The Magic of Tarasova...or Linichuk?

Back in December 1996, Pasha (the artist formerly known as Oksana Grishuk) and Evgeny switched from Natalia Linichuk to Tatiana Tarasova. The move is curious for many reasons, but wasn't exactly shocking. The #1 and #2 teams in the world were training together in a mighty political sport. If you've ever seen Krylova or Pasha, it wouldn't shock you that drama could be involved. If you watch all the way to the end of the video, the British Eurosport commentators mention that Pasha and Evgeny left because they "could not guarantee that they'd be first place." It was a mighty case of "Did she just say that?" It is worth a smirk or two given how Linichuk was able to get Domnina and Shabalin a 2009 World Title, 2010 Olympic Bronze and have her teams go 1-2 at LA Worlds.

'The Feeling Begins' is an absolute masterpiece. That is without question. What remains curious is who deserves the credit for choreographing it? Choreographers and coaches often claim a percentage of one's competition earnings and whatever earnings they command on the basis of their title. Grishuk and Platov began the program with Linichuk while Evgeny was sidelined with his knee injury, but does it resemble a Linichuk program that you've ever seen? Surely, steps and lifts that she created remain in the program, but it tends to scream Tarasova to me.