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Elena Vaytsekhovskaya's interview with Rafael Arutyunyan for ria.ru
EV: I was trying to find you right after the men competition, but was told you left home right after the event. You were that upset with Chen's skate?
RA: It's much easier. I had work waiting for me at home - many skaters. I earn money not by coaching Chen, but for the hours I spend on the ice. Hence I had to go back right when it was possible.
EV: How did you survive the games?
RA: I read your words that I was scary to look at after the SP. Guess it's true. It's a complicated feeling when you go out there knowing you'll lose. It was during that skate I started understanding what people who went to a battle knowing in advance they are doomed but must be there felt.
EV: Wait. You mean the skater who attempts 6 quads in his LP was unable to skate his SP?
RA: I once told you working in the USA the coach can advice what they should or should not do in a certain situation. God forbid if you insist too much in your recommendation or even being a bit aggressive - it is considered you might hurt your athlete mentally or make them unconfident.
EV: So do tell, what happened
RA: Nathan decided to do a 4lz and a 4f in his SP
EV: When did he notify you?
RA: The day of the competition before morning practice. At 6am. The thing is that we only started getting into the shape before the competition, hence in the team event SP Chen was doing a 4F and a 4T, not the 4lz and 4T that we were doing at the first part of the season. I planned doing the same in the personal event. Told Nathan it would be a practice like skate. But it happened that he wanted to land a 4Lz and a 4F. And, as I suspected, was not ready.
You said you've never seen me in such a state. But I went into that state not during the skate but several hours before. I'm a coach and have to think in advance. That there will be mistakes and even if a miracle should happen and Nathan would land his jumps the skate will be stiff and bad looking - there is too much pressure. That feeling - nothing happened yet but you know it will and can't do a thing to prevent it - it's killing.
EV: Have you tried convincing him differently?
RA: How? Imagine, you are notified at 6am what is the decision. What is there to convince. Chen knew it would be hard. I assumed that perhaps it wasn't even his decision. Often during the Olympics there are behind the scenes forces, the influential and important people who tell what to do. It's not always the athlete is capable saying no. He has a family and he hears from every corner `that's it, dude, we are heading for the gold!' not understanding that the SP is not where you aim for any medal. You just show what was planned there. The plan was a flip and a toe. That's it!
EV: I can imagine a scenario: Chen managed just fine with the Lutz and the flip in the GPF in Japan, while a programme with a flip and a toe in the team event was a failure. He could have decided changing the jumps was a mistake?
RA: Right, so I can start telling you now Nathan injured his foot 3 weeks ago, that his left leg had not healed yet, that it hurt, and hurt quite badly and I knew about it. Hence he should had only done one Lutz. Because attempting two would be too risky. It was possible to re-injure the same leg. It's all not important and I don't like talking in vain. What's the point talking about what if and what it should had been had Chen listened to me? The fact is that at 6am he decided to go for a Lutz and a flip. And there is also an Axel to land, which is not his best in general. One can not have that many problematic jumps in one SP. Besides, the flip was supposed to come after two spins.
EV: What is a problem landing a flip after two spins?
RA: the problem is not the jump as such, but that the SP is too packed. The Lutz demands the most resources, if it was not landed well, and let me remind you, that one should had been a combo it's a lot of energy wasted. Then you go for two spins and then a flip, which, by the way, only two other skaters except for Chen attempt, so it's not so easy. And then the Axel, which you happen to fall on the practices from, and not just from time to time - it's your worse jump... of course I tried to the best of my ability to explain Nathan that Lutz and flip are not a great idea. I still don't know whose decision was it. If it was the family decision Nathan couldn't change a thing. He is only 18. Such a young guy.
EV: How sane was Chen when you were talking to him at 6am
RA: I haven't seen a single sane person at the Olympics. All the reactions - by everyone - the coaches and the athletes are over toe top. I saw people crying hysterically. I saw the crying parents who were taking their skaters to the ice, I saw the crying athletes. Hence repeating: there are no sane people at the Olympics. Even I was almost crying after Chen skated his LP. I held myself from crying near the board only because I knew Nathan was ready for that skate, that he can jump and I've seen that many times at the practices. But do land the 6 quads, or even attempt them at the Olympics is a heroic deed.
