Xen

Okay about coaching changes- one team that gets rarely mentioned is the Priscilla Hill/Victor Petrenko/Galina Zmievskaya trio in New Jersey. Granted, part and parcel is the dreaded Morozov. But reputation wise, they have that. Hill and Petrenko were Johnny Weir's ex coaches, and Morozov had plenty of single skaters. And this team has definitely been mentioned for Nathan for Yale. So I'm kind of curious, other than the fear of Morozov, why no one is moving there. Is there something about Zmievskaya that is not working? Next, Marina Zueva and Oleg Epstein in Michigan, with the side benefit of Scali as choreographer. Granted, that rink is more known for their ice dance. However, Zueva has worked with Patrick Chan, and Oleg Epstein has coached single skaters before (Gracie Gold).

How about we drop this because it's starting to get creepy. =) And I'm starting to get very suspicious since I've always wondered who is the Lurker Zu among us.

How about this, let's not bring GS rumor mongering into this thread yes? =) I have a feeling I know who you are over there, and I'm sure you know who I am over there. =) Also, skater's private lives is their own thing-it's a bit offensive that fans take it seriously and start getting oddly possessive about their skater's personal private relationships. Just saying'

Let's drop the issue, I'd rather discuss skating schools in the Gen Skating Chat. =) So, to start this all off, here's a nice tumblr post that actually does a good summary of the skating schools in Japan: Skating Schools in Japan Now, can anyone do anything similar with the NA schools or the Russian schools?

I do wonder if there should be an update about coaching teams somewhere-people seem to know about TCC due to Yuzu and Yuna, TAT due to Mao and Yagudin, and Raf due to Nathan. But actual skating schools in each country is lesser known. I imagine most people don't know about Panova (hope I spelled it right), even though she's got a team of technically sound jumpers in juniors (Tarakanova for example). Less know about Zueva, fewer still about John Nicks (Sasha Cohen), and less on Robin Wagner (Sarah Hughes). Nevermind the various schools in Japan. Speaking of North American coaches- people tend to forget about Oleg Epstein, who trains also in Michigan with Zueva. Then there's also Priscilla Hill/Victor Petrenko/Galina Zmeivskaya (aka Johnny Weir's coaching team) .

Is it alright for me to sigh and say, that I wish Tarasova still coached? People also forgetting that Zueva exists. Or Ravi. There are some lesser known coaches who could also work, such as Yuka Sato, Robin Wagner etc. And I'm not familiar with the coaches in Western Europe, but there has to be some. Thing is, when we talk about coaching changes and people going to (or not going to) TCC, it's about whether or not the move would benefit TCC and the skater in question. Sure, Yuzu would be effected, which is why he and other skaters in TCC would be consulted and asked first. But as BOrser said, TCC treats all skaters fairly, so it's not just about Yuzu. Frankly, I think it's a bit of a discredit to him, if we view all and any potential training mate as a "distraction." As for TCC- it's closer to a "finishing" school. A good one at that, but not necessarily for all skaters.

Well whether or not there is, we'll know in the next CiONTU when he decides to go back and do the stsq to this program.

The rumors of Zhenya moving from Eteri seems to be popping up once every month since PyeongChang. And "X skater moving to TCC" seems to be flavor of the month. People tend to forget that not all coaches you love fit with the skater you love. Hmm...personally, if she were still coaching, I'd rather Zhenya move to Tarasova instead of Orser-just a personal feeling that Tarasova might fit her more than even Orser. Second, there are less female skaters at TCC at the senior level, and Eteri has more competitive female skaters overall. I don't know, but I get the feeling that Zhenya and even Alina tend to do well and gain energy even, from the competitive vibe at their home rink. I could be wrong, but that's the general vibe I get.

Oh new people! Hello there! And if we've got Lurker Max, hello to you too. We love you by the way!

Well if that rumor were a stock, I'd not invest in it. =) So far the only rumor that's been somewhat backed up by the skater's fed, is the one of Boyang negotiating to go to TCC, but there are a lot of things that have yet to be clarified-such as duration of training, how the coaching situation goes (and BOrser will ask for permission with his other skaters), and I almost forgot that getting visas to Canada is a nightmare. All other rumors have been either FS community (wakaba) or fanmade (Evegnia). And I'm skeptical of RusFed allowing its skaters to train overseas (can someone familiar with RusFed policies clarify?). So I'd seriously seriously doubt it.

Sure he has shallow edges....like that can be maintained with no speed and shallow edges.

