Turned on just now on Fedorova / Stolbova:
Fedorova: the programme you had with black/white costume
Stolbova: right, la strada , we were skating in Kazan. I met your partner and it was nice
Fedorova: we skated badly. We came with Zhovnirski, we really screwed up there. We were close to last. And Zhovnirskii said :that's it, go sit in the audience and see how skating is actually done. So we were sitting there so upset and you skated so well and Zhovnirksii said `so, here, see how it's done!'
Stolbova: well, yes, I think we won there.
Fedorova: April 2013 you move to Moscow, decide to switch to Mozer. Why and who initiated the move?
Stolbova: I think it's a story I don't really remember already. First we were not supposed to move to Mozer, but to a different coach. No point naming him now. In St. Petersburg. So it happened that in one day... well not even in one day in 10 minutes we changed it all. I came to Fedor and said `dont' say a word, just trust me and I'll do it all'. It happens that yuo decide and then the intuition hits and you know it's a wrong move, we should not go there. I knew we needed to change drastically the things and I said I'll change things and you relax. So in one hour we changed our minds and moved to Mozer. Why? We were skating with Velikovs since 2006 that they were done, but the pupils were done. We were so drained we needed to move on. There were no conflicts or global problems, I think it was just the time that came.
Fedorova: Did Fedor also think so?
Stolbova: I think I, as always, initiated it. But I think it was almost an ultimatum: either we do or don't. I realized we just have one season till the Olympics, we had to do things now if we wanted to be there
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Fedorova: How did you get used to the new group? At first, I think, Fedor even shared the flat with TRankov, but how was it for you?
Stolbova: very comfortable. Once things were settled with Mozer all was taken care of - the medical part, the flat. There was no discomfort. As for getting user - you were the one the hardest to get used to!
Fedorova: well, it took me a while to get used to you as well!
Stolbova: you were lookign at me with `oh , great, another one..' . If you recall at the same time Bazarova/Larionov joined the group.
Fedorova: I didn't rememebr it
Stolbova: Perhaps the info about Ver and Yurii came first but really we switched at the same time.
Fedorova: No way! No way I did that1
Stolbova: Well, it was comfrotable - you and TarMor were there for quiet a lonf time there, Tanya and Maks helped us a lot, the first training camp in the USA - we were spending time together and it was great.
Fedorova: I just recalled a story related to you: I dont' remember how old I was when we went to the USA and there was that going somewhere for shopping and I was showing the stuff that I bought and you dismissed all that stuff and then I took something out and you liked it
Stolbova: well, I don't remember that....
StolbovA: there are photos
Fedorova: yes, I have photos as well
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Fedorova: lets' talk about Sochi. Tell what was your mood going there, did you expect to medal, what did you expect and what were your feelings after the LP?
Stolbova: The mood... first of all we wanted just to make there. It was the OLYMPICS. The emotions. I can't really tell because it's undescridable. It's still inside but I can't explain it. Of the happiness, the unforgettable feelings, meetups and emotions. As for the plans and medals -as any athlete we wanted to skate well. We were not an exception, we just wanted to skate well and do well. It's what the athlete dreams about. Going for the medal - well no, I can't tell we were going for the medal. Being 3rd after the SP I couldn't fall asleep till 5pm. Imagine the feelings - the Olympics, we skated the SP so well, we are 3rd, and of course there are so many emotions! What now? Should I sleep or not? SHould I eat or not? Stupid thoughts. I remember the day before the LP. I recall it almost by minutes
I liked the schedule when around 10-12 we skated and I went to get some food , got some sleep, then a walk, then food... for some reason I was eating quite well then and then the time comes I can't... I can't describe the emotions.
Fedorova: did it happen you had to walk to the partner or you'd rather be alone?
Stolbova: it's rather individual. I preferred to be alone, see a movie, listen to the music. THough later I could take a walk with someone but with Fedor... I don't recall going somewhere with him.
Fedorova: I just recall that our coach, perhaps it was not true for the adult skaters, but he always made us.. it's stupid - I wanted to be alone, regroup, if I wanted to take a walk I'd take walk, if not - I'll stay in the room. He kept nagging you have to go out and take a walk.
StolbovA: No, it didn't happen to us. I think it's what you are used to. There are methods
Fedorova and the emotions?
Stolbova: I was in shocked. I was happy skating clean, well and then shock. When you are on the ice and feel that that ice is shaking. There was so much noise! Sometimes I recall the before the skate - the warm up was over and we were skating first and I recall skating and the people were shouting so loud.. and I was like `ok ,I have to turn my mind off'. I do recall these moments. But then the shock of 10 years or however long you got ready for that competiton and then `that's it?!'
Fedorova: we were in the audience and indeed the athmosphere in Iceberg was electrifying. We were all watching
Stolbova: It was so positive, so supportive, I never felt it again.
Fedorova: it was amazing, watching your skate, and after the skate - we couldn't breath and then exhaled after. WE were so worried.
