I n t e r v i e w   M a y   2 0 0 5
At the Russian Tour in April and May, you presented two new programs, „Koni Priveredlivye“ („Fastidious Horses“) and „Satsifaction“. How did you select this music? I chose the music and the theme together with Sascha (Alexander Zhulin). As for the first (program), we tried to put something together, a program, an idea, and we found this. We wanted to do something to Vysotski, that was the general idea. That’s for Russia, for the Russian audience. It’s a rather classical genre. Vysotski is such a personality, it’s quite difficult to skate to his music. But we did the program together with Sascha, and I think it came out well. The second one (“Satisfaction”) is a rather popular music in Europe, so we took it and made the program. I really like it! I think it’s probably the best of all my show programs so far.
Both programs are very different and at the same time a new style for you. Basically it’s a new style for me. We wanted to try it, and something interesting came out of it.
How did the work on the programs go? Very easy! There wasn’t anything difficult about it.
Well, but you said it’s not easy to skate to Vysotski. I skate how I feel it. I’m constantly looking for something new, for programs, changed my style a bit. We’re always trying to do something new, are looking for new ideas in order not to stay always with the same, old things.
What are the other programs you currently have in your repertoire? You’ve certainly seen “Blow” and “Poka gorit svetcha” (As long as the candle is burning). Then we did a program called “Garmoshka”. I skated it in Japan. Of course, we have more plans. There’s lots of good music, you just have to take it and to do a program.
You were part of the Russian tour from the beginning to the end. What can you tell about it? In Siberia (the first part of the tour), we travelled 9 000 km in two weeks, from Novokuznetsk to Moscow. We went to cities like Barnaul, Izhevsk, Tiumen. The first half of the tour was pretty difficult, because in these two weeks, we only stayed overnight in a hotel once, in Magnitogorsk. The rest of the time we basically spent on the bus. That is, we travel during the night, arrive in the morning at a hotel, sleep for four or five hours and do the show in the evening. Practically after dinner we get on the bus again and travel during the night. The distances in Russia are very large. The roads in Siberia can’t be compared to those in Europe, of course (sighs). But we became even closer friends, we’re a very good group, it was a very friendly and funny atmosphere. I think we had such a big tour for the first time. The tour is developing skating in each city, and we gave classes. It was very nice to be here (in Russia) and to skate at home.
What did you do in the break between the two parts of the tour? During the break, I went to Ilia’s (Averbukh) ice rink. It didn’t make much sense to return to America. That’s expensive, and so I decided to stay here. I also got the key to the apartment that I purchased in Moscow.
You purchased an apartment? Congratulations! Thank you! Then I coached the little girl of a friend in Moscow and I trained myself to stay in shape and to be able to continue the tour.
Since you have an apartment now in Moscow, maybe you’ll return to Russia with your wife Lena in the future? It’s difficult to say if we return to Russia. So far we’re coaching in America, we feel quite comfortable there and got used to it. This summer, I’ll go to a seminary that Konstantin Kostin organizes in Boston, or, to be more precise, on Cape Cod. I’m going there and I’ll have a look. If there will be work for me in shows afterwards, then I’ll go there, of course. If there’s no work, I have to see and to look for a place (to work). Lena is already coaching children. One of her girls just recently took first place in a competition.
Do you also have permanent students in the US? No, I don’t have any permanent students in America, because I did more than 100 shows this year so far. I went to Japan, to Europe, to Russia. I’m two weeks here and two weeks there, I’m constantly on the road, and I don’t have so much time for coaching. Of course, it’s good that I still can perform in so many shows. When there’s less, I’ll have more time for coaching. Now I’m going to Kostia (Kostin) and I’ll try to give a seminary, like a coach.
