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Elena Vaytsekhovskaya's interview with Aljona Savchenko `It's not about the winning, but competing' for sport-express.ru
I overslept the interview with the 5 times world champion. Horrified looking at the clock I realized this very minute she is taking the bus in which we planned to talk on the way to the rink. A couple of minutes later my apologetic text message was replied `Don't worry. Bruno and I are skating in the 2nd part, there will be enough time to talk'.
Right after the improvised parade which opened the Exhibition evening the skater came to the mixed zone.
EV: You were asked several times what were your reasons to keep skating with the new partner. Were your expectations met even remotely?
AS: Completely. Starting working with Bruno was not hard. It was much harder waiting for all the paperwork and all the releases. As for the practices - there is nothing hard for me there. Never have been. Though perhaps it would be more correct to say nothing ever came easy for me. Am used not to dramatize the hardships.
EV: What if you were unable to skate with Bruno?
AS: I wasn't even considering such a possibility. I set myself on everything would be ok. Besides, why wouldn't it be? I didn't see much difference in sitting out for a year or two or three. I had nothing to lose.
EV: Really?
AS: Absolutely. I wanted to continue skating, wanted to see what am I capable doing. I am much more passionate than I was in my last 3 years skating with Robin. Bruno and I have goals, motivation and fun from skating together, in the practices included. Comparing to the past figure skating is in a completely different place in my life now.
EV: Which is?
AS: Much more important. Perhaps it's something that comes with the age. Robin and I were chasing something all the time. I don't know why. We were working like crazy, we spent days and nights on the rink practicing from the early morning till the late evening and in the end we did not reach our goals. Perhaps the expectations from us were too high, we set our own expectations equally high and were unable to deliver.
EV: I.e. the Olympic gold medal is no longer your goal?
AS: My skating now is not a chase after a medal. It's an exquisite joy, when you add a chocolate mousse to a delicious desert. As for the result - whatever will be will be.
EV: Was Bruno Massot the only partner you considered continuing your career with?
AS: No, there were two options. I was not writing down a Russian partner.
EV: Who?
AS: Alexandr Enbert. You see, I need to imagine the situation and only then make a decision. If I don't feel the decision is right or there are doubts I would be able to make it - I just not make a decision.
EV: Skating with Enbert would mean switching for Russia or would you keep representing Germany?
AS: I haven't even though of that. The most important was to understand globally: will I be able to skate with that person or not.
EV: Have you tried?
AS: No, didn't have a chance.
EV: Was Enbert himself aware you considered skating with him?
AS: Of course he knew. He even agreed, just that it was a bit late - by then I decided to skate with Massot. Had Alexander replied earlier I would probably try out with him as well. Guess it was not meant to be. But it's surely for the best.
EV: What was it in Bruno?
AS: I saw him on the video, how he skate and `saw' him skating with me. I imagined what we could do together. When Bruno started throwing me on the ice it was amazing... I still feel an inner joy during the throws. I even shout in the air - it's so exciting. I can't say I already got used to the new way we execute the element. The hardest was to get used not to have to do anything myself in the air - just open up on time. All my previous career I was pulling all the elements and the throws myself.
EV: It looks as if the partner throws you without using all his power.
AS: Of course he is not. We tried the full force on the practice. It was bad.
EV: Too scary or were you falling badly?
AS: No, neither. Just that when the throw is too high you lose the feeling in the air. There is so much time that you can rotate 5 times, nevermind 3.
EV: There is that good thing in the middle - 4
AS: Of course we are working on the quad. It will be in the programmes next year.
EV: I heard you and Massot were planning going to Canada and train with Richard Gauthier. Is it true?
AS: Yes, we considered that. One of our coaches - Jean-Francois Ballester used to work with Gauthier, but am not sure it was he who offered. Just that someone asked me can we imagine working in Gauthier's group. I replied yes.
EV: Why didn't you go? Is it related to the fact your partner mustn't leave Germany for a long period of time if he is to obtain the citizenship?
AS: No, it wasn't that. We both thought and decided there are good enough specialists in Germany who we are comfortable working with.
