“I had been heading towards this for a very long time. We had a significant rift and I told Anjelika Krylova that I didn’t see myself in this partnership.” Valeriy Angelopol about splitting up with Vasilisa Kaganovskaya
Translation of Valeriy Angelopol comments about the break up of his duo with Vasilisa Kaganovskaya.
original source: Okko Sport
Valery Angelopol revealed the reasons for the breakup of his duo with Vasilisa Kaganovskaya in an interview with Okko Sport, here’s a translation.
“Q: Your summer breakup with Vasilisa was the loudest. How did it happen three weeks before test skates?
Valeriy Angelopol: You know, we didn’t choose the moment to split up before the test skates – that wasn’t the goal. Personally, I had been heading towards this for a very long time. This issue had been lingering for over a year, even before the previous test skates. We had a significant rift, and throughout the year, I told Anjelika Alekseevna (Krylova) that I didn’t see myself in this partnership, that I wanted to change my partner.
It reached a peak where we dragged it out until the most inconvenient moment. Perhaps we should have done it earlier, but for some reason, we managed to hold it together.
Q: Was it due to trivial matters or did something happen that made you feel this rift and misunderstanding?
Valeriy Angelopol: It all started with trivial matters and accumulated to the point where it was no longer trivial. One thing after another, it accumulated – an emotional outburst, and I realized it was all over.
Q: You had a fairly successful year, you received positive feedback from experts, and many saw you as Russian champions. Didn’t that give you strength, motivation, an internal understanding that you were on the right track? It’s challenging, there are nuances, but you need to deal with them for the sake of the result. Or did it not work out?
Valeriy Angelopol: It worked out. We worked very hard on all of this. It wasn’t that there was a problem, and we didn’t try to eliminate it, just putting it off for later, and it accumulated twice as much.
We tried, talked a lot, could come to Anjelika Alekseevna’s home on Saturday or Sunday, sit down and discuss everything. But for some reason, each time after our conversations, we held on for one or two days, and it all started anew. Well, maybe a week.
And when, time after time, we step on the same rakes, these rakes hit very painfully. You don’t have time to recover from the previous blow when a new one appears. And at some point, you realize that it’s already pointless to fight with it, and something needs to be changed. That was in my head.”
Valeriy also shared some more details about the contract situation after which the dup split up.
“Q: I understand that this contract was a kind of reassurance for you. What was it? Your initiative or some experience?
Valeriy Angelopol: Our previous quarrel before the contract – we couldn’t come to any common ground at all. I felt disheartened. I couldn’t force myself; I had no desire to skate with this person.
It was the only way out that Anjelica Alekseevna (Krylova, coach) suggested. She said, “Since we can’t agree, let’s draw up some contract, a document, an agreement. And let’s strictly adhere to what’s written there.” That is, Valera must do this, Vasilisa must do that, avoid certain problems, not allow them. And that’s it.
I said, “Okay, let’s draw up a contract.” Anjelica Alekseevna approved it, Vasilisa’s mom approved it. I thought we had an agreement. A month passes; the contract had been drawing up. As soon as it was ready, I brought it the next day: here, this is what we agreed upon.
They told me that no one would sign anything. They reviewed it and said, “We’re going to the federation; it can’t go on like this anymore.”
Q: So, everyone agreed…
Valeriy Angelopol: Then they backed out. As soon as it was brought. Apparently, they had the feeling that we had been working for a month. By the way, that month was good. But for some reason, everyone let it go, forgot about it, but I didn’t forget.
Because I still had an internal struggle with the fact that these problems arise, it didn’t allow me to skate and live peacefully. I understood that sooner or later, these problems would still arise.
Q: Did you have discussions to add something to the contract, make corrections…
Valeriy Angelopol: That’s the interesting part. Why was I surprised that they immediately refused? When people are presented with contracts, they have the right to make amendments because the contract is drawn up between two parties, so to speak.
But neither Vasilisa nor Anjelica wanted to make corrections. For them, the word “contract” itself became a trigger. They said, “No, we won’t sign anything.”
All the conditions that Vasilisa laid out: paying for skates, laces, training – it was a bilateral contract. That is, if either of us violates the rules specified on a separate sheet (they posted only one sheet), then the other party must pay for all of this.
So, by signing this contract, I would be responsible for it just as it was written from Vasilisa’s side.
Q: Is all this related to the training process?
Valeriy Angelopol: These are disciplinary matters: missing training without a valid reason, some disruptions in training. Seemingly minor issues, but they throw you off very strongly. And that’s it; it ended there.
Didn’t that successful month inspire you to stay? To have another conversation without a contract, to try as it was now?
Valeriy Angelopol: I lost trust. Maybe we could have done that, but I was so empty inside, I no longer believed the words. Our main mistake – I was scolded for it a lot – was that we initially didn’t go to the federation to sort it out. We tried to resolve it between ourselves, and even then, not together but separately.
When the first quarrel happened in the summer, Vasilisa and I discussed on the ice that we were going to Anjelica Alekseevna tomorrow, for example. And it happens that the next day I come for training, and in the evening, we’re supposed to go to Anjelica Alekseevna. I arrive, and Anjelica Alekseevna already knows everything from Vasilisa’s side, and now I’m the enemy and it’s useless for me to reassure someone.
I tried, I said that not everything was true. Vasilisa did something clever: she went there first, alone, and set Anjelica Alekseevna against me. I asked why she did that. She said that in a stressful situation, she forgets what we agreed on.”
Related topics: Vasilisa Kaganovskaia Valeriy Angelopol
I don’t agree that Vas is manipulative at such a young age. I just can’t really agree. Something could have been done to solve the misunderstanding. I don’t also believed that the Federation will be so unreasonable just to impose sanctions and penalties without due csuse.
Exactly but Angelika was so bias and one sided she should have meddle in between for the good of this 2 young couple.worst is angelika they conspired 3 devil woman as what Valerie’ s mother told,( Angelika,Vasilisa,and Vasilisa ‘ s mother) they went to federation and ask for Valerie’s suspension and not allowing Valerie to skate and the coaches was ordered not to coach Valerie.Do devil this 3 woman that why they were heated most by Valerie’ s fans all over the world.they lost 1 precious gem
I can’t say I am thier fan but I liked thier performances and chemistry between them while watching reels. So it’s pity to hear they had problems which led them to part their ways
Val I hope you continue to skate and compete. All good thing come through and by God so never lose faith and never cease praying for guidance and direction. You are so very talented and I pray you have your day again to shine like the diamond you are! You are truly an amazing young ice dancer and I loved watching you and Vas together but I understand your position and will continue to pray for you to continue your success on ice.
So very sad to read all that was stated and sharrd to us by Valeriy. I teally believe all the problems, misunderstanding could have been addressed by matured and responsible people around two young couple. They could have done something, just like any normal young couple advise and reminder as to who they are and that they are being look-up by their followers not only in Russia but in other parts of the globe. That they are being idolized, and are supposed to serve as models to the young ones.
Off course he has to defend himself. She made untrue allegations and he has the right to set things straight. As I see things she is a dangerous manipulator.
Valeriy is the only side keeping the issue burning. He got what he wanted so why fuel dislike of a girl and coach who got him to the podium? It must not have been easy for Vasalisa either…such animosity and effort to get away from her.