What do you like better – performing or working as a coach? Obviously performing still is more fun, but I don’t know how long I can do it. As long as I’m in demand for shows – there are so many champions and not so much work, and the competition to get into a tour is tough. It’s difficult. It’s difficult for me, because I don’t have so many titles. There are skaters with many more titles who are invited to Tom Collins (Tour).
Anyway the Americans prefer their own athletes. Obviously, everyone prefers their own. However, as long as there is work for me, I’ll do programs, I’ll skate and give my best. As long as the professional career lasts, I’ll do it.
Of course, we’re hoping that it will last for a long time! Good! But everything depends on the work. If there’s none, then I’ll start to work as a coach, although because I like it. That’s for me. I like working with children. I’ll be coaching for sure in the future. I also want to stay in touch with skating.
What about your son Makar, does he skate? Yes, he is skating, just for fun. He goes to kindergarten and is doing all kinds of projects there. So far we don’t plan to put him into competitive skating. Of course, he’ll do sports, but maybe he’d better focus on school. He likes writing and drawing. With his five years, he already knows how to write and to read! Lena is taking care of him, she puts a lot of time into family issues. As for me, I’m putting more time into work!
For sure you watched the European and World Championships. What do you think about the development of the sport? Yes, I watched on TV. What can I say? The level in ice dancing, the technical level, has risen. The level rose in pair skating as well. The level went down a bit in the men’s event. I can’t say what the reason is. I think, always when the leaders leave, it takes some times until the new ones have grown. Takeshi Honda withdrew, and Timothy Goebel skated much worse, that is these are the people I competed with. The nerves, injuries, of course, the level was very high, it reached a certain peak and now it’s going down and needs some time, it can’t go up all the time. It’s a cycle. Of course, there are new and young skaters coming who will continue to develop the interest in skating.
And what do you think about the future of Russian skating? In general?
Let’s say the men. Unfortunately, the level of men’s skating could be better. But I think tours like this one help the young skaters – Ilia is always taking young skaters – a lot in the future. The skate more freely, they get more experience and learn not to be afraid of the audience. There are many talented boys, but it will take some time until they are getting there. Back then, Alexei Urmanov, Ilia Kulik were skating. There were so many very good skaters at the same time. Plushenko, Yagudin, myself... I think, some time has to pass, but people are growing, and a lot is done in Russia now, with the support of the Russian Skating Federation skating is developed in the cities. We have many talented children. Russia always had many talents. Now we have a temporary crisis, but it will be solved in the future.
So you think some people in the West are celebrating too early? Some journalists are convinced that the dominance of Russian skating will end with the Olympic Games in Torino. We always have the potential (in Russia), but we need to develop it. We need more experts and that some of them come back. For that, you need money, you need to invest in order to have a result later.
You have many fans all over the world. What is the craziest thing you fans did or gave to you? In Japan they once presented me with a totally crazy golden necklace with diamonds and with a golden coin. That probably was the most expensive present I ever got. But my fans aren’t crazy. They are well behaved, good people. I want to thank all my fans sincerely for supporting me and for coming to the shows, and I hope they’ll come in the future as well to watch my work.
Thank you very much for the interview!  
   
