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Ekaterina Cherniavskaya's interview with Elizaveta Tuktamysheva `The experience of not making the Olys is my advantage' for sport-express.ru
EC: How are the season preparations going?
ET: We've been doing runthrough for a while now. I'm in a decent shape. Certainly in a better shape than this time last year.
EC: What was the most important in the test skates in sochi?
ET: To show the wholeness of the programmes. I.e. of course they were checking the technical part, but more important is the state of the programme: the transitions, spins, steps. Those make the programme stand out. The atmosphere was quite nervous even though you understand it's not an important event. Yet it's the first event of the season and, as my coach says `only an idiot would not worry'.
EC: Did you and the coach compile the season plan?
ET: For now we plan an intense beginning of the season. Lombardia Trophy and then perhaps some other competitions. Think before the GP events we'll certainly do at least 3 competitions.
EC: The sad experience of not making it to the Olympics - is it your weak spot or your advantage?
ET: I will try to turn it into an advantage. Especially as so many people believe in me. It motivates.
EC: What is the state of your technique?
ET: I have all the triples back, now I just have to land them in a competition. The 3A I land on the practices only. For now we think we'll put it only in one programme. The LP.
EC: Looking at the technical content of the junior girls do you think of yourself at the beginning of your journey with `I used to be able to jump so easily as well'?
ET: Not at all. Kudos to the girls. It's great figure skating develops. I would like to wish the girls to be able to skate at the age of 20 as they do now, when the hormones etc take their toll. I don't think of the `old times'. At least I try to. I prefer my today jumps to be easy.
EC: Do the talks such as `Liza will never go back in her previous level' upset you?
ET: It's funny that people who write me off are those who are not even in the system anymore. As for the fans, they are emotional people and feel for their athlete. So there are those who are for and against. But, frankly, I don't have time to read the comments. If I were out of the Euros and the Worlds it means I was given that time for something. I healed, tried new characters on the ice, spent more time with the beloved once. Is that a bad thing?
EC: One of the latest fashion trends - the jumps in the 2nd part of the programme with tano or rippon. Will you try to increase the base value of your programmes with that?
ET: Of course I can. Lifting your arms is not a big deal. As for integrating the jumps in the 2nd part of the programme, well, in my SP 2 elements are in the 2nd part. Yet despite the move to the later part gives more points, I don't like the programmes in which the girl just skates around for 2 minutes. The wholeness of the programme is partly achieved by the well balanced jumps. The programmes have to be a mini-theatre on the ice.
EC: Yet many specialists take you as a technical skater, while the components are not your strong side.
ET: Indeed, many times I am considered a jumper. I hope this season I'll shine with my programmes as well.
EC: What can you tell about the new programmes?
ET: I love my programmes this season and don't think we'll change them. They came out colourful, emotional and fun. At least the SP. Hence I think it will be my usual character, but slightly different.
EC: What will you look like?
ET: Fun, funny, playful. Of course there will be passion and elegance. Of course it's about both programmes and not all at once.
EC: The fans keep wondering why during the exhibitions you wear colourful and sexy outfits, yet in the competitions it's usually a loose dark dress?
ET: We choose the dresses according to my preferences. I like the wide floating dresses in the competitions.
EC: Your coach Alexey Mishin is known for being so calm during the competitions, while the others set their skaters for a fight and often start a postmortem right after the skate...
ET: It just wouldn't work with me. Besides, Alexey Nikolaevich is not a person who would make you do things. He knows fully well if the athlete is smart they will set themselves in the right mood and know what they need .There is no point shouting or demanding.
EC: Can he scorn you at least sometimes?
ET: If something is wrong he tells at once. He never scorns, but he can be strict in his opinion. I like it and think that's the right approach.
EC: Does he ever set Kostner as an example or you as an example for her?
ET: That rarely happens. Besides, we work with the choreographer Tatiana Prokofieva, who helps me a lot. Even when Alexey Nikolaevich is focused on Carolina am unedr Tatiana Nikolaevna's guidance. Hence there is enough attention for all.
EC: Yet had the practices changed since Carolina joined?
ET: In general - no, more like a competition became part of it. In the end we usually do all the elements, all the jumps. In a way it's a positive thing to have such a strong competitor. We are in good relationships and I have to fit.
EC: Are you satisfied with the GP assignments - China and France?
ET: It would be silly talking about the preferences in my situation. I'm glad I got France and am always well accepted in China.
EC: Who were you mostly in touch during the last year among the skaters?
