TAHbKA
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Am not sure whether it's a legit link etc, but anyway, here is the interview:
The coach Sergey Dudakov does not like being interviewed and hardly ever is seen in front of the cameras. He prefers to do the deed - to coach and not talk. This is probably the first time Sergey is talking of his journey.
SD: I started skating thanks to my mom. In the 70s figure skating was really popular in my country - the names of Rodnina and Zaitsev, Pahomova and Gorshkov were known. Probably it influenced my mother's choice.
I was a sick kid, the doctors recommended to spend more time outdoors and do sports. Hence at the age of 6 I was taken to an open rink in Leninski Gory. There used to be plenty of such rinks back then. They built the borders and the water froze into a rink. There were amateur groups, the kids were taught to skate. I was part of such a group.
Mom said the minute I got on the ice I started skating. I couldn't turn yet, so I would use the snow to stop. But I liked it.
When the spring came and the snow melted we moved to Luzhniki to `Kristall' rink. The well known place, where many of our skaters began their careers. `Kristall' had a main rink and a small addition 2/3 size, where the Moscow ballet on ice were training. The kids were there as well.
Once we were visited by Marina Kudriavtseva, who came to pick kids to work with. I was among the lucky ones. Later, when I was 18, I asked Marina why did she pick me, after all there were so many kids on the ice? She said `the speed. You couldn't do a thing but you moved very fast. Besides, you are a redhead and everyone needs a redhead in the group. There is a belief a redhead brings luck'. I was indeed very redhead as a kid. That's how I ended up in Kudriavtseva's group.
We were training on the same `Krsitall', but the practices were scheduled, with the test skates, competitions etc. If the kids made it through the competition and tests they continued, if not - they dropped out. Those who skated well, learned new things, showed something new was allowed to skate with the adults. It was the big price we all aspired for. We all dreamed skating with Kostia Kokorka, Kira Ivanova, Sergey Volkov, Alexandr Krysanov... We were warned: do not bother the adult skaters, be very careful. We were watching with the wide eyes how the celebrities were practicing. Thanks to Marina Kudriavtseva I became serious about my skating and it just happened that my whole life became related to this sport.
My parents were not a professional athletes. Mom was an engineer in the chemistry faculty of the Moscow State Uni. Father loved sports. Hockey, football.. He used to take me to the games where we cheered for the beloved teams. I recall how we were walking with the crowd to the metro after the game because the near by metro station would be closed. When I started skating dad was supporting me in every possible way. He would come at the weekend and watch me train. The parents were not allowed on the ice, but the windows in Krsitall were quite big and if you put some bricks you could climb on and see the practice. Dad was dreaming I would make it in the sports. He would say `Go on, work and everything will happen'. Mom was more lay back about it.
The funny story when the parents let me go to the practice alone for the first time. We were living on Obruchev str, which is not far from Luzhniki, but let a 7y.o go alone was scary.
Parents were working and couldn't take time off often. So we were thinking of a solution. Dad called me and asked `Will you travel to the practice alone?' `I will'. `Then go on: you are out of the house and then where do you go?'. I started telling which bus I'd take, what stop I'd get off, where will I walk... Dad made me repeat it at least 10 times. Made an exam. The next day I went alone. And came back after the practice.
Years later dad told me he followed me the whole way that day - made sure I crossed the road right, didn't forget the stop. Funny! I haven't even noticed. After my first journey alone that was it.
I started being seriously interested in figure skating when I was 10. But it's individual really - everyone has their time. The changes that I went through were related to the jumps. The first barrier the skaters pass is moving from the double jumps to the 2A and then the triples. It's always a tough moment for the guys. Though it's different now. In my time many retired because there were unable to land the triples. I made it. It became interesting then. I always loved jumping...
My first training camp was in Zaporozh'e. Viktor Kudriavtsev, who joined working with us took his whole big group there. I still remember how I saw it all as a kid. I traveled far from home for the first time in my life, away from mom and dad and it lasted for the whole 3 weeks! Now 3 weeks pass in a blink of an eye, but then it seemed endless.
We did everything as a team in the training camp. Ate together, the practices, the warm up, the walks. There were no alarm clocks and we would turn the radio on so we wouldn't oversleep. They were playing the anthem at 6am and we knew we had an hour before getting up. The older guys would make sure we are awake and knock on the door when on the way to the warm up. But still it happened we overslept. We would get punished, but we knew we deserved it.
