Viktor Petrenko charged with DUI

[IgglesII]

OMG.

http://www.ctnow.com/news/custom/newsat3/hc-ap-petrenko-dui-0129,1,4632560.story?coll=hc-headlines-newsat3

:roll:

[Sing_Alto]

:roll: Is right.

Here's another article: Petrenko (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040129/ap_on_sp_ot/fig_petrenko_arrested_4)

[quarkiki2]

How nice of both articles to bring up Alexi and Oksana's DUIs, too. The articles almost make it seem like that area attracts drunked skaters from former Soviet republics.

Dumb, dumb, dumb on Viktor's part. Dangerous and irresponsible. What does one think when they get behind a wheel of a car after drinking? Or do they?

[Schmeck]

Thanks for both links!

What is it with Bauil, Yagudin, and Petrenko? All from the former Soviet Union, all Olympic Gold Medalists, all with drinking/driving problems? In Connecticut?

And what about Sasha Cohen? Hasn't she been staying with the Petrenkos? This must be difficult for her as well!

Schmeck

[MQSeries]

Hmm, it just proves that people really don't learn from other's mistakes. You would think that since viktor is/was close to Oksana, he would know beter but nope. What is it going take? Is is going to require someone to be in some really serious accident for these skaters to wake up?

[ariel]

There is no reason for them to drag Yags or Oksana into this. This was Viktor's moment in the shade.

[Kemy]

Originally posted by MQSeries
Hmm, it just proves that people really don't learn from other's mistakes. You would think that since viktor is/was close to Oksana, he would know beter but nope. What is it going take? Is is going to require someone to be in some really serious accident for these skaters to wake up?

Oksana and Viktor were both in serious accidents, so I'd say no. Serious accidents don't wake up most people who choose to drink and drive, so why would it be different with skaters?

[ariel]

Like I said, this was Viktor's moment.

[IgglesII]

Originally posted by Schmeck
And what about Sasha Cohen? Hasn't she been staying with the Petrenkos? This must be difficult for her as well!

Schmeck

Sasha lives with her family - they moved from CA to CT.

[FSWer]

I just heard it on the radio this morning and couldn't beleive it!!! I hope no more skaters turn out drunk.

[Schmeck]

Check out Sasha's web-diary. She mentions staying with the Petrenkos.

[dbny]

Originally posted by quarkiki2
The articles almost make it seem like that area attracts drunked skaters from former Soviet republics.

The former Soviet Union had quite a large alcoholism problem, as do we also. Alcohol is the most abused drug in the USA today. If they threw alcoholics into jail the way they do other drug addicts, we would have a sadly decimated population.

Originally posted by quarkiki2
Dumb, dumb, dumb on Viktor's part. Dangerous and irresponsible. What does one think when they get behind a wheel of a car after drinking? Or do they?

I think the problem is exactly that after drinking x amount, logical thinking ceases.

[MQSeries]

Originally posted by dbny
I think the problem is exactly that after drinking x amount, logical thinking ceases.

You have to wonder who were the friends around him that allowed him to drive home. Of course the ultimate resonsibility was with Viktor, but if he was around friends while he was drinking, then it was also their responsibility to make sure he didn't get in the car with the key right afterward.

[Ryan O]

As a law student I am always reading about drunk driving cases in law school. It is such a common phenomenon. I wish people would stop drinking and driving. Luckily none of these skaters have gotten seriously hurt or hurt anyone else. And it does seem that the Connecticut area produces a lot of these incidents:??

[skates fan]

maybe they all have a lot of stress they can't deal with... they all are Olympic medallists and probally have or had a lot of pressure performance wise.. etc...
.....not that I am giving anyone an excuse.. it is very irresponsible and they could have killed someone else...

[ariel]

I think if they are going to publish all the skaters dui's in Conn.,then they should publish all the other people arrested for dui in the state.

[sachelle]

Vodka. It's cultural. Like the pub life in the UK. It's a big problem with Russians I know who live in my state. Both men have seen their best skating is behind them. It must be very hard for Alexei who roused every crowd to not be able to do what he once did nightly. Only 23.

Petrenko is still very good but knows his retirement is around the corner. I think these guys have large egos and they are what they do. Not being educated in other areas, when the body fails them it's devastating. Vodka is the drug of choice to soothe the melancholy of the Russian soul. They are artists in their culture, akin to the respect given ballet dancers. And who know what troubles they might have now. Vic must be upset about leaving his old rink. Or did they all return? It get's confusing.

