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Anatoly Samokhvalov's interview with Alexandr Zhulin for ria.ru
AS: First of all: what is the main training base? The `Olimpiiski' rink we are at now is about to be reconstructed and, as far as I know, Zhulin has a problem?
AZ: We are hanging in the air. I know we can work here till January 1st. It's unclear what will happen next. We do have a goal finding a new base, it's in the process.
AS: Are there options?
AZ: There are always options, but...
AS: But someone is interested in your coaching, right?
AZ: Not that many.
AS: Your skater Bobrova even tried to raise the issue when meeting with the Russian president.
AZ: I've been talking about it so many times during Sobianin's times of being a major of town. But I understand we don't have enough ice rink. We do need them. We hope that perhaps the one we are training on now will not be shut down after the reconstruction. It's not as if we bothered here anyone.
AS: Before the Sochi Olympics Ilinykh/Katsalapov left you and you admitted you were really down. Here are your words to RIA: `A special thanks to Alexey Vorobiev, who I met in Moscow sport and who I said I'll probably run back to the USA. He asked me what was the problem and I explained I had a group of a young not yet known skaters who I plan taking to a training camp in Latvia and there were no funds'. Back then the problem was solved. Right now you experience more or less the same hardship.
AZ: Am always helped by the current head of Moscow sport Nikolai Guliaev, a good friend of mine. He told me `Don't worry, we'll come up with something'. Hence I try not to worry. I hope my team will not be left without an ice.
AS: I watched the parts of the new FD of Sinitsina/Katsalapov and felt they are starting to compete with the French world champions Papadakis/Cizeron.
AZ: Them? We changed the style a bit. The first part of the FD - Bach's Air. It's air. Everything on the ice has to be light. I love the 2nd part. It's really hard to find a musical piece that would match Bach. I understand sometimes such combinations are horrible, but, unfortunately, those are the rules and we need to change the tempo. It's hard to combine, but this time a friend helped me to find a powerful music that matches with Bach. The piece is written in almost the same style. It's Allegro in the style of Pugnani by Kreisler. The tango is fully choreographed to Piazzolla's Verano Porteño performed by Raul Garello. The guys and I are satisfied with how the programmes turned out. The previous season programmes were good as well, but unlike last season we finally have to start performing well.
AS: I don't recall anyone disliking the last year's FD on 2 Rachmaninov's concertos.
AZ: I haven't heard any negative replies either. We were even recommended to keep the programme for the next season, but think if we want to keep progressing we need to takesomething new.
AS: Talking to Viktoria it feels she became mentally tougher.
AZ: She became technically faster. She is stronger and technically better. The most important thing we had to learn is the emotional match between Viktoria and Nikita. I really hope this season they will look more mature. Their potential is huge.
AS: Are they closer technically?
AZ: Yes, and mentally.
AS: In what way?
AZ: They started training well.
AS: They haven't last season?
AZ: They were fighting too much. There were some technical mismatches which caused a certain discomfort and we worked on it. Vika is so hard working. She behaved very smart. I think you'll see the fruits.
AS: We talked a lot with her, went through her whole career from the Canton till `Olimpiiskii' and I noticed she became...
AZ: Confident.
AS: Fierce. She talks nicely, but she has an inner metal cord she grew inside.
AZ: I sure hope so. She really needs it. She must not hesitate.
AS: Does the pair need 2 sources of force? Or will we get a new variation of Ilinykh/Katsalapov?
AZ: Frankly, Ilinykh/Katsalapov were a pretty good pair, right? The thing is that the more charismatic they are - both partners - the better. Of course you can always choreograph a programme where female skater is feminine and the man is manly.
AS: Is it a good idea kicking the traditional woman out of Sinitsina and put her in a different role with a different charisma - aggressive and fierce?
AZ: You know, when Tatiana Navka first paired up with Roman Kostomarov she lacked the harshness. Her moves were not spot on. All the slow parts of the programme were great, but she couldn't handle the fast ones. And she knew it. Vika knows it as well. Sinitsina is the same as Navka - lyrical, feminine, soft skating. But it's a sport. And you must be able to perform any style.
AS: But in the new FD you do follow that familiar for Viktoria style.
AZ: Not really. In the tango the fast pieces change, in the FD there is a fast piece. And Vika starts handling them. But most importantly - she starts handling the goals her coaches set to her. She can't skate on the same level and claim `that's what I'm comfortable with'. After all, Katsalapov is an Olympic champion. And for her getting to Nikita's achievement was always a slight problem. Perhaps a big problem. Because she must match. Hence she was morally stiff. She was nervous, she failed. It's not so easy to pair up with an Olympic champion. But a couple of years passed and the pair started becoming what they should had given the potential. When there are two gorgeous crazy people on the ice it's great. But in the sport the first thing we need on the ice is two athletes - partly fierce, partly lyrical. And Nikita must be able to skate slow and slow.