I n t e r v i e w   J u n e   2 0 0 3
You performed in a lot of shows from April to June, in France, Japan and Russia. What are your impressions? Where was the best audience?

 It was different everywhere. What I liked best… I don’t know. I really liked Japan, but also Russia. I also liked France. Well, I liked it everywhere. The audience and the atmosphere were good everywhere. In the northern parts of France, closer to Germany, during the second half of the tour, the audience a bit cold, but it was just super in the south of France, they received us so well. In Japan – it was just an excellent relationship (to the audience). In Russia, in Nizhnij Novgorod, I liked it very much. It was a good audience.
This Russian tour took place for the second time. There are plans to continue this kind of tour. Will you be part of it? A: Yes, of course, if there is an invitation. Why not? I like to work in shows.
Especially in Russia? There weren’t tours like that before. No, there weren’t. (Ice dancer) lia Averbukh is trying to establish a tour, to help the skaters. Unfortunaly, I wasn’t able to participate this time, because I worked in Japan. But it will be my pleasure to skate in Ilia’s shows.
What are your next plans?

 Now my plans are to rest! I don’t know where yet, we’ll come back to Moscow and we’ll go to the travel agency and decide. After the vacation I plan to begin preparations for the next season. We’ll work!
Will you have new programs? The short program will be the old one, but the free program will be something new.
Did you decide about the music? We decided already. But it’s a secret!
That’s almost like the ice dancers! Well, I always kept it secret!
But you didn’t do the program yet? We decided the music question, and it’s now in the working process.
Will you tell us in what direction you’re going? No, I won’t. I won’t tell anything! But it’s a good direction.
You have a new exhibition program, "La Vie en Rose". How did you pick that one?

 Actually we did it for my performances in France, on purpose. As my first number is a funny one, we wanted the second one to be more cordial, in the style of (the) Pavarotti (program). So we decided to use this music. The Mambo is more directed at a younger audience, like 13, 14 years. The more mature people prefer the more romantic style. But then, you can’t generalize who likes what. Now I have two different numbers, a funny one and a sad one. That’s good for a show.
"La Vie en Rose" isn’t a sad program. Right. It’s more a heartfelt, cordial program.
These programs prove your ability to interpret different styles. We’re trying to do that.
Have you solved your boot problems? I’m skating in my old boots. I couldn’t find better ones. I’m comfortable with them.
Are you still bothered by your injury that kept you out of Europeans and Worlds? No, my leg isn’t hurting anymore. The injury has healed.
You already know your Grand Prix events… Japan and Russia.
These are the last two and they’re back to back. Does that bother you? That’s good. I had the injury, so I have enough time to prepare for the season. And one after the next, it’s fine with me.
It has been a long time since you competed in the NHK Trophy.

 I think it was in 1995. I went only once. Then I worked in Japan (in shows) a lot. I really like it there. There are a lot of people, they like how I’m skating, they come to watch, and that makes me happy.
 
I n t e r v i e w   O c t o b e r   2 0 0 2   i n   S p o k a n e ,  U. S. A.
Who chose the music for this season and why did you chose "Yablochko" and "Bolero"? It was Sasha’s (Zhulin) idea. He brought the music, played it for me, and I enjoyed it also very much. Yablochko is a Russian music, and I just liked the music and the idea of portraying a sailor.

It was interesting. And the Bolero, of course, is also very interesting for me. Sasha (Zhulin) saw the matador in the "Bolero", but I saw the dragon. Together we worked on this.

How did you find your music for your exhibition program "What a wonderful world"? It just was a nice music. My former coach Rafael Arutunian had picked it. It was his idea, he liked this music, and I just brought it to life. I saw how Browning skated to it. I liked it, it’s an open, clean music.
Do you like Kurt Browning? Yes, of course. He is a great skater.
What can you say about the interim judging system (anonymous and random draw of judges on the panel)? I can say nothing about it! I didn’t go to the presentation (of the system) and I didn’t really inform myself. I was busy with my short and free programs.
Where do you see your strongest points in your skating? The strongest points?
What do you think?
Your carriage, flow, jumps like your huge triple Axel… And the quad?
Is it bad?
No, it’s became very good now. I try to make everything a strong point, so that there are no weak points left. When this works out, it will be fine.
Are there still weak points? Yes, the physical endurance at the end.

Yes, you could see that at the end of your free program at Skate America. What happened to the final spin?

 Well, I should have done the butterflies (Abt spin), but I was already dying …. (laughs) It was for the first time that I skated my program in competition.

It was my first competition, the debut of my program, the debut of my (new) coach, the debut of a new world. I went for two quads. I never did that before. It was my first record! It didn’t all work out, but I tried to do the maximum.

How is it like to work with Zhulin? He is mainly a ice dance coach, after all.

He is a dancer, but he is a well educated coach. He does everything right. We work together on the programs, on the jumps, on everything. He is very professional and easy to work with. I like working with him.

