part 8:
Z: Anya, tell me honestly - were you at least a little worried about the girls? I remember that you said that you thought a lot about yourself, and rightly so - this is a sport, and you are here for yourself. But now you've been thinking about how they feel?
A: Well, as I said before: before the start, I thought only about myself, and after the end of my program, for example, when I watched Kamila’s performance, then, of course, I, as a person who sees all her trainings and experiences a lot herself, could not remain indifferent. And if I watch the performances of the girls when they pass after my skating, I also experience emotions.
Z: Did you manage to talk with Kamila at least a little after what happened in the free program?
A: Yes, we had a heart-to-heart talk with Kamila in the evening, discussed everything.
Z: Did you support her?
A: Yes. But still, I want to leave it all between me and Kamila.
Z: What matters to me is that you supported her. Because… I don’t know, but Daniil says that for someone who has a soul, it’s impossible to endure all this… I think everyone who watched was literally dying from conflicting feelings. On the one hand - joy for you, on the other - terrible pain for what was there.
What will you do now when you come to Moscow? I just can’t imagine – well, I’m an Olympic champion, so what, let’s train the same way again. Channel One Cup, by the way, yes.
A: The most important start of the season, by the way (laughs)
Z: From March 4 to March 7 in Sochi - in case someone forgot.
A: Well, it's probably important that we haven't reached the end of the season yet. Despite the fact that it was the main tournament of four years, we are going back and we won't even have much time to rest. I even know that we will have some shows with my participation, but I will have to return to training - and it's probably for the best that I won't have time to rest and think about a carefree life. The fact that I have to get back to training as soon as possible will help me gather myself. And the fact that the season continues is also very important.
Z: So you don’t want to rest?
A: I don't have an understanding yet that the Olympic competitions are over. I'm still tense, not relaxed, not exhaled
D: More Gala ahead! (everyone laughs)
A: In general, even after these competitions, I still haven’t relaxed. But I think it's for the best that there won't be a long break, because it will be easier to get back to work and not turn off your head.
Z: You, as an Olympic champion, have the opportunity to express your wishes for the First Channel Cup. Maybe you want some special jumping contest format? Maybe you want to call someone?
A: To cut out unsuccessful attempts? (laughs) It would be nice!
Z: Ice cream after every jump? Seriously, would you like some changes compared to last year? Everyone was in awe of these team formats, of the jumps – is there anything else you could add?
A (shakes head): I don't even know...
Z: Okay, then you choose one skater who could be invited.
A: Well, I already know that Nathan Chen will be participating.
Z: I thought you didn't know! You just say: “can I call Nathan Chen”, and we immediately: “Yes! Here it is for you!”
D: It would be funny if she chose someone else - then I would look at you.
Z: Would you like to be on the same team with him?
A: Of course! Undoubtedly.
Z: Okay, then let's try this. Could you beat him in jumping? Remember, our guys were so upset last year that they lost to you girls ...
D: And so you were forced to call ...
Z: Yes! Strengthen the team this way.
A: Yes, this time it will definitely be more difficult, what can I say. Well, I think it will be interesting to compete. Nathan Chen has been looking like the best and most unattainable figure skater on the planet for many years now. Therefore, the idea that we will compete with him in jumping is already something incredible. So I think that will be interesting to watch.
Z: Sasha would now say: “Yes, I'm ready! I'll beat him easily!" Do you have any plans to make things more difficult for yourself? I think about the triple axel all the time. Did you say that you learned the double last, and it’s really possible for you to complete the triple?
A: According to my physical data, I think I can actually perform this jump. And this is not just a hypothetical assumption. At the moment when I was actively working on the triple axel, it was already clear to me that this was quite real. I think I had a little time left, but then everything started to spin, and I didn’t work on this element for quite a long time. Of course, if I return to the triple Axel, it will take a lot of time to train and learn. Therefore, if I am in optimal shape, this could be an interesting goal for me, although not an easy one.
Z: Daniel, what do you think – is it possible?
D: Well, I was very upset when we stopped working on the triple Axel. I understood very well how necessary that element was in the short program. Without it, it is difficult to score the maximum number of points. In fact, there were very good attempts. The goal was close. But, as Anya said, “everything is spinning” (everyone laughs) This, of course, is a very good explanation for why we did not get the triple Axel and do not train it. I hope that everything that started spinning will unwind in the opposite direction. Here the question is the desire of the athlete himself. In order for the jump to work, it must be constantly trained. And if we constantly train the triple axel, I can believe that it will start to work out.
Z: Well, then we are waiting for new achievements - and it's great that they are still possible, even after the Olympic gold medal has been received. Anna Shcherbakova, Olympic champion, Daniil Gleikhengauz, coach of the Olympic champion. Guys, thank you very much, I wish you a great Gala, and then we'll light it up on the Channel One Cup
A: Thank you!
D: Thank you!