We were sometimes crying at nights - we were homesick. But after that training camp we all became more mature and all the following training camps were easier. Viktor Kudriavtsev is very demanding but very fair. He is still the same way. Through my whole career it never happened that Kudriavtsevs would not show up for the practice. They are very responsible and serious about their work. Viktor Kudriavtsev expected the same attitude of his pupils - he demanded discipline. And inner discipline first of all. He was always sincere with the pupils - if the pupil was doing something wrong Viktor said it straight forward.
It happened you would show up in the practice and nothing would work because your mind was elsewhere, you are daydreaming and don't listen to the coach. Now when am coaching myself I understand how important it is. Lack of concentration might not only cause getting used to the mistakes, but the injuries, so you can not let go even for a second. So it would happen that nothing works for you in the practice. Viktor Nikolaevich would gather the group and would explain each what was wrong. Then he looks at you, daydreamer and starts speaking so slowly and clearly, every word is like a bullet fired. You would be so ashamed you'd prefer him to hit you. It would shake you up immediately and get you back to work.
I was in Kudriavtsev's group from the first on the ice and till I retired. It never crossed my mind switching the coaches. Though there were moments. We were growing up and it seemed we already know everything. Sometimes we would argue, fight and be mean to the coaches. But leaving them? Never. We were different...
Am so grateful to Marina Grigorievna and Viktor Nikolaevich for all they have done for me, for the knowledge I use now as a coach.
Of all the competitions I participated the one I remember the most is the Junior worlds 1986. I still dream of it. The shame, how I let everyone down - the coach, the country, people who supported me didn't let go for a very long time. I was well prepared for the competition but I couldn't do all as I planned. I now ask myself why?.. .I became 7th that competition.
I was a mediocre athlete. Placed 6-8th in the nationals. Of course I wanted to place higher and make it to the team, but it didn't happen. In 1991 I decided to retire. That year it was the USR competition and not USSR, but we, the athletes, did not feel much difference. We were not yet separated, we were all from the same country. That competition is a blank page for me - I failed both the SP and the LP. That's when I decided to retire. I came back home from Kiev and mentally put an end. I was so sorry for that decision so many times. I guess I should had overcome and work a bit. I saw the guys who stayed in the sports made it. Igor Pashkevich became a European silver medalist. Ilya Kulik was very successful. But what is done is done. Though yes, I was sorry I retired.
Our sport has a continuation after retiring. I tried working in the Moscow ballet on ice. The artistic life I dived into was nothing like the sports. First I had thoughts: but what about the discipline? Is it all right? The adult fun life, a big team of 52 skaters. The shows, the travels... The ballet on ice allowed me to see the other side of figure skating. While I was still competing I haven't really thought about the choreography. Ok, may be to wave a hand ,but that's about it. Ballet has different roles. I had to switch from one to another. It was an interesting experience. I worked I the ballet from 1992 till 1995 and moved to the UK to be a part of a show.
The UK producers were looking for the skaters in Moscow for `POTO on ice'. There were a lot of people trying out, I made it through. For 2 years we were touring the UK. Kotin, Frantsuzova/Gorshkov, Selezneva/Makarov and some other skaters. The whole cast were only Russians. The first tour lasted for 11 month - each week in a different town. Those 11 months seemed like eternity. I realized what is it like the artists' life, when you have to cook, clean, wash, travel, live in the hotels... but I made it.
After the UK I went to a different show in Germany for 8 months. It was really hard. 4 shows a day 6 days a week and one day off. The show only lasted for 35 minutes but you were constantly on the stage/
After that schedule my next work place - on a cruise ship felt like a vacation. It was the end of my shows career. The huge ship with 5K people on board. We were sailing in Miami and the islands.
The rink was 1/6 of the usual size. We were giving shows 4 times a day. It was dynamic, I had to keep in a good shape, come, warm up, practice so I would look good. The ship is a closed space. Just a 3 minutes walk from my room to the rink, hence we really were not moving a lot. We compensated in the gym and running along the board... Despite being the artists we were written down as sailors. We all knew what we had to do in a case of emergency. It was an experience as well.
Each sail lasted for half a year. After the 3rd one I started thinking what is next? I was above the age of 30, the younger guys were pushing me out. Besides, I already had a family and a son. Living half a year in Moscow and half a year on the ship was hard. When I went to my 3rd sail my son Egor was 1.5 months old. I came back to a different kid. That's when I called Igor Pashkevich, who was coaching in the USA and asked for an advice. Igor said a new rink `Hrustalny' was opening and I should try my luck there.