[butterfly]

Pahleeze!!! Poor baby he has led an adult life of privilege and adulation, lives in a gorgeous place, has a beautiful family and makes gobs of money, and oh don't forget the gold medal. He needs to be responsible and do some clear thinking before he guzzles the vodka! I DO NOT feel sorry for him. The stress he is under is not an excuse either. Find me a family trying to work and raise their families that don't experience stress to make this world go around. There are children that go to bed hungry and abused and we are feeling sorry and trying to explain a badly behaved, irresponsible, spoiled celebrity. BTW, when his body fails him, he can still earn $200 an hour coaching.

Having been around Viktor and his family (he has a wonderful brother)....I am totally disappointed in him and he should be in himself. Hey people this is serious stuff, drunk driving kills.

[blue111moon]

CT does publish the names of "common" people arrested for drunk driving. It's called the police log.

It becomes news when one of the names is that of a celebrity.

[Jaana]

Originally posted by sachelle
Vodka. It's cultural. Like the pub life in the UK. It's a big problem with Russians I know who live in my state. Both men have seen their best skating is behind them. It must be very hard for Alexei who roused every crowd to not be able to do what he once did nightly. Only 23.

Yagudin was caught as he was coming from a wedding reception. I would not say that it was a question of Yagudin burying his sorrows into a bottle of vodka and going for a drive afterwards...

Marjaana

[loveskating]

Originally posted by Jaana
Yagudin was caught as he was coming from a wedding reception. I would not say that it was a question of Yagudin burying his sorrows into a bottle of vodka and going for a drive afterwards...

Marjaana

Oh, truly! Why don't people calm down and stop jumping to conclusions. Yagudin's main problem, apparently, is that he didn't have anyone to drive him after going to a wedding reception...unlike me the last time I went to one, and certainly drank a bit too much...and I can also just take the train or a taxi! That's not possible in many places.

This does not mean that either Viktor OR Yagudin have a drinking problem...although I agree with those who said that alcoholism is a huge problem in the USA and in Russia.

[Little Bit]

Originally posted by Schmeck
Check out Sasha's web-diary. She mentions staying with the Petrenkos.

Schmeck do you have a link? :D

[jcspkbfan]

The latest update on Viktor's situation (you have to register in order to read the whole thing):

http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-petrenkodui0130.artjan30,1,5060317.story?coll=hc-headlines-local

I must admit Viktor's one of the last skaters I would imagine getting charged with something like this. You'd think he, of all skaters, would know better after living in the States for so long and seeing the same thing happen to Alexei and Oksana. I remember Viktor had some pretty "tough love" words for Oksana after her DUI incident, too. :(

[butterfly]

Originally posted by loveskating
Oh, truly! Why don't people calm down and stop jumping to conclusions. Yagudin's main problem, apparently, is that he didn't have anyone to drive him after going to a wedding reception...unlike me the last time I went to one, and certainly drank a bit too much...and I can also just take the train or a taxi! That's not possible in many places.

This does not mean that either Viktor OR Yagudin have a drinking problem...although I agree with those who said that alcoholism is a huge problem in the USA and in Russia. If you lose someone dear to you because of a drunk driver you don't want to "calm down" about this issue. I don't care if it is alcoholism or just a good time gone bad on a rare occasion...you don't drink and drive. If he had no one to drive him home he should sit on the curb for an hour or two before he takes the wheel of a 3,000 pound Mercedes. If someone was driving drunk and ran into Viktor's wife's car and killed his little girl instead of just hitting a telephone pole or a tree would he view vodka and driving differently? Another lousy role model in sports. BTW, "Yagudin's main problem" is not "that he didn't have anyone to drive him after going to a wedding reception". His main problem was poor judgment, and bad behavior.

[ariel]

You can rant and rave until Mk does a quad but you can't stop skaters from driving drunk. If the cops see them, they can stop them but none of you can.

[Glenda]

It doesn't matter who the offender is -- celebrity or not -- drinking & drinking is wrong. Thank God these people were stopped before they killed someone. I wouldn't excuse ANYONE for drinking & driving, whether you're Joe Schmo or Viktor Petrenko, Oksana, Yagudin, Glen Campbell, Nick Nolte, Diana Ross, Wynonna Judd, Queen Latifah -- the list goes on and on. Celebrities shouldn't be excused for DUIs, anymore than average citizen are! Excusing them simply because they're rich & famous is wrong -- it's inexcusable.

As one limousine company says on its advertisements: "Operating a motor vehicle on the public roadways is not a birth right but a licensed privilege. Most celebrities convicted of DUI could employ a full-time on-call limo driver all year long for less than the cost of a Hollywood pinky ring or a Rolex. If you think you can afford a DUI or an accident, then you can afford to hire a professional driver."

So true.

