TT Update

[Maureen]

On the Usova Platov Page, they indicate that TT
is feeling much better and will be returning to US
after Russian Nationals to resume training with her
other skaters.

www.usovaplatov.com/news.htm

[DancerFan]

:roll: That was quick - must have been a serious illness.

[Alexa]

Interesting that it was so much pressure to work and travel for Sasha, but TT did just fine with Alexei Yagudin. They trained in the US, and he participated in many events, and it did not seem to bother her to travel with him.

I have a feeling we will be seeing her at international events just as much as ever.

[icenut84]

Originally posted by Alexa
Interesting that it was so much pressure to work and travel for Sasha, but TT did just fine with Alexei Yagudin. They trained in the US, and he participated in many events, and it did not seem to bother her to travel with him.

That ended nearly 2 years ago though. The situation then may have been completely different. Just because she was well enough to work and travel before, that doesn't automatically mean she's lying when she has troubles doing the same thing now. Nobody knows any more details than "health problems", which could mean anything. Give TT the benefit of the doubt. I hope she continues to recover well, looks after herself, and can continue to be the amazing coach she is known to be.

[alfongsucks]

sounds like a coverup to me. So sick had to move back, then suddenly is fine and ready to move back and train people in the states again?

[skateflo]

Sickness can be more than physical.....emotions take a toll also. I still think TT is not in the best of health and has some chronic problems (?diabetes, high blood pressure, maybe even some arthritis setting in especially with her weight.....) I also feel that while she tried to work with an American skater, she may have gotten some flack from the re-emerging RUS skating school. First Rodnina goes back, then Mosvina (but she always said she was here until the Olympics) and now I wonder if TT is being wooed back. But at the same time, she does have Usova/Platov to consider, even Yagudin and his possible skating school at ISCC. She may also have contractural agreements she needs to complete here in the states. Perhaps seeing her homeland and being back in more familiar territory was just the health medicine she needed, and time to reassess her own personal and professional goals.

While Moskvina could adapt to a variety of nationalities of skaters she helped, I somehow don't think TT has the same ability or motivation. She likes the 'all or nothing' way of doing things - it has always worked for her......

I try to imagine how it would be if one of our major coaches (Carroll, Heiss, Callahan, Wagner, etc.) had gone to another country and how they would fare over the long haul. I know Cathy Casey has frequently done a lot of work over in the UK but I doubt she would want to live there permanently....

While we may never know the real truth (and each person has their own version of 'truth') I want all the parties involved to go forward with a positive attitude.

[loveskating]

Ok, then, if Tarasova is covering up, what exactly is she covering up?

This was posted on another forum: http://mk-piter.ru/?id=1273

Apparently, Yagudin was named "Traitor of the Year" in Russia for coaching Jobert!

I was ridiculed for mentioning geopolitical stuff before, but I will do so again because I think perhaps Tarasova has her legitimate reasons. I believe its one thing to have skaters...its quite another to have an American skater who can beat a Russian skater, and Sasha can...certainly the odds are better than that Jobert will beat Plushenko at this time!

Really, for Tarasova, it might be like having Frank Carroll coaching Irina Slutskaya. Of course, this is all speculation...I'd rather just accept what all the parties have actually said and move on.

In any case, it is a fact that a very high mood of nationalism exists in Russia at the moment...and a very great mistrust of Americans. What occured there 3 weeks ago in the elections would be like if every single Republican were voted out of Congress and the Senate...a huge change. Its not far fetched to speculate that every celebrity -- and Tatiana Tarasova is the primary "face" of skating in Russia -- in that nation will have to deal with the ramifications.