Various newspaper articles about skating

http://trueslant.com/jenniferkirk/2009/09/...hats-the-score/
28.09.2009.

What’s the Score?



In 2002 the skating world imploded because of a medal controversy in the pair event at the Salt Lake City Games. The shady marking of the shifty French judge made it apparent that there needed to be more transparency and accuracy in the judging of figure skating events.

The International Skating Union responded to this need by creating a new International Judging System. The new system, which those in the ISU have spent the past seven years tweaking, addresses accuracy by awarding points for each individual element comprising the technical score. This technical score is then combined with a skater’s program components score, which is the accumulation of points awarded for skating skills, transitions, performance and execution, choreography, and interpretation of the music.

In some respects the IJS comes with advantages not seen under the 6.0 system. For example: Skaters now have the ability to medal despite finishing out of the top 10 in the short program. This perk of the new system is huge for skaters. They don’t have to count themselves out after a poor short program, as a skater’s final placement is no longer heavily weighted by the final phase of an event.

The current system is also a step up in terms of the scoring of a skater’s technical mark. If a jump is underrotated or a skater has a shaky or two-footed landing, it is now easier to determine whether these mistakes were graded accurately. Each individual jump and spin is marked separately and skaters are given a detailed protocol following the event, outlining the number of points awarded for each element.

However, like under the 6.0 system, a skater is judged on more than just their technical performance. And one area where the new system doesn’t seem to be such a far departure from the 6.0 system is in the marking of a skater‘s artistry, now referred to as the program components.

Last weekend at the Nebelhorn Trophy Alissa Czisny, who came away with the gold in the ladies‘ event, was only awarded with a positive grade of execution on one triple jump in her long program. Her technical scores reflected the errors made during her skate, and Czisny placed 17th technically among the group of ladies. However, despite her poor jumping Czisny won the event and was the highest marked skater when it came to her program components.

Although it’s nice to see that a strong program and beautiful choreography is given great importance, some problems can arise when a skater obviously struggles technically but still ends up among the top skaters based on their second mark. It’s pretty easy to identify whether or not a jump was cleanly landed or a spin was held for adequate rotations, but marking a skater’s transitions and performance quality can be very subjective. Can a skater who misses the majority of their jumps really have the highest program components in a routine marred with mistakes?

Carolina Kostner benefited from a strong program components score at last year’s World Championships. Kostner missed nearly every jump in her long program but ended up ahead of skaters who delivered stronger performances. Kostner was the reigning world silver medalist, and while she is a beautiful performer and skates with great speed across the ice, there was no way that her program components should have scored as high as they did that evening. I was in the building. It was difficult to watch her. She had a really tough skate, and although most in the audience and I’m sure many of the judges felt bad for her, her inflated program components score didn’t seem to be a reflection of how Kostner performed in that particular event.

For years many skaters benefited under the 6.0 system from a boost in their artistic marks, which helped them stay in contention after a rough skate in the short program or finish higher than perhaps they should have in the long. In 1993 Nancy Kerrigan had a disastrous long program performance at the World Championships. Like Czisny’s marks in Germany, Kerrigan’s technical marks reflected her mistakes. However, like we saw with Kostner last March, Kerrigan’s artistic marks were noticeably higher (as much as eight-tenths higher) than her technical marks and skaters who produced stronger performances that evening.

While the new system is great in many aspects, it still seems that there is a lack of cohesion between a skater’s technical mark and their overall placement. It’s tough to argue how a skater who appears less elegant because they are popping or two footing landings is more graceful or artistically balanced than someone with comparable skating skills who skates a clean program, especially when taking into consideration that much of the art of skating is managing to make your difficult jumps look coordinated, graceful, and deliberate.

Consider a talented actress. One who delivers dialog with a polished and appropriate accent in full character and maintains a relative consistency of that character throughout her performance. But, unfortunately this actress cannot remember the script and struggles all show with missed cues and botched lines. On the other hand, another actress may not have the full grasp of her character but knows the script so completely that the show flows, and her performance is void of any forgotten lines. The average audience member would probably deem the second performance more complete and enjoyable than the first.

