Urmanov, much as I love his skating, is one of the last people I'd
want to give Emanuel advice on pressure. To this day, I don't think
Urmanov is a great *competitor*, though he is certainly a great
*skater*. Though I think you are right that the two are closer in
temperament (and skating style) than Emanuel and Elvis. I wonder
what Sandhu thinks of Urmanov? They are two of my favourite
male skaters.

I think Emanuel has learned two very valuable lessons through his
experience since last year's worlds: don't hold back, and even
when things are going well and all the hard elements are out of the
way, maintain focus. he has also learned to salvage a performance
where things didn't go perfectly (NHK). And he has demonstrated
the ability to pull off two great programs in a row (Lalique). I expect
to see him very determined and very focussed, and for him to peak
at Worlds. His face at Canadians during his long program, said
"I'm a man on a mission". I fully expect the same at Worlds, only
this time, he will concentrate till the very end of the program.

As for the coaching, I think he should stay with Joanne McLoed as
his main coach. She has obviously taught him well, all the details
that usually go missing in young and inexperienced skaters are
there: attention to line and carriage, wonderful positions, musical
phrasing, smoothness, flow and ease. These are qualities that
some skaters never develop. I look at how Michelle Kwan has
been with Frank Carroll for so long and continues to improve under
his tutelage. There must be something very reassuring about the
permanence of that relationship. As well as an obvious meeting of
the minds. I suspect Joanne and Emanuel have that same kind of
rapport, especially since they both had dance training. I can't
really picture Emanuel coached by someone else. What he needs
is a secondary coach to help him with speed and power. He will
never stand on a medal podium at Worlds if he doesn't improve in
this area.

As for a narrow window of time to get to the top, I can only hope
that isn't true. I think of one of my favourite skaters who is already
22 and never been to worlds, and I can only pray that it's never too
late!