You seem to have a good relationship.

 We are more like friends.

He also has a family and a daughter that is the same age as Makar. Do they play together?

 Yes, sometimes they play and sometimes they fight! They go to kindergarden together.

Who made your costumes?

 They were also Sashka Zhulin’s idea. He has people in St. Petersburg who are making the costumes, I don’t know them. But he designed them.

How do you live in New Jersey?

 

 We rent the upper floor of a house in Montclair. That’s a small university town. It’s 20 minutes from New York. The ice rink is right there, next to the university. It is a good, new building with two ice rinks. We have good conditions there, the management is great. They gave us ice for Sasha’s (Zhulin) group.

We were in Hackensack before. The conditions there were a bit worse when I arrived. There were a lot of people (on the ice), and the relationship wasn’t as good… I had no problems in Hackensack, I can’t complain about anything. But then this story with Sasha (Zhulin) happened. I just had arrived, and I don’t really know what was going on there. We moved to the other rink right away.

Are you still in touch with Lake Arrowhead?

 Unfortunately, I was very busy lately. There were so many changes happening. I had to find a place to live, think about working. It was hard the first time. It’s still not easy, but it is getting better step by step.

Do you want to go back there from time to time, maybe for altitude training?

 Sure. I still have the best relationship with the people in Lake Arrowhead, with the manager, with Larry, with Rafael. I left in good terms. I thanked them for everything they did for me. I just needed to move on. I couldn’t reach the goals that I had set for myself together with Rafael anymore.

We were together for 11 years. We got used to each other, and we stagnated. We didn’t grow anymore. And I had to do something about it. I parted ways with Rafael in a good manner. He taught me a lot in these 11 years, and I’m very grateful for this.

You had a student, but now he left, didn’t he? I had a student who moved with me to New Jersey. Unfortunaly, his father became seriously ill and he had to go back home to be with his family. The father had to undergo heart surgery, and he wanted his son to be close to him. So he had to make a serious decision, and he left to be closer to his family.
Do you have other students now? I had a female student. I helped Kaprov in Hackensack, and he helped me. Kaprov is a Russian coach, he worked for ten years in Alaska. There are many Russians.

So far, there aren’t many skaters at the new rink. But I hope that a good school of skating will develop there in the future. It’s a very good place. At the moment, I don’t have any students.
What do you for off-ice training? Running, playing tennis. I play soccer.
Isn’t that too dangerous? It’s dangerous. (laughs) Well, what can you do about it? I played soccer, but my coach has forbidden it now.

He is right!

 But we play tennis together, with Sasha (Zhulin) and with Roman (Kostomarov). We have a very friendly atmosphere in our group with Sasha, Roma, Tania (Navka), my wife Lena.

Now Sasha has a new student, and I help her with the jumps and spins when I have time. We work together.

Do you also spend you free time together? Not so often, but sometimes we do something together.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Going to the movies, playing computer games….
But you don’t have a computer! No, so far I don’t.
You apparently found a new motivation for yourself.
How did that happen?		 You need an idea, a goal where to go and what to do. Without this idea it doesn’t make sense. Now I have this idea. I had it always, for my whole life. It didn’t get lost, but things didn’t work out so well.

Now I go on for it, I strive for it again. We’ll see what comes out of it. But no matter what, I won’t regret anything.

I n t e r v i e w   M a r c h   2 0 0 2   i n   N a g a n o ,   J a p a n

How do you rate this season? What was the best moment?

There were several good moments. Well, Europeans, the Olympics and Worlds were three big competitions were I skated well. I really liked the Olympics.
What did you like about them? What impressions did you have of your first Olympics?