Missed lines are like missed jumps. They affect a skater’s overall performance. Claiming that a skate with messy jumps is more artistic than a clean program is like claiming an actress who delivers all the wrong lines in a polished southern accent has produced a superior performance than a smooth performer with a less authentic dialect.

The bottom line is this: A skater’s program components score is made up of a handful of marks. There are times when a skater misses jumps and still completes strong choreography and has suburb skating skills. These categories of the score should reflect that. However, when numerous mistakes occur the program components mark, particularly the mark for performance and execution, should accurately reflect the effect these mistakes have on a skater’s overall performance–regardless of what system is used.

http://trueslant.com/jenniferkirk/2009/11/...-for-the-sport/
2.11.2009., Jennifer Kirk

Simplifying skaters’ routines: Best for the sport?



Figure skating is at a crossroads. The casual viewer may not notice it, but it permeates every competition. And this past weekend at the Cup of China, this dilemma was brought to the forefront.

The debate about the new judging system has now become a debate about the growing oversimplification of skating routines. After two days of watching the ladies’ event at the Cup of China, questions of whether or not the current judging system is best for our sport continue to arise. In an event that was marred with mistakes, it was the downgrading of some subtle mistakes that spoke the loudest.

In last Friday’s short program, American Mirai Nagasu skated with impressive command and speed, winning the event. Nagasu wasn’t a favorite heading into Beijing, but the speed of her spins, stretch of her spirals, and strength of her jumps helped secure Nagasu a victory in the first phase of the competition.

The long program, however, held a different story for the 2008 U.S. champ. Taking the ice as the last lady to perform, Nagasu fell on a planned triple loop late in her program, and, while she stood up on the rest of her elements and skated with her usual speed and a greater sophistication than we‘ve seen from her in the past, Nagasu dropped to fifth place in the standings. The reason for her plunge? Nagasu received credit for only two of her seven jumping passes. The rest were downgraded.

If last weekend’s event were judged using the 6.0 judging system, Nagasu probably would have been on the podium in Beijing. To the blind eye, the majority of her triple jumps looked rotated. She didn’t have a lot of speed on her landings, but the downgrades that she was penalized for wouldn’t have killed her score if it weren’t for the use of slow motion replay and points subtracted for such mistakes under the current system. This killed Nagasu’s chances for a medal and left her with a lot of homework as she heads to her second event on the Grand Prix, Skate Canada.

When a skater makes mistakes, they should be penalized. Slow motion replays are a great addition to skating events and have helped to promote accuracy in judging. However, some of Nagasu’s jumps didn’t look any more or less rotated than those performed in her short program–even after watching them in slow motion–and it’s worrisome that when such calls are taken into play, skaters may abandon attempting difficult triple jumps and combinations so as not to risk the potential for lost points.

In last Saturday‘s long program, Finland’s Kiira Korpi won the silver medal with a free skate marred with bigger mistakes and simpler jumps than Nagasu’s. Only landing three clean triples and popping two more, Korpi didn’t attempt a triple flip and failed to rotate a triple lutz in her long program. Despite the lack of technical content in her long program, Korpi scored significantly higher than Nagasu in both marks, calling into question which direction the sport is going. Watching Nagasu and Korpi’s skates back-to-back, Nagasu seemed to have trumped Korpi’s performance so much so that the average skating fan would have had trouble deciphering where Nagasu went wrong.

It’s understandable that the judges would deduct for mistakes. But what is so difficult for skating fans–and even me–to fully grasp is how the judges arrive at their scores and why certain mistakes are weighed more heavily than others. When looking at the protocol following the event, the numerical values assigned to jumps and trying to decipher what led the panel to downgrade certain elements can become so puzzling that fans and even skaters are easily confused.

