All this talk about great coaches (in CO,CA, etc) and skaters with potential (Ashley, Polina, Gracie, etc) reminds me of a conversation I had with an ISU Representative about the competitiveness of Ladies skating in the US, Russia and Japan. Yes, there are top coaches but lets not forget, until last year, there was also a drought for the US Ladies of about 10 years without a medal at worlds or the Olympics and this was the longest drought since 1924. I would think these same great coaches mentioned in earlier posts were coaching and had students during the last 10 years but unfortunately they themselves were unable to get the results that so many think they could now - I'm not sure if I understand this or not.
I for one think coaches can obviously make a difference, but for the most part, once a strong figure skater reaches the Jr level she should already know how to do all of the jumps and therefore no longer needs to be coached, per se; rather, the coach needs to be able to manage the athlete, work with the athlete’s mental state and tweak things along the road to greatness. Most top level Jr and Sr lady skaters have the ability, the talent, the potential, the skill and the understanding of how to execute the jumps and footwork, but the real challenge comes with choreographing a great program to highlight the skaters strengths and having the wherewithal to maximize points from start to finish and most importantly, it all rests with the skater who needs to have the mental strength to do it consistently (this is what is lacking in the US).
Alot has been said here about Karen and her current situation. Two years ago she was 3rd at Nationals, 2 years before that she was the Novice Champion and everyone thought she was wonderful. The in-between years she was riddled with injuries. Now, a lot of people are saying she should change coaches!? I think she should stay where she is as her coach is very good, the real question is whether Karen has the mental stamina and the individual fight to push thru her current short comings to get back to the top. Heck, if anything, Tyler fell off the map until she went back to Tammy and then did quite well at Nationals (“Return to Gambill helps Pierce regain confidence”). Was this because of the coach? Partly yes as Tammy is a great coach, but mostly because the skater was reenergized, found her passion and confidence and was able to skate to her potential.
A coach change generally reenergizes the athlete (the honey moon) but I do not think any other coach can coach Karen up to the next level. Tammy has done a great job and will continue to do so as long as Karen remains positive, open minded and pushes herself to be great. Gracie may be in the same situation Tyler was years ago, burnt out with the same coach and down on her luck. After years of coaching Gracie, there is nothing Frank can say that Gracie has not already heard. She probably does need a change, not a change to help her get better but a change to help her change her environment, help her regain that passion, fire and confidence that once lit her belly. To hear the same thing Frank told her but to be told it by another coach will simply sound different, IMO. Look at Mariah, her change to Raf was not so much a change or improvement of her skating as she was there a very short period of time. She was already an accomplished skater, though she too was looking for herself. The short period of time with Raf, IMO, built her confidence, lit the fire she had years ago, but again, as good as Raf is, he is unable to get blood from a rock. He can, however, use his experience and greatness, to help manage Mariah and build her confidence once again if she remains open minded. The same thing will apply to Vivian.
It is so nice to see her as a coach.
