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Ivan Adamenko's interview with Alexey Bychenko for news.ru
IA: How were the Europeans? How were your skates?
AB: The competition was great - the organization on the top. I liked both the training and the main rinks. A shame we all came so close to the actual competition and didn't have a chance to try out the main rink. Oh well, it's not a big deal.
IA: Is it a shame you were not able to gain as many points as you wanted?
AB: Frankly, no. Taking how I began the season there was no goal to skate at all. I was going to retire, spent 3 months vacationing...
IA: And then you were told to come back?
AB: I had a talk with the Federation and was told they still count on me. The age of 30 is still young, there is a lot ahead and things work well. We came to a conclusion I should keep competing. Unfortunately the time was lost and the season began late. We did the GP and some other events but they were not successfull. It confused me. What happened in Minsk was fine for one reason - I was expecting to do so much worse.
IA: What are your plans for the rest of the season?
AB: It's rather simlpe: I will skate in the Israeli international event (Eilat ice mall cup), then the worlds. I'll have a short vacation after, which will end earlier than usual - I have to prepare well for the next season.
IA: I.e. less time to rest.
AB: Well, my previous vacation was quite long, since I thought I left the sport behind me. There was a decision I needed a rest.
IA: How long will you stick around? Will you do the next Olympics?
AB: I will not hold you in the unknown - it will be really cool to participate the 3rd Olympics. I want it really bad. But the main issue is my health. Not so many know, but after returning to the practice I had troubles with my health. I don't remember spending so much time injured in the previous 5 years. It was mentally draining.
IA: Did you find yourself thinking `I'm too old for this shit'?
AB: Of course there were the moments when I thought I should put a stop to my sport career, but I overcame it. One has to go through a lot to skate well.
IA: What helped you to go through such a moments?
AB: It all went on till December, but then I realized what I do is just so cool. I had to work and not waste my time on the problems around.
IA: Your ex team mates - the Ukranian Reznichenko said you might surprise everyone at the Europeans. Did you feel your friend's support in Minsk?
AB: The world of figure skating knows me well and knows what am I capable of. Many guys were supporting me, but no one knew what the preparation process looked like. Everyone expected me, as usually, to do well, to `surprise', but I was prepared not to be scored high at the Europeans. It's something I had to go through - another experience.
IA: Many tried to take out the complicated elements from the programme so they would be more consistent. Did you follow that lead?
AB: We took down one quad jump, since I only started attempting them in Decembed. The plan was doing two quad toeloops, but together with the coach we decided to take one down. One quad and two 3A were a big deal for me. We decided to jump up to the top from nothing and it's not a thing to be done. But we didn't want to leave too much on the table either.
IA: It's not a secret many skaters participate some commercial shows to earn some money...
AB: No, I didn't have that. After every season all I want to do is travel, see my family and friends.
IA: Top 3 countries you'd like to go back to
AB: I love the Carribians, am a huge fan, it's a great place. The other places would be Israel and Ukraine, since I have so many relatives and friends there. I want to travel everywhere. But the best for me are the Carribians. They just make the vacation great.
IA: How were the Europeans? How were your skates?
AB: The competition was great - the organization on the top. I liked both the training and the main rinks. A shame we all came so close to the actual competition and didn't have a chance to try out the main rink. Oh well, it's not a big deal.
IA: Is it a shame you were not able to gain as many points as you wanted?
AB: Frankly, no. Taking how I began the season there was no goal to skate at all. I was going to retire, spent 3 months vacationing...
IA: And then you were told to come back?
AB: I had a talk with the Federation and was told they still count on me. The age of 30 is still young, there is a lot ahead and things work well. We came to a conclusion I should keep competing. Unfortunately the time was lost and the season began late. We did the GP and some other events but they were not successfull. It confused me. What happened in Minsk was fine for one reason - I was expecting to do so much worse.
IA: What are your plans for the rest of the season?
AB: It's rather simlpe: I will skate in the Israeli international event (Eilat ice mall cup), then the worlds. I'll have a short vacation after, which will end earlier than usual - I have to prepare well for the next season.
IA: I.e. less time to rest.
AB: Well, my previous vacation was quite long, since I thought I left the sport behind me. There was a decision I needed a rest.
IA: How long will you stick around? Will you do the next Olympics?
AB: I will not hold you in the unknown - it will be really cool to participate the 3rd Olympics. I want it really bad. But the main issue is my health. Not so many know, but after returning to the practice I had troubles with my health. I don't remember spending so much time injured in the previous 5 years. It was mentally draining.
IA: Did you find yourself thinking `I'm too old for this shit'?
AB: Of course there were the moments when I thought I should put a stop to my sport career, but I overcame it. One has to go through a lot to skate well.
IA: What helped you to go through such a moments?
AB: It all went on till December, but then I realized what I do is just so cool. I had to work and not waste my time on the problems around.
IA: Your ex team mates - the Ukranian Reznichenko said you might surprise everyone at the Europeans. Did you feel your friend's support in Minsk?
AB: The world of figure skating knows me well and knows what am I capable of. Many guys were supporting me, but no one knew what the preparation process looked like. Everyone expected me, as usually, to do well, to `surprise', but I was prepared not to be scored high at the Europeans. It's something I had to go through - another experience.
IA: Many tried to take out the complicated elements from the programme so they would be more consistent. Did you follow that lead?
AB: We took down one quad jump, since I only started attempting them in Decembed. The plan was doing two quad toeloops, but together with the coach we decided to take one down. One quad and two 3A were a big deal for me. We decided to jump up to the top from nothing and it's not a thing to be done. But we didn't want to leave too much on the table either.
IA: It's not a secret many skaters participate some commercial shows to earn some money...
AB: No, I didn't have that. After every season all I want to do is travel, see my family and friends.
IA: Top 3 countries you'd like to go back to
AB: I love the Carribians, am a huge fan, it's a great place. The other places would be Israel and Ukraine, since I have so many relatives and friends there. I want to travel everywhere. But the best for me are the Carribians. They just make the vacation great.
