quiqie
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Yet another Rafael Arutyunyan interview: https://www.sportsdaily.ru/articles...a-ya-ne-gotovlyu-konkurentov-svoim-figuristam
Q: At the Pyeongchang Olympics, where Nathan Chen had an unsuccesful short program, he needed to take risks and include six jumps in the free program. Why was it necessary to do in Milan, where Nathan was comfortably leading after the first competitive day?
A: We do not look at the standings after the short! You need to make a progress no matter what. The coach's job is not to count the points needed for the victory. You need to teach your skater, watch him growing up and maturing.
Q: Do your athletes train to the point when they do difficult jumps automatically?
A: That’s the way it is now with Chen. With the exception of quad Salchow which is about 80% ready. Sometimes there are problems with the axel. All other jumps are 100% ready.
Q: Is the current generation of skaters doing multiple quads more talented than Evgeni Plushenko, Alexei Yagudin, your pupil Alexander Abt?
A: No. It’s just that now they are taught right technique from the young age. This is a very interesting point. Sometimes there are reports that there is a brand new wonder kid in this or that coach’s group. And I know that three months ago, he was skating in another coach’s group who taught him the necessary basics! I've been coaching Chen for seven years and I taught him every element.
Q: Is it a lucky chance to find a talented student?
A: In America, skaters usually find me. In Chen’s case, I even offered his first coach a collaboration, but she did not like that Nathan listened to me more. Although if we stayed in a tandem, then today we could share the joy for him winning the Worlds.
Q: In Russia, most coaches are dictatorial, and in America it is more of a partnership...
A: Partnership with an athlete is much more difficult. That’s what caused the situation with Chen at the Olympics (5th place finish). He himself spontaneously decided which elements to do in the short program and it led to the mistakes. I had a completely different plan, but Nathan insisted and finished 17th in the short program. I gave him the opportunity to make a mistake at the main competition of the season, but now Chen listens carefully to my recommendations.
Q: Today you are in high demand in America as a coach...
A: Not only in America. I had skaters from South Korea spending up to three months in California.
Q: Have you ever refused anyone who wanted to work with you?
A: Of course. Now I will have to say no to even more people. I believe that many skaters are going to want to train with me. At the same time, I teach them, then they go home and start competing with my skaters. Only Alexei Nikolayevich Mishin can coach skaters and then compete with them while he himself often has more talented skaters. And one word from Alexei Nikolayevich during the practice costs more than two thousand words from any other coach.
I want to reach the level when the skaters will sign contracts with me. Unfortunately, it does not happen often in our sport. People come, get something and leave any time without explaining the reason. We live in the Stone Age of sports management.
Q: Some Russian coaches working in America have built relationships with students on a contract basis...
A: I do not have such authority yet. Although I cannot say that the skaters fire me often . More often I had fired them.
Q: Maria Sotskova used to come to you to practice. Has she ever considered training in your group on a regular basis?
A: It will be difficult for Maria to change something in her training now, although she was satisfied with the results of our work together. She trained with Svetlana Panova then, and my wife and I are friends with her. I would never poach skaters from my friends. Back in Moscow, when Russian skaters asked me, I always said no in such cases.
Q: Have you ever regretted the decision to move from Moscow to California?
A: Never. In Moscow, I earned $200, and I needed at least a thousand to live. I went to America only because I needed money and I immediately started making decent money.
Q: In Russia, Olympic medalists get a bonus from the government. How does the US encourage champions?
A: There is no need for such things. Athletes and coaches in the US are self-sufficient and can monetize their victories skating in shows and getting endorsement deals and sponsor contracts. I'm paid $40 for a 20 minute lesson. Now, perhaps, I will start charging $50.
Q: In America, as well as in Russia, there are test skates, but the experts’ opinion is not shared publicly, only told to skaters and coaches.
A: In Russia, there are lots of comments after the test skates. In America, everyone likes everything. I even have to say: "Stop it!" The American specialists were shocked when I told the World silver medalist the truth about her program and performance. I just ask my students: do you want compliments or to skate well? They all take it normally.
