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Elena Vaytsekhovskaya's interview with Dmitrii Soloviev for ria.ru
EV: When we spoke about the interview you wrote me `I rested, rethought things and really want to come back'. Let's elucidate: who do you want to come back with, when and what for?
DS: When Katia (Bobrova) and I decided to retire I started skating in Tatiana Navka's show with Elena Ilinykh and was thinking what else can I do. What business should I start, in which field to develop. There were a lot of thoughts and it's still stuck in my head. For example I learned am pretty good with the new beginnings. I like taking photos, creating videos, producing, deciding on the right angle for the shots. I might pursue it professionally. For now, however, it's just a hobby. I bought a lot of equipment. The cameras, the lenses, the copters and so on.
EV: The hobbies are great when you also have a paycheck.
DS: That's exactly what I talk about. Figure skating with it's various shows and events will always be part of my life. But it's so interesting to develop somewhere else, try out, dare. Just that everything had changed once we paired up with Elena Ilinykh. We were skating just after two days of practicing.
EV: I.e you understood it just might work out?
DS: Not might, it worked and so fast and so good I was quite lost. I wasn't even thinking about the sports. It was in the past for me. I realized Katia will not come back after giving birth and was not thinking of any other option. And then people were approaching me, and I don't mean casual fans, but the known athletes and say `guys, why haven't you tried before?'
EV: And?
DS: We started filming our practices. We started coming up with some new transactions and even came to some practices with Dmitrii Ionov and worked on some lifts. We came up with a lot of interesting stuff, new spins, we even had a music in mind which we could skate to. We came up with the style. And we wanted it so badly.
EV: In my opinion when Elena Ilinykh paired up with Ruslan Zhiganshin she was the moving force in that pair and it was thanks to her they became the national champions. And then she had enough. Are you sure she will want to go through all that again?
DS: Athletes are different. Some are so deep in their sports then have no chance to get out. I once spoke to Alexandr Legkov, who is still dragging that case with his Olympic medals. He told me he would just go out and run at night when things became too heavy. For 20-30km.
It's the same for me - at some point I realized the practiced made me feel much better. Figure skating still haven't released me. I can do something completely unrelated, but once I see a photo, a video, something figure skating related there is a bulb lighting in my head - `I want to be there!'. I miss it a lot now. Am ready to do all it takes to come back. I know a gym coach who can get the athlete in the right shape. He used to work in the american football and has a really cool preparation technique, which is so simple yet so well balanced, so you get into the top shape without too much stress.
EV: It's not exactly what I asked.
DS: My vision of figure skating - it changed so much, I burn with passion to put it all on the ice, and think my passion would be enough for both. Alexandr Zhulin said in January he would be interested working with us as a pair.
EV: Have you discussed it with Elena?
DS: Yes. She said she was not ready. We planned talking again after the new years, but there were so many shows, it was hard, especially since she was ill, I was ill and we were doing tree shows a day. The first one was in Khodynka, then on another rink and then back to Khodynka and then remained for a practice. We slept for 2-3 hours a day and it was exhausting. Think that's when Lena started doubting. I can understand her: she and Julia Lipnitskaya have their champions academy that she travels with a lot, a project together with Sergey Polunin, i.e. she has some certainty in life. That certainty is out of figure skating. There are other reasons as well.
EV: I have a feeling Zhulin must be dreading your come back. It would create a tension in the group which might not disappear.
DS: The example of White/Moir was already given - they were representing different countries and the competition within the group was high. It was quite similar for me and Nikita Katsalapov. But we were always quite open about it.
EV: I think you were open about it when you and Bobrova were Russia n. 1 while Katsalapov and Sinitsina were struggling to make it to the team. Now the situation is reverse: Viktoria and Nikita have a world silver medal and am not sure they are willing to leave their comfort zone seeing the main rivals so close. What I mean is that the constant competition is usually good for the n.2, it's not necessarily so good for n.2
DS: And now imagine our state with Katia, when just before the Olympic season we suddenly learned Viktoria and Nikita will be practicing in our group. Frankly, it was a blow. First we didn't even understand what will be going on. We knew Zhulin was also scared. But in the end it worked out great. I.e. we were not minding a thing and just worked. It was then when I learned I can just work no matter what goes on around. I just ignore everything.
EV: You have to agree getting used to a sudden competition is a tough process
DS: Of course. On the other hand - why do I have to think of someone else? It might sound very egoistic, but I don't have to be considerate to my rival. I need to think how my decision will influence the comfort of me, my family and my beloved ones.
EV: I understand it Lena had not yet answered `yes'?
DS: She said `I want'. But immediately added she is not sure. There was no certain `No' either.
EV: Hence you keep hoping?
DS: I don't hope. I just understand am now stronger and better than I was in all previous years.
EV: And Elena? Are you sure she is better? Are you ready to face the fact she once lost to Nikita Katsalapov and she might lose again?
DS: Am not sure about anything. I don't know how things will turn out. I know there are a lot of not sports related causes that might bother us. But I never pressed on anyone to make a decision and am not going to now. I am willing, however, to guarantee I will be the moving force taking the state am currently in and the will I have to go on.
EV: Are you afraid to be a person who had a chance and threw it away?