AS: Does he have any negative sides?
AZ: Everyone does. But his positive sides are much bigger. Viktoria improved so much and as a coach it makes me happy.
AS: You mentioned they are fighting less..
AZ: Yes. It's just that Nikita is so... Well, everyone knows Nikita, what is there to talk about. He just needs to act his age, understand he is a man, he will get married and be responsible for his family one day. And if he takes a bit of that understanding on the ice it will be great.
AS: But it's exactly what we talked about a year ago in May.
AZ: I have a feeling we were talking about the same 7 years ago as well. I really hope something had changed in his and her head. Perhaps his injury at the nationals had it's impact. They were skating so well in the FD. The first 3 elements - all got +3! Everyone told me it was superb. They were aiming for... and then that stupid injury. It had quite a mental impact on them. Thank god they didn't break down. I was quite impressed they didn't blame each other. Vika haven't said a bad word about him. Nikita didn't blame the coaches. They just thought, reconsidered and started talking less. I think they want to prove they can do better. I don't yet say so, I just hope so.
AS: That damn FD in the nationals Nikita was not only physically hurt?
AZ: When I saw his foot it was black. He bended the leg, then missed the lift and the spin. All fell apart.
AS: And it all started in the warm up, apparently.
AZ: Yes, but he thought he'll handle it. Later he told that at the end of the pattern he understood that was it- there was no leg. I didn't dig deeper, I tend to believe the skaters.
AS: I told Viktoria that it seemed she first didn't even believe it was an injury. But then she explained me the whole problem that it was bad even before they began the dance.
AZ: I remember how he went out there to skate. He was already done. He was only thinking of the pain. But what's the point dwelling now, I want to enter the new Olympic season and believe all will work out. This pair haven't yet showed what they can do.
AS: The other Olympic champion Dmitrii Soloviev told me he plans to continue his career. In the mean while he and Bobrova are skating n a show.
AZ: Yes, a show is a good school. There is already a music chosen for their new programmes. The question is how will they feel after the show. Will they want to go back working hard? For now we decided to take some time off. They are getting ready. They are coming to the practices, they are on the ice, they are in a great shape. Tarasova came and saw them. Said they are skating great. We'll see how it will develop.
AS: I don't get it: you already picked a music for Bobrova/Soloviev's programmes for this season?
AZ: We haven't yet worked on the programmes. We will miss the GP and if we go back competing it will be later.
AS: But Katia decided to stop the career and start a family.
AZ: For now it's not clear.
AS: You think there is a chance Bobrova/Soloviev will come back this season?
AZ: Everything is possible and nothing can surprise me.
AS: And what are the hints it'll happen?
AZ: They are skating on 4 feet. That's one thing. I choreograph quite fast. It's the 2nd. They usually get into the new programmes quite fast. It's the 3rd. We'll see whether their will will match ours. It's a tough moment.
AS: Does Dmitri have in mind other partners should Katia decide not to come back yet?
AZ: No, why would you say it? I don't think he'll consider other partners. But it's a question to ask Dmitri, I am not ready to answer in his name.
AS: Do you think there is a point restarting the career? Shouldn't they look for another role?
AZ: I am now waiting for them to try out in the show and then decide what do they like more. Sport is a hard work. Show is a game. Art game, for which, frankly, you don't have to practice too hard.
AS: You've bee working very hard with Bobrova/Soloviev and there was a success. Now you have Sinitsina/Katsalapov with a real chance for the next cycle. Will you be comfortable working with two teams each of whom demands full time?
AZ: I always liked a double team. I like it when I have 2 strong pairs. Or 3 even better. They motivate each other. I was really satisfied with how the work with Bobrova/Soloviev and Sinitsina/Katsalapov went. They were watching each other. Of course the competition can be both good and bad, but I was never afraid of a competition myself. Last cycle we didn't have a single fight on the ice. Never. The work went very decently.
AS: But in order to combine two teams on the ice you had to apply your teaching abilities which didn’t sum up to the quotes of how good the competition is for you?
AZ: Of course I had to talk. But I was lucky they reacted right. Starting the very first practice we didn't have a single awkward moment. I dedicated exactly the equal amount of time to both.
AS: Now should Bobrova/Soloviev return you'll have to talk to Sinitsina/Katsalapov again, after they started feeling they are n.1 in your tem.
AZ: I'll explain that somehow.
AS: Did you ever feel like working with the junior teams?
AZ: I have some really good coaches working with me. It's my previous pupils who I loved- Zlobina/Sitnikov. They are creative, and hungry for work. I rely fully on their work, and, frankly, was able to take a breath. I do make the decisions about the music and the choreography for all the pairs, but they are the ones working with the junior teams. There are some really nice teams, but I can't yet claim we have a new Virtue/Moir here. My main priority is the senior teams
AS: First of all: what is the main training base? The `Olimpiiski' rink we are at now is about to be reconstructed and, as far as I know, Zhulin has a problem?
