Interlude 2
Connie
From: [email protected]
To: czielstra_hpd@
Subject: Follow-up on Adonis’s Evaluation
Good morning, Connie,
It was so good to see you last month in Colorado Springs. I hope that things have been well with you, and that your Thanksgiving was lovely. I know that this season is busy for all of us, and I hope you’ll forgive me for reaching out with a few questions.
As you know, I’m not just Adonis’s coach at Bellford, but also his manager for his skating career.
As we have been looking at his future skating career post-baccalaureate, we are beginning to pursue sponsorships.
There are a number of brands that are interested, though they are eager for some more information about what 2026 will look like for him.
Now, I know how things work with HPD, and I would certainly never want to put you in an uncomfortable position.
Please don’t think that is what I am asking of you.
I understand from what you told me that Adonis is on track to be seriously considered for Team USA in the Milano Olympics.
Though this warms my motherly heart, it leaves me in a bit of a fuzzy gray area with these potential sponsors.
I have nothing concrete to give them beyond the assurance that he’s “in a good spot.” I can’t offer them any guarantee about whether or not Adonis will be on Team USA or not.
Please don’t hear this as me asking for any special favors or unusual treatment. However, in my (as objective as possible) opinion, I believe that Adonis would be an excellent fit for Team USA. I know you believe the same. It would certainly benefit his future career to make it on the team.
I’m sure you understand that, not only as a skating professional, but as a mother. Of course, you must remember as well as I do that you, too, once followed your child’s career closely. I was so glad to assist you with that, and I know that Zane has done well with the doors I helped open for him.
Please reach out soon with any updates you have.
Sincerely,
Anamária
From: czielstra_hpd@
Subject: Re: Follow-up on Adonis’s Evaluation
Dear Anamária,
Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, I cannot provide any more clarity around Adonis’s potential future with Team USA than I have already provided when we spoke in Colorado Springs. To do so would not be fair to the other athletes. I am sure you understand this.
Adonis will hear updates along with the rest of the prospective athletes in early January. Until then, it is my professional recommendation to all athletes that they continue to train.
I will admit, Anamária, that I do not appreciate the subtle implications of your final paragraphs.
While I am grateful for the connections you made for Zane, I have no problem saying that the networking you assisted him in and what you are implicitly asking me to do are very different things.
Because of our long friendship, I will leave it at that and not press the issue further.
For Adonis’s sake, I hope that you trust his skating abilities enough not to meddle.
Sincerely,
Connie Zielstra