Stolbova: my mom came ot the Olympics. Why did she - the opening ceremony was Feb 7th, my birthday. I said to her I will go to the Olympics as whatever, it's a home Olympics, the opening ceremony - I want to be there. And it's the 22nd Olympics, and I was 22! There were so many things that came together. I wanted my mom to be there as well. She always walked out when we skated - either she would just leave the rink. She told me later she left the rink, there were too many things going on in the corridor, so she went to the ladies room, she covered her ears and still! she could hear and feel all, she was shaking and hearing it all!
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Fedorova: let's talk about the 2nd not so nice Olympics. The Olympic season, silver, and then you don't get an invite. can you comment and what were you thinking? How did you take it?
Stolbova: You mean when I learned it or after?
Fedorova: Both.
Stolbova: Think it was a couple of days after the Euros and just a day before that we received the uniform. I also kind had an intuition - we came to the first practice before leaving to Japan. And I went out there, everyone were so tired, so within themselves - all these worries - do we go? do we stay? I looked at Fedor and at Vlad Zhovnirksii an thought well, perhaps they are tired or something, but something felt wrong. In the break between the practices I came home and the phone explodes - people who Iknow and don't were calling and messaging. And the journalist I know called. I decided to talk to her because I trust her - I know nothing bad will happen if I do, she will not treat me bad. I answer and hear.. you know how little kids sometimes cry for no end and I can't understand what happens - she cries so badly! I was shaken. She says `you don't know?' `no'. `you were not invited'. I was... I said I'll call back. And for 10 minutes I was just sitting there and was imotionless as if someone hit me in my head. I first called my mom. The emotions overtook me.
the next call was to Mozer, we cried together, she said she knew from the evening but they didn't know how to tell me. That explained Fedor's and Vlad's mood. And then.. well... for about 2 hours I was processing and was trying to do something , learn something, but... deep inside I knew that no. We would not be able to overstep it we didn't believe it would work out.
Fedorova: Were you really ready, or things did not really go well?
Stolbova: I can only speak for myself, but all these things from December 2017 - will we be allowed or not - it's not something you can escape. The season itself was a rollercoaster. The mood we had the previous season or in Sochi - no we did not have that.
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Fedorova: a lot of time had passed and it's great you and Fedor were at the right place at the right time.
Stolbova: Right
Fedorova: You break up with Fedor and pair up with Novoselov. How did you make the decision and why your pairing stopped so fast?
Stolbova: How it happened? You know it's again, a long story. I did not plan continuing skating after stopping skating with Fedor. I first planned to recover from the injuries - we didn't go to the Worlds in Milano because of my injury. It took 3-4 months, it was complicated and till today I have reminders. How did it happen.. I think other people had something to do with it. A lot of people said you don't have a right to retire - people like Tarasova, Rodnina, Candelloro, Probeurt, Amodio, my friends and the Russian skaters - they all said I don't have a right to retire! How did I end up in France? I was allowed to go back on the ice adn Tarasova said try to go with Nikolai Morozov, go back to skating again, just work on the ice and go back. It just happened I was with my friends and they said you know , rumours are Andrey Novoselov''s partnership ends. Savchenko's 2nd coach - Balester, also said I can't retire and told me to call him. There is no point looking for a Russian guy, no point breaking a pair, you know Novoselov for a while, try, what do you have to lose!
Fedorova: I recall Novoselov skating on our rink, then he was skating with Lola, I met him when I first started ksating pairs.
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Fedorova: What does Stolbova do after retiring?
Stolbova: Studying. I retired in February, and then either we go to work or studies. I finally started.
Fedorova: it's the coaching diploma you are working towards. What is next? There were so many questions what do you plan doing after retiring?
Stolbova: The education - I will not part ways with the ice, I have nice offers that I will not be able to decline - the shows. I tried skating in the show in January - in Pluschenko's Swan Lake. It was a public thing in MOscow and I participated. I enjoyed it so much.
Fedorova: I spoke to some skaters who said they can't evn look at the ice ,they were so sick of it. They also claim the show and the competition are completely different.
Stolbova: for me it's the opposite. I was so sick of the practicing. In shows, on the other hand, I enjoyed it so mcuh - the new atmosphere, I was skating alone. It was so great.
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Fedorova: What was the best advice you received and from whom?
Stolbova: I was probably 6-7 y.o. our school principle, may she rest in peace. We had a very spiritual relationship. There was some kind of a competition for the kids.
Fedorova: The most important competitions of life!
Stolbova: Yeah. I was walking around and getting myself worked up and she came and said `Ksenia, just don't piss on yourself!' and I was like `erm... ok'. though my career I thought about these words and worked!
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Fedorova: the most wrong decision in your career that you regret?
Stolbova: well... I guess I sometimes think about the Worlds and missing it.
Fedorova: Why did you miss it?
Stolbova: I don't remember. Tactics, perhaps injury. I don't remember why
Fedorova: How much influence your mom has on you?