(Not sure of the point you're trying to make, ariel.)

[dbny]

Originally posted by Glenda
It doesn't matter who the offender is -- celebrity or not -- drinking & drinking is wrong. Thank God these people were stopped before they killed someone. I wouldn't excuse ANYONE for drinking & driving, whether you're Joe Schmo or Viktor Petrenko, Oksana, Yagudin, Glen Campbell, Nick Nolte, Diana Ross, Wynonna Judd, Queen Latifah -- the list goes on and on. Celebrities shouldn't be excused for DUIs, anymore than average citizen are! Excusing them simply because they're rich & famous is wrong -- it's inexcusable.

As one limousine company says on its advertisements: "Operating a motor vehicle on the public roadways is not a birth right but a licensed privilege. Most celebrities convicted of DUI could employ a full-time on-call limo driver all year long for less than the cost of a Hollywood pinky ring or a Rolex. If you think you can afford a DUI or an accident, then you can afford to hire a professional driver."

So true.

(Not sure of the point you're trying to make, ariel.)

ITA, and just wanted it to be repeated.

[butterfly]

Originally posted by ariel
You can rant and rave until Mk does a quad but you can't stop skaters from driving drunk. If the cops see them, they can stop them but none of you can. DUH!!! this is not a venue for stopping anything it is a venue for expressing thoughts and opinions.

[Kemy]

Originally posted by ariel
You can rant and rave until Mk does a quad but you can't stop skaters from driving drunk. If the cops see them, they can stop them but none of you can.

Actually, you can do somthing about it. If you report him to the police, the police then can come give you a sobriety test.

It happened to Kim Delaney.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/27/kim.delaney/

[Dolly]

Originally posted by Little Bit
Schmeck do you have a link? :D



http://www.sashacohen.com/journal.shtml

[Schmeck]

Thanks Dolly, you beat me to it!

For the Sasha-Petrenko mention - check out the Jan 20th entry.


ariel, it amazes me (not really, :roll: ) how singleminded you are, LOL!

[MQSeries]

Originally posted by ariel
You can rant and rave until Mk does a quad but you can't stop skaters from driving drunk. If the cops see them, they can stop them but none of you can.

A friend should stop a friend from driving drunk. If the bartender or waiter know that a customer has had too much too drink, then he should make sure that the customer doesn't drive home, etc.. A lot of people can take action to prevent someone from driving drunk. Unfortunately too many people tend to take the route of least resistant.

[ariel]

It amazes me that you are still here too Schmeck.(lol) I simply feel that there will never be an end to drunk atheletes and if you think posting here about how awful it is will change that, then God bless you. Of course driving drunk is wrong but people will always do it and sometimes get in trouble and sometimes kill with their cars. How many ways can you say drunk driving is wrong? Big Duh!(butterfly)

[Schmeck]

ariel, actually I was commenting on your ability to drag Michelle and your lack of fondness for her into seemingly every thread you post on. It's quite a talent you have!

[Glenda]

Originally posted by ariel
It amazes me that you are still here too Schmeck.(lol) I simply feel that there will never be an end to drunk atheletes and if you think posting here about how awful it is will change that, then God bless you. Of course driving drunk is wrong but people will always do it and sometimes get in trouble and sometimes kill with their cars. How many ways can you say drunk driving is wrong? Big Duh!(butterfly)

I'll say it again, then. Drunk driving is wrong. Even if it's committed by Viktor Petrenko. It is wrong to drink & drive. Drinking & driving? Wrong. Car + alcohol? El Wrongo! I can say it many more ways, how many would you like?

And you know, if you find any discussion on this message board full of "useless rantings", no one is twisting your arm to insert your comments.(Super Duh).

[Schmeck]

I just re-read my posts on this thread, and all I did was point out a few connections between some very famous skaters who have been caught DUI. I also showed concern for Sasha, who is training for Worlds, with a new coach, and certainly doesn't need to be involved, in any tiny way, in this commotion. That was in my first post.

Then I mentioned that if you read Sasha's diary, there ws a mention that she was staying with the Petrenkos.

I went on to thank Dolly for posting the link.

I mentioned how you seem to be able to stay focused on your goal to bash Michelle Kwan every time you post, it seems.

Ooooooh, that's the problem, :roll:

Schmeck

[sachelle]

i agree these are pampered rich superstars. And DUI is serious. I lost a cousin at 16. She was a lovely girl. Who knows why or how often they drink. I just wrote a possible explanation, as Petrenko never had a problem like this. He was apalled at Baiul's behavior.

I hadn't read about Yags. He has been fighting this for a long time. Alcohol was involved when he gave Bobek a black eye years ago.
He's so conceited and sadly can't skate up to his ability anymore.

