja visited doctors many times which is all documented).
However, the gathering of this evidence may take time because this is protected information (the police need to write requests, apply for permissions etc.). Also, Sofja visited doctors not only in Latvia but also in Switzerland; so, the doctors in Switzerland have to be reached via the Swiss police (more requests, permissions etc.).
The cause of the harm that Sofja suffered might be harder to establish; however, I think that Kovalkova has a fair chance to be summoned to court. Although the case has a greater chance to be qualified as a "harmful neglect" (what do you think @Karoltyna ?) instead of a criminal offense.
It's ironic but Reinsalu, who is the main abuser according to most claims, will rather get away with it because formally he was not Sofja's coach and, since this is all about historic abuse, the fact of his involvement might be very hard to establish.
So, I can only agree with the Latvian media: too bad that we don't have any agency like SafeSport that would have powers to suspend the coaches while the investigation is ongoing.
It's good though that now we know that we need one.
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- Joined
- Oct 20, 2017
Why is he allowed to continue coaching in Latvia without a licence? A former student of his showed a database of certified coaches and his name was not there. I know they pretend he's not a coach but it's easy to disprove.
I'm guessing he replies: "I'm not coaching, I'm sharing my advice as an ISU technical controller. The coach wanted me to share my advice". It's not forbidden.
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2012
For the past couple of days, I've been watching the Silver Skate Winter Cup from Kaunas, Lithuania. And I have seen Raimo Reinsalu sitting with lots of skaters when they have been waiting for their scores.
Including there now with a girl in the younger Basic Novice competition who I plan to adopt on here when she is older.
When you see him doing that, the excuse that he is just advising doesn't wash. Those are the actions of a coach.
CaroLiza_fan
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Sitting with a skater in a K&C? I don't think so. To do this, you only need an accreditation. You don't have to be the specific skater's coach. You can be a choreographer. You can be a relative. You can be an official from the federation. You can be another skater's coach. We have seen a lot.
Same applies to coaching in the rink. Lots of people work with skaters in the rink. For elite skaters, those would be choreographers or advisors. For little kids, those would be parents who run around the rink and de facto coach their own children despite that they have no licence and have never skated themselves.
The line is blurry here. Maybe Reinsalu's case will prove that we need more clarity and stricter definition of what the responsibilities of the coach are or how the involvement of other people should be controlled.
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2012
Oh, I realise that. It was whether a Technical Controller who was just acting as an advisor would actually go and sit with a skater at a competition that I was disputing. Because, it could look at best like a conflict of interest, or at worst look very dodgy.
At least if he was down as a coach, the optics would be better.
But, whatever role he has, he shouldn't be carrying on at it while under investigation.
CaroLiza_fan
Oh, you are right about this. At the moment, that's the whole fuss with media asking: how could this be possible? Plus, he is about to go to the Games with the Latvian Olympic team - and his status in this team is being unclear yet again. Or, maybe he'll be banned. We'll see.
On a lighter note, who's that Basic Novice girl that you are planning to adopt?
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2012
Alisa Yakovleva, and her older sister Maria as well.
I've been keeping an eye on them both for a few years, because I have a suspicion that they might be related in some way to my girl Stefania Yakovleva. It's not just the surname - they both look so much like her as well!
I haven't seen Maria for a while. But I absolutely loved Alisa's Indian themed programme that she did this morning. And that sealed it for me.
CaroLiza_fan
Although this family name sounds normal for a Latvian family, the Latvian spelling would be "Jakovleva", not "Yakovleva". Given that and the fact that the figure skating community is closely knit and siblings/cousins often do the same thing... Yes, I think you are guessing right. They might be related.
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2012
I've actually seen both transliterations used for Maria and Alisa. I think a lot of it depends on the event itself. This one is in Lithuania, and used the "Y" transliteration (and I used it in my post as well because that is what Stefania uses). But other events I've seen them at usually use the "J" transliteration.
But, yes, I am thinking the same way as you. It is too much of a coincidence. Especially when they look alike.
Stefania only has a brother. But, cousins is a possibility.
CaroLiza_fan
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2017
Reinsalu is getting desperate
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2017
Ice show in Kaunas (Lithuania): 13.03.
Ice show in Jelgava (Latvia): 11.04.
Ice show in Jelgava (Latvia): 11.04.
In Daugava Open Cup, Daniel Korabelnik (Lithuania) reached the tech minimums required for European Championships.
It is unclear if this season's tech scores will be transferred to the next season (the scoring is supposed to change) but in either case Lithuania is closer than ever to having an EC representative in Men's category again!
It is unclear if this season's tech scores will be transferred to the next season (the scoring is supposed to change) but in either case Lithuania is closer than ever to having an EC representative in Men's category again!
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2017
