All About Alexei

Full Name: Alexei Konstantinovich Yagudin Nicknames: Alyosha, Alyoshka, Alyoshenka, Alousha, Lyosha, Lousha,                    Yashka, Yags, Yak, Alesha, Lesha Birthdate: March 18, 1980 (Pisces) Homeland: St. Petersburgh, Russia Family: Mother named Zoya, and Grandmother named Maria          Height: 5'8" Weight: 150 lbs. Eyes: Light Blue Hair: Light Brown + Blond highlights Religion: Russian Orthodox Christianity ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pet: Lawrie (Very Cute Cocker Spaniel!) Car: Silver Mercedes ML 430 V8 Fave Food: Sushi, Sashimi Residence: Newington, Conneticut, USA Hobbies: Tennis, taking sauna, golf, surfing the internet, driving around the                 town in his Mercedes, listening to music Fave Music: ANY music!!:) Fave Colour: Maroon Education: Graduated second in his class in high school. After Chrysler                   Stars on Ice tour 2001, he would go to Russia to do a university                   sports final exam to be a university bachelor in coaching sports. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coach: Tatiana Tarasova Assistant Coach: Nicolai Morosov Choreographer: Vladimir Ulianov Skating Rink: International Skating Center, Newington, CT ---Began skating when he was 4 on doctor's order Former Coach: Alexei Mishin Former Training Mates: Alexei Urmanov, Evgeny Plushenko Fave Jump: Triple Loop Fave Program: Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator

Alexei Konstantinovich Yagudin drew his first breath in the city of St. Petersburgh (then Leningrad), Russia. He turned out to be a sickly child and his first 4 years were spent on being sick and staying at home. To increase his physical stamina, Zoya, his mother, followed the doctor's advice and took him skating, because the doctor said that sports activities would prevent him being sick often. Alexei began skating at the age of 4. Alexei's parents got divorced when he was 12, and his father, Konstantin Yagudin, moved to Germany. Alexei hadn't heard anything about him since. Not a letter, nor a phone call. In 1996, when he was 15, he was a World Junior Championship. It was said that even though his jumps and spins were great, his artistry was almost mechanical. The following year, 1997, he won the bronze medal at the World Championships, and in 1998, he eagerly competed in the Olympics in Nagano, Japan. But Alexei was unlucky at the Olympics because of the Nagano flu that spread around quickly. He skated a brilliant short program, but fell twice on his free skate, which made him end up in the fifth place. Even though his first Olympic experience was quite dissapointing for Alexei, in barely 2 months, he found himself on the topmost podium, wearing the World Championship Gold Medal. But Alexei Mishin, Alexei's coach at that time, commented coldly, "You just got lucky"-- a very cruel comment, I should say!! After Alexei had won his first World Championship title, he decided to change coach because he felt that his artistry won't improve if he was coached by Mishin, and also because the young, talented skater Evgeny Plushenko was also coached by Mishin. Alexei felt that Mishin didn't focus on his programs enough.  He decided that Tatiana Tarasova would be the perfect coach for him. Tatiana Tarasova was  the legendary ice dancing coach who was also the coach of Ilia Kulik, the 1998 Olympic Gold Medalist. Because Ilia decided to leave Tatiana, Alexei seized the opportunity and made Tatiana his coach. Next, Alexei made his decision to leave Russia, even though he had previously announced that he would never do that. He thought it would be better to do so, because of Russia's economic condition, and also because many of his training rinks had lousy sound system, mushy, lumpy ice, with only promises that the condition will become better. Under Tatiana's instructions, Alexei transformed from the great jumper with lack of artistry into the star on ice with great techniques and great artistry. In the 1998-1999 season, Alexei won every major competitions except the Russian Nationals Championship where he got second place after being beaten by the 16-year old Evgeny Plushenko. Evgeny also beat Alexei at the Japan Open. They became great rivals since then. By the end of January 1999, Alexei began to regain his victories. He won the European Championships for the second time in two straight years, won the Grand Prix, and he would be skating at the World Championships. At the 1999 Worlds, Alexei skated with an injured foot. He was first in his qualifying round, but got second after Short with Evgeny placing first. When Alexei saw that the chance of winning might be snatched away from him, his spirits lifted up. In his free program, he wore his Lawrence of Arabia elegant costume, and skated perfect. After he saw his scores, he realized that he had beaten his archrival, Evgeny Plushenko! He had won his second World title in two straight years! Alexei skated "Nutcracker" , "Broken Arrow", and "Tosca" for his 1999-2000 season. They were beautiful programs, but not enough to win the gold medal at Russian Nationals and European Championships. But anyways, he skated "Nutcracker" and "Tosca" at the 2000 Worlds, and guess what? He won the gold medal! He became the seventh man in history to win 3 World titles in three straight years!! The previous season, 2000-2001, Alexei skated two beautiful programs, "Gladiator" and "Revolutionary Etude". Alexei skated his programs very elegantly and they were perfect; but just not enough to beat the 18-year-old Evgeny Plushenko who had practiced hard to win the Worlds. Sadly, he did. Evgeny Plushenko won EVERY major competitions except the Japan Open, which Alexei won. Evgeny had snatched away the Worlds gold medal right in front of Alexei's eyes!!! Even though the previous season wasn't what we all expect him to gain, it was a great season, and "Gladiator" was one of his BEST programs!! I wish him good luck for the next season!!