AZ: We are hanging in the air. I know we can work here till January 1st. It's unclear what will happen next. We do have a goal finding a new base, it's in the process.
AS: Are there options?
AZ: There are always options, but...
AS: But someone is interested in your coaching, right?
AZ: Not that many.
AS: Your skater Bobrova even tried to raise the issue when meeting with the Russian president.
AZ: I've been talking about it so many times during Sobianin's times of being a major of town. But I understand we don't have enough ice rink. We do need them. We hope that perhaps the one we are training on now will not be shut down after the reconstruction. It's not as if we bothered here anyone.
AS: Before the Sochi Olympics Ilinykh/Katsalapov left you and you admitted you were really down. Here are your words to RIA: `A special thanks to Alexey Vorobiev, who I met in Moscow sport and who I said I'll probably run back to the USA. He asked me what was the problem and I explained I had a group of a young not yet known skaters who I plan taking to a training camp in Latvia and there were no funds'. Back then the problem was solved. Right now you experience more or less the same hardship.
AZ: Am always helped by the current head of Moscow sport Nikolai Guliaev, a good friend of mine. He told me `Don't worry, we'll come up with something'. Hence I try not to worry. I hope my team will not be left without an ice.
AS: I watched the parts of the new FD of Sinitsina/Katsalapov and felt they are starting to compete with the French world champions Papadakis/Cizeron.
AZ: Them? We changed the style a bit. The first part of the FD - Bach's Air. It's air. Everything on the ice has to be light. I love the 2nd part. It's really hard to find a musical piece that would match Bach. I understand sometimes such combinations are horrible, but, unfortunately, those are the rules and we need to change the tempo. It's hard to combine, but this time a friend helped me to find a powerful music that matches with Bach. The piece is written in almost the same style. It's Allegro in the style of Pugnani by Kreisler. The tango is fully choreographed to Piazzolla's Verano Porteño performed by Raul Garello. The guys and I are satisfied with how the programmes turned out. The previous season programmes were good as well, but unlike last season we finally have to start performing well.
AS: I don't recall anyone disliking the last year's FD on 2 Rachmaninov's concertos.
AZ: I haven't heard any negative replies either. We were even recommended to keep the programme for the next season, but think if we want to keep progressing we need to takesomething new.
AS: Talking to Viktoria it feels she became mentally tougher.
AZ: She became technically faster. She is stronger and technically better. The most important thing we had to learn is the emotional match between Viktoria and Nikita. I really hope this season they will look more mature. Their potential is huge.
AS: Are they closer technically?
AZ: Yes, and mentally.
AS: In what way?
AZ: They started training well.
AS: They haven't last season?
AZ: They were fighting too much. There were some technical mismatches which caused a certain discomfort and we worked on it. Vika is so hard working. She behaved very smart. I think you'll see the fruits.
AS: We talked a lot with her, went through her whole career from the Canton till `Olimpiiskii' and I noticed she became...
AZ: Confident.
AS: Fierce. She talks nicely, but she has an inner metal cord she grew inside.
AZ: I sure hope so. She really needs it. She must not hesitate.
AS: Does the pair need 2 sources of force? Or will we get a new variation of Ilinykh/Katsalapov?
AZ: Frankly, Ilinykh/Katsalapov were a pretty good pair, right? The thing is that the more charismatic they are - both partners - the better. Of course you can always choreograph a programme where female skater is feminine and the man is manly.
AS: Is it a good idea kicking the traditional woman out of Sinitsina and put her in a different role with a different charisma - aggressive and fierce?
AZ: You know, when Tatiana Navka first paired up with Roman Kostomarov she lacked the harshness. Her moves were not spot on. All the slow parts of the programme were great, but she couldn't handle the fast ones. And she knew it. Vika knows it as well. Sinitsina is the same as Navka - lyrical, feminine, soft skating. But it's a sport. And you must be able to perform any style.
AS: But in the new FD you do follow that familiar for Viktoria style.
AZ: Not really. In the tango the fast pieces change, in the FD there is a fast piece. And Vika starts handling them. But most importantly - she starts handling the goals her coaches set to her. She can't skate on the same level and claim `that's what I'm comfortable with'. After all, Katsalapov is an Olympic champion. And for her getting to Nikita's achievement was always a slight problem. Perhaps a big problem. Because she must match. Hence she was morally stiff. She was nervous, she failed. It's not so easy to pair up with an Olympic champion. But a couple of years passed and the pair started becoming what they should had given the potential. When there are two gorgeous crazy people on the ice it's great. But in the sport the first thing we need on the ice is two athletes - partly fierce, partly lyrical. And Nikita must be able to skate slow and slow.