EV: Would you mind Gauthier working with your close rivals Duhamel/Radford?
AS: I don't know. The Americans and Canadians don't mind that at all. But it's also that Meagan is married to one of the group's coaches. Of course she would get much more coaching attention than anyone else. But it's a moot point now. Bruno and I made our choice and we are glad with it.
EV: Did you mind the German federation agreed paying the release money for your partner, but Bruno and you had to pay it back?
AS: It's not quite right. We have to return just 1/10 of the amount they payed. You see, the German system works differently than Russian or some other. In the last year there were no top pairs teams hence there were no funds our sports government invested. When the money is given you have to report for it. You can't just take the money and not give full report - it's impossible in Germany. For instance when Robin and I were skating we were given funds for our preparations, we could spend it on ourselves, but not on Ingo. The federation was against financing his work and we simply returned some of the money.
EV: When you decided to keep skating it seemed logical you would skate with the new partner under the previous coach.
AS: That was our plan.
EV: Why didn't it happen?
AS: First of all we had our differences. It turned out quite fast Bruno and I and Ingo are not a good combination. We all are too impulsive.
EV: I.e. Robin was the buffer previously?
AS: In a way yes. Besides I was much more patient about many things. Second Ingo demanded such a fee for his work that I was left speechless. It was painful - after all we went through together, after so many different situations I was not ready for that. Of course no one would work for free, but I though there would be some moral limits after all. Besides, during our work together Robin and I did everything within our power the coach would not feel financially deprived, even if it meant earning less than we could had.
I was on a verge of аn emotional break down and Bruno saved me by coming one day and witnessing our conversation with Ingo. He said `Can't you see this person doesn't care at all about our results. And you would keep working with him under these conditions?'
This words cleared my head. I understood Ingo and I had nothing to do with each other. It was still a huge disappointment for me.
EV: The Olympic champion Oleg Vasiliev told me not so long ago how he once tried skating with Irina Rodnina in a practice. He was shocked all the elements, including the lifts Irina did with hardly any help from him. Bruno and you seem to be in the same situation, where you are both the partner, the coach and the mentor.
AS: I guess there is something in it.
EV: Does Bruno mind?
AS: No. He teaches me a lot as well, he learns things from me, I learn from him - it's a normal partners work which is interesting for both. Especially as we have a common goal.
EV: In the Europeans Maksim Trankov said he does not consider you a serious rival. Do you mind?
AS: No. I never cared what the others were saying about me.
EV: What do you think about the rivalry with the others?
AS: I'm turned on by the mood of the competition. The ice, the public, the judges and me. I really only compete with myself. My partner feels the same.
EV: After the competition in Boston Sui/Han, who beat you in the LP were talking a lot in the mixed zone what is the direction of the pairs skating, which elements one would have to learn to be competitive in 2 years at the Olympics. Do you and your coaches calculate such things?
AS: Our coaches sure do. Bruno and I just follow the orders. If we have a potential to do the harder elements and the will to learn them we will regardless to what the others are doing or not doing. I think we should be real. I could dream as much as I wanted about a quad split twist skating with Robin, but it was physically impossible. No matter how much he would work out or how much we would train we would never be able to do that quad. Now nothing is impossible. If I want to learn a throw 3A I will. Especially as I wanted to learn the 3A when I was still skating singles. I landed it off the ice. So I think we should be focusing on what we can do, not on the others.
EV: Do you feel the limit of your physical abilities?
AS: There is no limit. It's all about your mental state. Look at Yudzuru Hanyu: he does whatever he wants on the ice. He is not taken aback by defeats because he knows he can lose or he can set a new record.
EV: Yet many think the only thing that matters in the sports is winning.
AS: Wrong. It's not about the winning but about competing for me. Competing with myself and the others. That's what I love. Always loved.
EV: What was the most memorable moment here in Boston?
AS: A medal. When you come back with a new partner and understand you reached your dreams it gives such emotions which are really hard to explain. The medal as such was not a goal. It's just a proof we were going in the right direction.
EV: What if you did not medal with the same skate?