I took a group of the beginners - it was interesting. I didn't really work with the kids before and I wanted to figure whether I'll make it. I was still skating decently but skating and teaching is different. I stated with the `health' group - was working with them 3 times a week. They slowly started skating. The best were switching to the professional groups.
2 years later Maria Butyrskaya invited me to join her in Krylatski rink. I worked there for 5 years and then returned to Khrustalny. It was my lucky ticket. The first were the Kudriavtsevs. The second - Tutberidze. Kudriavsevs taught me figure skating. Tutberidze gave an opportunity to become a coach. I am very grateful to her. Eteri is ready to work 24 hours a day. Her energy, her will to get to the result motivates the others. Working with her I had an opportunity to work with the senior skaters. The group back then included Polina Shelepen, the little Zhenia Medvedeva, Julia Lipnitskaya joined...
It was easy to find a way to communicate with Eteri, because she is always fair. Sport is about a strict discipline and self discipline. If the skater works only just he will be the one to pay the price. During this year we worked with a lot of guys and each career went differently. I took Adian Pitkeev's departure very hard, I was really thrilled with the success of our guys and girls. Every athlete is a part of our coaching life. Each defeats and victories are defeats and victories of their coaches.
My son did not become a skater. The shoe maker is always naked. I was leaving to the rink at 8am and coming back at 9pm. It's still the same. When Egor was younger he was probably jealous of my pupils and was hurt I did not spend much time with him. I hope he understands now what my work means to me.
He chose his own way. He is studying to become a teacher. Despite speaking English quite decently he is interested in Czech language. He wants to become an interpreter. My wife and I support his decision.
With the time you understand how important the family is for each person. If you have a background, if everything is fine at home you do your best at work. The coaching work is about being with people. Pupils, their parents, the colleagues, various specialists. You must find a way to communicate with each of them on many subjects, explain, convince. Hence I think the coach should be universal. The specialist in his field, a teacher, a shrink, to know a lot and be able to do a lot. I think I should set an example to the kids I teach. Not to be afraid to admit the mistakes, to be able to put yourself in the skater's shoes, to try and understand why had they done what they have, what went wrong, and why.
I think the coach should be very demanding to himself first of all, then he can demand the same from the athletes. We should love the athletes. I love them all - nothing would work without love.
The coach Sergey Dudakov does not like being interviewed and hardly ever is seen in front of the cameras. He prefers to do the deed - to coach and not talk. This is probably the first time Sergey is talking of his journey.
SD: I started skating thanks to my mom. In the 70s figure skating was really popular in my country - the names of Rodnina and Zaitsev, Pahomova and Gorshkov were known. Probably it influenced my mother's choice.
I was a sick kid, the doctors recommended to spend more time outdoors and do sports. Hence at the age of 6 I was taken to an open rink in Leninski Gory. There used to be plenty of such rinks back then. They built the borders and the water froze into a rink. There were amateur groups, the kids were taught to skate. I was part of such a group.
Mom said the minute I got on the ice I started skating. I couldn't turn yet, so I would use the snow to stop. But I liked it.
When the spring came and the snow melted we moved to Luzhniki to `Kristall' rink. The well known place, where many of our skaters began their careers. `Kristall' had a main rink and a small addition 2/3 size, where the Moscow ballet on ice were training. The kids were there as well.
Once we were visited by Marina Kudriavtseva, who came to pick kids to work with. I was among the lucky ones. Later, when I was 18, I asked Marina why did she pick me, after all there were so many kids on the ice? She said `the speed. You couldn't do a thing but you moved very fast. Besides, you are a redhead and everyone needs a redhead in the group. There is a belief a redhead brings luck'. I was indeed very redhead as a kid. That's how I ended up in Kudriavtseva's group.
We were training on the same `Krsitall', but the practices were scheduled, with the test skates, competitions etc. If the kids made it through the competition and tests they continued, if not - they dropped out. Those who skated well, learned new things, showed something new was allowed to skate with the adults. It was the big price we all aspired for. We all dreamed skating with Kostia Kokorka, Kira Ivanova, Sergey Volkov, Alexandr Krysanov... We were warned: do not bother the adult skaters, be very careful. We were watching with the wide eyes how the celebrities were practicing. Thanks to Marina Kudriavtseva I became serious about my skating and it just happened that my whole life became related to this sport.
