Sasha Cohen's Sk8mom

[FSWer]

Say,she is hardly ever mentioned in the Skating World as much as Sarah Hughe's mom is. I have been wondering..does anyone know her name?

[what?meworry?]

mrs. cohen?

sorry, with all the other deep drama happening, i couldn't stop myself.

[Sylvia]

Originally posted by FSWer
I have been wondering..does anyone know her name?

Sasha's mom's name is Galina - she's Ukrainian.

[CMc]

Darn it!! I just came back from her webpage and I wanted to say her name! Oh, well...:lol:

Yes, her mom and dad are Galina and Roger Cohen.

[FSWer]

Thanks

[CMc]

Sasha Cohen.com (http://www.sashacohen.com)

Here's her actual official page!

[KingBob]

Her mom is sweet. I always imagined her mom to be a big over bearing skate mom pushing her kid, but she's acutally a very petite, soft spoken, polite woman. One look at her and you can tell that Sasha and only Sasha is in control of her skating. Which I dig.

[Skatingsarah]

The only time Galina Cohen has really ever been mentioned is when Sasha asked the President to say hi to her mom in the opening ceremonies of the olympics,lol!
-Sarah

[Trillian]

Originally posted by KingBob
One look at her and you can tell that Sasha and only Sasha is in control of her skating.

That's always been the impression I've gotten. Usually when a young kid is competing, especially at the big events, there's a parent nearby--not necessarily pushing them, but just arranging things, helping them carry their things and stick to the schedule and all that. One thing that stood out to me about Sasha when she was competing at the junior level, at all of 14 years old, was that I never recall seeing her with a parent in tow. I'm sure they're supportive (no way she'd have gotten so far if they weren't), but I never doubted that Sasha, unlike some of the kids she's competed against over the years, was one of the more self-motivated ones.

[maria]

Galina is almost always with Sasha, and gives her opinion on most everything, but never over bearing.

[dinise]

She is hardly ever mentioned because she wants the attention to be on her daughter not her.

[Canadian Chick]

Sasha has said that her mom travels with her to all her compeitions, so she is always around :)

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Canadian Chick
Sasha has said that her mom travels with her to all her compeitions, so she is always around

Yeah, but there's a difference between "around" and "constantly at her side." I'm not saying either is a bad thing, I'm just saying Sasha has always seemed (by skating standards, which admittedly are a little different) pretty independent to me.

[Skatingsarah]

Yes she is by far a totally different flavor to figure skating, I think her independant sprit is one of her traits I admire the most

[Panther2000]

I have to give Props to Sahsa's Mother. She is There but not heard of too often. She is not a stage mother. The Attention is on Sasha, where it should be. Her mother is very smart. I am pretty sure they know all to well about Tara's Mother & How fans( Even Tara Fans) did not like her too much. Everyone knows that Stage Mothers are one of the worst. Anyone remember Surya's Mother.;) Both surya & her mother hurt her career.

Props to sasha & her family. They let sasha skate & do almost all the talking. & Sasha's Attitude has improve so much under TT. I myself am liking her much better as a person outside of her skating.

[Angel01673]

I think Sasha's family seems to have the right balance. They are dedicated to her, and are willing to move across the country to help fulfill her dreams. But they are not in your face, around 24/7 I'm calling all the shots type of people. Sasha is very lucky to have such a supportive family, which IMO is a large part of her sucsess.

[ceceB]

I agree with all of you. She seems to be in it because she wants to be, I doubt she was ever forced (which I think is evident in the fact that her sister never skated).

[loveskating]

IMHO, Sasha's own passion to skate is very evident in the fact that she does so many classic elements so well, in many cases, better than anyone ever has! I can't believe her Russian Split...and it is still getting better, nor her front catch spin, her spirals etc., just enormous quality. Much is made of Sasha's natural talent, and yes, she has that, but there is no talent in the world that will substitute for hard work, and IMHO its passion that drives hard work, nothing else.

To confront the vast difference between training and only "natural talent" all one has to do is listen to the singing of Luciano Pavarotti and then to his father, Fernando Pavarotti, who never trained...same exact instrument, same natural "talent"...wholly different result.

Sasha has, say, the best Russian split because she took her natural talent, honored it, fulfilled it, by working hard to take things to a higher and higher level. Its not "easy" for her...but if she had never worked hard, never tried, how would she or any of us know that she has the goods! We would not.

[AshBugg44]

Originally posted by KingBob
I always imagined her mom to be a big over bearing skate mom pushing her kid.

Unfortunatly there are those kind of parents at every rink. It's really sad to see them always yelling at their kids and the kids are obviously not having ANY fun. :(

[GreekGoddess85]

Originally posted by Angel01673
I think Sasha's family seems to have the right balance. They are dedicated to her, and are willing to move across the country to help fulfill her dreams. But they are not in your face, around 24/7 I'm calling all the shots type of people. Sasha is very lucky to have such a supportive family, which IMO is a large part of her sucsess.

I totally agree I am scared of those overbearing skate moms

[loveskating]

I've seen those parents...screaming at the kid, the kid crying, all that. Shudder.

[FSWer]

Tell me about it. MAy sk8mom friend is very nice. But this other sk8mom I tried to bond with at a Synchro. Competition was extreemly....RUDE!!!!! I just went over to her kid and just gave one "hi" and she yelled at me. I think a lot of Sk8parents need to be taught some manners!!!!!

[CanAmSk8ter]

I hate to start this again, but I think most parents would prefer that strangers not approach their children, especially at competitions. Approaching young skaters you don't know at local competitions, especially when they haven't skated yet, is probably not a good idea. At synch competitions especially, you have to remember that you could be disturbing a skater's teammates as well.

[danibellerika]

Eventhough Sasha's mom isn't mentioned a whole lot, I see her often on tv. I saw her at CoR, and the Today show performance.

[AxelAnnie22]

I had the pleasure of spending a morning chatting with Galina as Sasha practiced.

She is a lovely, warm and caring woman. Sasha had just returned from a major competition, and no one could get Galina to say a single negative thing about any of the other competitors, the marks, or anything else. (And there was lots one could say!).

She spends her time supporting her daughters (both of them), and from all I can see, has done a wonderful job. Sasha is articulate, focused, balanced and thoughtful. Kudos to both of them! It is not easy to raise a "nice" teenager......especially one who is galavanting all over the place being famous and in the spotilght.

Gotta admire it.

[Panther2000]

Originally posted by CanAmSk8ter
I hate to start this again, but I think most parents would prefer that strangers not approach their children, especially at competitions. Approaching young skaters you don't know at local competitions, especially when they haven't skated yet, is probably not a good idea. At synch competitions especially, you have to remember that you could be disturbing a skater's teammates as well.

I agree with you. You have to be very careful when approaching children. I find it best to approach possible parents before going anywhere near strange kids. You knw find out what kid goes with what adult. & Then Depending on that parents attitude. I would decide if I want or wanted my kid to even bother with them. Lord know Parents of alot of these kids are the worst. Not to defend that persons behavior at the rink. But, If someone I did not know approached my kids.:evil: Rude would seem wouldn't be the word for it. There are way too many crazy nuts out there. But, I do have to give to the parents of the skaters who know how to act . & Thankfully, Sasha's mother is one of them.