Former Ukrainian champ coaches area skaters, Gracie Gold
Buffalo Grove resident Alex Ouriashev says he's grateful to the parents of the young ice skaters who helped launch his coaching career that has included Olympian Gracie Gold.
The 59-year-old, two-time Ukrainian senior men's figure skating champion grew up in Kiev and began his sports' life as a swimmer. However, at a very young age, he fell in love with the music and artistry of figure skating.
He moved to Chicago in 1994 and spent his first year working and sleeping in a bakery owned by a childhood friend. When his friend began to suffer financial setbacks, Ouriashev sent resumes to local ice rinks. A Glenview rink offered him a part-time job that became full-time within six months.
Of America, he said, "I fell in love and stayed for good." And why not - one year after he started teaching, he was totally booked as a coach.
"The parents who brought their kids to me helped me get a lawyer, (finalize my) immigration, rent an apartment and helped me (improve my) English," Ouriashev said. "I was lucky to meet great people. Besides being smart and a hard worker, you need to have luck."
He said ice skating is an expensive sport for parents who pay good money to have him coach their children. In return, he said he gives 100 percent and asks his students to do the same.
"It's not easy for parents, so I must demand a lot from kids," Ouriashev said.
That includes practices in which skaters run through drills in between working on their programs, and doing three or four jumps back to back, he said.
He coaches approximately 25 students six days a week at Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills and the Ice Center of DuPage near Naperville. Some of his students are the children of former students who are now adults.
The most notable names on his list of students are Gold, whom he coached until 2014 and recently returned to train with him, and Shoma Uno, who is a rising star from Japan who trains with Ouriashev when he is in the U.S.
"I raised Gracie Gold until the Olympic Games," Ouriashev said, "but did not see her potential at the beginning. She was absolutely average. She was a hard worker, but awkward. In figure skating, you cannot predict who will succeed. She came to me at the right time and was in my good hands."
Ouriashev reviews Uno's mistakes and shows him how to correct details like jump set up and landing positions.
He says learning to compete is like a marathon that starts in small steps.
"The difference between a single and double (jump) can be from the earth to the moon," he said. "You must work at your craft (daily), but you need a coach."
When his students are on the ice, his eyes never leave them. They describe him as tough and demanding but funny.
"He is strict and tough, but I know he wants me to do my best and will push me," said 15-year-old Maxine Bautista of River Grove, who is working for national competitions. She has been Ouriashev's student for nine years.
"Sometimes he will ask me what's wrong, then tell me, 'It's OK. You don't have to be perfect all the time,' then helps me push through it," Bautista said. "He can figure out the problem you are having with an element and help make it better."
Chihiro Taira, 13, of Buffalo Grove, said Ouriashev has helped make her jumps "bigger and better."
"He pushes me, makes me sweat and work hard. He looks scary but he pushes me to do better," said Taira, who has trained with him for three years.
Glacier assistant manager Chris Howarth said Ouriashev a great coach, who has fine-tuned the best of what he's learned to become more effective.
As for Ouriashev, he admits he likes being surrounded by smart, talented young athletes - they give him energy, drive and keep him in a good mood.
"Ninety percent of what I learn, I learn from them. I am happy and proud that most of my former students remember and respect me. That means a lot," he said.