ET: I'm in good terms with Kaitlyn Weaver. I'm fond of the Canadian team in general. We started talking during the competitions and found out we have common interests. Besides, Kaitlyn is a very interesting and sane person. I like it.
EC: That's the skater who the Russian fans call `Katusha'.
ET: Right. She calls me `Lizonchik'
EC: Is the language an issue?
ET: My spoken English is not so bad. Of course, when we start talking about themes not related to figure skating there are some hardships. But we always find a way out. Except for her am in touch with Ekaterina Riazanova. She retired, but is still in the figure skating world.
EC: There is a point of view the skaters become the adults on the ice, but off the ice they are still babies.
ET: Nonsense. Perhaps it's true for some, but I don't know such skaters. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel no difference between the sports and out of the ice life. And I haven't met many with such a difference.
EC: Two season outside the team, hence a lot of free time you haven't found something that you would like to pursue outside the figure skating?
ET: Even when I was not competing I was still practicing and mending my back. There was always something to do and my life is still revolving around figure skating. I don't want to spread and haven't yet decided what do I want to do after. So even if there are no competitions my coaches always find what to work on during the practices.
EC: Not so long ago you stopped hiding your relationship with Andrey Lazukin. If it's not a secret who hit on whom?
ET: We were friends for a while - we started communicating once he switched to our group. Think since the age of 13. We've known each other for a long time. It came from both of us - our passes crossed quite often. It's more common for the pair skaters who skate together and see each other all the time. We know of many examples when the pairs started dating and it didn't bother the work. The athletes are quite disciplined people and are smart enough not to let the emotions bother the practices. At least in our case they don't.
EC: Do the guys in the group joke about you two?
ET: Humour is a huge part of our group hence there are a lot of jokes on our account. It doesn't bother the practices but adds some fun and creates a positive atmosphere.
EC: What would you tell those who think if here is love in your life then figure skating is the 2nd most important?
ET: To mind their own private life and be happy!
EC: Even despite the last two seasons you are a titled skater. Yet your SO is still to become one. Does it influence your relationship? After all it's important for men to be the first...
ET: We just support each other, that's it. Our relationship is not built on the sport, it's built on our feelings. Hence Andrey, as a smart young man understands my achievements are not a reason for jealousy and envy. It's a reason to skate better.
EC: How are the season preparations going?
ET: We've been doing runthrough for a while now. I'm in a decent shape. Certainly in a better shape than this time last year.
EC: What was the most important in the test skates in sochi?
ET: To show the wholeness of the programmes. I.e. of course they were checking the technical part, but more important is the state of the programme: the transitions, spins, steps. Those make the programme stand out. The atmosphere was quite nervous even though you understand it's not an important event. Yet it's the first event of the season and, as my coach says `only an idiot would not worry'.
EC: Did you and the coach compile the season plan?
ET: For now we plan an intense beginning of the season. Lombardia Trophy and then perhaps some other competitions. Think before the GP events we'll certainly do at least 3 competitions.
EC: The sad experience of not making it to the Olympics - is it your weak spot or your advantage?
ET: I will try to turn it into an advantage. Especially as so many people believe in me. It motivates.
EC: What is the state of your technique?
ET: I have all the triples back, now I just have to land them in a competition. The 3A I land on the practices only. For now we think we'll put it only in one programme. The LP.
EC: Looking at the technical content of the junior girls do you think of yourself at the beginning of your journey with `I used to be able to jump so easily as well'?
ET: Not at all. Kudos to the girls. It's great figure skating develops. I would like to wish the girls to be able to skate at the age of 20 as they do now, when the hormones etc take their toll. I don't think of the `old times'. At least I try to. I prefer my today jumps to be easy.
EC: Do the talks such as `Liza will never go back in her previous level' upset you?
ET: It's funny that people who write me off are those who are not even in the system anymore. As for the fans, they are emotional people and feel for their athlete. So there are those who are for and against. But, frankly, I don't have time to read the comments. If I were out of the Euros and the Worlds it means I was given that time for something. I healed, tried new characters on the ice, spent more time with the beloved once. Is that a bad thing?
EC: One of the latest fashion trends - the jumps in the 2nd part of the programme with tano or rippon. Will you try to increase the base value of your programmes with that?
ET: Of course I can. Lifting your arms is not a big deal. As for integrating the jumps in the 2nd part of the programme, well, in my SP 2 elements are in the 2nd part. Yet despite the move to the later part gives more points, I don't like the programmes in which the girl just skates around for 2 minutes. The wholeness of the programme is partly achieved by the well balanced jumps. The programmes have to be a mini-theatre on the ice.
