Soccer player becomes figure skater aka Bestandigova news. (Threads Merged)

[Doubletoe]

Oh ye of little faith! My money's on them to kick the Indian pair's a$$es!

[Ziggy]

Another clip. Sadly you don't get to see them skate much:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsxKMsTC_yA

[Asli]

Another clip. Sadly you don't get to see them skate much:

I think we see quite enough.

[allezfred]

"The negative things is that Ilhan has to learn figure skating."

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

Nah, he's not much worse than Bestandig

[Ziggy]

"The negative things is that Ilhan has to learn figure skating."

I loved that part too.

[Asli]

"The negative things is that Ilhan has to learn figure skating."

Yes, the coach is doing very well in interviews, but I hope he's also giving Ilhan a dose of reality. In another video I saw them practicing an overhead lift off-ice - they didn't show the entry but it could only have been a lasso lift. With one hand and a one-hand dismount. Why on earth do you think they were practicing this lift? They wouldn't attempt it on ice, would they? Shouldn't he learn his back crossovers first?

Olga Bestandigova is too sweet and way too young. Just saying.

[Artifice]

It's interesting to see what a total beginner in FS, though a talented sportman, can do under great coaching conditions and with an experimented partner.
This will show how far it is possible to go when starting late and with more than perfect training conditions.

Wait and see.

[Hedwig]

Yes, the coach is doing very well in interviews, but I hope he's also giving Ilhan a dose of reality. In another video I saw them practicing an overhead lift off-ice - they didn't show the entry but it could only have been a lasso lift. With one hand and a one-hand dismount. Why on earth do you think they were practicing this lift? They wouldn't attempt it on ice, would they? Shouldn't he learn his back crossovers first?

Olga Bestandigova is too sweet and way too young. Just saying.

I think he will. Alex König is a very good coach and one based in reality as well.
When I asked him about the pair he was laughing a bit and said that it is good that he is training other couples as well because they won't be winning World medals.

[Ziggy]

In another video I saw them practicing an overhead lift off-ice - they didn't show the entry but it could only have been a lasso lift. With one hand and a one-hand dismount. Why on earth do you think they were practicing this lift? They wouldn't attempt it on ice, would they? Shouldn't he learn his back crossovers first?

Well athletes always do more things off-ice than on-ice.

He might as well get ready with the bigger elements, so they are there as his basics progress.

This is a very fascinating experiment and I hope they last.

I wonder if the Turkish federation is funding them?

[Asli]

I wonder if the Turkish federation is funding them?

I hope not. Ilhan Mansiz is not a skater and he has the means to fund the Turkish federation rather than vice versa. I know for a fact that the fee he earned for "skating" in the one shampoo clip I have linked above equals the funding Tugba Karademir received during her last two seasons, corresponding to her coaching, choreography, off-ice, equipment, travel and health expenses during these two seasons. Furthermore Ilhan received approximately the same amount as prize money for having won the Turkish "Dancing on Ice" and he donated that entire sum to charity. He is very much is demand for advertising and he just has to pick up the phone to find sponsors.

Plus if the federaton had a say in the matter, they would team up Olga with any Turkish skater and it would work better.

[Ziggy]

Furthermore Ilhan received approximately the same amount as prize money for having won the Turkish "Dancing on Ice" and he donated that entire sum to charity.

He must be loaded then (although that's not exactly surprising given he played for top level football clubs for years).

Let's hope that he really gets involved in skating and doesn't quit a few months down the line, because if he does maybe he will fund some Turkish skaters.

Thanks again for all the info.

[Asli]

Let's hope that he really gets involved in skating and doesn't quit a few months down the line, because if he does maybe he will fund some Turkish skaters.

Even if he doesn't fund them himself he could really bring in the sponsors if he tried and that would be a terrific contribution. I hope he realizes the need and tries. He looks like a really nice guy.

Tugba was not able to find a Turkish sponsor even for Olympic year. Except for her club from which she received a modest stipend.

[Ziggy]

Yes, if he acted as the "face" of the Turkish Figure Skating federation he could do a lot of good.

I guess it's a slim hope, I would imagine he doesn't know anything about figure skating. But maybe somebody will educate him. ;P

[grandma]

DSL German Sports Television will be having Mansiz as a special guest on tomorows football show at round about 7pm GMT+2.

[DarrellH]

I'm guessing he thought this was better than getting her name tattooed on his chest!

How do you say "Toe Pick" in Turkish?

[wustfan]

http://de.eurosport.yahoo.com/071020...-podolski.html
Interview with Mansiz. Mainly about the game Turkey vs Germany

[alilou]

Turkish soccer star eyes Olympic ice-skating glory
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE69R16620101028

Mansiz said Bestandigova -- now his girlfriend -- dreamt of taking part in another Olympic Games but did not have a partner.

"We had so much fun and trained for between six and eight hours a day," he told Reuters. "We came on in leaps and bounds so we decided to train for the Olympics."

[Ninchen]

I think they'll report about this pair on German Tv RIGHT NOW:
on Sat1: Kerner
I just saw a short preview about a football player who becomes pairs skater, so...

ETA:
I enjoyed watching it Perhaps there will be a rerun and someone is able to record.

[grandma]

http://www.faz.net/s/Rub987B0DA694D7435 ... ntent.html

new article, pretty much the same as before except that they are saying that they are getting more coverage by the media than for example Hausch /Wende who also train during the same times on the ice in Oberstdorf