Igor Shpilband fired

[Violet Bliss]

I spoke to a very high ranking USFS official last week in regard to this situation. Although the federation knew of some issues between Marina & Igor, I was assured that USFS had nothing to do with the rink's decision to "fire" Igor, nor did it interfere in the decision the Shibs and D/W subsequently made. The PR statements the teams made were likely issued by their respective agents.

If there is validity in what conga said,

I believe the powers that be at US Figure Skating might be involved in coaching decisions when it comes to its highest ranked skaters, but it would not be appropriate for it to be involved in something like the firing of Igor. If the USFS had knowledge of or condoned the manner in which Igor was fired, that would not be a good thing, even if there is some type of ethics review underway.

then the assurances you received were as carefully crafted as the statements by everybody else, the rink management, skaters, and Zoueva. Even Shpilband didn't say much after the initial shock.

So far, everybody is doing their CYA very well.

 

[heyhey]

I spoke to a very high ranking USFS official last week in regard to this situation. Although the federation knew of some issues between Marina & Igor, I was assured that USFS had nothing to do with the rink's decision to "fire" Igor, nor did it interfere in the decision the Shibs and D/W subsequently made. The PR statements the teams made were likely issued by their respective agents.

Thanks for the info. I find it hard to believe the USFSA would not advise D/W about their coaching situation. This is an organization that over the last 2 champ camps have indicated to D/W to scrap 2 programs. Everyone is being politically correct about this- so I wouldn't expect otherwise from the USFSA...

 

[Violet Bliss]

Right now the Ice Dance teams are the USFSA's only Worlds medalists and only Olympic medal hopes. I am sure they pay priority attention to their development and coaching situation. They can act all nonchalant but I don't believe they were blindsided.

 

[KKonas]

USFS did not get involved when Michelle Kwan left Frank Carroll, which was certainly the most high profile skater/coach situation just prior to the OWG. The Fed generally does not get involved in coaching changes. It's different when it comes to the skaters' programs. USFS International Judges look at the programs from a variety of elements as to the viability of how it will be interpreted by the tech specialists and other judges in the international community. That's why they suggest changes - they don't demand them.

 

[Tonichelle]

Right now the Ice Dance teams are the USFSA's only Worlds medalists and only Olympic medal hopes. I am sure they pay priority attention to their development and coaching situation. They can act all nonchalant but I don't believe they were blindsided.

But SkateCanada had no idea, so why is this just a USFSA conspiracy? why can't both feds be blindsided?

 

[heyhey]

But SkateCanada had no idea, so why is this just a USFSA conspiracy? why can't both feds be blindsided?

Well I don't think Skate Canada was totally clueless about this situation either. I don't think either federation wanted Sphilband out. We honestly don't know when the relationship between Zoueva and Shpilband started to sour and what other factors came into play - and I don't think we will know until well after Sochi....

 

[Tonichelle]

Well I don't think Skate Canada was totally clueless about this situation either. I don't think either federation wanted Sphilband out. We honestly don't know when the relationship between Zoueva and Shpilband started to sour and what other factors came into play - and I don't think we will know until well after Sochi....

And I'd agree. Honestly I don't think we should be villifying anyone - we don't even know a quarter of the real story.

 

[blue dog]

But SkateCanada had no idea, so why is this just a USFSA conspiracy? why can't both feds be blindsided?

I agree. I actually think everyone was pretty much blindsided by this decision.

 

[Violet Bliss]

But SkateCanada had no idea, so why is this just a USFSA conspiracy?

I don't know about any conspiracy. We don't know the exact cause(s) of the event but we do know some of what actually happened and the players named, in cautious manners that keep every one in their track and not out of their legal role. Skate Canada has not been deemed necessary to be mentioned in this whole drama. No doubt they keep in touch with V/M's situation but they probably had very limited capacity to take part in what actually has been done anyways.

why can't both feds be blindsided?

We have been told USFSA was apprised of the difficult situation since about two months ago and it's doubtful the rink management would see it fit to blindside them with their "solution" to the situation.

eta

I actually think everyone was pretty much blindsided by this decision.

Shpilband for sure. USFSA the least likely IMO. I doubt the rink management dared to blindside USFASA whom they knew better to report to and likely consult.

 

[Mathman]

I am not an insider, but it has never been my impression that the USFSA takes it upon itself to guide skaters toward or away from individual coaches, or to give advice to skating rinks about which coaches they should hire or fire.

My best guess is that if the management of the Arctic Edge appraised U. S. Figure Skating that trouble was brewing in paradise, the response of the federation would have been something like, oh bleep, can't you work something out?

 

[Violet Bliss]

I am not an insider, but it has never been my impression that the USFSA takes it upon itself to guide skaters toward or away from individual coaches, or to give advice to skating rinks about which coaches they should hire or fire.

My best guess is that if the management of the Arctic Edge appraised U. S. Figure Skating that trouble was brewing in paradise, the response of the federation would have been something like, oh bleep, can't you work something out?

"And keep us in the dark from now on"?

 

[blue dog]

"And keep us in the dark from now on"?

Not quite-- USFSA, unlike Russian Fed, Skate Canada, JSF, or the Chinese Federation, do not really play a role in guiding skaters towards coaches. USFSA doesn't play that big of a role in its skaters' lives. Sadly, USFSA only cares about its top skaters winning medals, and all of its skaters paying their membership dues (which they raised on us this year!).

 

[Tonichelle]

We have been told USFSA was apprised of the difficult situation since about two months ago and it's doubtful the rink management would see it fit to blindside them with their "solution" to the situation.

So... the big bad eville rink decided to keep Skate Canada in the dark? I'm not buying that at all. If they told one fed, they told the other. I'm not a believer of the conspiracy -which, yes, if it played out the way some are saying, it IS a conspiracy- to keep Skate Canada out of the loop.

 

[Violet Bliss]

By Kkonas's report, USFSA said they had nothing to do with the rink's decision and did not interfere with the skaters' subsequent decisions. They did not say they had not known the decisions before they were acted on. We don't know what part they might have played, but blindsided? Highly unlikely.

 

[Violet Bliss]

So... the big bad eville rink decided to keep Skate Canada in the dark?

I never said that. I never call anyone one involved evil. They all did what they saw fit and we really have no way of making moral judgement without all the facts. They tell us the least necessary and Skate Canada was not necessary in the official telling of the event.

 

[colleen o'neill]

FSU has a link to icenetwork ( I'm not sure if I should copy )saying that Shpilband is moving to Novi and C/B will be going with him.. ( I wonder what constitutes a new team ? )

 

[Violet Bliss]

Now that's real news. Not surprised he has found a rink fast. Now the speculation will be on who else will follow him.

http://www.noviicearena.com/page/show/411366-contact

http://www.scnovi.org/

 

[blue dog]

FSU has a link to icenetwork ( I'm not sue if I should copy )saying that Shpilband is moving to Novi and C/B will be going with him.. ( I wonder what constitutes a new team ? )

http://www.freep.com/article/201206...-Ice-Arena-Madison-Chock-Evan-Bates-to-follow

Chock/Bates going with Igor.

 

[Mathman]

This is so cool. Good luck to all!

I hope this will turn out to be a step toward the big time for the Novi Skating Club. (Both Madison Chock and Emily Samuelson attended Novi High School, by the way.)

I note that the arena is located on Nick Lidstrom Drive -- named for the hall-of-fame-bound hockey player who just retired after a stellar 20 year career with the Red Wings.

 

[sillylionlove]

I'm glad that he found a home! No surprise about C/B....now let's see who else goes!!