 

 First and last (laughs). The Olympics are different. There are so many teams from many countries. There are so many people, everything is so big. At Worlds after the Olympics you don’t really have the feeling that it’s Worlds! Everything is more serious at the Olympics. I was more nervous there, I felt more pressure.
Here (at Worlds) I skated more calmly. Overall I’m pleased with this season. I fulfilled my goals that I set for myself. I learned the quad-triple (toeloop combination), and I showed it this year. Everything came together quite well. I’m glad that it’s over now!
Did you watch other events than skating at the Olympics? No. I only spent a short time there. I live not far from there (Salt Lake City), and the Federation (Russian Figure Skating Federation) sent me a ticket for an early flight home for some reason. I left the day after the free skating. I arrived, skated and then I left again!
What comes next? Many fans want to know your plans.

 

 I don’t know (laughs). I don’t know what comes next. At the moment, I have to work. I will go to France (for touring), it’s not a 100 percent sure yet, but I think it will work out. Then I will do eight shows in Japan, for sure. This will be in April, beginning 22nd or 23rd. So, if I go to France, I won’t be able to skate there the last two, three shows. I will travel to Japan. I will perform with Midori Ito, Lena (Leonova) and Andrei Khvalko (World Professional Champions). They invited me, and I will participate for the first time. I will see how it goes, and I hope it will be fun. In America, it’s still difficult, I don’t get invitations yet. You need a bigger name and more medals.
Another reason to stay in (ISU competitions). The only reason for me to stay is to try to get some kind of medal. I still think about what I shall do – stay, turn professional…. Everything depends on what is coming up. Now I have the tours, then I’ll work there (at Lake Arrowhead) as a coach.
I have one student, and I take care of him. I don’t have enough time to take on more. I really like to work with him, and I have to do something with him. He is a nice kid, I like him. I will see what comes up for me. Nothing is set yet. On the one hand, I’d like to stay, on the other hand I don’t know how I can deal with it physically, I’m not so young anymore…
Well, just look at Eldredge and Stojko! Yes, Eldredge and Stojko, I know. I have to see. If I stay in then it would be for a year maybe. Actually everything is fine with me, I have to see how my practices are going. If everything goes well, I might stay. Or I don’t! (laughs) I simply haven’t yet decided for myself.
When do you think you will decide? It will be clear by the next season. If I compete in the Grand Prix, I will fight for it again. If I don’t compete, I’ll turn pro, work as a coach, try to skate in shows and try to earn some money.
How are Lena and Makar? Fine. They are fine. We moved and we’re now living in the house of my student. We all three are doing very well.
Does Lena also work as a coach? A: No, she doesn’t have a working permit yet, but she is helping. She slowly started to help out, in the choreography room, and she helps my student with his warm up exercises. She will work together with me when I will work as a coach.
You were much more consistent this season. What was different?

 

 First of all, I’m now training in the mountains. Then, the people there (in Lake Arrowhead) helped us a lot, especially in the beginning, they didn’t leave us alone. We had to learn many things from scratch. Mrs. Peters gives me the opportunity to work. I don’t have to pay for my ice time. Additionally, I changed my attitude for my practices somewhat. Last year, I still was sick, I had this cyst. As soon as it was gone, I felt better and I had results in practice.
I wouldn’t say that I trained more or changed the practice itself. I’m still working with the same system. I learned the quad alone. I worked alone. The coach (Rafael Arutunian) is helping me, but he is very busy, he works with a lot of children, from the morning til the evening. He has time for me, of course, he comes to my practices, but it’s hard for him. You can imagine how it is like for people who work so much. He has less concentration and attention. For me, it actually worked out well. This season proved that maybe it was even better for me this way.
Is it like Michelle Kwan, who works without a coach? No, not like Michelle Kwan. You can’t be completely without a coach! Michelle Kwan is all by herself. I don’t work alone, I also have a choreographer who works with me. We put together the new exhibition number. I work in different ways. I don’t want to tell details, everything should look just fine. This season was great, I skated well, I had good results. We’ll see how it continues.
Where do you see your strong points?