It still seems like the judges, and now the technical specialists, have the ability to promote certain skaters and knock other skaters down. If a skater underrotates their jumps, they should take a hit from the judges, but the extent to which certain mistakes are weighed seems askew.

While there isn’t going to be a significant change in this system, it’s disconcerting that the wrong things in the sport seem to be rewarded. Underrotations need to be taken into consideration, but for many skaters this will only serve to oversimply their programs, ultimately robbing skating of the drama that comes from truly difficult and risky routines in the interest of avoiding downgrades and lost points.

We can’t go back to the 6.0 system, but it was obvious after watching last weekend’s event that the current system won‘t suffice in its current form either.

Lutai, Lutai.......why, why, why,.........
http://adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/...0.html?nav=5008

Just a pity for such a sweet guy
I hope that was just some "misunderstanding" in the matter, and exaggeration of the media ... Here are some news from Russian newspapers...

http://kp.ru/online/news/572239/
... President of the Figure Skating Federation of Russia Valentin Piseev confirmed that Lutai is in police custody. Alexei Mishin remained in Lake Placid, which is trying to help to his scampish student ...
... Incidentally, the police recorded: Lutai was drunk. But the degree of intoxication is not established, since he was not blowing into the device for determining the percent of alcohol in the blood...


http://sport.rian.ru/sport/20091117/194172596.html
... "I'm still the subject did not comment - Mishin said in a telephone conversation with the correspondent of RIA Novosti. - It is unclear circumstances, there are no details. Perhaps all this is only an artistic exaggeration."...


http://allsportinfo.ru/ ... his lawyer, Brian Barrett:
... Tomorrow evening we will have a meeting in the City Court, after which, perhaps, Andrey wil be released from prison...
- But you admit that he stole a car and driving in a drunken state?
- I'm in that there are some serious doubts. In particular, about the extent of his intoxication. Lutai was detained, just hour after he was seen absolutely sober, during his performance at the Grand Prix. Hour - it's too little to talk about such a strong intoxication. There are and other points, on which we rely for its defense. But before the court, I do not think it necessary to articulate them...

About Lutai... first, most important news...

http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=326565&cid=9
19.11.2009.

Russia skater Andrei Lutai released from custody

... The decision was taken by judge of the District Court in Lake Placid, where on Wednesday passed a preliminary hearing in the case of 23-year-old athlete from St. Petersburg. Started of trial for Lutay's postponed to today.

Immediately after his arrest on 15 November, for skater's release has been set bail at 100 thousand dollars. But in the end, Lutai was released from custody without making any amount ....

As reported in Wednesday to the prosecution, today would be considered the charges against Russian, accused for illegally operating a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated. In essence, this means that the proceedings on two other criminal counts - "theft" and "possession of stolen property", with which originally was also charged Lutai, prosecutors refused. However, officially reported about that, must declare at the meeting today, which the beginning is scheduled for 16:00 local time....

----------------------------------------------------------

... same "older" infos...

http://sport.baltinfo.ru/news/Nikakoi-razm...i-Mishin-115593

No quarrel with Lutai I did not have - Alexei Mishin
....

In addition, the coach said, why not stay in the United States to clarify the circumstances of the incident.

"You know, in order to represent Russia's athletes before U.S. authorities did not need coach or choreographer, than an official. Therefore, in Lake Placid is now vice-president of the Russian Figure Skating Federation Sergey Kononykhin, and I flew home. However, our flight was delayed because of the strike of airline pilots Finnair", - told Mishin.

Commenting on rumors that the cause of intoxication Lutay's could be stress, caused by a spat with the coach after an unsuccessful performance at the Grand Prix Skate America, Mishin said that there was no quarrel between him and Andrey.

"After the short program, on the contrary, I tried to encourage him. And at the end of Long program, we had quite ordinary, working conversation. No disagreement about his performance does not go, we simply dismantled the past performance of Andrey".

