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Anatoly Samokhvalov's interview with Alina Zagitova for ria.ru
AS: Alina, I've never seen you so happy
AZ: I rethought a lot of things, besides I spent most of the summer in the show where I spoke to the older skaters who shared their experience with me. I listened to them closely and it became easier.
AS: Who were you talking to?
AZ: Aljona Savchenko, Tatiana Volosozhar, some foreign skaters. Their words were translated for me but I understood a bit here and there. I thought a lot about the last season. Frankly, I didn't want to compete. There was this feeling... a fear... no, not quite a fear but just that I didn't want to. After the Olympics I was so tired but I made myself come to the practices. Now I don't have to, my coaches put no pressure on me. They tell me `if you want to - go ahead'. That's it. When there is no pressure it's easier. It's just how it works for me.
AS: I.e. Eteri Tutberidze changed the tactics with you?
AZ: Eteri Georgievna and the team are much calmer and am much calmer. I stopped stressing out. Now I just skate for the fun and I udnerstand it.
AS: There was a strict discipline before and now you have a choice?
AZ: Yes, I have a choice, but I was raised to need the plan which I follow. I even have a joke having a warm up before the warm up. It's funny to hear, but that's discipline.
AS: Knowing you proved everything helped you this season?
AZ: Yes. After the Worlds I understood from now on - it's just for the fun.
AS: You are going to participate Tatiana Navka's show.
AZ: Right.
AS: First if was unclear how would you make it with the nationals.
AZ: I'll go to the nationals and then straight to the show and will participate it till the New Years. I am thrilled Tatiana invited me, it's going to be a great show and it's my first experience of the kind. Previously I never participated such shows in Russia. Come and see it. It's going to be interesting!
AS: Won't you be tired after the Nationals? After all you will have to get ready for the Europeans.
AZ: Well, the experience shows the show only helps.
AS: Will you compete anywhere before the Nationals except for the GP?
AZ: No, I'll just take my time getting ready for the Nationals. Besides, my next GP is quite soon.
AS: It was a bit weird you didn't compete before the GP and yet you are in a great shape. You also were in a great shape in the Test skates and Japan Open
AZ: The same reason: I am set to enjoy. I used to go out on the ice and thinking just how will I pull through the practice. Now I can just glide around and suddenly think `wait, the practice is over? Already?'. It's a feeling I had during the Olympic season and it's back now and I love it. Time just flies.
AS: You said you will never skate like Carolina Kostner. Why?
AZ: Because each skater has their own style.
AS: Who is your ladies skating idol?
AZ: Everyone has something special. Something I take with me. But I wouldn't want to copy someone completely. So will name no names.
AS: Do you follow any other sports?
AZ: I follow the rhythmic gymnastics and I would love to attend the Tokyo Olympics and support our team there. Will see whether it'll happen, but I would love to. The Worlds were recently and I was following them and was glad our girls won and he guys were decent in the team event. I watch hockey because my father is a hockey player. Hockey is my childhood game.
AS: Alina, I've never seen you so happy
AZ: I rethought a lot of things, besides I spent most of the summer in the show where I spoke to the older skaters who shared their experience with me. I listened to them closely and it became easier.
AS: Who were you talking to?
AZ: Aljona Savchenko, Tatiana Volosozhar, some foreign skaters. Their words were translated for me but I understood a bit here and there. I thought a lot about the last season. Frankly, I didn't want to compete. There was this feeling... a fear... no, not quite a fear but just that I didn't want to. After the Olympics I was so tired but I made myself come to the practices. Now I don't have to, my coaches put no pressure on me. They tell me `if you want to - go ahead'. That's it. When there is no pressure it's easier. It's just how it works for me.
AS: I.e. Eteri Tutberidze changed the tactics with you?
AZ: Eteri Georgievna and the team are much calmer and am much calmer. I stopped stressing out. Now I just skate for the fun and I udnerstand it.
AS: There was a strict discipline before and now you have a choice?
AZ: Yes, I have a choice, but I was raised to need the plan which I follow. I even have a joke having a warm up before the warm up. It's funny to hear, but that's discipline.
AS: Knowing you proved everything helped you this season?
AZ: Yes. After the Worlds I understood from now on - it's just for the fun.
AS: You are going to participate Tatiana Navka's show.
AZ: Right.
AS: First if was unclear how would you make it with the nationals.
AZ: I'll go to the nationals and then straight to the show and will participate it till the New Years. I am thrilled Tatiana invited me, it's going to be a great show and it's my first experience of the kind. Previously I never participated such shows in Russia. Come and see it. It's going to be interesting!
AS: Won't you be tired after the Nationals? After all you will have to get ready for the Europeans.
AZ: Well, the experience shows the show only helps.
AS: Will you compete anywhere before the Nationals except for the GP?
AZ: No, I'll just take my time getting ready for the Nationals. Besides, my next GP is quite soon.
AS: It was a bit weird you didn't compete before the GP and yet you are in a great shape. You also were in a great shape in the Test skates and Japan Open
AZ: The same reason: I am set to enjoy. I used to go out on the ice and thinking just how will I pull through the practice. Now I can just glide around and suddenly think `wait, the practice is over? Already?'. It's a feeling I had during the Olympic season and it's back now and I love it. Time just flies.
AS: You said you will never skate like Carolina Kostner. Why?
AZ: Because each skater has their own style.
AS: Who is your ladies skating idol?
AZ: Everyone has something special. Something I take with me. But I wouldn't want to copy someone completely. So will name no names.
AS: Do you follow any other sports?
AZ: I follow the rhythmic gymnastics and I would love to attend the Tokyo Olympics and support our team there. Will see whether it'll happen, but I would love to. The Worlds were recently and I was following them and was glad our girls won and he guys were decent in the team event. I watch hockey because my father is a hockey player. Hockey is my childhood game.
. Apologies all.
