Shae-Lynn's Reaction to Tarasova's Split

[lutzskate]

Here's another article that quotes Shae's reaction to the split and her comments on their new programs.


Bourne, Kraatz Puzzled By Coach's Decision (http://waymoresports.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=waymoresports/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1035775285719&call_page=WM_Home&call_pageid=979619472127&call_pagepath=Home/Home)


As of Friday night, Bourne and Kraatz had yet to be informed by Tarasova of her decision to part company.

"The first time we heard about it was through the media," Bourne said from Newington in a telephone interview. "I was shocked.

"We thought she was still our coach."

[AUT]

THIS TURNING INTO QUITE A SOAP OPERA. SOMEONE IS NOT BEING 100% TRUTHFUL.

[Skatingsarah]

I really dont understand this at all why would tarasova do this, and even nicoli leaving also! Your right this is turning into a soap opera. And if it is true and shae and vic heard it in the paper that is an extreme lack of professionalism on tarasovas part!
-Sarah

[singerskates]

I don't think it was too professional of Tarasova to do the split in the media and not to work it out with Shae and Vic first. They should have known what Tarasova wanted before it got to the media. That was not right.

[Jaana]

LOL, this is not the first time I think that matters involved with Tarasova turn into soap operas...

Marjaana

[coco]

what I don't get is that I heard, about 10 days to 2 weeks ago, that Morozov and Tarasova had split and that B&K were going w/Morozov. I read this on Skatefans. I thought it was wierd that the thread didn't "take off" but I know I didn't imagine this either.

So if it was being discussed on the internet 2 weeks ago, and Tarasova didn't make any public quotes about it until 12/1(?), how can Shae and Vic be the last to know? WHAT GIVES?

Perhaps Tarasova hasn't talked to them since she split w/Morozov, so there's been no formal dissolution between B&K and Tarasova, could that be what Shae's talking about?

[fsfan]

There were rumours of a split, yes..

but it also makes sense that B&K would train with both... train with Morozov a few days a week and with TT for a few days.

I think the basic thing was that people knew that TT & Morozov split...and then the rumour developed into "B&K are going with Morozov"...

That's just my impression.

fsfan

[Emilieanne]

Found this elsewhere...

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet...kingnews-sports

(don't know how to make this a link, sorry)

It seems also that Tarasova is "indignant and insulted" because the Newington Rink is insisting that she pay for ice time like everyone else does. That appears to have prompted her to go to Simbsbury. She SHOULD pay her bills! There is no free lunch here.

[peachstatesk8er]

Originally posted by Emilieanne
Found this elsewhere...

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet...kingnews-sports

(don't know how to make this a link, sorry)

It seems also that Tarasova is "indignant and insulted" because the Newington Rink is insisting that she pay for ice time like everyone else does. That appears to have prompted her to go to Simbsbury. She SHOULD pay her bills! There is no free lunch here.

Apparently TT was getting a free lunch though. And free everything else. Wasn't she the one that was given a house and icetime for free so she would coach there? I think that's why they're in such financial troubles now. They were paying out the nose to get all these Russians to coach at their facility and make it "World Class" and now they're in the red. I think some of the skaters got free accomodations as well. So, I bet she is having a cow over having to pay when all this time she was getting a free ride. Welcome to the real world lady!!

[lutzskate]

That link didn't work for me. Maybe this one will work for you.

Tarasova surprised Bourne, Kraatz (http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/TGAM/20021207/SBOURX/sports/sports/sportsOtherHeadline_temp/2/2/10/)

[lutzskate]

People at fsuniverse are speculating that it may have been precipitated from the "romantic" relationship between Shae-Lynn and Nikolai. (Now, I think that relationship or no relationship, that's a bunch a whoooy....I fear dirty back-room politics regarding G&G and involving TT...I hope come the Worlds that I am proven wrong)

Has anyone heard of any fact that confirms such a relationship? I've often wondered about it when I see them together and their body language toward one another in the Kiss 'n Cry, but I have never heard any confirmation of such a relationship.

[lutzskate]

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=37682#post37682

someone at fsuniverse said that confirmation of their relationship was in International Figure Skating magazine. Anyone know if this is true?

[peachstatesk8er]

It was in IFS. I forget the exact wording but it did comfirm their relationship.

[AUT]

I really don't believe Tarasova ditched B&K without notifying them of her intention prior to speaking to the media. This turn of events mid season only indicates that their was quite a problem between Tarasova & Bourne/Kraatz (or as other BB are hinting Shae-Lynn in particular).