AS: I wouldn't be upset. Our skate was not the limit - I was always a perfectionist that way. I was upset missing the Salchow. I.e. the technical part was quite upsetting, but the medal compensated for that. It was easier for me, by the way. The expectations from Bruno are so much higher than from me. That medal means a lot to him. I'm glad he got that medal, I'm glad I have such a partner. One who I can trust. Now we just need to keep working. If we will be able to show what we can do the medals will come.
EV: I know there is your autobiography in the working. How open are you there?
AS: 1000%
EV: Was it an interesting experience to tell the world about your life?
AS: It was never a problem being open. That's the reason for all my problems. Many don't like hearing the truth. It hurts. Sometimes it's hard to hear the truth, but I always put the things as they are. No matter whether the others will like it or not.
EV: Are you afraid your figure skating obsession will deprive you from other things in life?
AS: Like what?
EV: A family, children.
AS: I'll have it all. Just not yet. I'm a late bloomer - I do everything later than the others, but I don't mind. When I was little I never played with the dolls - just cars because I have 3 brothers. At the age of 3 I decided I wanted to skate and as long as I can remember myself I never felt I missed something in my life. Spending time in a club for example is not for me at all.
EV: Is there a place on earth where you feel comfortable and protected?
AS: My home. Though my home is where my bed is at this stage of my life. It's the favourite and most comfortable place.
EV: The great athletes are often very lonely people.
AS: I don't mind. I like being alone. When I was little I hated there was not a single place in the house where I could be left alone and think. I like thinking, coming up with new stuff. When I don't have an opportunity to do that I feel uncomfortable. I have enough communication with the world when performing on the ice. Though I don't live alone - my very close friend and I rent a place together in Oberstdorf. It's a small town, everything is near and it's convenient.
EV: What are your near future plans?
AS: We'll rest a bit in Miami and go back to Oberstdorf - to work on the new programmes. We already have ideas and choreographers.
EV: And money?
AS: That's not a problem at all. Since recently the federation is not trying to save money on Bruno and I.
I overslept the interview with the 5 times world champion. Horrified looking at the clock I realized this very minute she is taking the bus in which we planned to talk on the way to the rink. A couple of minutes later my apologetic text message was replied `Don't worry. Bruno and I are skating in the 2nd part, there will be enough time to talk'.
Right after the improvised parade which opened the Exhibition evening the skater came to the mixed zone.
EV: You were asked several times what were your reasons to keep skating with the new partner. Were your expectations met even remotely?
AS: Completely. Starting working with Bruno was not hard. It was much harder waiting for all the paperwork and all the releases. As for the practices - there is nothing hard for me there. Never have been. Though perhaps it would be more correct to say nothing ever came easy for me. Am used not to dramatize the hardships.
EV: What if you were unable to skate with Bruno?
AS: I wasn't even considering such a possibility. I set myself on everything would be ok. Besides, why wouldn't it be? I didn't see much difference in sitting out for a year or two or three. I had nothing to lose.
EV: Really?
AS: Absolutely. I wanted to continue skating, wanted to see what am I capable doing. I am much more passionate than I was in my last 3 years skating with Robin. Bruno and I have goals, motivation and fun from skating together, in the practices included. Comparing to the past figure skating is in a completely different place in my life now.
EV: Which is?
AS: Much more important. Perhaps it's something that comes with the age. Robin and I were chasing something all the time. I don't know why. We were working like crazy, we spent days and nights on the rink practicing from the early morning till the late evening and in the end we did not reach our goals. Perhaps the expectations from us were too high, we set our own expectations equally high and were unable to deliver.
EV: I.e. the Olympic gold medal is no longer your goal?
AS: My skating now is not a chase after a medal. It's an exquisite joy, when you add a chocolate mousse to a delicious desert. As for the result - whatever will be will be.
EV: Was Bruno Massot the only partner you considered continuing your career with?
AS: No, there were two options. I was not writing down a Russian partner.
EV: Who?
AS: Alexandr Enbert. You see, I need to imagine the situation and only then make a decision. If I don't feel the decision is right or there are doubts I would be able to make it - I just not make a decision.