EV: How were you communicating with Nathan after the first skate? What happened and how didn't it ruin your relationship or created a conflict?
RA: the opposite. Of course I had a bad after taste. But after the SP I was there only with him. I think Nathan realized I forgave even though he didn't apologize. Before the LP he came to me and said there is nothing to lose hence he is going for 6 quads. I asked him `are you sure you want to? Then go ahead, I give you the green light'. The most surprising was him apologizing for his SP after the LP.
EV: Kudos to him
RA: Yes. I think it's a big thing. I told you that I let my athletes make their own mistakes. Of course the Olympics are the place where you'd rather avoid those mistakes, but not much you can do if they happened.
EV: Did it sink in you and your pupil made a historic break through in the men skating?
RA: It drowned in a feeling that I couldn't do things the way I wanted to. It should had been different. Guess it's god's decision.
EV: Let me rephrase you: had someone else's pupil come out there and landed 6 quads in the LP what you, as a coach, would say?
RA: It's hard for me to think about what if. As for Chen - I `saw' that skate with 6 jumps, I guess, 4 years ago and was playing it in my head. Hence now it's not some super achievement, but a logical summary of our work with Nathan. Besides, now I `see' a differently packed skate. A different SP and a different LP. And it all will come true in 4 years. If Chen allows me, of course.
EV: What do you mean?
RA: I mean that for now I stand beside and help Nathan in his journey. And I will keep doing that for as long as he wants to see me near the boards. Should he change his mind - it's allright, there are other athletes. Am not only Chen's coach - am just a coach.
EV: What must happen so you'd tell Nathan you don't want to see him on your ice?
RA: Let me tell you a story. I once witnessed how Alexey Yagudin spoke not so nicely to Tatiana Tarasova. When I heard it... Alexandr Abt, who I was coaching at that time would never dare talking to me with the same voice, it was unheard of. I thought if I were in Tarasova's shoes I would walk out. And would never talk to that athlete again. Now I often think Tarasova knew exactly what she was doing. What to react on, how to behave and where to dismiss things. I didn't know at that time.
I now treat it differently. There is a 18.yo athlete who is, after all, just a kid, and there is me- an adult who helps that kid go through his life. And I will be helping him till he passes a point of no return. I can't really tell where that point is, but, guess, I will see and feel it. And will know if he passes it.
EV: Do you plan participating the Worlds with Chen?
RA: For now we are not planning anything. Chen is ill, he got a virus. It is so bad I even got a phone call from a doctor to start taking antivirus pills. Once he recovers we'll see what is next. For me the most important is for him to do what he wants, and not what he is being told by the others.
EV: Who do you mean now?
RA: First of all his family. Chen announced before the Olympics he will be doing this season all that his family will decide. He told me that flat and square. Explained how much he owes his family for all they have done for him. Hence he decided to dedicate the Olympic season to his family and follow every wish of his beloved ones. We'll see next season whether he'll change his mind. Then we'll decide how to continue working.
EV: Was it a blow for you your pupil Ashley Wagner didn't make it to the Olympic team?
RA: She wasn't training so well, really.
EV: I.e. it was expected?
RA: Yes. Adam Rippon was training well - he went out there with 2 axels, made it to the top 10, made it to the team event and got a bronze medal. I can tell Adam always listened to me very carefully, trained well and did all I told him. We wrote down a detailed plan how to make it to the Olympics and do the most there. Everything worked out. For me it was a personal coaching bonus.
EV: Why doesn’t your `bonus' do the quad jumps?
RA: Because he is an adult - he is 28. He is heavy - that's the way he is built. When he is attempting the quads in the practices his feet hurt so badly we can't train the next couple of days, never mind jump. And we have to. I work with what we have and all Rippon and I achieved is a result of hard work. Ashley, on the other hand, as I mentioned, is not practicing so well. It's hard for her to convince herself - she is an adult woman with a woman's body. With such a body she has to be very strict with herself and not everyone can do it. As a coach I did all I could with Wagner. Though think it was the decision of the USA judges not to let Wagner do the Olympics. She lost the 3rd American girl in the components, which is stupid. Ashley Wagner can't lose the components. She can lose the technical mark - true. Double foot the jumps or something else. Hence I think it was a federation's political decision.