Why the split between Nicolai & Tatiana resulted in a promising team breaking up(and one half immediately hooked up/assigned with another dancer) is something I haven't figured out.

On FSU someone posted a link to a Bev Smith article which stated that Tarasova approached Victor to stop skating and join her teaching staff.

[jcspkbfan]

AUT, that little detail about Tarasova asking Victor to quit skating and coach with her is mentioned in the Globe and Mail article already posted here--all I can say to that is "Ouch!" 8O

I wonder how this will affect B&K's chances of winning Worlds this year...sadly, my guess would be "not in a positive way." :cry:

[Eighteen]

Regardless of what happened and why, I fear this does not bode well for B&K. Lack of competition time due to injury and the furor of politics can't help them win the gold.:(

[Pairdad]

There is certainly more to this story than is being presented. First the rink in question ( Newington) is in dire financial trouble which appears to be the result of an over bearing amount of debt. Yes, the deal that the Russian coaches made with the former manager of that rink, Bob Young, was not financially correct and brought no benefit to the rink. But the ownership of the rink was fully aware, I am sure, of the financial mess that Young had created at the Simsbury rink before he left that place in a cloud of scandal. So to blame the financial troubles on the Russians is to put the blame in the wrong place! It was the ownership's fault. They went out and recruited these coaches.

As for B/K not having any knowledge of what was going on I am really mystified by this assertion. There were rumours every which way that something was up with the rink and there were even rumours about a possible split of her staff. Did B&K have their heads in the ground?

I wonder if B/K and L/T and their coaches are now searching out another facility? If the newspapers are correct and the banks are moving in to foreclose they had better be making plans. I don't envision that a lender will want to run a facility as complicated as a Skating rink.

[meli]

jcspbkbfan--unfortunately, that ship sailed a long time ago when Shae-Lynn and Victor openly criticized the ISU and the judging of Ice Dance. So I seriously doubt splitting with Tarasova is going to hurt them that much at Worlds.

If you want to use that argument though, I think what would hurt them more is the fact that B&K have had how many coaches in the past 5 years? Believe it or not, coach-hopping does hurt.

[hippiechick]

There is NOT more to this story than is being presented! This is exactly what happened. The skaters had no clue and no word at all from TT about anything. She went off to the GP series and never returned.

[coco]

Originally posted by hippiechick
There is NOT more to this story than is being presented! This is exactly what happened. The skaters had no clue and no word at all from TT about anything. She went off to the GP series and never returned.

My hunch is that this is true, but for B&K to say they were surprised is a tad disningenuous, since skatefans readers had a good idea which skaters were going with whom about 2 weeks ago. My guess is that there was no formal phone call ending the relationship, so technically B&K have a point, but if there had been a call, it probably would have been merely a formality. I can't imagine what kind of communication breakdown could lead to B&K being blindsided by this.

Someone needs to cut out the middle man and start an actual soap opera so we can watch this stuff live ;)

So refresh me here, who is training in what rink? How does this affect Sasha, since it seemed like she was doing quite a bit of work with Morozov? I read that Maya Usova was her new assistant...I haven't been following the pro ice dance circuit, but does this mean Usova and Platov are retired?

[gandalf]

Originally posted by coco
My hunch is that this is true, but for B&K to say they were surprised is a tad disningenuous, since skatefans readers had a good idea which skaters were going with whom about 2 weeks ago.

Yeah, but maybe B&K don't read skatefans....:roll:

I can totally see how this could have happened. Sure, B&K could have known weeks/months ago that TT and NM were going their separate ways but they could have still assumed that they would be coached by both in the same manner they apparently had been for quite some time - 80% of their time with NM than off to TT once a week for "polishing" and "working on the details". TT and NM don't need to be working together at the same rink for that to happen, especially if TT was only going to a rink 45 mins away.

Either way, to not end things officially, even if the phone call or letter would have been nothing more than a formality, is unprofessional on TT's part, as is her expectation that she would receive free ice time indefinitely at Newington.

[coco]

Originally posted by gandalf
Yeah, but maybe B&K don't read skatefans....:roll:


I hope they don't! You'd have to have skin of steel to be an elite skater and spend much time on the internet. But I imagine that someone close to them does read skatefans or one of the many other boards that posted that information/rumor.

And certainly, if my hunch is anywhere near the mark, you are correct to say that TT was unprofessional in the way she handled this.