EV: Skating with Enbert would mean switching for Russia or would you keep representing Germany?
AS: I haven't even though of that. The most important was to understand globally: will I be able to skate with that person or not.
EV: Have you tried?
AS: No, didn't have a chance.
EV: Was Enbert himself aware you considered skating with him?
AS: Of course he knew. He even agreed, just that it was a bit late - by then I decided to skate with Massot. Had Alexander replied earlier I would probably try out with him as well. Guess it was not meant to be. But it's surely for the best.
EV: What was it in Bruno?
AS: I saw him on the video, how he skate and `saw' him skating with me. I imagined what we could do together. When Bruno started throwing me on the ice it was amazing... I still feel an inner joy during the throws. I even shout in the air - it's so exciting. I can't say I already got used to the new way we execute the element. The hardest was to get used not to have to do anything myself in the air - just open up on time. All my previous career I was pulling all the elements and the throws myself.
EV: It looks as if the partner throws you without using all his power.
AS: Of course he is not. We tried the full force on the practice. It was bad.
EV: Too scary or were you falling badly?
AS: No, neither. Just that when the throw is too high you lose the feeling in the air. There is so much time that you can rotate 5 times, nevermind 3.
EV: There is that good thing in the middle - 4
AS: Of course we are working on the quad. It will be in the programmes next year.
EV: I heard you and Massot were planning going to Canada and train with Richard Gauthier. Is it true?
AS: Yes, we considered that. One of our coaches - Jean-Francois Ballester used to work with Gauthier, but am not sure it was he who offered. Just that someone asked me can we imagine working in Gauthier's group. I replied yes.
EV: Why didn't you go? Is it related to the fact your partner mustn't leave Germany for a long period of time if he is to obtain the citizenship?
AS: No, it wasn't that. We both thought and decided there are good enough specialists in Germany who we are comfortable working with.
EV: Would you mind Gauthier working with your close rivals Duhamel/Radford?
AS: I don't know. The Americans and Canadians don't mind that at all. But it's also that Meagan is married to one of the group's coaches. Of course she would get much more coaching attention than anyone else. But it's a moot point now. Bruno and I made our choice and we are glad with it.
EV: Did you mind the German federation agreed paying the release money for your partner, but Bruno and you had to pay it back?
AS: It's not quite right. We have to return just 1/10 of the amount they payed. You see, the German system works differently than Russian or some other. In the last year there were no top pairs teams hence there were no funds our sports government invested. When the money is given you have to report for it. You can't just take the money and not give full report - it's impossible in Germany. For instance when Robin and I were skating we were given funds for our preparations, we could spend it on ourselves, but not on Ingo. The federation was against financing his work and we simply returned some of the money.
EV: When you decided to keep skating it seemed logical you would skate with the new partner under the previous coach.
AS: That was our plan.
EV: Why didn't it happen?
AS: First of all we had our differences. It turned out quite fast Bruno and I and Ingo are not a good combination. We all are too impulsive.
EV: I.e. Robin was the buffer previously?
AS: In a way yes. Besides I was much more patient about many things. Second Ingo demanded such a fee for his work that I was left speechless. It was painful - after all we went through together, after so many different situations I was not ready for that. Of course no one would work for free, but I though there would be some moral limits after all. Besides, during our work together Robin and I did everything within our power the coach would not feel financially deprived, even if it meant earning less than we could had.
I was on a verge of аn emotional break down and Bruno saved me by coming one day and witnessing our conversation with Ingo. He said `Can't you see this person doesn't care at all about our results. And you would keep working with him under these conditions?'
This words cleared my head. I understood Ingo and I had nothing to do with each other. It was still a huge disappointment for me.
EV: The Olympic champion Oleg Vasiliev told me not so long ago how he once tried skating with Irina Rodnina in a practice. He was shocked all the elements, including the lifts Irina did with hardly any help from him. Bruno and you seem to be in the same situation, where you are both the partner, the coach and the mentor.
AS: I guess there is something in it.