EV: After Tennell won the nationals she became an athlete who many think under certain circumstances can make it to the podium
RA: In theory, I guess, but I wouldn't put her among the favourites.
EV: If you were talking about a favourite - who is it
RA: I can't name just one name in the current situation in the ladies.
EV: Why?
RA: Did you see the ice dance final?
EV: Yes.
RA: Could you believe the Canadians would win?
EV: More like I really wanted them to
RA: Me too. But when Tessa and Scott won I had a bad aftertaste. Because Papadakis/Cizeron skated equally well. But they lost. Because there is only one Olympic gold. It's the same here. I can name one athlete but deep down I'll feel bad not naming the other. It would be easier if Medvedeva and Zagitova didn't skate at all. I would then give the gold to Evgenia
EV: Why?
RA: Because she worked towards it for so long. I respect the athletes' work. I like people who go to their goal for a long time.
EV: Like Aljona Savchenko?
RA: Like Aljona Savchenko. I think her victory changed the way all the skaters treat what they do. It's very important being reminded from time to time the hard work will be rewarded. That was the reason I so wanted Tessa and Scott to win.
EV: Scott admitted after the skate at the time he thought the words of his coach Zueva that he and Tessa should participate at least 3 Olympics more an absurd. And after that victory he said `Since it's our 3rd Olympics and we won I can't tell now we are done'.
RA: That's what am talking about. Of course longevity in the sports is hard. It's a constant work on yourself, on the body, like in the ballet. But in the ballet it's taken very seriously. It's not the way it is here. Hence I say Aljona's victory changed the game. See how she looks at the age of 34. And I pray to god she will not retire yet. It is such people who create the right way to treat the sport, the way the others should as well. Set an example for people like Nathan. Being an athlete is not a profession it’s a philosophy.
EV: I was trying to find you right after the men competition, but was told you left home right after the event. You were that upset with Chen's skate?
RA: It's much easier. I had work waiting for me at home - many skaters. I earn money not by coaching Chen, but for the hours I spend on the ice. Hence I had to go back right when it was possible.
EV: How did you survive the games?
RA: I read your words that I was scary to look at after the SP. Guess it's true. It's a complicated feeling when you go out there knowing you'll lose. It was during that skate I started understanding what people who went to a battle knowing in advance they are doomed but must be there felt.
EV: Wait. You mean the skater who attempts 6 quads in his LP was unable to skate his SP?
RA: I once told you working in the USA the coach can advice what they should or should not do in a certain situation. God forbid if you insist too much in your recommendation or even being a bit aggressive - it is considered you might hurt your athlete mentally or make them unconfident.
EV: So do tell, what happened
RA: Nathan decided to do a 4lz and a 4f in his SP
EV: When did he notify you?
RA: The day of the competition before morning practice. At 6am. The thing is that we only started getting into the shape before the competition, hence in the team event SP Chen was doing a 4F and a 4T, not the 4lz and 4T that we were doing at the first part of the season. I planned doing the same in the personal event. Told Nathan it would be a practice like skate. But it happened that he wanted to land a 4Lz and a 4F. And, as I suspected, was not ready.
You said you've never seen me in such a state. But I went into that state not during the skate but several hours before. I'm a coach and have to think in advance. That there will be mistakes and even if a miracle should happen and Nathan would land his jumps the skate will be stiff and bad looking - there is too much pressure. That feeling - nothing happened yet but you know it will and can't do a thing to prevent it - it's killing.
EV: Have you tried convincing him differently?
RA: How? Imagine, you are notified at 6am what is the decision. What is there to convince. Chen knew it would be hard. I assumed that perhaps it wasn't even his decision. Often during the Olympics there are behind the scenes forces, the influential and important people who tell what to do. It's not always the athlete is capable saying no. He has a family and he hears from every corner `that's it, dude, we are heading for the gold!' not understanding that the SP is not where you aim for any medal. You just show what was planned there. The plan was a flip and a toe. That's it!
