Volosozhar/Trankov video

[LadyNit]

Just saw V/T's video for the first time. What a gorgeous, elegant look they bring to the ice. Watching their side by side spin got me totally

Most important, they both look happy together. I look forward to seeing them in competitions...it can't happen fast enough.

[TAHbKA]

Tatiana Volosozhar: I don't mess with my partner's past

The new partner of the Russian skater Maxim Trankov tells about her switch for Russia, about the trainings with her husband - coach and about not carring of her partner's problems with his previous partner.

Ukranian pair skater Tatiana Volosozhar is considered one of the best female partners during the last couple of years. The reason of not fulfilling her potential was her partner - Stanislav Morozov, who was not as good as her. Retiring after the Olympics in Vancouver Morozov became a coach, while Tatiana received an offer to skate for Russia together with a St. Petersburg Skater Maxim Trankov, who left his long partnership with Maria Mukhortova. The new partnership is named the most promising. It is possible Volosozhar/Trankov will become the Russia n.1 taking into an account Yuko Kawaguti's and Alexandr Smirnov's injuries that prevent them from training full force. Tatiana Volosozhar told GZT about her move to Russia and training with Maxim Trankov.

GZT: You've been in Russia for several months now. Are you satisfied? Are you sorry for switching countries?
Volosozhar: I like everything alot. We have great training conditions. The flat is rented for us right near the ice rink, there is no need even to use the metro. It's very convenient. The food is good, the gym. I think my decision to switch countries was the right one. There were plenty of options which I don't want to discuss, but think that the current position is the one where I'll get to the highest results.

GZT: Did you get used fast to the new partner?
Volosozhar: Morozov is not a new coach for me - we skated together, but he also coached me. Nina Mozer is a great woman, I'm very comfortable working with her. She is our main coach, while Stanislav is the secondary coach, even though we learn most of the pair elements from him. I've known Maxim since we were juniors. As far as the skating together goes we still are in the process of becoming a pair on ice, but there are no problems/arguments.

GZT: Do you like training under your husband? Does it effect your relationship?
Volosozhar: No. Of course now the situation is a bit different, but it doesn't effect our relationship. After all Stas and I skated together for so long that all the problems are behind us. Now he's a coach and I even miss him - I don't see him as much as I used to. He is not only coaching us, but also a junior couple

GZT: What about Maxim?
Volosozhar: What about him? He's a nice guy, very emotional on the ice. As far as his personality goes - am an easy to communicate with person. Of course we figure out plenty of new things about each other. During the 3 months we've been training I had no complaints about Max - I dont' see any problems I can't deal with.

GZT: Do you mind the fact he didn't get along with his previous partner and their parting was scandalous?
Volosozhar: We are all different humans. Perhaps he didn't get along with the partner and the coach for a variety of reasons. Perhaps our team is better. I am not interfering and not going to dig into his past. I'm not scared of his previous team problems. As a partner - he's just fine for me.

GZT: You didn't have any competition in Ukraine, unlike in Russia. Are you worried about not making it to the Russian team?
Volosozhar: I think we have a great future. Can reveal, that during this short period we gained alot. Of course we need the international competitions experience, getting to which it is indeed harder in Russia than in Ukraine. We have to do well in 2 Russian cups in order to make it to the Russian nationals. Obviously, there are no national cups in Ukraine, we even could afford not showing up at the nationals. Russian Nationals is an important competition for us. Even if one compares the test skates in Ukraine and Russia it's different - here it is much bigger. It's hard to get used to, but I was ready for and was ready to work hard.

GZT: Many specialists in Russia call you an unbeatable pair. What do you think?
Volosozhar: We'll see. We aim to be the best. First of all to satisfy our ambitions. But we'll have to wait and see who is the best - the competition is huge, especially in Russia. I don't think we are unbeatable, no matter who says so. I don't count anyone off.

GZT: Does the competition motivate you or makes you nervious?
Volosozhar: I love figure skating and the competition is simulates to become better, to set the new goals. I love the competition - it pushes forward.

GZT: Why your first competition can not be before February?
Volosozhar: You mean the ISU competition. Because of me. According to the ISU rules the skater can represent another country after a year. My last competition were the Olympics. So after 15/2 Maxim and I can represent Russia. In the mean while we'll participate Russian Cups with the Russian Nationals being our most important competition. We'll do everything we can to be in the Worlds.