My parents were not a professional athletes. Mom was an engineer in the chemistry faculty of the Moscow State Uni. Father loved sports. Hockey, football.. He used to take me to the games where we cheered for the beloved teams. I recall how we were walking with the crowd to the metro after the game because the near by metro station would be closed. When I started skating dad was supporting me in every possible way. He would come at the weekend and watch me train. The parents were not allowed on the ice, but the windows in Krsitall were quite big and if you put some bricks you could climb on and see the practice. Dad was dreaming I would make it in the sports. He would say `Go on, work and everything will happen'. Mom was more lay back about it.
The funny story when the parents let me go to the practice alone for the first time. We were living on Obruchev str, which is not far from Luzhniki, but let a 7y.o go alone was scary.
Parents were working and couldn't take time off often. So we were thinking of a solution. Dad called me and asked `Will you travel to the practice alone?' `I will'. `Then go on: you are out of the house and then where do you go?'. I started telling which bus I'd take, what stop I'd get off, where will I walk... Dad made me repeat it at least 10 times. Made an exam. The next day I went alone. And came back after the practice.
Years later dad told me he followed me the whole way that day - made sure I crossed the road right, didn't forget the stop. Funny! I haven't even noticed. After my first journey alone that was it.
I started being seriously interested in figure skating when I was 10. But it's individual really - everyone has their time. The changes that I went through were related to the jumps. The first barrier the skaters pass is moving from the double jumps to the 2A and then the triples. It's always a tough moment for the guys. Though it's different now. In my time many retired because there were unable to land the triples. I made it. It became interesting then. I always loved jumping...
My first training camp was in Zaporozh'e. Viktor Kudriavtsev, who joined working with us took his whole big group there. I still remember how I saw it all as a kid. I traveled far from home for the first time in my life, away from mom and dad and it lasted for the whole 3 weeks! Now 3 weeks pass in a blink of an eye, but then it seemed endless.
We did everything as a team in the training camp. Ate together, the practices, the warm up, the walks. There were no alarm clocks and we would turn the radio on so we wouldn't oversleep. They were playing the anthem at 6am and we knew we had an hour before getting up. The older guys would make sure we are awake and knock on the door when on the way to the warm up. But still it happened we overslept. We would get punished, but we knew we deserved it.
We were sometimes crying at nights - we were homesick. But after that training camp we all became more mature and all the following training camps were easier. Viktor Kudriavtsev is very demanding but very fair. He is still the same way. Through my whole career it never happened that Kudriavtsevs would not show up for the practice. They are very responsible and serious about their work. Viktor Kudriavtsev expected the same attitude of his pupils - he demanded discipline. And inner discipline first of all. He was always sincere with the pupils - if the pupil was doing something wrong Viktor said it straight forward.
It happened you would show up in the practice and nothing would work because your mind was elsewhere, you are daydreaming and don't listen to the coach. Now when am coaching myself I understand how important it is. Lack of concentration might not only cause getting used to the mistakes, but the injuries, so you can not let go even for a second. So it would happen that nothing works for you in the practice. Viktor Nikolaevich would gather the group and would explain each what was wrong. Then he looks at you, daydreamer and starts speaking so slowly and clearly, every word is like a bullet fired. You would be so ashamed you'd prefer him to hit you. It would shake you up immediately and get you back to work.
I was in Kudriavtsev's group from the first on the ice and till I retired. It never crossed my mind switching the coaches. Though there were moments. We were growing up and it seemed we already know everything. Sometimes we would argue, fight and be mean to the coaches. But leaving them? Never. We were different...
Am so grateful to Marina Grigorievna and Viktor Nikolaevich for all they have done for me, for the knowledge I use now as a coach.
Of all the competitions I participated the one I remember the most is the Junior worlds 1986. I still dream of it. The shame, how I let everyone down - the coach, the country, people who supported me didn't let go for a very long time. I was well prepared for the competition but I couldn't do all as I planned. I now ask myself why?.. .I became 7th that competition.
I was a mediocre athlete. Placed 6-8th in the nationals. Of course I wanted to place higher and make it to the team, but it didn't happen. In 1991 I decided to retire. That year it was the USR competition and not USSR, but we, the athletes, did not feel much difference. We were not yet separated, we were all from the same country. That competition is a blank page for me - I failed both the SP and the LP. That's when I decided to retire. I came back home from Kiev and mentally put an end. I was so sorry for that decision so many times. I guess I should had overcome and work a bit. I saw the guys who stayed in the sports made it. Igor Pashkevich became a European silver medalist. Ilya Kulik was very successful. But what is done is done. Though yes, I was sorry I retired.