EV: I can imagine a scenario: Chen managed just fine with the Lutz and the flip in the GPF in Japan, while a programme with a flip and a toe in the team event was a failure. He could have decided changing the jumps was a mistake?
RA: Right, so I can start telling you now Nathan injured his foot 3 weeks ago, that his left leg had not healed yet, that it hurt, and hurt quite badly and I knew about it. Hence he should had only done one Lutz. Because attempting two would be too risky. It was possible to re-injure the same leg. It's all not important and I don't like talking in vain. What's the point talking about what if and what it should had been had Chen listened to me? The fact is that at 6am he decided to go for a Lutz and a flip. And there is also an Axel to land, which is not his best in general. One can not have that many problematic jumps in one SP. Besides, the flip was supposed to come after two spins.
EV: What is a problem landing a flip after two spins?
RA: the problem is not the jump as such, but that the SP is too packed. The Lutz demands the most resources, if it was not landed well, and let me remind you, that one should had been a combo it's a lot of energy wasted. Then you go for two spins and then a flip, which, by the way, only two other skaters except for Chen attempt, so it's not so easy. And then the Axel, which you happen to fall on the practices from, and not just from time to time - it's your worse jump... of course I tried to the best of my ability to explain Nathan that Lutz and flip are not a great idea. I still don't know whose decision was it. If it was the family decision Nathan couldn't change a thing. He is only 18. Such a young guy.
EV: How sane was Chen when you were talking to him at 6am
RA: I haven't seen a single sane person at the Olympics. All the reactions - by everyone - the coaches and the athletes are over toe top. I saw people crying hysterically. I saw the crying parents who were taking their skaters to the ice, I saw the crying athletes. Hence repeating: there are no sane people at the Olympics. Even I was almost crying after Chen skated his LP. I held myself from crying near the board only because I knew Nathan was ready for that skate, that he can jump and I've seen that many times at the practices. But do land the 6 quads, or even attempt them at the Olympics is a heroic deed.
EV: How were you communicating with Nathan after the first skate? What happened and how didn't it ruin your relationship or created a conflict?
RA: the opposite. Of course I had a bad after taste. But after the SP I was there only with him. I think Nathan realized I forgave even though he didn't apologize. Before the LP he came to me and said there is nothing to lose hence he is going for 6 quads. I asked him `are you sure you want to? Then go ahead, I give you the green light'. The most surprising was him apologizing for his SP after the LP.
EV: Kudos to him
RA: Yes. I think it's a big thing. I told you that I let my athletes make their own mistakes. Of course the Olympics are the place where you'd rather avoid those mistakes, but not much you can do if they happened.
EV: Did it sink in you and your pupil made a historic break through in the men skating?
RA: It drowned in a feeling that I couldn't do things the way I wanted to. It should had been different. Guess it's god's decision.
EV: Let me rephrase you: had someone else's pupil come out there and landed 6 quads in the LP what you, as a coach, would say?
RA: It's hard for me to think about what if. As for Chen - I `saw' that skate with 6 jumps, I guess, 4 years ago and was playing it in my head. Hence now it's not some super achievement, but a logical summary of our work with Nathan. Besides, now I `see' a differently packed skate. A different SP and a different LP. And it all will come true in 4 years. If Chen allows me, of course.
EV: What do you mean?
RA: I mean that for now I stand beside and help Nathan in his journey. And I will keep doing that for as long as he wants to see me near the boards. Should he change his mind - it's allright, there are other athletes. Am not only Chen's coach - am just a coach.
EV: What must happen so you'd tell Nathan you don't want to see him on your ice?
RA: Let me tell you a story. I once witnessed how Alexey Yagudin spoke not so nicely to Tatiana Tarasova. When I heard it... Alexandr Abt, who I was coaching at that time would never dare talking to me with the same voice, it was unheard of. I thought if I were in Tarasova's shoes I would walk out. And would never talk to that athlete again. Now I often think Tarasova knew exactly what she was doing. What to react on, how to behave and where to dismiss things. I didn't know at that time.