GZT: You'll miss the Grand Prix and the Europeans. The medals might be taken without you...
Volosozhar: Even if we miss something we'll gain it later - the rivals won't become certain leaders . It's just the beginning of the Olympic cycle, which works well for us. I hope we'll have our chance at the worlds this year, while the next season should be a full season for us.

GZT: What are your programmes for this season?
Volosozhar: Our SP is to Orff's "Carmina Burana". It's a serious music, I like it. Actually was Maxim's choice. He proposed it, I listened and liked it. Our LP is to "Romeo and Juliette". Think it's more of my choice - I've always loved classical music. When we discussed the music with our choreographer - Nikolai Morozov we agreed "Romeo & Juliette" becomes us the most.

GZT: It seems you have some freedom in the new partnership: you decide on the music. It's not very common, is it? Usually it's the coach who decides.
Volosozhar: we have such an option because we're a new team. Right now we are learning to work with each other and everything can be discussed. There are no certain boundaries that can't be changed. I like it. I think in general the coach should listen to the skater and take into an account what the skater is comfortable with. For me it will be the first season in many years when I like both programmes we're to skate.

GZT: Tell us a bit about your work with Nikolai Morozov
Volosozhar: It just happened that he just came back from the USA. We spoke to him at the spring about working together, but at the end we did the SP without him. We started working with Nikolai in Novogorsk and did an LP. I like the way he uses some modern dance transactions in the pairs programmes. That what differs him from the others. He combines the ice dance and the pair skating. It's a new thing in the sport, hence very interesting. Hope it will be appreciated by the judges and the audience. Working with him is really nice.

[melonmelon]

Thanks, TAHbKA

[LongTimeLurker]

Thank you for the translation! It was one of the best interviews I have read in a long time.

[MysticHaze]

Thanks for translating the article! I just adore Tatiana and that interview was wonderful. I can't wait to see them compete!

[MikiAndoFan#1]

Thank you for the translation, TAHbKA!

[hanca]

I like the fact that Tatiana seems to be quite coherent, intelligent person. I don't like interviews where the skater doesn't really speak much and when he/she does, you wish they wouldn't. (For example sb using constantly phrase 'you know what I mean', that drives me mad! )

[museksk8r]

Thank you for the translation, TAHbKA!

Ditto! I LOVE reading about this couple and wish them all the very best!

[shan]

This is a much better translation than the Google one I've already read. Thanks TAHbKA!!!

[rfisher]

Add my thanks for the translation. She seems very focused and practical. I really hope this pairing is all we hope it will be. Pairs this quad should be fantastic and the competition in Russia is like the old days.

[shan]

Add my thanks for the translation. She seems very focused and practical. I really hope this pairing is all we hope it will be. Pairs this quad should be fantastic and the competition in Russia is like the old days.

I'm so excited about pairs this season! Last season was unexciting to me, but this season seems way more exciting both nationally (Russia and U.S.) and internationally.

[BittyBug]

Thanks for yet another fabulous translation, TAHbKA. I'm very grateful for your generosity with your time and keeping us in the loop on skating in Russia.

Volosozhar seems to have a very pleasant disposition. I hope this pairing will be successful for both her and for Stanislav. If they do well, this could really put him on the map as a coach.

[Jackie Sparrow]

Love her to death

Thanks a billion Tanya.

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

Thanks for the translation.

Tatiana gave a great interview and now I'm even more excited about her and Maxim's partnership.

[LaLis]

Didn't know much about Tatiana before, but she seems down to earth and intelligent. Very much looking forward to see them skate in competitions.

Thank you for the translation TAHbKA.

[Finnice]

Thank you so much, TAHbKA!

I love Tatjana more and more all the time! She seems to be a very mature person, as well as an excellent skater. Great that the partnership is working well!

[Pavla2304]

Other news from Tatiana/Maxim

http://radikal.ru/F/s07.radikal.ru/i...770c3.jpg.html
http://radikal.ru/F/s55.radikal.ru/i...e35b2.jpg.html
http://radikal.ru/F/s49.radikal.ru/i...cfe91.jpg.html
http://radikal.ru/F/s46.radikal.ru/i...c4dac.jpg.html

Very nice pictures

[Asli]

Thanks a lot Pavla! I love the last photo where Trankov and Morozov are pretending they can't share Tatiana.

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

Cute piccies.

It looks like they get along really well.

[sk8gr8h8]

Thanks for the pictures. They look great together. I can only hope the best for them this season!