EC: Yet many specialists take you as a technical skater, while the components are not your strong side.
ET: Indeed, many times I am considered a jumper. I hope this season I'll shine with my programmes as well.
EC: What can you tell about the new programmes?
ET: I love my programmes this season and don't think we'll change them. They came out colourful, emotional and fun. At least the SP. Hence I think it will be my usual character, but slightly different.
EC: What will you look like?
ET: Fun, funny, playful. Of course there will be passion and elegance. Of course it's about both programmes and not all at once.
EC: The fans keep wondering why during the exhibitions you wear colourful and sexy outfits, yet in the competitions it's usually a loose dark dress?
ET: We choose the dresses according to my preferences. I like the wide floating dresses in the competitions.
EC: Your coach Alexey Mishin is known for being so calm during the competitions, while the others set their skaters for a fight and often start a postmortem right after the skate...
ET: It just wouldn't work with me. Besides, Alexey Nikolaevich is not a person who would make you do things. He knows fully well if the athlete is smart they will set themselves in the right mood and know what they need .There is no point shouting or demanding.
EC: Can he scorn you at least sometimes?
ET: If something is wrong he tells at once. He never scorns, but he can be strict in his opinion. I like it and think that's the right approach.
EC: Does he ever set Kostner as an example or you as an example for her?
ET: That rarely happens. Besides, we work with the choreographer Tatiana Prokofieva, who helps me a lot. Even when Alexey Nikolaevich is focused on Carolina am unedr Tatiana Nikolaevna's guidance. Hence there is enough attention for all.
EC: Yet had the practices changed since Carolina joined?
ET: In general - no, more like a competition became part of it. In the end we usually do all the elements, all the jumps. In a way it's a positive thing to have such a strong competitor. We are in good relationships and I have to fit.
EC: Are you satisfied with the GP assignments - China and France?
ET: It would be silly talking about the preferences in my situation. I'm glad I got France and am always well accepted in China.
EC: Who were you mostly in touch during the last year among the skaters?
ET: I'm in good terms with Kaitlyn Weaver. I'm fond of the Canadian team in general. We started talking during the competitions and found out we have common interests. Besides, Kaitlyn is a very interesting and sane person. I like it.
EC: That's the skater who the Russian fans call `Katusha'.
ET: Right. She calls me `Lizonchik'
EC: Is the language an issue?
ET: My spoken English is not so bad. Of course, when we start talking about themes not related to figure skating there are some hardships. But we always find a way out. Except for her am in touch with Ekaterina Riazanova. She retired, but is still in the figure skating world.
EC: There is a point of view the skaters become the adults on the ice, but off the ice they are still babies.
ET: Nonsense. Perhaps it's true for some, but I don't know such skaters. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel no difference between the sports and out of the ice life. And I haven't met many with such a difference.
EC: Two season outside the team, hence a lot of free time you haven't found something that you would like to pursue outside the figure skating?
ET: Even when I was not competing I was still practicing and mending my back. There was always something to do and my life is still revolving around figure skating. I don't want to spread and haven't yet decided what do I want to do after. So even if there are no competitions my coaches always find what to work on during the practices.
EC: Not so long ago you stopped hiding your relationship with Andrey Lazukin. If it's not a secret who hit on whom?
ET: We were friends for a while - we started communicating once he switched to our group. Think since the age of 13. We've known each other for a long time. It came from both of us - our passes crossed quite often. It's more common for the pair skaters who skate together and see each other all the time. We know of many examples when the pairs started dating and it didn't bother the work. The athletes are quite disciplined people and are smart enough not to let the emotions bother the practices. At least in our case they don't.
EC: Do the guys in the group joke about you two?
ET: Humour is a huge part of our group hence there are a lot of jokes on our account. It doesn't bother the practices but adds some fun and creates a positive atmosphere.
EC: What would you tell those who think if here is love in your life then figure skating is the 2nd most important?
ET: To mind their own private life and be happy!
EC: Even despite the last two seasons you are a titled skater. Yet your SO is still to become one. Does it influence your relationship? After all it's important for men to be the first...
ET: We just support each other, that's it. Our relationship is not built on the sport, it's built on our feelings. Hence Andrey, as a smart young man understands my achievements are not a reason for jealousy and envy. It's a reason to skate better.
. . . but I want Radionova too . . . 
The selection is going to hurt.
I'm glad she has a different vision for her skating, and I'd love to see her on the Olympic team, especially after everything she's been through. She appears to be in a good place, so hopefully she at least has a shot at it.
