Wednesday, February 6, 2013

TSL: Interview With Caitlin Yankowskas


            Caitlin Yankowskas is one of the brightest talents in United States pairs skating. During the 2011 competitive season she won a National pair title and captured a sixth place finish at the World Championships with partner John Coughlin.  Despite the team's promise and success, following the 2011 World Championships Yankowskas suffered a devasting career setback when Coughlin chose to end the partnership.  At a time when even the most seasoned athletes could have crumbled, Yankowskas managed to take the setback in stride and used it to strengthen her personal resolve and dedication to the sport. 
            Balletic and expressive, Yankowskas is regarded as a fan favorite by many. The 2011 National Champion faced great difficulty finding a suitable partner at the zenith of her competitive career, despite obvious talent and a history of accomplishments. She spent a year training without a partner before teaming up with Joshua Reagan in Spring 2012. Yankowskas says the wait was worth it, and she and Reagan then began the arduous process of creating a successful partnership with the Sochi Olympics just under two years away. With the skating world holding its breath for their competitive debut, Yankowskas and Reagan were forced to withdraw from Sectionals and Nationals this year after suffering various setbacks and injuries.
            Yankowskas is currently healthy and eager to compete.  During our interview, she spoke about her unique look on the ice, her past successes and heartbreaks, her promising new partnership and how she's learned how to put the ups and downs of life into perspective.

21 comments:

  1. I realize that this kind of goes against the whole point of podcasts, but is there any chance you might do at least partial transcripts for the Skating Lesson series? I'm more of a reader than a viewer and I suspect I'm not alone in this...

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a sweetheart! Caitlyn comes off as such a paragon of goodness, beauty, desire to excel, respect for her fellow skaters, and commitment to US pairs skating! (Her eye makeup is another story.) The way she talked about her new situation and especially the clips of her training with Josh make me very excited to see them next season. You guys did a great job of pushing her to talk about the split and the dead year - things she obviously didn't want to dig into. You were persistent without being mean - it got quite emotional - and although she was still very polite and restrained I think you got as much from her as we will ever know, and John looks even more like an idiot. I do have a little criticism. The extensive apologies at the beginning regarding the Debi Thomas interview were uncalled for. It's done, move on. Besides which, many people loved the interview with its freewheeling portrait of Debi, which you didn't acknowledge. Jenny's comment, "It wasn't [Debi's] best interview" was downright condescending. I also felt that Jenny did way too much editorializing in response to Caitlin's answers, crossing the line between interviewer, whose job is to draw out the subject, and fellow skater engaging in girly support (a la " you're right," "I agree," "you're so beautiful," etc.). Stop gushing and opining! It isn't about you... or is it? Dave hits a much better balance IMO. Still and all, you guys are doing a real service with these interviews. They will be a gift to skating historians. Now will you please, please, please get Sasha Cohen?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to agree about Jenny inserting herself too much into interviews. I don't think it's her intention, but whenever the interviewee finishes an answer and Jenny explains how it's similar to something that happened to her, it comes off as drawing attention to herself. Reminds me a little of Johnny Weir interviewing skaters at last year's Nationals, and how he kept talking about himself in some way. Just food for thought.

      That being said, Jenny and Dave, these interviews are a godsend, thank you for all your hard work, week after week.

      Delete
    2. Tara does it all the time when commentating. It's like there is nothing else in life for her...imo.

      Delete
  3. What is the real reason for Caitlin and John's split? Any analysis or articles folks reccomend reading for more details?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have to say, I don't understand why Coughlin would prefer Cady Denny to Caitlin. I mean, really! Cady has no grace, whatsoever, and her artistry, in my view, is non-existent. Caitlin doesn't shed much light on the mystery, does she? I suspect there is more to this story, but understand why she might not want to air all the dirty laundry.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just a hypothesis but I have always assumed John and Caydee fell madly in love. If you look at the way they come out onto the ice in their first performances together it's pretty clear. Nothing else makes sense. I just hope it lasts or that he learns to separate skating from his personal life, otherwise another good team (albeit not as lovely as John and Caitlin) will bite the dust.

    ReplyDelete
  6. These interviews have sucked since the Tai one.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Caitlin showed way more class and restraint than I would have under the situation. She really is a beacon of light in this cold, cruel world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LMAO, Are you serious. She rolled her eyes fifteen times.lol

      Delete
    2. I mainly listened to the interview so I must have missed this. Was the eye rolling happening mainly during the time she discussed the split?

      I thought she came across as very gracious, definitely gaining sympathy.

      Delete
  8. FWIW, when John and Caydee came out for their warm up at Skate America, my mom said it looked like they were mad at each other. The lady behind us said they were a couple and had broke up right before the competition.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That surprises me. Caydee is.. not cute.. to put it nicely.

      Delete
    2. Yeah, and neither is John. Notice that people call him "big" and "tall," as opposed to more complimentary adjectives.

      Delete
    3. I think John is delicious!

      Delete
  9. On a tangential note, anybody know where I can watch the 4CCs live online for free? I live in the U.S.

    C'mon, help a brokeass figure skater out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Go on Goldenskate if you haven't already and see what people find for each event. Tonight no one found anything for the ladies sp except disjointed fragments on UniversalSports.com. If you clear your cookies you get to see more.

      Delete
  10. This was a wonderful interview. Now I'm more of a fan of Caitlan. I'm definitely excited to follow her and her partner next season.

    I agree with the comments above about Jenny inserting too many gushing comments. It was a bit patronizing and created awkward moments for the interviewee. Maybe tone that down a bit. Regardless, great job guys!!! Looking forward to more of these podcasts.

    ReplyDelete