Drinking is depressing, but I remember Oksana's comment on Oprah years ago. " What do you expect, I'm Russian!" I hope these folks get treated like John Q. Citizen with no special deals. I think talking with a family who has lost a member would be good for all of them. Sometime I wish they'd go back to prohibition days! Way too many tragedies on the news every night

[ariel]

Schmeck-don't worry darlin', CoP is coming, You'll have plenty more to twist your panties about, besides poor little me. lmao:D

[Schmeck]

Nah, ariel, you don't "twist my panties", you amuse me. :lol:

[butterfly]

Originally posted by sachelle
i agree these are pampered rich superstars. And DUI is serious. I lost a cousin at 16. She was a lovely girl. Who knows why or how often they drink. I just wrote a possible explanation, as Petrenko never had a problem like this. He was apalled at Baiul's behavior.

I hadn't read about Yags. He has been fighting this for a long time. Alcohol was involved when he gave Bobek a black eye years ago.
He's so conceited and sadly can't skate up to his ability anymore.

Drinking is depressing, but I remember Oksana's comment on Oprah years ago. " What do you expect, I'm Russian!" I hope these folks get treated like John Q. Citizen with no special deals. I think talking with a family who has lost a member would be good for all of them. Sometime I wish they'd go back to prohibition days! Way too many tragedies on the news every night A serious voice and I appreciate your thoughts.

[ariel]

:D You amuse me too Schmeck, especially when you get all bent.

[sachelle]

Ariel, I didn't notice Michelle was mentioned or in a negative way. You could have used "until the cows come home" or anything else but I think "until Michelle lands a quad" was funny. My name is a hybrid of course of the 2 top skaters so I like Michelle. I take no offense-I find both you and Smeck amusing.

Gee let's have some fun here at these skaters' expence.

How about "you can ran't about ___ until they run out of sequins"
or other sentences implying it ain't gonna happen.

or, you can rant about ___ until the ice dancers run out of illusion fabric.

anyone else? lets have some fun!

BTW, what is it you don't like about Michelle. Her skating? Her emoting? Her seeming lock on all the national titles? I read on another site that she can't retire for years as she's got a contract with abc to do those Campbell Cheesefest competitions. Soup, anyone?

[ariel]

Oh but sach, it's much more fun picturing MK attempting a quad. My bad(not)

[memememe76]

I think if they are going to publish all the skaters dui's in Conn.,then they should publish all the other people arrested for dui in the state.

What, you think the media wouldn't publish another celebrity who wasn't a skater if they were arrested for DUI? Or do you think there's a law prohibiting the media from reporting DUI's of non-celebrities?

[JAAZZ]

I've said it before and I'll say it again....

anyone who drinks and drives is a BLOODY IDIOT!!!

[memememe76]

Whatever. Famous people get more coverage than normal for every action they commit--whether it's good actions (Like getting married, having babies, giving money to charity) or bad. That's why they're famous. Duh.

Did people have problems when there was a thread about Kristy or Kurt having newborns? I mean, people have babies everyday! The nerve!

[memememe76]

It is you who asserted that society has this fascination with famous people screwing up. But society is fascinated with famous people doing anything, whether it's good or bad. Advice to famous people who don't want the negative attention: don't screw up!

Famous people get a lot of perks that when something "bad" happens to them, I can rarely feel sorry for them. Those are the breaks.

"Normal" people don't have the money to get top lawyers to represent them. It all balances out. Kinda. Really, give me an instance when a famous person got an unfair trial because of their fame. I can give you plenty of instances where people got screwed because they had no money and no one cared about them.

[Dolly]

Latest on Petrenko - Applies for Alcohol Program.

Article -

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/FigureSkating/2004/02/09/341700-ap.html

[butterfly]

Be careful where you drive near the International Skating Center...many drunk Russians on the road. :)

[dooobedooo]

I wonder how many people are aware just how small an amount of alcohol can put you over the legal limit for driving? It is a fraction of what you would need to make yourself really drunk (that's if you ever wanted to, which I don't!!)

So I did a search and found the link below. In the UK, the limit is 6 units of alcohol (80 m/m), and we have always been told that 1 unit = 1 glass of wine or half a pint of beer. I do occasionally drink alcohol before driving, but have always limited myself to what I thought was 2 units (well under the legal limit of 6). However, according to this article, a glass of wine or half pint of beer can be as much as 2.3 or even 3.25 units (double what I thought), so that only two or three glasses can put you over the limit. A sobering thought!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/travel/2003/08/drink_drive_calculate.shtml