Q: At the Pyeongchang Olympics, where Nathan Chen had an unsuccesful short program, he needed to take risks and include six jumps in the free program. Why was it necessary to do in Milan, where Nathan was comfortably leading after the first competitive day?
A: We do not look at the standings after the short! You need to make a progress no matter what. The coach's job is not to count the points needed for the victory. You need to teach your skater, watch him growing up and maturing.
Q: Do your athletes train to the point when they do difficult jumps automatically?
A: That’s the way it is now with Chen. With the exception of quad Salchow which is about 80% ready. Sometimes there are problems with the axel. All other jumps are 100% ready.
Q: Is the current generation of skaters doing multiple quads more talented than Evgeni Plushenko, Alexei Yagudin, your pupil Alexander Abt?
A: No. It’s just that now they are taught right technique from the young age. This is a very interesting point. Sometimes there are reports that there is a brand new wonder kid in this or that coach’s group. And I know that three months ago, he was skating in another coach’s group who taught him the necessary basics! I've been coaching Chen for seven years and I taught him every element.
Q: Is it a lucky chance to find a talented student?
A: In America, skaters usually find me. In Chen’s case, I even offered his first coach a collaboration, but she did not like that Nathan listened to me more. Although if we stayed in a tandem, then today we could share the joy for him winning the Worlds.
Q: In Russia, most coaches are dictatorial, and in America it is more of a partnership...
A: Partnership with an athlete is much more difficult. That’s what caused the situation with Chen at the Olympics (5th place finish). He himself spontaneously decided which elements to do in the short program and it led to the mistakes. I had a completely different plan, but Nathan insisted and finished 17th in the short program. I gave him the opportunity to make a mistake at the main competition of the season, but now Chen listens carefully to my recommendations.
Q: Today you are in high demand in America as a coach...
A: Not only in America. I had skaters from South Korea spending up to three months in California.
Q: Have you ever refused anyone who wanted to work with you?
A: Of course. Now I will have to say no to even more people. I believe that many skaters are going to want to train with me. At the same time, I teach them, then they go home and start competing with my skaters. Only Alexei Nikolayevich Mishin can coach skaters and then compete with them while he himself often has more talented skaters. And one word from Alexei Nikolayevich during the practice costs more than two thousand words from any other coach.
I want to reach the level when the skaters will sign contracts with me. Unfortunately, it does not happen often in our sport. People come, get something and leave any time without explaining the reason. We live in the Stone Age of sports management.
Q: Some Russian coaches working in America have built relationships with students on a contract basis...
A: I do not have such authority yet. Although I cannot say that the skaters fire me often . More often I had fired them.
Q: Maria Sotskova used to come to you to practice. Has she ever considered training in your group on a regular basis?
A: It will be difficult for Maria to change something in her training now, although she was satisfied with the results of our work together. She trained with Svetlana Panova then, and my wife and I are friends with her. I would never poach skaters from my friends. Back in Moscow, when Russian skaters asked me, I always said no in such cases.
Q: Have you ever regretted the decision to move from Moscow to California?
A: Never. In Moscow, I earned $200, and I needed at least a thousand to live. I went to America only because I needed money and I immediately started making decent money.
Q: In Russia, Olympic medalists get a bonus from the government. How does the US encourage champions?
A: There is no need for such things. Athletes and coaches in the US are self-sufficient and can monetize their victories skating in shows and getting endorsement deals and sponsor contracts. I'm paid $40 for a 20 minute lesson. Now, perhaps, I will start charging $50.
Q: In America, as well as in Russia, there are test skates, but the experts’ opinion is not shared publicly, only told to skaters and coaches.
A: In Russia, there are lots of comments after the test skates. In America, everyone likes everything. I even have to say: "Stop it!" The American specialists were shocked when I told the World silver medalist the truth about her program and performance. I just ask my students: do you want compliments or to skate well? They all take it normally.
