Lambiel to be coached by Petrenko

[Buttercup]

With all due respect to Johnny, Stephane, and Viktor, I don't think it was necessary for Viktor to have a consultation with Johnny prior to working with Stephane given my assumption that Johnny has no exclusive contract binding to Viktor or Galina.

I don't think anyone was suggesting that Viktor should have asked Johnny for permission prior to taking on Lambiel - just that he should have notified Johnny that another top skater was going to train with him. And I agree; this is something that a skater deserves to be informed of ahead of time. If you look at it as a work environment, employees are generally told when someone new will be coming in.

I think having several skaters or teams with the same coach can work but it really depends on the situation and the personalities involved. For instance, I understand Bin Yao trains all the top Chinese teams, and that seems to work just fine; but when both Yagudin and Plushenko were with Alexei Mishin, that didn't turn out so well and there was still bitterness between them years later. I'm guessing Stephane, Johnny, Galina and Viktor will do everything they can to make things work.

 

[Angelluv]

Well, all I can hope is that this arrangement benefits both these elite skaters. They are two of my top three fave Men's skaters in the world the other being Jeff Buttle. I hope it works.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

To anyone who actually knows what took place:

Does anyone have information on Petrenko as being a coach other than sharing Johnny with Galina?

How much input did Viktor use for Johnny's bronze medal; How much Galina? I am sure they work harmoniously but one normally is the main coach and the other for spot checking. For example, Congemi is the principal coach of Liang but Carroll still irons out the creases.

I can understand Lambiel's frustration so a coach change is not surprising, but does anyone actually know what transpired that he selected Viktor?

Joe

 

[momjudi]

From what I remember reading, Johnny said that when he did his run throughs at practice, Viktor skated with him everyday as Galina watched from the boards. As a tech specialist, Viktor was able to double check what levels Johnny's jumps, spins and footwork were and to advise Galina if changes needed to be made. I think I read that Johnny got a boost of confidence from Viktor skating with him.

 

[Ginask8s]

There obviously must not be an exclusivity contract . I dont even know if they are used in skating. I do feel bad for Johnny, because he seems to be the type who likes being the primary student. And i think he earned that spot this year, so I hope It doesnt hurt him. Lambiel is a fabulous skater and they should both push each other, but I believe coaches always have favorites depending on how things are going. I think choreograpy will be a big factor with the two of them. If they get there programs from different people, there shouldnt be a big "conflict of interest". How they train and injury will probably be the factor. I dont know how a coach could be unbiased. You have to want one or the other to win more. They have to develop feelings at some point.

 

[Tonichelle]

As a tech specialist, Viktor was able to double check what levels Johnny's jumps, spins and footwork were and to advise Galina if changes needed to be made.

Too bad for Johnny that Viktor didn't catch that final spin as not being at a high enough level... as that was what - according to the judges - determined who won Nationals this year

 

[Tinymavy15]

I think that Johnny is mostly working with Galina and I guess Stephane will mostly be working with Victor, so maybe there will not be that many catfights. I feel dubious though that two top artistic male skaters will be training together.

 

[momjudi]

Too bad for Johnny that Viktor didn't catch that final spin as not being at a high enough level... as that was what - according to the judges - determined who won Nationals this year

Is that what happened? I thought Johnny said he didn't hold the edge in one of his spins long enough or is holding the edge what determines the level of the spin?

 

[Jaana]

Too bad for Johnny that Viktor didn't catch that final spin as not being at a high enough level... as that was what - according to the judges - determined who won Nationals this year

, skaters don´t always manage to do in competitions the levels (or jump combinations) what they have been coached to do...

 

[1cmarie]

The only thing worse than a vitrolic hater is a fake supporter...

 

[Tonichelle]

Is that what happened? I thought Johnny said he didn't hold the edge in one of his spins long enough or is holding the edge what determines the level of the spin?

yes to both... and yes I guess in theory it wasn't Viktor's fault... I still think they were using that as an excuse as to why they judged the way they did. I'm all for Evan being national champion... IF he skated better. From where I was sitting in the arena it looked like Johnny was the winner, not Evan, and it wasn't just by one little spin.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

As I see it, Stephane needs Viktor for a 3A and certainly not footwork. Dance coaches are good at footwork. Galina coould check him out.

Victor who doubles as a Tech Specialist could also see that Stephane's Technique is up-to-par.

Joe

 

[jennylovskt]

Wow! In any case, it's an exciting news! Lambiel is going to USA and train with Johnny Weir. My two favorite skaters!

I hope it will work well and good for both of them.

 

[annlfs]

my two favorite skater training together,!!!!!!!
I hope that only good can come from this, and that they will push each other to become even better!!!

 

[Dodhiyel]

This is not good news to me, because I am a fan of Johnny's. What a surprise this must have been for him!

As for Stephane, I remember when Mishin taught him to make a quad work dependably. I wondered then how long Stephane's quad would last without Mishin there for him. I was dismayed when Stephane substituted a multiplicity of double axels for doing a triple axel, and the new points system rewarded that choice. Fortunately, that new points system, IJS/CoP, has been getting some fine-tuning, and the importance of being able to perform a triple axel seems to be better recognized now. I figure, either this is a sport or it is just a show. If it is a sport, I think that there should be certain standards for the execution of supremely difficult jumps, where championship is concerned. I have been pleased to see both Jeff Buttle and Stephane Lambiel work at their ability to perform the more difficult jumps.

I think that the current round of musical chairs, i.e., coaching changes, has a lot to do with the proximity of the next Olympics, and I think that is what Stephane has in mind now.

 

[Bennett]

I wonder if Stephane himself doesn't mind practicing with another top skater.

 

[Snowgirl]

In a recent TV interview Stephane says that in USA he will have ice all for himself from 9 AM till 4 PM. He doesn't mention "another top skater" at all. I don't see how it is possible.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

In a recent TV interview Stephane says that in USA he will have ice all for himself from 9 AM till 4 PM. He doesn't mention "another top skater" at all. I don't see how it is possible.

That makes sense. The two of them will not be on the ice at the same time.

Joe

 

[decker]

Am I reading correctly 9 am to 4 pm?

That's pretty much the entire business day. So no other skater -- be it Johnny Weir or Jane Doe -- would be allowed to set foot on the ice during daytime hours? And Stephane would train 7 hours per day without a break?

Susan

 

[Snowgirl]

Am I reading correctly 9 am to 4 pm?

That was what he said.