According to "BaltInfo" information, after an unsuccessful performance at the Grand Prix Skate America, where Lutai was only the tenth, the skater got drunk in his hotel room. Tournament organizers settled heads of Russian delegation and athletes, in different places, so care of the skaters was not....

--------------------------------------

http://www.1tv.ru/news/crime/155777



...Alexei Mishin: "As far as I know, there was a company of girls - those, who like figure skating, and they was allegedly brought him to the car, and told sit down, have a ride. It is nothing, no theft was not going to make, it just sat, and drove away. And the parking attendant called the police, and he was captured. He was invited to blow into the tube, but because he is simply not proficient in English, at first, he did not understand what it is. And it was viewed, as resistance to authority."....

-----------------------------

http://www.kp.ru/online/news/572864/

... - Clarity will be tomorrow - sighs second coach of Lutay's, Tatiana Mishina. - But the situation is serious. Everything depends on the position of owner of the car, who allegedly stole Andrey. It all turned out - Lutay walked past the hotel parking lot, where he lived. He was going alone, because the athletes and coaches living in different hotels. And saw this car. It was opened, with a keys. It's like it was a car, a friend of Andrey, who allowed him to ride. He sat in it, the guard called the police. But he was not resistance, that's for sure. And there was no fight. Andrey is, generally, calm and quiet guy, absolutely non-aggressive, I would even say ... a little flabby. So, now it all depends on what tells the owner of car....

.... Now, if the owner of the machine will insist on hijacking, St. Petersburg athlete faces a prison sentence. Normally in the States for a yield, of one to three years. If court withdraw these charges, it remains only driving a car in drunk states. However, here a weak point of charges: the police, with their own eyes, did not see that Lutai drive - when they arrived, Andrey was just sitting in the cabin. And the lawyer is going to use this circumstance. But if the drive still prove, skater can be a punishment and imprisonment for about a year, and a large fine.

- Andrey is already being punished, so that stronger and more impossible to think, - said Tatiana Mishina. - A young boy, he was only 23 years - and all what he did for so many years, is now under threat. It's a broken life!

- That is the end of a his career? Even if he would be released, or punished just with fine?
- It's too early to talk about it, we must wait for at least, tomorrow. But ... most likely, yes. Seems to be a disqualification - for a year, or two. Olympics in Vancouver, he'd probably miss. Head of the Federation Valentin Piseev for him, of course, is now struggling. And Vitaly Mutko, and FM ... Piseev today called, asked to prepare a "description" of Andrey. Of course, it would be good, what we can bad write about Lutay's? And now, because one mistake, can end everything ... It's just awful.

- Alexei Mishin yesterday returned from America. Probably is that terrible experiences for him?
- Not a word. He not finds places for himself.

OMG, this is so sad story, I am agree with Michina, he can't be punished again, he is just a boy.....He worked so hard, and he didn't have a results which he desidered...never......I am so sorry for Andrei, and I don't believe that there was not such a kind of disaccording with Mishin - we all know that Mishin is totaly concentrated to Plushy now - and it's normal........I remember Pinzolo, I saw Lutai worked with Novodran (the coach who was with him and Mishin at kiss&cry during Skate America)...maybe I am wrong, but I think that Mishin didn't follow Andrei as much as he should.......or maybe the 10° position is Andrei's desitny and there is nothing to do........
I am sorry if it's true that his carrier can be finished for such a stupid error, but the life is cruel - specially for the "super stars" - just one error and you are dead - and if media take you onder their pression, than that's really the end........
So sorry.........

http://www.wptz.com/news/21659245/detail.html

(there is have video with Lutai in prison clothes )


Attorney: Figure Skater's Felony Charge Could Be Dropped
Russian Figure Skater Accused Of Stealing Car, Driving Drunk

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- A Russian figure skater pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake Placid to felony car theft and driving while intoxicated charges that attorneys later said could be dropped.