AS: Does he have any negative sides?
AZ: Everyone does. But his positive sides are much bigger. Viktoria improved so much and as a coach it makes me happy.
AS: You mentioned they are fighting less..
AZ: Yes. It's just that Nikita is so... Well, everyone knows Nikita, what is there to talk about. He just needs to act his age, understand he is a man, he will get married and be responsible for his family one day. And if he takes a bit of that understanding on the ice it will be great.
AS: But it's exactly what we talked about a year ago in May.
AZ: I have a feeling we were talking about the same 7 years ago as well. I really hope something had changed in his and her head. Perhaps his injury at the nationals had it's impact. They were skating so well in the FD. The first 3 elements - all got +3! Everyone told me it was superb. They were aiming for... and then that stupid injury. It had quite a mental impact on them. Thank god they didn't break down. I was quite impressed they didn't blame each other. Vika haven't said a bad word about him. Nikita didn't blame the coaches. They just thought, reconsidered and started talking less. I think they want to prove they can do better. I don't yet say so, I just hope so.
AS: That damn FD in the nationals Nikita was not only physically hurt?
AZ: When I saw his foot it was black. He bended the leg, then missed the lift and the spin. All fell apart.
AS: And it all started in the warm up, apparently.
AZ: Yes, but he thought he'll handle it. Later he told that at the end of the pattern he understood that was it- there was no leg. I didn't dig deeper, I tend to believe the skaters.
AS: I told Viktoria that it seemed she first didn't even believe it was an injury. But then she explained me the whole problem that it was bad even before they began the dance.
AZ: I remember how he went out there to skate. He was already done. He was only thinking of the pain. But what's the point dwelling now, I want to enter the new Olympic season and believe all will work out. This pair haven't yet showed what they can do.
AS: The other Olympic champion Dmitrii Soloviev told me he plans to continue his career. In the mean while he and Bobrova are skating n a show.
AZ: Yes, a show is a good school. There is already a music chosen for their new programmes. The question is how will they feel after the show. Will they want to go back working hard? For now we decided to take some time off. They are getting ready. They are coming to the practices, they are on the ice, they are in a great shape. Tarasova came and saw them. Said they are skating great. We'll see how it will develop.
AS: I don't get it: you already picked a music for Bobrova/Soloviev's programmes for this season?
AZ: We haven't yet worked on the programmes. We will miss the GP and if we go back competing it will be later.
AS: But Katia decided to stop the career and start a family.
AZ: For now it's not clear.
AS: You think there is a chance Bobrova/Soloviev will come back this season?
AZ: Everything is possible and nothing can surprise me.
AS: And what are the hints it'll happen?
AZ: They are skating on 4 feet. That's one thing. I choreograph quite fast. It's the 2nd. They usually get into the new programmes quite fast. It's the 3rd. We'll see whether their will will match ours. It's a tough moment.
AS: Does Dmitri have in mind other partners should Katia decide not to come back yet?
AZ: No, why would you say it? I don't think he'll consider other partners. But it's a question to ask Dmitri, I am not ready to answer in his name.
AS: Do you think there is a point restarting the career? Shouldn't they look for another role?
AZ: I am now waiting for them to try out in the show and then decide what do they like more. Sport is a hard work. Show is a game. Art game, for which, frankly, you don't have to practice too hard.
AS: You've bee working very hard with Bobrova/Soloviev and there was a success. Now you have Sinitsina/Katsalapov with a real chance for the next cycle. Will you be comfortable working with two teams each of whom demands full time?
AZ: I always liked a double team. I like it when I have 2 strong pairs. Or 3 even better. They motivate each other. I was really satisfied with how the work with Bobrova/Soloviev and Sinitsina/Katsalapov went. They were watching each other. Of course the competition can be both good and bad, but I was never afraid of a competition myself. Last cycle we didn't have a single fight on the ice. Never. The work went very decently.
AS: But in order to combine two teams on the ice you had to apply your teaching abilities which didn’t sum up to the quotes of how good the competition is for you?
AZ: Of course I had to talk. But I was lucky they reacted right. Starting the very first practice we didn't have a single awkward moment. I dedicated exactly the equal amount of time to both.
AS: Now should Bobrova/Soloviev return you'll have to talk to Sinitsina/Katsalapov again, after they started feeling they are n.1 in your tem.
AZ: I'll explain that somehow.
AS: Did you ever feel like working with the junior teams?
AZ: I have some really good coaches working with me. It's my previous pupils who I loved- Zlobina/Sitnikov. They are creative, and hungry for work. I rely fully on their work, and, frankly, was able to take a breath. I do make the decisions about the music and the choreography for all the pairs, but they are the ones working with the junior teams. There are some really nice teams, but I can't yet claim we have a new Virtue/Moir here. My main priority is the senior teams