Stolbova: She has a huge role in my life, she influenced on me a lot. But I think it was by the age of 13-14. I recall the actual moment when `I'm the adult, I know better, I will decide'. I came to my mom and said `mom, am switching to the pairs'. She knew it was useless doing something and guess from that moment she trusted me completely, supported, sometimes disagreed, but trusted.
Fedorova: Was it hard for you to decide to retire.
Stolbova: No.
Fedorova: Not at all, no regrets?
Stolbova: Not at all, it was the right decision.
Fedorova: I recalled another story that I'd like to share: those who went to the training camp in Italy - for us it was always horrible. I mean for me and Miroshkin. Are you trying to guess what is the story?
Stolbova: No. We went there several times
Fedorova: Right. Now thinking about it I understand that Iwas such a little girl and how adult I felt
Stolbova: hell, yes, you were a piece of work. The moment I met you I knew you were a trouble
Fedorova: Don't ruin my story! I was about 15, I fell from the throw and the back troubles began. I went from the ice, the pain was so bad, no one understood me and demanded I get back on the ice, suck it in and skate more. I didn't know what to do. I went out from the back exit and I saw you leaving the rink.
Stolbova: I remember. I know what you are talking about. You were crying on my shoulder.
Fedorova: Exactly! I was so hurt, Ksenia came out and said `Lina, why are you bowling?' I was out of it and Ksenia was the only person who approached me and asked what is going on. We got the hotel, and I meant to go to the room. There was kind of a bar at the entrance. You offered to take a coffee and Ksenia started telling me I don't remember everything, but there were things that calmed down, made me regroup. It was so hard, I thought the whole world was against me, everyone were mad at me and Ksenia was the only person who understood me and said `Lina, either you are taking them down or they are taking you down'.
Stolbova: I don't remember it all, but I remember how hard yuo were crying and how I was trying to get you to normal
Fedorova: I want to thank you so much. Those are the moments you remember - for me it was so important.
Stolbova: I remember it as well, it's a nice memory
Fedorova: so thank you for the interview, am so glad to see you , hear you
then some goodbyes, compliments etc.
I missed the first 15 minutes, will listen to it later
The first 15 mins:
Fedorova: How are you?
Stolbova: am ok now. I am after all the stages of the despair of the quarantine, am in the USA, am near the ocean, see the sun and the ocean. So things are good now
Feodorva: Are you kidding? It's raining in Moscow?!
Stolbova: well, the weather here is nice. Am taking walks and enjoying the weather
Fedorova: good for you! What about the mass riots in the USA? where are you and does anything happen here?
Stolbova: for two months I was in New Jersey, now am in NY. but am on Long Island. It's quite calm here. A typical American rural area, like in the desperate housewifes. All is very calm and nice.
Fedorova: Am glad you are not in that.
Stolbova: you can't avoid it here, it's everywhere, on the TV and in t he internet.
Fedorova: Ok, we'll talk about something else. Figure skating that is. Your career in pairs skating - as far as I know in 2006 you switched to pairs with Arthur Minchuk who we know as a coach of Boikova/Kozlovskii. Do yuo plan following his steps and coach?
Stolbova: First of all am thrilled for Arthur and his success. As for us - Arthur retired, I think, in 2010, so there was quite a while till he became successful in coaching. SOme want to coach immediately and go there, some have shows to participate. Me? Am not sure, I never wanted it. I love figure skating and I loved skating but am nto sure about coaching. Also you need the education, whcih I was supposed to be doing now.Like all the skaters do, so I didn't really have a choice and I aimed for the sports education which was easier to obtain.
Fedorova: What do you think about people who coach without the formal education? Take the responsibility without the background. Is it a right thing to do or wrong?
StolbovA: If they do well and the pupils like them - why not? You can always obtain the education when needed. If they are talented and really want it - am all for it.
Fedorova: you can not imagine how many people wrote me, how many people announced about that live.
StolbovA: it's so nice, I got so many messages that finally, finally an interview.
Fedorova: Let's talk about your pair wiht Klimov. Can you tell how did you pair up? I think you were skatingo n the same ice before? Were you in touch before?
Stolbova: we skated together for almost 10 years we knew each other before - in St. Petersburg there used to be just one rink for all - the singles, dance and pairs. So we knew each other from the very young age. I remember the date and how we paired up. It's a picture in my head for the rest of my life.
Fedorova: You are the first skater who replied that they remember - usually its' `it was so long ago!'.
Stolbova: I remember it fine. It was Feb 4, I was sitting off ice daydreaming, walks in Nikolai Velikov who tells me `get up'. So I did. Fedor was standing there and he was t old `do a lift'. So I look at Fedor and he says `well, here I am, so come'. And that's how it started. We started skating together so easily and so fast that 1.5 months alter we went to the Russian cup and became 3rd. We didn't have to get used to each other - we knew each other before. Of course we had to learn skating together, but there were no global problems.
Fedorova: I was reading about your pair and it seems you developed really fast - just a couple of season alter you were medalling at the junior level.
mosregtoday.ru
)...it's accurate enough... There are long and detailed sections on women's right restrictions and clearly violent and horrific treatment of gay people.