 

 I’m now landing all jumps consistently, and my physical condition improved. I have to show all this. My health has been my weak point, unfortunaly. It’s better now, of course. I’m probably the only skater who had surgery four times and is still competing at the top level. How many injuries and other things I had. But I never gave up and always tried to fight for the highest spot on the podium. It wasn’t easy to start from zero again and again.
What do you like about your work as a coach? To achieve small results. For example, you teach a jump, and then you see the result of your work. I think that is the best reward for a coach. And also to realize a program.
What do you want to tell your fans? It’s nice to have so much positive support and to hear so many good words. It really helps me a lot and I want to thank all of you for it.
Where do you have the most fans? All over the world! It’s great, it’s so nice to hear from so many people from all over the world.
I n t e r v i e w,   O c t o b e r   2 0 0 1

You moved to Lake Arrowhead in June,
how do you like it there?

 It is really nice here, the people are nice with us, I enjoy it a lot. My wife Lena and my son Makar joined me in August, and now we are all living together in a cottage. On weekends, we are going out, driving to Los Angeles or elsewhere. Just recently, we went to San Francisco. I was invited by (pair skaters) Elena (Leonova) and Andrei (Khvalko) to skate in a show. During the summer, I skated in some shows, for example in Sun Valley

How is your
training going?

 It’s going well. I changed my entry into the quad toeloop, and now it’s better than it was. After the surgery to remove the cyst, I really feel the difference, I feel much better. We have a nice atmosphere at the rink. Angela Nikodinov and Anthony Liu are also practising here, we are training all together. Sometimes, Sasha Cohen comes up as well. I also started coaching. My student is an American of Taiwanese origin. He is 14 years old. It’s ok also to coach, and I need to earn some money.

Your little son is now one and a half years old…

 He is running around already! He likes to get out on the ice, but he doesn’t skate. Actually, I don’t want him to become a skater.
Why? I’m a skater, Lena was a skater, that’s enough!
Does he talk? Not really yet, only in his own language. He loves toy cars!

Do you have further plans for your future?

 We’ll see if I get to the Olympics or not. If I don’t I think I’ll stay in the US, to skate in shows and to coach. There are good opportunities here and nothing in Russia. I really feel comfortable in America.

I n t e r v i e w,   A p r i l   1 9 9 9

What do you think about last season? This season didn't go well for me.
I'm not happy with it, because I was injured and I couldn't skate at Nationals. Alexei Urmanov, Alexei Yagudin and Evgeni Plushenko went to Europeans and Worlds - I wasn't on the team. But I'm satisfied with the Grand Prix. I qualified for the Grand Prix Final for the first time. The season had positive but also negatives aspects.
You mentioned your injury.
You underwent knee surgery. How's your knee now? 		It's ok now. I already skated at the Grand Prix Final.
Nothing hurts anymore.
How are you preparing for next season? Next season I probably do a new short and new free program - but the final decision hasn't been made yet. In summer I'll go to a training camp, but I don't know yet where. I just want to go somewhere else and train, but also have some rest. After this, I'd like to go to the sea, for a month, for athletics.
I'll start to skate again probably in July - if there is ice. Then the preparation for next season starts.
Why do you want to change your short?
Your were skating it just one season.		 Yes. But we didn't really decide.
Maybe we'll change it, maybe we'll keep it. But I think we'll change it, because we want to do something stronger, more serious.
But the elements stay the same? Yes, we'll keep the quad and the triple axel-triple loop.
It is difficult, and I have to do it.
What are you going to do, if there isn't ice in Moscow in July? We'll have to go elsewhere to skate.
There have been problems with the rink anyway.