Our sport has a continuation after retiring. I tried working in the Moscow ballet on ice. The artistic life I dived into was nothing like the sports. First I had thoughts: but what about the discipline? Is it all right? The adult fun life, a big team of 52 skaters. The shows, the travels... The ballet on ice allowed me to see the other side of figure skating. While I was still competing I haven't really thought about the choreography. Ok, may be to wave a hand ,but that's about it. Ballet has different roles. I had to switch from one to another. It was an interesting experience. I worked I the ballet from 1992 till 1995 and moved to the UK to be a part of a show.
The UK producers were looking for the skaters in Moscow for `POTO on ice'. There were a lot of people trying out, I made it through. For 2 years we were touring the UK. Kotin, Frantsuzova/Gorshkov, Selezneva/Makarov and some other skaters. The whole cast were only Russians. The first tour lasted for 11 month - each week in a different town. Those 11 months seemed like eternity. I realized what is it like the artists' life, when you have to cook, clean, wash, travel, live in the hotels... but I made it.
After the UK I went to a different show in Germany for 8 months. It was really hard. 4 shows a day 6 days a week and one day off. The show only lasted for 35 minutes but you were constantly on the stage/
After that schedule my next work place - on a cruise ship felt like a vacation. It was the end of my shows career. The huge ship with 5K people on board. We were sailing in Miami and the islands.
The rink was 1/6 of the usual size. We were giving shows 4 times a day. It was dynamic, I had to keep in a good shape, come, warm up, practice so I would look good. The ship is a closed space. Just a 3 minutes walk from my room to the rink, hence we really were not moving a lot. We compensated in the gym and running along the board... Despite being the artists we were written down as sailors. We all knew what we had to do in a case of emergency. It was an experience as well.
Each sail lasted for half a year. After the 3rd one I started thinking what is next? I was above the age of 30, the younger guys were pushing me out. Besides, I already had a family and a son. Living half a year in Moscow and half a year on the ship was hard. When I went to my 3rd sail my son Egor was 1.5 months old. I came back to a different kid. That's when I called Igor Pashkevich, who was coaching in the USA and asked for an advice. Igor said a new rink `Hrustalny' was opening and I should try my luck there.
I took a group of the beginners - it was interesting. I didn't really work with the kids before and I wanted to figure whether I'll make it. I was still skating decently but skating and teaching is different. I stated with the `health' group - was working with them 3 times a week. They slowly started skating. The best were switching to the professional groups.
2 years later Maria Butyrskaya invited me to join her in Krylatski rink. I worked there for 5 years and then returned to Khrustalny. It was my lucky ticket. The first were the Kudriavtsevs. The second - Tutberidze. Kudriavsevs taught me figure skating. Tutberidze gave an opportunity to become a coach. I am very grateful to her. Eteri is ready to work 24 hours a day. Her energy, her will to get to the result motivates the others. Working with her I had an opportunity to work with the senior skaters. The group back then included Polina Shelepen, the little Zhenia Medvedeva, Julia Lipnitskaya joined...
It was easy to find a way to communicate with Eteri, because she is always fair. Sport is about a strict discipline and self discipline. If the skater works only just he will be the one to pay the price. During this year we worked with a lot of guys and each career went differently. I took Adian Pitkeev's departure very hard, I was really thrilled with the success of our guys and girls. Every athlete is a part of our coaching life. Each defeats and victories are defeats and victories of their coaches.
My son did not become a skater. The shoe maker is always naked. I was leaving to the rink at 8am and coming back at 9pm. It's still the same. When Egor was younger he was probably jealous of my pupils and was hurt I did not spend much time with him. I hope he understands now what my work means to me.
He chose his own way. He is studying to become a teacher. Despite speaking English quite decently he is interested in Czech language. He wants to become an interpreter. My wife and I support his decision.
With the time you understand how important the family is for each person. If you have a background, if everything is fine at home you do your best at work. The coaching work is about being with people. Pupils, their parents, the colleagues, various specialists. You must find a way to communicate with each of them on many subjects, explain, convince. Hence I think the coach should be universal. The specialist in his field, a teacher, a shrink, to know a lot and be able to do a lot. I think I should set an example to the kids I teach. Not to be afraid to admit the mistakes, to be able to put yourself in the skater's shoes, to try and understand why had they done what they have, what went wrong, and why.
I think the coach should be very demanding to himself first of all, then he can demand the same from the athletes. We should love the athletes. I love them all - nothing would work without love.