[Scott]

You can not say that TT handled this in an unprofessional way because none of us were there to see what happened. NM certainly knew what was going on and one would have thought that he would have informed B/K and LT. This street certainly runs both ways!!!!!!

[IgglesII]

Originally posted by hippiechick
There is NOT more to this story than is being presented! This is exactly what happened. The skaters had no clue and no word at all from TT about anything. She went off to the GP series and never returned.

Well, fine, if that's what happened, then that's what happened. Do they want to act like junior high students and sit in Newington and whine about it, or do they want Tarasova as coach?

Grand Prix's over - they know where she is. If they want to know what happened, and aren't satisfied with Nikolai's explanation (if he's even given them one), get in a car, drive to Simsbury and ask her.

[speedy]

LOL I don't think THEY are the ones that should be driving anywhere for any explanations...if she doesn't have the common decency to tell them, B&K shouldn't have to go begging to her. And if that's the kind of treatment the "Madame" was giving them, they're better off with Morozov anyway. Her plate was way past full, even with all her little "assistants" doing most of the work for her. I just feel bad for L&T and B&K making that move to CT and now probably not knowing what's going to happen next. I'm sure L&T are very disappointed with the way their career is going lately, seems like it's one thing after another. Any word on whether Morozov will stay in Newington since it sounds like this rink is going under? I wouldn't think they would move to Simsbury now!

[loveskating]

If Tarasova had a contract with Newington there is no way they can bill her...in the red or not. There are numerous legal forms of contract which include fees in kind.

This sounds like a situation where the business plan of the rink went awry, probably due to other factors, like how people see figure skating now, and that is not Tarasova's fault. Well, its not anyone's fault, but the business entities involved take that risk.

I doubt if Tarasova will find it difficult to get a rink...

[Scott]

Originally posted by speedy
LOL I don't think THEY are the ones that should be driving anywhere for any explanations...if she doesn't have the common decency to tell them, B&K shouldn't have to go begging to her. And if that's the kind of treatment the "Madame" was giving them, they're better off with Morozov anyway. Her plate was way past full, even with all her little "assistants" doing most of the work for her. I just feel bad for L&T and B&K making that move to CT and now probably not knowing what's going to happen next. I'm sure L&T are very disappointed with the way their career is going lately, seems like it's one thing after another. Any word on whether Morozov will stay in Newington since it sounds like this rink is going under? I wouldn't think they would move to Simsbury now!

If they didn't want to leave central Connecticut they wouldn't necessarily have to go to Simsbury. There are other rinks in the area including the sister rink to simsbury which is located in Cromwell or Glastonbury.At any rate it is nearby.

I still say that there is more to what we are being told and we shouldn't be accussing anyone of anything without knowing the facts.

[missmarysgarden]

I think there is ALWAYS more than what is being told whenever TT is involved - and I think she LOVES it that way - always needs to be the center of mystery, surprise, tragedy and intrigue - even if she has to instigate it herself!! I find her a true "character" - and more an entrepreneur than a coach - although she does seem to produce some fantastic skaters from her "stable"!! When I think of her past publicity stunts (to name a few: 1. Oksana is an orphan (well, not exactly right); "Elena is a fragile vase, horribly abused" (turns out she is pretty darn tough, and the stories of "abuse" somewhat exaggerated); Yagudin's tearful "withdrawal" from competition, only to be followed by a "miracle" - and more tears!! Tarasova seems to live as if she was the romantic lead in a tragic Russian drama, furs and all!" Please don't jump on me - I'm saying all this with a smile. She is the Auntie Mame of the FS world - but perhaps a bit more conniving!

[Ellyn]

Are you perhaps conflating Galina Zmievskaya, Tamara Moskvina, and Tatiana Tarasova into one person?

[missmarysgarden]

Yes I am!! The three divas of FS in furs....!!! I got busy here and didn't edit before I posted. I truely don't mean it as a criticism - but I spend a lot of time with Russian gymnastics coaches and former athletes. The sense of the tragic, the betrayed, seems culturally indemic!!! Here is a story that a Russian gymnastics coach told me - not a joke - an observation. He coaches here now, and coached in England before coming here. He said that in England, if you ask an athlete "How are you?", they reply "Quite alright, thank you." -- clipped, stoic and proper. In America, if you ask, they reply "Great!!! Feeling fantastic!! I feel like I can do anything" -- enthusiastic, confident, and definitely over the top. He said it was hard to get used to this because in Russia, if you ask an athlete how they are, the respond "Not so good today, but better than I might be since my aunt died last week, and my boyfriend ran off with my sister, and I have terrible indigestion and can't sleep, and someone is following me, and I don't know where my next meal is coming from, and its dark and gloomy outside, and I'm not sure my back can hold out more than another month - but all things considered, I guess I'll live. That's Victor's observation - with a good-natured telling. I find it to be a pretty prevalent personality type. After all, FS is a theatrical sport as well as an athletic one. Shouldn't be surprised that it attracts the theatrical!

