Yagudin not to skate at Worlds and Europeans next season...

[cupcake728]

Does anyone know why??? I really hope he goes to both Worlds and Europeans to compete.

[Spinner]

Can you provide us with a source or link to where you heard/read this?

[cupcake728]

I read this in today's "MetroToday". I'm not sure if there is a link to this free newspaper though.

[cupcake728]

Here's the link....
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20020724/sp_nm/skating_yagudin_dc_1

[Emanfan]

There's also a thread about this over at FSU - reported by Reuters. I have no idea how to copy the quote from another forum, so you'll have to go there.

So, when will Yags and Plush meet up? - Russians? Grand Prix Final? Ever?

[bbtano]

He's touring with SOI this season, so he won't be able to do all of the eligible comps. I would assume that's why he can't do Worlds and Euros.....because he can't be in two places at the same time! LOL Same goes for the B/S.

From what I read in a recent interview with Tatiana (there's a translation at skatefans), he is planning to do Skate America and Skate Canada. What is the date for the GFP, though? He'll have to do that also if he qualifies, right?

Here's a skatefans link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SkateFans/message/95255

[Emanfan]

If he only participates in two competitions (SA and SC) and spends most of his time on the road, how will his "competition readiness" be at the GPF?

I wouldn't think that would be a great thing going against Plushenko who, by all reports, is back to his old/young self.

[gandalf]

If he qualifies for the GPF he will likely have a sudden jogging "injury" that prevents him from competing but doesn't keep him off the tour. I like Yags, but I can see this coming already.

[Emanfan]

I think if he tries to pull the "injury" thing at GPF, skeptics like myself will be wondering if he just doesn't want to go up against his main rival and come out the loser (if indeed that would even happen).

What about Russian Nationals? I wonder if he'll do those.

[gracefulswan]

i just think it's ironic that yagudin has won every major competition except the russian nationals... :lol:

[SkateSand]

His committment to the SOI tour comes first. He won't be able to participate in any eligible event which has a date conflict with the tour and any mandatory rehearsal dates. Confirmed dates for the tour have not been released yet, but there are some tentative ones. Those tentative ones conflict with eligible events. Skate America and Skate Canada do not conflict with the tour schedule and that's why he can do those. Tatiana Tarasova said in her recent Russian interview that he will not be participating in Russian Nationals this season, either. He does plan to stay eligible; it just looks like he is taking part of this eligible season off to do something different.

Laurie

[Lee]

In terms of self-promotion, Yags, Tarasova, IMG and whoever else was involved in the decisions about where he'll compete next season couldn't have planned it any more effectively.

He's planning to do the US tour of SOI for the first time -- what better way to build some anticipation and recognition for himself than by competing in the two North American GP events?

I'm sure there's someone out there far more familiar with the ISU/GP rules than I am, but *is* there a rule that says a skater MUST compete in the GP Final if they qualify? I know if they want to be able to skate in the pro/ams, the seeded skaters have to do two GP events...I'm just not sure about the Final. Anyone?

[rack]

This is totally speculative on my part, but I wonder if Yagudin's decision not to skate at Russian Nationals, Europeans, or Worlds might indicate he's in process of applying for citizenship either in Canada or the U.S. I'm sure he could continue to represent Russia until such time as the citizenship process is completed (and maybe after that, for all I know), but perhaps he would prefer not to.

Again, this comes completely from my imagination, but it was the explanation that came to my mind.

[proam]

Yes it does seem like more of self-promotion ploy then love of sport, I wondering if there will be any more finagling going on.

I, too, would love to know if a skaters is required to compete in the Grand Prix Final if the skater had enough points. Does anyone know the rules?

[ILoveAllSkaters]

I will truly miss Yags.

[TRAxel]

[b:42adc57cc9][color=green:42adc57cc9]I am thanking the skate gods above...... and Yags of course for deciding to compete in the GP Series!!!!!! [/color:42adc57cc9][/b:42adc57cc9]

[size=18:42adc57cc9][color=indigo:42adc57cc9][b:42adc57cc9]THANK YOU THANK YOU![/b:42adc57cc9][/color:42adc57cc9][/size:42adc57cc9]

[b:42adc57cc9][i:42adc57cc9][color=violet:42adc57cc9]*TRAxel is very happy because TRAxel is going to see Yags in Quebec City*[/color:42adc57cc9][/i:42adc57cc9][/b:42adc57cc9]

[SkateSand]

I think he just wants to try skating with SOI, LOL. Both he and Tatiana have said in Russian interviews that this was something he wanted to do. Now is as good a time as ever to try it if he planned on taking a break from eligible competition anyway. He said, long before the tour came up, that he wanted to take some time off. I figured he meant time off from skating, but it looks like he just meant time off from the hard grind of an entire eligible season. I'd rather he take a year off and come back re-energized. After winning the Olympics, it's probably a little hard to motivate yourself and instead of turning professional, this might be a good option. It looks like Michelle is taking some time off, too, and why not? Todd Eldredge did it, too.