EV: Does Bruno mind?
AS: No. He teaches me a lot as well, he learns things from me, I learn from him - it's a normal partners work which is interesting for both. Especially as we have a common goal.
EV: In the Europeans Maksim Trankov said he does not consider you a serious rival. Do you mind?
AS: No. I never cared what the others were saying about me.
EV: What do you think about the rivalry with the others?
AS: I'm turned on by the mood of the competition. The ice, the public, the judges and me. I really only compete with myself. My partner feels the same.
EV: After the competition in Boston Sui/Han, who beat you in the LP were talking a lot in the mixed zone what is the direction of the pairs skating, which elements one would have to learn to be competitive in 2 years at the Olympics. Do you and your coaches calculate such things?
AS: Our coaches sure do. Bruno and I just follow the orders. If we have a potential to do the harder elements and the will to learn them we will regardless to what the others are doing or not doing. I think we should be real. I could dream as much as I wanted about a quad split twist skating with Robin, but it was physically impossible. No matter how much he would work out or how much we would train we would never be able to do that quad. Now nothing is impossible. If I want to learn a throw 3A I will. Especially as I wanted to learn the 3A when I was still skating singles. I landed it off the ice. So I think we should be focusing on what we can do, not on the others.
EV: Do you feel the limit of your physical abilities?
AS: There is no limit. It's all about your mental state. Look at Yudzuru Hanyu: he does whatever he wants on the ice. He is not taken aback by defeats because he knows he can lose or he can set a new record.
EV: Yet many think the only thing that matters in the sports is winning.
AS: Wrong. It's not about the winning but about competing for me. Competing with myself and the others. That's what I love. Always loved.
EV: What was the most memorable moment here in Boston?
AS: A medal. When you come back with a new partner and understand you reached your dreams it gives such emotions which are really hard to explain. The medal as such was not a goal. It's just a proof we were going in the right direction.
EV: What if you did not medal with the same skate?
AS: I wouldn't be upset. Our skate was not the limit - I was always a perfectionist that way. I was upset missing the Salchow. I.e. the technical part was quite upsetting, but the medal compensated for that. It was easier for me, by the way. The expectations from Bruno are so much higher than from me. That medal means a lot to him. I'm glad he got that medal, I'm glad I have such a partner. One who I can trust. Now we just need to keep working. If we will be able to show what we can do the medals will come.
EV: I know there is your autobiography in the working. How open are you there?
AS: 1000%
EV: Was it an interesting experience to tell the world about your life?
AS: It was never a problem being open. That's the reason for all my problems. Many don't like hearing the truth. It hurts. Sometimes it's hard to hear the truth, but I always put the things as they are. No matter whether the others will like it or not.
EV: Are you afraid your figure skating obsession will deprive you from other things in life?
AS: Like what?
EV: A family, children.
AS: I'll have it all. Just not yet. I'm a late bloomer - I do everything later than the others, but I don't mind. When I was little I never played with the dolls - just cars because I have 3 brothers. At the age of 3 I decided I wanted to skate and as long as I can remember myself I never felt I missed something in my life. Spending time in a club for example is not for me at all.
EV: Is there a place on earth where you feel comfortable and protected?
AS: My home. Though my home is where my bed is at this stage of my life. It's the favourite and most comfortable place.
EV: The great athletes are often very lonely people.
AS: I don't mind. I like being alone. When I was little I hated there was not a single place in the house where I could be left alone and think. I like thinking, coming up with new stuff. When I don't have an opportunity to do that I feel uncomfortable. I have enough communication with the world when performing on the ice. Though I don't live alone - my very close friend and I rent a place together in Oberstdorf. It's a small town, everything is near and it's convenient.
EV: What are your near future plans?
AS: We'll rest a bit in Miami and go back to Oberstdorf - to work on the new programmes. We already have ideas and choreographers.
EV: And money?
AS: That's not a problem at all. Since recently the federation is not trying to save money on Bruno and I.
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what more can you say, I hope this renewed passion takes them to a world title next year and the OGM. 
Bruno Truck Driver Massot
Aliona!
