Not a surprise. Sounds like it is his decision. But if it is, I do hope that he relayed the news to her in person first. Too many instances of athletes finding out about stuff through media rather than direct convo these days...
The latest on Gracie Gold
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Not a surprise. Sounds like it is his decision. But if it is, I do hope that he relayed the news to her in person first. Too many instances of athletes finding out about stuff through media rather than direct convo these days...
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- Jan 27, 2013
Hoping Frank and Gracie had talked about it before Frank spoke to press.
Frank would have reason to make it public if no longer being Gracie's coach freed him up to take on someone else who might be looking for a new coach, I suppose.
In any case, I always wonder if the pressure on Gracie would have been just a little bit more manageable if her name was Gracie Smith. She still would have had the USFSA and NBC rushing to anoint her the next American Ice Princesss but maybe it would have been 10 or 20% less insane if it weren't for her last name...
Frank would have reason to make it public if no longer being Gracie's coach freed him up to take on someone else who might be looking for a new coach, I suppose.
In any case, I always wonder if the pressure on Gracie would have been just a little bit more manageable if her name was Gracie Smith. She still would have had the USFSA and NBC rushing to anoint her the next American Ice Princesss but maybe it would have been 10 or 20% less insane if it weren't for her last name...
Phil Hersh responded to somebody on Twitter with this "He didn’t announce it in that sense. I asked him questions. He answered. That’s how journalism."
So hopefully some people will see that all over the online skating universe and stop jumping to conclusions by calling Frank classless.
So hopefully some people will see that all over the online skating universe and stop jumping to conclusions by calling Frank classless.
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Yes, these days...
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Frank is retiring after the Olympics, according to the article. So I don't think he is in a position to take on new students.
Something about a contract was brought up, not sure what the contract is but perhaps Frank felt forced to make something public that their coaching situation was changing so that whatever is in that contract is nullified quickly?
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- Apr 4, 2016
This was I think the best case scenario from this event. Frank was not working for her. We'll see what happens next.
That's an excellent point!
He certainly seems open to it, though doesn't know now if it'll happen...
Obviously this is from today so that's still current belief in her he seems to be expressing in that last sentence
Frank Carroll should've withheld all comments regarding splits until later. Gold has too much to deal with right now.
I don't get why Boston was the straw that broke the camels back for Gold. She had always been somewhat of a trainwreck even before Boston.
I don't get why Boston was the straw that broke the camels back for Gold. She had always been somewhat of a trainwreck even before Boston.
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- Sep 8, 2016
This is a difficult step as Alex helped groom Gracie but he was also unable to help her reach that next level. This happens a lot in all of sports but it is magnified in individual sports, especially figure skating. In talking with some people recently Alex doesn't have any one in his stable (except for Maxine who is a lovely and she would benefit from having Gracie around) so he would be able to dedicate more of his time to helping Gracie get back to the level she is capable of skating. On the other hand, training Gracie would attract more younger students because he would be training Gracie. Also, since Gracie would be the "Star on Ice", she would lose some of that friendly competition between skaters at the same level that sometimes motivates the great ones. Kind of a catch 22. There is already a coach lined up, I'm sure, but returning "home" may be the recipe for success as Gracie is a GREAT skater, she doesn't need a coach, per se, at this time, she needs a coach she is comfortable with and who knows how to handle the mental weakness of a competitor and who can get that competitor to buy into the coach's beliefs. That may very well be Alex, though there are a number of other more qualified coaches who can help Gracie.
Gracie's disappointment at 2014 Worlds was nothing compared to Michelle's Olympics disappointments. Her over-reaction to her Worlds loss is almost pathological.
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Is there a case to be made that Gracie may benefit from going back home? Just throwing that idea out there - this could be an incredible amount of change for Gracie to deal with as it is.
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I think going back to Alex long-term is not a good decision. They split up for a reason, and it's possible that the reason that made them split up in the first place would just come up again.
I do think Gracie needs a Russian coach. Someone like Raf, but not Raf. It's clear how dedicated he is to Nathan and Ashley and Adam, and he supports and nurtures them mentally and physically. But he's also willing to call them all on their BS and be tough with him. Gracie needs the tough love, and the attitude that most Russian seem to have seems like it'd work. (Of course, there are non-Russian coaches who can probably do the same thing).
I'm Team Zoueva. She has jump specialists at her rink.
I do think Gracie needs a Russian coach. Someone like Raf, but not Raf. It's clear how dedicated he is to Nathan and Ashley and Adam, and he supports and nurtures them mentally and physically. But he's also willing to call them all on their BS and be tough with him. Gracie needs the tough love, and the attitude that most Russian seem to have seems like it'd work. (Of course, there are non-Russian coaches who can probably do the same thing).
I'm Team Zoueva. She has jump specialists at her rink.
I'd say he didn't get the chance to help her reach the next level. Anyway, they had a troubled relationship but Gracie is older now and they'd probably do well together. I think she should work with Marina again. Marina is fairly successful with Patrick and I think she'd be a good choreographer for Gracie again. And I kind of like Marina's no-nonsense approach, I guess that could help Gracie.
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- Mar 28, 2016
I think one of the factors is that she can't actually go back home. Her family moved out to California when she started working with Frank. She'll be returning to the same training environment, but she's 21 and I doubt her family will be able to up and move for her again, particularly her sister who goes to college in LA.
I moved away from home for gymnastics as a kid, and when I switched coaches one of the big issues I faced was that my hometown was not really home for me anymore. You quickly adjust to new surroundings, particularly when your family moves with you.
Does anyone know what the problem was with their relationship?
I don't, both said that they had issues. I think it's not unusal, puberty, growing up etc. can cause problems in an athlete-coach relationship. So I think it's good that we don't know more because it isn't really important.
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