[IgglesII]

Originally posted by Scott
If they didn't want to leave central Connecticut they wouldn't necessarily have to go to Simsbury. There are other rinks in the area including the sister rink to simsbury which is located in Cromwell or Glastonbury.At any rate it is nearby.



The sister rink in Cromwell is very, very hockey focused. Still some figure skating there, but it's first priority is hockey.

[Debrah]

Wouldn't it be interesting if the Morosov camp moved to Canada? I say spread the wealth, the grand Diva T can remain in the good ole USA and still get the free ride... However the new kid M and all his friends can come play in a cozy CDN sandbox...He can still be paid in Yankee $ of course and just by crossing the border the bucks would miraculously transform into many many loonies, LOL! I am sure we could welcome another rising star coach/choreographer in the great white north! Perhaps eventually the Browning camp and M might join footwork and dance forces, perhaps Josee C could be asked to do the costumes and hubby Bombardier could throw in some coaching as well, etc: wouldn't this type of dynamic young partnership proposal be fun!

[HotIce]

What I find strange is that so many people are willing to believe Shae's version of what happened without any facts or proof to back her up.
I don't intend to believe either one of the versions until I see some concrete facts.

[IgglesII]

Originally posted by Debrah
However the new kid M and all his friends can come play in a cozy CDN sandbox...He can still be paid in Yankee $ of course and just by crossing the border the bucks would miraculously transform into many many loonies, LOL!


Paying in "Yankee" $ is the kind of thing that's causing Canada's major league baseball and NHL teams to go bankrupt. So sure, why not let the bankruptcy fever spread to a few ice rinks while we're at it.

[chrisa]

That would be a dream situation, all those great skaters coaching together, but that would never happen. Canada doesn't have enough money to lure coaches like that. They had sweetheart deals in the States and they'll get more, probably, from somewhere.

As for the breakup, I have trouble believing B/K didn't know about it considering Nicky is half of this equation and he's involved with Shae. WE all knew about this stuff beforehand, albeit it was speculation, and you'd think someone would clue them in, um, like Shae's boyfriend and choreographer! Maybe they figure they're the injured party, but if Nicky was behind all their *great* choreography then all they've lost is TT's clout...who knows if that'll bite them in the butt later.

[Scott]

Whatever happened happened. It no longer matters. Everyone will pick up and get on with their life. I'm sure that T/T and her crew will be happy in Simsbury ( which is a far superior facility) and Nicky and his team will find a new home.

[baraég]

Don´t think she said they didn´t know about the split just that they didn´t know she wouldn´t be helping them part time.

But this is all old news now and since we haven´t really seen anything since maybe that´s just the way it was. Tarasova hasn´t bitten back with anything and they aren´t quoted in any more articles. That´s all we got so maybe it´s simply a case of not knowing for definite where things stood and now they do. End of story.

[LUVTRIGGS]

Shae & Vic debuted their original dance and free programs at Jean-Michel's show in Newmarket (Canada) yesterday and they were exquisite. Nikolai has done a marvellous job with this team; Shae & Vic just keep getting better and better. Perhaps, "coach-hopping" has been to their benefit? Besides, they are veteran competitors; they've been around the game long enough to know how the nonsense works. IMHO, they don't need TT. The great political machine will keep on humming in figure skating, regardless. Shae & Vic are a class act with a number of options before them. They will be just fine. Their programs have gold written all over them this year.

[CanAmSk8ter]

My sentiments exactly!

[irene2020]

I think it's better for S&V. Tarasova won't focus on them with alexei and sasha under her. Nicoli, on the other hand, may focus a lot more on them.

Now now now, about bad manner to let others find out from the newspaper that you have dumped them - this reminds me of the great dynamic duo who made history in pairs skating by skating to the same program over and over and over and over and over and over again and repeating the same speech over and over and over and over again and again and again and again - can't remember their names. Their coach who brought them from nothing (not even qualify for the world) to the world champ - only to find out that he had been fired after the press did. woo wooo wooo wooo