Andrei Lutai, 23, is in Lake Placid for the Skate America competition, in which he placed 10th out of 12. He was arrested Sunday night on accusations that he stole a car and drove it while drunk.

People who have spoken with Lutai said he wants the whole thing behind him.

"I think he feels very uncomfortable (about) what happened, but this could happen to other people," said Lenny Kasten, manager of the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation.

Attorneys said the car theft charges will likely be dropped, which would leave him facing only drunken driving charges. Officials said Lutai's blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.

Defense attorney Brian Barrett said somebody might have spiked his drink.

"Involuntary intoxication. If somebody put an intoxicant into Mr. Lutai's drink, (it) is an absolute defense to any criminal charge in the United States," Barrett said.

Barrett said he'll stand in for Lutai if he goes back to Russia on Friday, but the skater can only travel home if the felony car theft charges are dropped.

"It was my understanding from Ms. Garcia that all the felony charges were going to be dropped. She is working to make a very quick investigation into this matter so we can get Mr. Lutai on with his life and with his training, and hopefully, a good Olympic career," Barrett said.

The judge said he would not dismiss the felony charges without another hearing, which was scheduled for Thursday at 4 p.m.

Ohhhh. good.. Poor Andrey... I hope he can go home as soon as possible

btw,

??

Edited by kudryavka - 19/11/2009, 18:42

I knew that he will finish at THIS KIND OF JUNK TABLOID!!!!!!
They are DISGUSTED, how can they show this video????
And is this a way to treat the people in America?
They treat him like a whorst criminal!!!!
Chains????
Where he can run away???
I am shocked..............no words.......I can't believe this...........

You do not have such occurrence (even in schools), that someone pour (put a tablet) in somebody else's drink? This is happens and with us



This is typical of American local newspapers

Well, chains is "customary" for America ... uncustomary is the recording


http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/p.../id/509821.html
By CHRIS KNIGHT, Enterprise Senior Staff Writer
POSTED: November 19, 2009

Skater pleads not guilty, is released

LAKE PLACID - A Russian figure skater charged with stealing a car and driving drunk was released from the Essex County Jail Wednesday night pending a felony hearing today.

Wearing shackles and a black-and-white striped jail uniform, Andrei Lutai, 23, of St. Petersburg, Russia, appeared before village Justice Margaret Doran with his lawyer, Brian Barrett of Lake Placid, and U.S. Bobsled Team Manager Lenny Kasten, who served as a translator.

In addition to local media outlets, New York City-based reporters and camera crews from several Russian television news agencies were on hand in the North Elba Town Hall for the court session.

Vladimir Lenski, a reporter from Russia's Channel One, said Lutai's arrest is getting a lot of attention in Russia.

"It's not number one, but it is a big story," he said. "I think at this point it's more scandal than outrage."

Barrett entered not-guilty pleas on behalf of Lutai to charges of third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, both of which are felonies, and third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle and aggravated driving while intoxicated, misdemeanors.

Village police say Lutai stole a 2008 Chevrolet Impala from Central Garage around 10:45 p.m. Sunday. Employees of the business said they witnessed the theft and called police, who located the vehicle, pulled Lutai over and determined he was intoxicated. He had a blood alcohol content of .19 percent. The legal limit to drive in the state is .08 percent.

Lutai, an Olympic hopeful who finished 10th in the men's competition on this past weekend's Skate America event, had been in the Essex County Jail on $100,000 bail since his arrest.

Barrett told Judge Doran that Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia had agreed to drop the felony charges.

"It was my understanding, through a conversation with Ms. Garcia (Wednesday morning), that the felony charges were going to be dropped," Barrett said Wednesday night.

He noted that his client wouldn't be able to leave the country if a felony charge is still pending.

"We were hoping to get Mr. Lutai back on his way to Russia on Friday," Barrett said.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Felton said prosecutors don't plan to proceed with a felony hearing, although they will bring Lutai to trial on the aggravated driving while intoxicated and unauthorized use of a vehicle charges.

