Interview with Elizaveta Tuktamysheva
Фигуристка объяснила причины неудачи в Челябинске и рассказала, когда ее можно снова увидеть на льду.
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- The main question after Russian Nationals: how do you feel now?
- I feel good. Of course, it was not easy to compete at Nationals. But in general, I am good, it’s New Year. I will try to start 2021 with a positive attitude.
- What was the main problem?
- I think the body did not have time to fully recover - both muscle tone and breathing. There was no such ease of execution that I usually have if I am in good shape.
- What happened to your knee? There was a tape.
- The muscles did not quite cope with the trainings when it was necessary to quickly get back in shape. I had to help the muscles and ligaments to make them more efficient.
- Is it more of a safety measure?
- A safety measure, and that it was working good. The muscles did not strain, but there was discomfort, so I had to tap it to make me more confident.
- Despite the imperfect form, in the free program you went for two triple axels.
- It seemed to me that two axels are a sign that I am fighting, that I want to show my complex content. It was a risk, I lost a lot of points due to the fact that I fell on the second triple axel. But for myself it was more important for me to skate the free program with two triple axels and not lower the bar that was set during the season.
- Alexey Mishin said that you can withdrew from the free program. How did you decide to compete?
- After the morning practice, we talked and decided that we need to perform. It's better to skate as you can now, even if it won't be your best skate than to withdraw. For me, withdrawal is like losing to myself. I was preparing, I was aiming to compete at the Russian Nationals from the first day. So much work had been done that just giving up and giving up at the last moment is not about us, not about our team and not about me. So we decided to fight to the end.
- Did you quickly recover the elements during preparation?
- There were difficulties. It was harder than just after an illness. I lost all physical shape, because lying in an apartment for two weeks is difficult not to lose it. There was a loss of coordination. Just before the Russian championship, I got in a more or less competitive shape, a shape in which I can perform at competitions. I did the maximum that could be squeezed out of this situation. We trained hard and did a lot of exercise. But in the beginning there was a state: "Lord, how can muscle tone go away that much in two weeks that you get lost in space?" It wasn't easy.
- Earlier you said that it is quite difficult for you to get the triple axel back, but now you managed to do it in a week. Found a secret?
- It all depends on the mood. While I was sick, I watched the performances and scrolled through the elements in my head, especially the axel. I knew that I had to get it back for a long time after quarantine, and before the Russian Nationals I didn’t have much time. I went out without a doubt. Two weeks passed, but I still had fresh sensations in my head. If my muscles somehow slept, then it was muscle memory that remained. Thanks to it, I immediately steered landing triple axel with such an attitude that I have no choice, I simply need to get it. And when you set yourself up like this, then you have much stronger motivation, and you go, jump and work on this element.
- What was your first thought after the free skating?
- I was upset because I could have skated better. Although at the same time I knew that I had done practically the maximum that I was capable of. The next one was the joy that I had learned that this difficult moment in my life is over and now I have the opportunity to get in very good shape and at the next competitions show everything that I can, how I can really skate well.
A lot of words of support were said. It helped me to cope with those annoying thoughts that accompanied me after the performance. I cheered up, and in the evening I was in a good mood. I was energized that there is more to come and I will show how I can skate.
- What is the next event planned?
- I don't know yet, but some competitions are planned in early February. It seems, even before the final of the Russian Cup. I want to be in shape in January. Doesn’t matter if there are going to be competitions or not... I really want to get the quad back and insert it into a free program.
- Are you planning a quad instead of one of the triple axels?
- For now, yes. I'm not sure that in a month I will be able to gain such a shape to perform both two triple axels and a quadruple toe loop. Everything is possible, but for now, like last season, we plan to replace one triple axel with a quadruple toeloop in the content.
- Have you already thought about programs for the next season?
- We have not discussed this with the coaches yet, but I have an idea for a short program. Hope they will like it. I don’t want to say the music, but this program is sitting in my head right for the Olympic season.
- So it happens that ideas may appear during the season?
- I position this season as preparation for the Olympics. I understand that today, practices and performances are steps to the next season. Previously, I did not think in advance what programs I will skate to the next season. Now I need to roughly understand how the programs will look like, so as not to waste time on this in the offseason. To clearly understand what kind of music, what kind of choreographer, so that everything is planned. So I thought about it, and there is already one version of the music.
- By the way, about programs. For this season you were going to work on a program with Stéphane Lambiel. But it didn't happen. Why?
- We put on a fun program. We worked with Stephane for pleasure, I trained his kids. It was a friendly help. But then we heard the music offered by Yuri Smekalov, and decided that "The Song of the Clockwork Bird" would be a better choice.
- How was your coaching experience?
- I worked more on the technique. As I understand it, Stephane invited me precisely as a specialist in Mishin’s technique. I corrected the elements, gave some exercises. It was interesting to me, I like it, especially if I see that children really want to do it. There are those who skate just for fun and do not quite understand what is needed. Anyway, it's interesting. Moreover, in Champery, where Stephane works, there are very good conditions, a wonderful skating rink. It's a pleasure to skate and train.
- Didn't you want to become a coach after the end of your career?
- I think about it. If I had no idea about it before, now I look more and more at my friends who already go to the Russian championship as coaches, and I understand that figure skating is not over for them: a student becomes a coach. Your friends, who are younger than you, are already standing behind the boards. You think: it's so cool that they are still here! You are no longer an athlete, but you still go to competitions, you see familiar faces. Therefore, I am
now considering this option. I love competitions, skating, traveling, this whole atmosphere. If possible, I will be a coach for a while. Let's see how life goes.
- Would you like to have your own group or work as a specialist in some existing one?
- I would like to have my group, to raise my athletes, to become a good coach and specialist. Follow the footsteps of Alexei Nikolaevich Mishin.
I can see some of the issues, but I always enjoy watching her nonetheless.
