Russian coaching committee sets goals for skaters

[Ptichka]

http://ptichkafs.livejournal.com/39976.html

The coaching committee o fthe Russian Figure Sakting Federation has set personal goals for the athletes that will representthe country at the European championships that will take place in Helsiniki on January 21 - 25,
according to "All Sport".

The goal for the ladies - Katerina Gerboldt and Alyona Leonova - is to make top ten, which would provide the maximum number of spots (three) for the next Europeans. Sergei Voronov is expected to medal, and Artem Borodulin and Andrei Lutai - to make top ten.

Sports teams Yuka Kawaguchi/ lexander Smirnov and Maria Mukhortova/ Maxim Trankov should at the very least hold on to last year's positions - second and third place, and preferably fight for the gold as well. Dancers Yana Khkokhlova/ Sergei Novitksi and Oksana Domnina/ Maxim Shabalin are expected to fight for the first place and to get the top two positions.

Now, for my personal take on this story - WHAT ARE THEY SMOKING DOWN THERE? Are they INSANE? Do they just want to psyche out those kids on puirpose?! ARRGGHHH!!!

 

[Mathman]

No harm in setting goals, I guess. The question is, what punishment does Piseev have in mind for the skaters who fall short?

 

[Ptichka]

I guess I see it differently. Athletes already put too much pressure on themselves, often resulting in poor performance. Why do they need more pressure from the federation? Also, some months ago we had a discussion of the Soviet skating system, and someone suggested that one reason USSR hasn't seen any big female champions was because women just don't do that well with the over-pressurized system that more often propels men to great results. In particular, I don't see how psyching out Katerina and Alyona, of whom one didn't even medal at Nationals, is likely to bear any fruit.

 

[Buttercup]

I don't know, other than the men it looks kind of reasonable. The ladies' field is not that strong in Europe right now; the Russian pairs likely won't challenge S/S for gold but other than V/M I can't see any real medal threats for 2-3; and in dance, with DelSchoe out, why not a Russian 1-2? I'd much rather see P/B and the Kerrs on the podium, but that's pretty unlikely. Stupid judges.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

There is no doubt in my mind that the Russian coaches are the best when it comes to the demands of technical skating. However, for some skaters, it decreases their abilities to skate with personalities. (Not speaking of the Dance teams here.)

They somehow arrive on a successful formula to be used by all their skaters, instead of letting their skaters develop naturally.

There is so much talent in Russia that should be allowed to give more of themselves instead of following a perceived winning guideline for all. JMO

 

[Ptichka]

I guess I just don't see the point. Say Volosozhar & Morozov deliver a kick-butt performance, and the Russians, with a good skate, end 3-4. Could happen! As it is, this will be a complete failure for them. IMHO, the last thing in the world that Trankov needs right now is to feel any worse about himself than he does. I believe his goal at this point must be 2 clean skates. If he does that - this will be an awesome success! Regardless of the place he ends up at.

Men expectations are just plain delusional.

As to the ladies - let's look at the World Standings. Leonova and Gerboldt are 24 and 65, respectively. You take Asian and North American girls out of the table, and you end up with 12th and 30th respectively. Clearly this does not mean that Alyona and Katarina will end up in those places (for one thing, there are 4 Finnish girls ahead of Alyona in the ranking), but, once again, I do not see the point in placing that expectation on them.

In ice dance, considering that Del&Sch are out, the expectations are indeed reasonable. K&N and Dom&Shab are all big kids, whom I think can take it in any case.

There is so much talent in Russia that should be allowed to give more of themselves instead of following a perceived winning guideline for all. JMO

It's a bit of what Anton talked about in his interview. Coaches are so obsessed with medals that they look for that stardom in the four-year-old who has just come through the door to put his skates on for the first time. And, just as Anton has said, coaching in Russia must change if the sport is to remain at least somewhat contemporary.

 

[Buttercup]

As to the ladies - let's look at the World Standings. Leonova and Gerboldt are 24 and 65, respectively. You take Asian and North American girls out of the table, and you end up with 12th and 30th respectively. Clearly this does not mean that Alyona and Katarina will end up in those places (for one thing, there are 4 Finnish girls ahead of Alyona in the ranking), but, once again, I do not see the point in placing that expectation on them.

Gerboldt is a stretch, but Leonova could defintiely finish in the top ten, especially with only three Finns skating. In the ISU standings, she is directly behind last year's 6th-place finisher (Marchei), ahead of Jenna McCorkell (8th), and well ahead of Annette Dytrt and Tugba Karademir (12th and 11th, repsectively).