Doran said she wasn't prepared to dismiss the felony charges without scheduling a hearing, which was set for 4 p.m. today.

Barrett asked the judge to release Lutai on his own recognizance.

"He is certainly not a flight risk," he said. "He'll come back and participate in any proceedings of this court if necessary. Hopefully the court would allow a waiver of appearance to allow me to stand in Mr. Lutai's shoes in future proceedings, if necessary."

Felton raised no objections to Lutai's release. He said the district attorney's office had received a letter from the Russian Consulate General's Office "that speaks highly of Mr. Lutai's character as well as his credibility."

Barrett noted that Lutai has no criminal history in Russia. Reference letters from his uncle and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia were also provided to the judge.

Doran agreed to release Lutai on his own recognizance, provided he appears in court today. She also suspended Lutai's driving privileges in New York state until the case is resolved.

After the court proceedings, Barrett said his client is eager to get home and continue his training.

"He just wants to get back to competing and doing what he does," Barrett said. "Ms. Garcia is working to make a very quick investigation into this matter so we can get Mr. Lutai on with his life and his training and hopefully a good Olympic career."

Barrett said earlier this week that there are conflicting reports from witnesses about whether Lutai was the one who actually stole the vehicle. He's also questioned whether police witnessed Lutai driving the car.

Barrett added another possible defense Wednesday night, suggesting Lutai may have been "involuntarily intoxicated."

"Involuntary intoxication - if somebody put an intoxicant in Mr. Lutai's drink - is an absolute defense to any criminal charge in the United States," Barrett said. "Given his history of not drinking at all before the night of the arrest leads me to believe he could have been possibly involuntarily intoxicated or an intoxicant slipped to him."

Speaking outside his business prior to the court session, Jerry Strack, owner of Central Garage, seemed to forgive Lutai for what happened.

"That guy made a mistake," he said. "Everybody's entitled to one mistake. Nobody got hurt and there was no damage (to the car)."

Strack is a member of the board of directors of the state Olympic Regional Development Authority, which hosted the Skate America event.

----------------------------------------------

Do not watch, if you shake it .... happiness is that he is like a drugged, and as do not understand what is happening around him...
http://adirondackdailyenterprise.com/photo...lg/509821_1.jpg

Edited by cekoni - 20/11/2009, 04:26

Lutai... which I know

http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/p...3.html?nav=5008
By CHRIS KNIGHT, Enterprise Senior Staff Writer
POSTED: November 20, 2009

Judge won’t drop felony charges against skater

LAKE PLACID - Village Justice Margaret Doran has refused to dismiss felony charges against a Russian figure skater accused of stealing a car and driving drunk, complicating his plan to return home today.

Andrei Lutai, 23, of St. Petersburg, Russia, appeared in village court late Thursday afternoon for a felony hearing.

Lutai was arrested Sunday night after he allegedly stole a Chevy Impala from Central Garage on Main Street and drove the vehicle while intoxicated. He spent three days in the Essex County Jail before he was released of his own recognizance Wednesday night.

Lutai's attorney, Brian Barrett of Lake Placid, asked Doran to dismiss the two felony charges his client is facing - third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Barrett also provided the judge with an affidavit from Central Garage owner Jerry Strack, who's asking prosecutors to abandon any charges against Lutai stemming from the alleged theft of the vehicle.

But Doran said she hadn't received a motion to reduce, withdraw or dismiss the felony charges from Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia. Complicating matters further, no one from the district attorney's office showed up for the hearing.
Barrett said he had a conversation with Assistant District Attorney Brian Felton earlier in the day and was told prosecutors would not be attending the court session, which he interpreted as meaning they would not be pursuing the felony counts.

Barrett said Doran has the discretion to dismiss the felony complaints. Prosecutors could levy those charges against Lutai again at a later date, he said.
"He's served more jail time than any of my clients on a first-time DWI ever has before," Barrett said. "This is going to pose an extraordinary problem if the felony complaints are not dismissed."