Laurie

[Scott]

Ah, maybe Yags is going to apply for US Citizenship. I have read how much he likes the USA and he certainly has made a life for himself in this country. That would be a real hoot and would probably kick up the competition level ( if it could go higher) between himself and Pleshy! Hmm.....

[Bosco]

[quote:f8d6dfbc1e="Scott"]Ah, maybe Yags is going to apply for US Citizenship. I have read how much he likes the USA and he certainly has made a life for himself in this country. That would be a real hoot and would probably kick up the competition level ( if it could go higher) between himself and Pleshy! Hmm.....[/quote:f8d6dfbc1e]

Actually it's Canada that he really enjoys performing in. (from quotes I've read ) Most Russian skaters seem to love it here!

[hydro]

i think its a great idea for him, as he won't have to face the grind of the real competitive season, which usually starts with the Euros and the GPF. he could easily skate two Grand Prix events, make some money, retain his eligible status, and then go on tour.

No one is forcing him to commit to Worlds or Euros now, and the ISU can't really do much about it. They can't force skaters to participate in Euros or Worlds if they never intended to in the first place.

Good thinking Alexei!

[Artemis]

If I were a cynic I'd say he's going for the cash grab of the Grand Prix + SOI ... but since I'm not a cynic :wink: I'll say that I hope this will strategy will give him an opportunity to push himself artistically.

[olivia]

There are usually more variables than one that factor into decision-making. I think you all have speculated quite effectively :mrgreen: and have probably come up with the reason Alexei has made the decision he has. So, why can't it be that Alexei is tired from the Olympic season and wants to take some kind of break from the grind of eligible competition, but doesn't want to give up the eligible circuit completely, but really wants to try SOI (he liked the taste he got doing CSOI), and really would like to make as much money as he can while his star is still shining bright? It all makes sense to me. Alexei is just darn lucky he has as many opportunities as he has. I say, why not take advantage of them? Good for him.

I don't think any of Alexei's decisions have anything to do with Plushy, except to the extent that he knows Plushy will do well and help Russia keep it's valuable "spots" for next year's Worlds. They both seem to relish competing against one another. That way, they know they truly bested the best in the business.

Oh, one more thing, who can make a firm decision about something 4 years in advance. I don't think it's a sin for Alexei to say he wants to and plans to compete at the 2006 Olympics now -- even though his life may take a different direction between now and then. Life isn't always that predictable. Perhaps Alexei will be offered a starring role as "Sexy Shagolicious Alexei" in the next installment of the Austin Powers movie series, become a major movie star, and say to heck with figure skating, baby!

O-

[Lee]

[quote:ff1dd6b876="olivia"]Perhaps Alexei will be offered a starring role as "Sexy Shagolicious Alexei" in the next installment of the Austin Powers movie series, become a major movie star, and say to heck with figure skating, baby![/quote:ff1dd6b876]
LOL!!! I LOVE it!!! Thanks for the light-hearted perspective...made my day! :lol:

[Ice_On_Winnipeg]

YEAH BABY.... That would be too funny to see Yags in an Austin Powers movie...

[img:ee2106e949]http://uselessgraphics.com/cele42..gif[/img:ee2106e949]

[memememe76]

Will he be planning to create new competitive programs or just use his old ones?

[expo86]

I read that he will use last year's LP - Man in the Iron Mask :D and has a new SP which is already finished. I imagine he'll use one of his SOI programs as an exhibition number.

[pilgrimsoul]

Maybe Alexei is just laying the groundwork for bringing his mother to the U.S. permanently, which he has previously said he would like to do. I think he needs his U.S. citizenship to do that. Maybe someone more knowledgeable about immigration could confirm whether this is correct. The income from SOI and the GP would also help Alexei set up a nice home for his mom and himself in the U.S. It could also be that Alexei is working toward gradual financial independence from the Russian federation, and also wants to escape extortion by the Russian mafia, which is notorious for shaking down Russian athletes. Those who refuse to pay wind up in bad shape. I will be happy if Alexei stays in the U.S. forever!