Striving for Greatness: A Vladimir Chigvintsev Story

21

In the morning I awoke at 4:30 in order to get over to the studio by 5am. I didn't bother waking Maks up, I figured he would wander over to meet me once he woke up on his own. I wanted to get in there, in front of the mirror with only myself looking back at me. I wanted to practice, to perfect everything I have ever worked hard at.

I was in the studio for 45 minutes before Jacque arrived.

"Do you ever take a break?" He said in disbelief.

"Yesterday." I nodded "and all it did was remind me that I'm not here to have fun. I'm here to train."

"Your work ethic is remarkable." He said. "I think the time off yesterday was more for me and the guys, than for you.. they didn't even show today." He chuckled.

"I met your daughter yesterday." I said as I took a drink of my water.

"Ah, yes." He smiled "did she show you around?"

"Sort of, yeah." I said "I had no idea that she was headed to Worlds, she's my competition."

"Well I don't know what kind of competition they will be, Vlad. They have no trainer. It was a miracle that they skated by at French Nationals. 2 points separated them from second place and only 6 from not making it all. It was a close competition. Not like you and Valerie, who blew the competition out of the water."

"No trainer?" I asked "I thought they had to... what about you why don't you train them.."

"Long standing feud between families. Julian's father and I grew up together and I made it places and he didn't. He coaches them, but isn't trained in the art of ballroom dance. It's more of an ego thing. They are more or less on their own."

"But why would you let Penny go off with him.."

"I love my daughter. I have never pushed her to become a dancer. She is one because she wanted to. It was her decision. She wants to be his partner no matter who she is coached by and I am okay with it. I don't train competitors anyway, I train winners. I see a winner in you, Vlad."

"I get it." I said. "Even if there were someone better or more talented to work with, I would always choose Maks."

"Exactly, well Julian doesn't get a choice. His father forced him to become a dancer and has brainwashed him into believing he can win without the proper training. Maks is a blessing, don't ever take him for granted."

"I think my secret weapon will be my father.. Artem." I said "I am going to ask him to work with us."

"Ah, well the rules state that within the regulated training facilities for a World Competition, one couple may only be trained by one professional dancer who has been licensed by the committee. So he could advise your training and work with you at home, but never inside the studio. Unless Maks was willing to take a back seat."

"No" I said immediately. I felt defeated. I wanted to have them both, but if I only get one it has got to be Maks.

Maks suddenly walked through the doors.

"Maks, my friend, we were just talking about you. I was explaining the rules for the competition here next year." Jacque said to him.

"What about?" He asked looking at me sternly, "we haven't done anything wrong."

"There can only be one coach per couple?" I asked

"Yeah, what's the problem with that, you have one coach." Maks seemed puzzled, "you didn't think that Jacque could help.."

"Artem." Jacque said aloud.

Maks looked at me sympathetically. "Vlad, I know you want him back in the studio, it just can't be at my studio during training. He could train with you at Tony's studio or any other one in New York.."

Then I had an idea. I remembered that Julian idolized my father, and that he doesn't have a proper coach.

"If it's against the rules to have two coaches, is it then against the rules to have no coach?" I asked Jacque who seemed to be keen on the strict rulebook.

"In a world competition yes.." he began.

"Vlad what are you talking about?" Maks demanded.

"Penny and Julian." Jacque said to Maks, "I see where you are going but Vlad they do have a coach, his father is licensed and his name is down on paper, it doesn't matter that he isn't really coaching them.."

I gave up the idea. It was too far fetched to believe my dad could coach them for Worlds. He is a master of the art of dance though, regardless of being away for so long.

Why would I even want to help my competition anyway? In helping my dad find his place in dance again,  I would be lessening my chance of winning. I was already at a disadvantage as it was. I still haven't met my partner.

I went back to dancing and this time did drills to the music and then hit up the weight room to get stronger.  The bigger I am, the faster I am and the stronger I am by spring, the better our chances will get. Let's just hope this new girl will be able to keep up.