 

 Yes, they didn't want to give us enough practice time.
I don't know what's going to happen. We didn't decide anything yet. We just have to wait and to see how the situation develops, and then we'll decide what to do. I also don't know where we would go.
Is it possible that you leave Russia and go to train somewhere else permanently? I don't know. I can't answer this question right now.
Everything depends on how the situation develops - will there be ice or not. It's unknown. We live in a time, where nobody knows what's going to happen in our country. We wait and then we react.
Does this instability make it hard for you? Yes, of course it's quite hard. You never know what happens.
There is no stability, never.
Are you also practising other quads (expect for the toe)? Yes, I'm working on the salchow. I'm working, I want to try one after the other. First the salchow, then probably flip and lutz.
The salchow sometimes works in practice. Not always, but sometimes. But it's still a long way until it can be included (into programs). My program is very difficult already - a quad, all triples, two triple axels - one in combination with triple loop - maybe another combination.
You have many fans and you get many presents.
What are you doing with them? 		I keep some of the stuffed animals, others I'm giving away.
To Lena? Not only, there are others like my niece and other little girls.
What was the most unusual present you got so far? The most unusual one... no, I didn't get a really unusual present.
Just stuffed animals.
Elvis Stojko for example got a bra with a telephon number attached. What? A bra?
No, they don't yet throw such unusual presents on the ice for me.
How did you like the Germany tour? It was a great tour. I'm very happy with it.
It was my first tour in Germany and only my second tour in my life. My first tour was last summer in Italy.
How did you like Germany? I like it a lot.
You didn't see much, though. There wasn't time. No, but I like it in general. Germany - and other European countries.

 

 

I n t e r v i e w,   F e b r u a r y   1 9 9 8

 
Your obviously focus very much on your choreography in your programs. How do you develop your programs? The choreography is very important to me. It reflects my personality. I skate like I feel it. My coach (Rafael Arutunyan) and I create the programs together. We think of new elements in practice and then we try out where to put them. I always want to do something new in practice.
Who came up with the idea for the long program
(oriental melodies)?		 My coach had the idea and he had found the music. We listen to the music, and then I skate to it. The program is developing step by step. If we like something, we keep it. Then you listen to the music again and you may eliminate an element.
What is important for you in your skating? I want to skate in a interesting way, I want people make to watch. It's not only the jumps - steps and spin are also important, everything has to be there. Figure skating is not a jumping contest.
What are you plans for the next season? I will keep the long program. But I also want to do something new and different - like Rock'n' Roll or Rap. I like all kinds of music, and I can skate to all kinds of music.
What do you do for off-ice training? I did ballett - five or six years ago. I do jumps on the floor and I do athletics to improve my endurance.
In your opinion, what is important to reach the top in skating?

 

 You need talent and you have to work very hard. There have been many talented skaters, but some start to drink, some don't train enough. But you also have to know how to relax.
Where do you see the main difference between Russia and the West - Europe and North America? The main difference is the lifestyle. Everyone has a car in the USA. I take the tram when I go to practice. When it doesn't come, I can't train. I have to plan those things in Russia. A while ago they didn't resurface our ice, or the heating at the rink didn't work. This makes it difficult for us.
It was a surprise when you suddenly were sent to the Europeans 1998 as a last minute substitute for Ilia Kulik. Yes. After the Russian Nationals I went with my girl friend to the Black Sea for some holidays. When I came back around New Year, I started to practice slowly and to prepare for the next season and some national competitions in Russia. I was not prepared for these Europeans. Even my documents - my passport and my visa - were not ready.
The relationship between you and the Russian Skating Federation seems to be difficult.
You have been treated unfairly at Nationals. 		We - my coach and I - are independent - I think that is what they don't like. We do our work and focus on ourselves. I don't think that my bronze medal at these Europeans will change anything. I'm not turning away from my country, but my Skating Federation turns away from me. However, everything will depend on how I skate. I have to skate, and they have to decide to which competitions they send me.
Did you think about skating for another country as other skaters decided to do? I don't have an offer from another country. I like Germany and Switzerland. In fact, I believe I have German ancestors. But you don't just board a plane and leave.
When stepping on the ice, you touch the surface. Why? I say hello to the ice. It's a little superstitious, I do it since I was little. It was my own idea, and it is like my personal superstition.
Photos © by C.Schwarz
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