With the felonies still pending, Barrett said Lutai may not be able to leave the country as he had planned to do today.
"An Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainer would be placed on him," Barrett told the judge. "He'll be taken into immigration custody. He'll be taken to the Batavia Federal Detention Center and it's my experience in dealing with them down there, it is very draconious."

Doran said she was in a "very awkward position," but refused to dismiss the felony charges against Lutai without a motion from the DA's Office.
"I believe the courts' hands are tied," Doran said. "I cannot reduce the felony charges."

Lutai, an Olympic hopeful who was in Lake Placid to compete in this past weekend's Skate America event, is also facing misdemeanor counts of aggravated driving while intoxicated and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

After the hearing was adjourned, Barrett said Lutai could try to leave the country but said federal immigration officials could place a detention hold on him.
"I'm hopeful they won't do that," he said.

Barrett also targeted Garcia, saying she was distracted and upset because she just lost her re-election bid.
"She just doesn't want to participate in the proceedings and she's working actively to jam this client up, which is an extreme disappointment to me and other individuals in Lake Placid and Essex County," Barrett said. "This is an absolute abuse of process, and embarrassing that the district attorney would do this."

Garcia said she was "still in the process of evaluating the case" and had no additional comment on the charges against Lutai.
Asked to respond to Barrett's allegations, Garcia said the case is being handled like any other case.
"I think Mr. Barrett's comments are unfair and unprofessional, and I'm really disappointed he would say such a thing," she said.

http://www.wptz.com/news/21679527/detail.html
POSTED: 5:15 pm EST November 20, 2009

Figure Skater Allowed To Leave U.S.

Russian Held On Felony Charges

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- The young Russian figure skater accused of stealing a car and driving drunk in Lake Placid, N.Y., is headed back home to Russia.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement cleared the way for Andrey Lutai, 23, to return to his native country.

Lutai pleaded not guilty to felony grand larceny and DWI charges Wednesday.

Essex County District Attorney Julia Garcia told Newschannel Five that Lutai was allowed to leave even though he still faces all charges. Garcia said the District Attorney's office is still evaluating the case.

-----------------------------------------

I'm glad because it

http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/357785
23.11.2009.

Lutai returned to Russia

... he was acquitted of all charges, except for driving car in drunken state. The maximum that it could face for Andrew - an administrative fine ....

Before to skaters allowed go to home, from him taking the sign, that on the first request, he will must return to Lake Placid.

Mishin:
- Andrey is really on Saturday returned from Lake Placid, but he is not in Moscow, than at home - in Belgorod ...
So, with Piseev he had not even seen. But, of course, representative of the federation is always close to Andrey. History has a scandalous nature, and the less mention the name Lutay's, the better for him now. It all ended relatively well, and this is most important. Other comments I would not want to ad.

http://www.goldskate.ru/news/fullnews.shtml?newsid=490
http://www.reuters.com/article/olympicsNew...E5AO1OX20091125
Wed Nov 25, 2009

Figure skating-Lutai to miss Olympics after arrest in U.S.

MOSCOW, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Andrei Lutai, the Russian figure skater arrested on suspicion of stealing a car and driving drunk in the United States last week, has been handed a one-year ban that will keep him out of the Winter Olympics.

"For violating ethical norms of an athlete, the executive board excluded Andrei Lutai from the national team for a period of one year until Nov. 15, 2010," Russia's Figure Skating Federation (RFSF) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The ban ends Lutai's hopes of competing in the Winter Games in Vancouver in February.

The 23-year-old from St Petersburg, who finished ninth in this year's world championships in Los Angeles, spent several days in prison in upstate New York after allegedly stealing a car at a service station. He was then released and sent home.

---------------------------------

I always thought that if young people do not "play" in time (when they is young) later made a variety "excesses" - and none can not forgive them ... cruel fate of professional