Benoit Richaud, a renowned French figure skating coach, was recently seen wearing both Georgian and Canadian team jackets within a short span during an Olympic event, drawing attention for coaching athletes from multiple nations at once.
Benoit Richaud, a celebrated French figure skating coach, has gained media attention for his unique approach to coaching, as evidenced by a recent incident during the Olympic team event finals in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. He was spotted wearing team jackets from both Georgia and Canada in quick succession, showcasing his dual role in supporting athletes from these two nations. This occurrence highlights Richaud's remarkable capacity to coach 16 skaters from 13 different countries, a feat he openly discusses, citing how he navigates the challenges of coaching multiple students simultaneously.
The practice of one coach training numerous athletes from different teams is not uncommon in figure skating, as it does not contravene any rules. Coaches often operate within team formats, allowing for the shared use of prominent coaching talent. This collaborative model has seen instances where multiple skaters from various countries have been trained by the same coach, such as Brian Orser, who coached both Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu and Spain's Javier Fernández at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. However, Richaud's situation, managing skaters from over ten different countries, stands out as a rare and intriguing scenario in the sport.
In an interview with BBC's podcast, Richaud expressed the complexities of focusing on multiple skaters, stating that while he is fully committed to one athlete at a time, managing the emotional expressions required in performance can be challenging. Despite these hurdles, Richaud remains a prominent figure in the figure skating world, recognized for his innovative choreography, having won the 'Best Choreographer' award at the ISU Skating Awards in 2024, with nominations in subsequent years, affirming his influence in the sport's artistic aspect.
