FSU: Yagudin will compete at Euros & Worlds

[kara]

The full article isn't translated, but a few FSU posters were nice enough to report the important part:D . They mentioned that he'll compete at everything except Russian Nationals b/c he feels he hasn't been treated fairly there in the past. Can't wait for Worlds!

[Meredith]

That's interesting. Wonder how SOI will handle his absence from the tour.

[Lee]

Originally posted by kara
They mentioned that he'll compete at everything except Russian Nationals b/c he feels he hasn't been treated fairly there in the past.

I hope he has some kind of written guarantee from Piseev and company that says he'll get put on the Russian team even if he *doesn't* compete at Russian Nationals! Can you imagine the outcry in either Canada or the US if one of our top skaters were to say, "I'm not doing Nationals, but I AM doing Worlds!" Yeah, right!!!

Yags is one of my favourite skaters, but there seems something a little unrealistic about this expectation. If he's saying publicly that he's not doing Russian Nationals because he "hasn't been treated fairly there in the past," I can't see Piseev and the Russian federation taking that all too well, especially when there are other young'ns coming up. I guess time will tell.

[melanieuk]

But it's fair to also say that it seems a little unrealistic that a skater with such great all round skating talent could win an Olympic gold and never never a gold at his own nationals.
8O

You are right though.
Wouldn't that backfire on him if They stopped him from doing big International comps?

But then maybe not. He could go off and make millions (more) professionally, and let the Russians Powers That Be get on with it.

He can't get better than an Olympic gold, and who'd want to skate at Nationals and be put third, simply cos the judges are warped?

[HSF]

Idon't think the Russian Federation uses Nationals as the determining factor in who goes to Worlds as the USFSA does. I believe Europeans is given equal weight.

Anyone know for sure?

HSF

[CherylS]

Too bad they can't make him an instant American citizen! We'll take him if Russia doesn't treat him nice!!! :lol:

[Greek Chic]

It is good to see that he changed his mind about Europeans and Worlds. What my main concern is about Nationals. I do agree that I don't think he has been treated fairly in the past, due to the fact that he trains in the US and not in his hometown. What I am concerned about is that Piseev will give him the go ahead to Worlds. Has he given him the guarantee, or is he just presumming? He has been a World Champion 4 times and Olympic Champion, but never a National title. I wish him a very successful season and his 5th World Title.

[J.J.C.]

Originally posted by Lee

Can you imagine the outcry in either Canada or the US if one of our top skaters were to say, "I'm not doing Nationals, but I AM doing Worlds!" Yeah, right!!!


Everybody knows that russians (as well as all eastern countries) have a hidden nomination systems. Usually at least the first two places at Nationals are made up before, Yagudin said it himself and he also said that he supports this system.
Also in West-Europe Nationals are often cheesy. There had been horribly wrong decisions in the past just to send more known skaters to international competitions.
So you can't compare it to the american system, which I admire a lot BTW.

HTM, as far as I know in all disciplines (not only figure skating) Europeans are not a deciding factors for Russians - the skaters are nominated for Worlds. But most West-Europeans countries have the rule to place among the top 8 to make the team.

[duane]

i too cant wait for Worlds, and am happy that yagudin plans to compete.

however, just because plushenko placed over him at Nationals during their last matchups means that he's been treated unfairly? perhaps it only means that plushenko was better.

[kara]

I agree with duane. Both skaters are great and Yags usually isn't at his best until Euros/Worlds/Olympics. It is somethin' that he's never been National Champion, though. But bottom line, I'm just thrilled he'll be at Worlds...unless something changes again.8O Hope not!

[Dustin]

I really hope he will be at Worlds, it will make it much more exciting. However, like others, I am wondering if the Russian federation will send him. He has a good chance of winning if he is in top form, but I would think they would still want him to compete at Nationals. 8O

[AxelAnnie22]

I don't think the Russian Federation will mind at all if Alexi does not compete at Russian Nationals. I think they are perfectly happy not having the competition for Plushenko. And, there is no way that they are not going to put the reigning OLY Champ on the World Team.

[Oreo]

Several weeks ago he said he was only going to do the GP and not the Europeans and Worlds. I wonder if he's going to skip the GP in order let his stress fracture heal.