Your current boot and blade setup is what I want for my next pair. Share with us how the pattern99 feels. =)

I like the idea of Bychenko at no. 6. Uncle power! But seriously, who wants to cross Yuzu at the GP series next season? Or Boyang for that matter?

That seems to be the general reaction whenever people get on upgraded blades. A turn from "OMG how do I control this thing" to "OMG, I love it! I can save so much energy now!" Wait till you get to jumps on them.... Um, yeah...I had a mini holiday this weekend, and had 4 days off. I practiced a grand total of around 13 hours total. My back was in pain. Thank god for massage sofas and cushions-used one for half an hour on my back per night and now, no soreness. And it wasn't because I was training a lot-I asked a rinkmate to see what the heck was going wrong with my RFO edges, and he said it was a posture issue. Then proceeded to fold my back inwards like a pretzel, once he discovered that I was kind of bendy. >_>

Weight issues are both ways- I know most people think being light and thin is good for skating, but there is a point where not being able to put on enough weight or muscles also create problems. You need to be light enough, but even muscles will create weight, and you need enough muscles/weight to be able to propel yourself up for jumps, control yourself for spins, and certainly cushion yourself for the multiple falls. It's really an energy efficiency issue. So long as the athelete's team is aware of it and taking care of things, it should be fine. =) I trust Yuzu and his team quite a bit. *I'm saying this as someone who was told to put on a bit more weight when I did a lot of sports during early high school, because I was too light, and one of my sports was skating. I had to almost double my food intake to gain even 1kg successfully, and keep it on, lol

Looking at Yuzu and how he views food, I'm tempted to say he might be one of those people who has an easier time losing rather than gaining weight. So I don't think he's likely to have the same issues that Adam and Gracie mentioned. The boy does drink a lot of juice though....*has flashbacks to ACI juice episodes*

On the bright side, it's only the SP! The dark side- we don't know how that music edit will work.

Just reading through the first 80 or so pages: 1) Okay with the idea of a PCS and GOE panels being separate. But how funding will work to allow that is a separate issue. My nightmare is if it doesn't get separate panels, *and* we get that falls are deducted in GOEs and PCS by the same panel. That will be rich. I was hoping to see cases where the GOE judge sees a fall but the PCS judge clearly does not. 2)Variety of quads- not going to like this one. If anything, it drives the men's to have more quad types. Well, I guess I see why we need to raise the minimum age- the guys will need more time to master at least 3-4 quad types to remain competitive in the top 6, since just doing 4T3T and 4T just won't cut it anymore. I guess we need to give guys more time to learn (break themselves) in practice. Frankly, Nate's the least concern here. He benefits either way you cut it because he has probably the most variety of quads in a program. Actually, most of the US men do, Vincent's not a slouch either. So the issue isn't even what the top guys are doing. It's more what about those guys who have less quad variety but still, decent quads. Aka uncle Voronov, Bychenko, heck, even Kolyada (that the fed pushed him to do a 4Lz without it being competition ready still frightens me). They might get into the top 10, but top 6 is a long shot, and they will depend more on the top guys splatting. I wish I knew ice dance better, the amount of strike-outs in the ice dance section makes me think I am missing out severely on some juicy tidbits. Edit: Bosnia and Herzegovina (page 83 of PDF): 190: Music system 1. All programs must be skated to music 2. All Competitors shall furnish competition music of excellent quality on CD and a backup thereof or in any other approved format. Reason: This requirement is missing our regulations and is fundamental for our sport (I wonder if there is shade involved....didn't know that such a rule was actually missing, such wasted opportunities)

Those quotes....makes me want to strangle a certain M*****v. >_> Please tell me that this type of coaching process is not normal....because it sounds like abuse.

Happy First Birthday, dear Planet! @Geo1: Ouch, that sucks. =( Hope you have a speedy recovery, and everything goes well. Looking forward to seeing you again this year at competitions!

I have a troll idea for a program....Despacito.

Guys, he even gave a message in english!

He's got about a month between now and Makuhari show right? What are the chances he goes back to TCC and gets choreography?

*In Lucas the Spider's voice* And here I was, minding my own business, preparing for an earlier off season to start when TrollZu goes back to his cave and we don't get updates for months. But no, the guy then comes and goes "Boom, my ankles are good and here, FaOI, a treat for you, and you, and you." And now I'm going ah drats, I just gotten mentally prepared for the drought, but now my mentality needs to be re-prepared.