 

[Ptichka]

Gerboldt is a stretch, but Leonova could defintiely finish in the top ten, especially with only three Finns skating.

Absolutely! Once again, what I am questioning is not the actual predictions of the committee (though they did say they wanted both of them in top 10... well - I want my son to sleep through the night - neither is likely to happen this January!) but the wisdom of making such a public prediction in the first place. Oh, and Gerboldt actually passed Leonova at nationals, so you never know.

 

[rosee]

I actually think that Sergei Voronov has a chance of medal.
But I see what you mean Ptichka, if he doesn't medal it should not a big deal.

 

[Buttercup]

Well, I hope the Russian skaters manage to do ok under the pressure, and that your son surprises you with at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep!

 

[NatachaHatawa]

I guess I see it differently. Athletes already put too much pressure on themselves, often resulting in poor performance. Why do they need more pressure from the federation? Also, some months ago we had a discussion of the Soviet skating system, and someone suggested that one reason USSR hasn't seen any big female champions was because women just don't do that well with the over-pressurized system that more often propels men to great results. In particular, I don't see how psyching out Katerina and Alyona, of whom one didn't even medal at Nationals, is likely to bear any fruit.

I agree. They should fix these goals privately, whilst encouraging and motivating skaters to give it all they've got. By saying "You should do this..." all the federation is doing is ensuring that the skaters freek out on the ice.

 

[Mafke]

You tell somebody what to do and if they don't, you drop them and find someone else. Repeat until you find someone who can perform as you wish on command. Isn't this just the Russian way of doing things? (I'm being completely serious here).

There are many good and worthy things in Russian culture but the way that human beings are treated in training programs (of the kind figure skating depends upon) is definitely not one of them.

It seems so strange that Johnny Weir is so into Russian culture, if he were Russian there's no way he'd be an international elite skater. Does he realize that?

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Few posters are thinking as I do. I see talent in those Russian skaters, including Gerbolt and lots of the young men but i also see it going no where in making them better skaters let alone medal winners.

I just want to see some individual personalities of the best of them and not just the technical prowess. I've admired Lutei for a long time, and Mischin can not make a Plushenko out of him, but he tries. I say let Lutei make his own style.

 

[Tonichelle]

Preach it, Ptichka!

 

[Snowgirl]

It's common for Russian sport authorities to set goals like that, and with number of medals that are to be taken home. Most time it's ridiculous because it has nothing to do with current situation in this sport. These plans are even not that ridiculous as, for example, plans for Beijing Olympics.
And nothing bad will happen with those skaters unless they bomb completely. And if they will, maybe they won't go to Worlds. Or have to go through additional check, Russian Cup final, for example.

 

[champs]

Maybe a silly question, but Ptichka, do you know if there will be some kind of monetary prize or an extra finacial support awarded by the committee or the Russian skating federation to those who meet their goals?

 

[chuckm]

The Russian goal at ANY skating competition (especially the ISU and JGP/GP Championships) is to win as many medals as possible. At 2009 Euros, they're almost certain to win 2 medals in dance (DelShoes being absent), and in pairs their chances for 2 medals are darn good. Voronov has an outside chance at a medal, but only if two of the French skaters bomb. The ladies have no shot at a medal, as Gerboldt still struggles with her jumps, and Alena Leonova hasn't been consistent this season. But IMO, Gerboldt and Leonova are the best of the bedraggled age-eligible Russian ladies. They both finished top 10 at 2008 JW, and they have a shot at doing the same at Euros if they skate their best.

 

[dancemaster]

You tell somebody what to do and if they don't, you drop them and find someone else. Repeat until you find someone who can perform as you wish on command. Isn't this just the Russian way of doing things? (I'm being completely serious here).

There are many good and worthy things in Russian culture but the way that human beings are treated in training programs (of the kind figure skating depends upon) is definitely not one of them.

It seems so strange that Johnny Weir is so into Russian culture, if he were Russian there's no way he'd be an international elite skater. Does he realize that?

why not..
or do you think ' international 'means North America

 

[oleada]

I guess I don't see the harm in setting goals.
Voronov was 4th last year. Any other goal aside from a medal would be insulting.

 

[Dodhiyel]

“Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?”

In a way, cheerleaders in American football set up expectations, too; it's all in how you look at it.