I now treat it differently. There is a 18.yo athlete who is, after all, just a kid, and there is me- an adult who helps that kid go through his life. And I will be helping him till he passes a point of no return. I can't really tell where that point is, but, guess, I will see and feel it. And will know if he passes it.
EV: Do you plan participating the Worlds with Chen?
RA: For now we are not planning anything. Chen is ill, he got a virus. It is so bad I even got a phone call from a doctor to start taking antivirus pills. Once he recovers we'll see what is next. For me the most important is for him to do what he wants, and not what he is being told by the others.
EV: Who do you mean now?
RA: First of all his family. Chen announced before the Olympics he will be doing this season all that his family will decide. He told me that flat and square. Explained how much he owes his family for all they have done for him. Hence he decided to dedicate the Olympic season to his family and follow every wish of his beloved ones. We'll see next season whether he'll change his mind. Then we'll decide how to continue working.
EV: Was it a blow for you your pupil Ashley Wagner didn't make it to the Olympic team?
RA: She wasn't training so well, really.
EV: I.e. it was expected?
RA: Yes. Adam Rippon was training well - he went out there with 2 axels, made it to the top 10, made it to the team event and got a bronze medal. I can tell Adam always listened to me very carefully, trained well and did all I told him. We wrote down a detailed plan how to make it to the Olympics and do the most there. Everything worked out. For me it was a personal coaching bonus.
EV: Why doesn’t your `bonus' do the quad jumps?
RA: Because he is an adult - he is 28. He is heavy - that's the way he is built. When he is attempting the quads in the practices his feet hurt so badly we can't train the next couple of days, never mind jump. And we have to. I work with what we have and all Rippon and I achieved is a result of hard work. Ashley, on the other hand, as I mentioned, is not practicing so well. It's hard for her to convince herself - she is an adult woman with a woman's body. With such a body she has to be very strict with herself and not everyone can do it. As a coach I did all I could with Wagner. Though think it was the decision of the USA judges not to let Wagner do the Olympics. She lost the 3rd American girl in the components, which is stupid. Ashley Wagner can't lose the components. She can lose the technical mark - true. Double foot the jumps or something else. Hence I think it was a federation's political decision.
EV: After Tennell won the nationals she became an athlete who many think under certain circumstances can make it to the podium
RA: In theory, I guess, but I wouldn't put her among the favourites.
EV: If you were talking about a favourite - who is it
RA: I can't name just one name in the current situation in the ladies.
EV: Why?
RA: Did you see the ice dance final?
EV: Yes.
RA: Could you believe the Canadians would win?
EV: More like I really wanted them to
RA: Me too. But when Tessa and Scott won I had a bad aftertaste. Because Papadakis/Cizeron skated equally well. But they lost. Because there is only one Olympic gold. It's the same here. I can name one athlete but deep down I'll feel bad not naming the other. It would be easier if Medvedeva and Zagitova didn't skate at all. I would then give the gold to Evgenia
EV: Why?
RA: Because she worked towards it for so long. I respect the athletes' work. I like people who go to their goal for a long time.
EV: Like Aljona Savchenko?
RA: Like Aljona Savchenko. I think her victory changed the way all the skaters treat what they do. It's very important being reminded from time to time the hard work will be rewarded. That was the reason I so wanted Tessa and Scott to win.
EV: Scott admitted after the skate at the time he thought the words of his coach Zueva that he and Tessa should participate at least 3 Olympics more an absurd. And after that victory he said `Since it's our 3rd Olympics and we won I can't tell now we are done'.
RA: That's what am talking about. Of course longevity in the sports is hard. It's a constant work on yourself, on the body, like in the ballet. But in the ballet it's taken very seriously. It's not the way it is here. Hence I say Aljona's victory changed the game. See how she looks at the age of 34. And I pray to god she will not retire yet. It is such people who create the right way to treat the sport, the way the others should as well. Set an example for people like Nathan. Being an athlete is not a profession it’s a philosophy.
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! That's all I can say ....