DS: I just realize so well in 3 years from now I will be sitting in front of the TV screen and will be kicking myself that I haven't even tried. Especially as there is a potential and a possibility to participate my favourite sports. Why not?
EV: Tell me how is Ilinykh as a partner
DS: I like it that she does not only listen, but hear and does. It's very important which many who skate in a pair don't use.
EV: Explain?
DS: I will. It's like a relationship. You can shout, convince, beat your head on the wall, but if the partner does not hear you everything will be in vain. Katia and I always listened to each other. Even if there was a big misundertanding we would go to a different direction, do several rounds on the rink and go back hand in hand. I could make a remark and I knew Katia would take it not as a critique, but as an advice. At least she will try to understand. It's the same understanding we found with Elena.
EV: How complicated was pairing up?
DS: First it was weird. I had no plans skating with her. For many years we were rivals and were not in touch. And then I got a phone call from Tatiana Navka and she said `I have an amazing partner - Elena Ilinykh. And said that when Elena learned I would be the partner to skate with she agreed immediately.
It was a boost. I know how women are, but the thing is that I needed no convincing or bribing to begin with - I didn't mind. And then we came to the practice. Katia joined to show Lena the steps we needed to do. I remember well the first phrase Navka said `Dima, I had no idea you were skating that well?!'. We needed more ice space, we were unable to do the right pattern, both of us. The sync was immediate and it was very comfortable for me.
I in no way compare Elena and Katia. Katia and I went through so much together, we are great friends. It's a special person for me, a different story. Katia has her great quality, but about the ice dance - I'd say we both are not that talented, but worked very hard. We both could work so much and thanks to that we were one of the top teams.
EV: You had just voiced what the top athletes usually refrain from saying.
DS: Am a sane person. If I understood we had no chance I wouldn't even consider coming back. But I don't think so. More than that, I think we have a lot of interesting things to do in the sports. I even have a nice piece of music in mind for the FD. Even two FDs.
EV: I.e. if Katia decides she never wants to skate again you will not remain partnerless for good?
DS: I never even thought about it.
EV: I recall the 3 times Olympic champion Aleksandr Karelin when he was a politician decided to get ready for his 4th Olympics. When he was asked why he replied he can be a politician when he is 50, but he can't be a national champion when he is 50.
DS: It's true. There isn't much time left for me in the sports. 3 years. And the clock is ticking.
EV: Do you have any kind of an agreement with Ilinykh for now?
DS: Elena is now busy with her academy and I agreed to participate Ilia Averbukh's show in Cremea.
EV: With whom?
DS: Katia.
EV: Well, that's sudden. Imagine you are doing the shows with Katia, coming back and her telling you `Dima, let's try again'
DS: I considered that. But Katia already said a certain `no'.
EV: When a woman says a certain `no' it does not mean next second it will not become a certain `yes'
DS: I agree things happen in life. I try to predict various situations, but I doubt Katia will change her mind.
EV: Have you considered working with Ilinykh but not with Zhulin?
DS: I thought about it. Just that Zhulin has a unique team: Durnev, Petukhov, Ionov. Alexey Sitnikov who is really improving as a coach had just joined. It's a team who are so professional and I like them so much I'd like to have a working relationship with them not just now as an athlete but in the future - for work, business etc.
EV: After the Olympics 1992 the ISU allowed the retired skaters to come back. Those who did in 1994 and lost bitterly - Boitano, Witt, Petrenko - later said they were not sorry for doing it. Because by just one year of practiced they prolonged their show business careers in years.
DS: It's true. Elena and I risk nothing and have nothing to lose. No matter what the result will be it won't a negative PR for us. Not every athlete is willing to come back and work. And it is something to admire. It is interesting for me because I did try something completely new and came up with the new strength.
EV: What is your and Ilinykh;s point of no return?
DS: It's a point of no return for me. The beginning of the season. After that it will be late.
EV: What do you think should happen? Do you plan choreographing the competitive programmes? Showing the programmes? Do you think it's possible?
DS: The more time passes the harder it is to answer that question. Had we started working now it would be easy to get ready for the season.
EV: I.e you reckon within the summer you would be on the level the contemporary ice dancing demands?
DS: We were not planning coming back and being `like everyone else'. What fun would it be. Hence we did very complicated and interesting things on the floor, learned new lifts. I.e. we both understood if we came back it must be a burst, we must get the attention at once. There is no other way. Some things were a sheer magic - for example the music that I found and offered Zhulin - it lasts exactly 4 minutes, no need to cut or arrange. I imagined the choreographer Radu Polikartu working us, wrote him and received his agreement. I know Radu would integrate a lot of interesting things in this programme. Then it would be Petukhov's work to add his special expression...
EV: I can't get rid of a feeling you are telling me all that so Lena Ilinykh would read it, cancel all her plans and run to the practice.
DS: I guess in a way it's true. Perhaps it's the cry of my soul. I don't know how else should I shout how badly do I want to skate. I recently watched a movie `Creed' - about a boxer who lived through some downs in his career. When he was unable to hold the emotions within he would dive and shout under the water letting go of all that was filling him. I even had a dream I was a singles skater, was getting ready for my first Nationals, landing two quads in the SP, the 3A and winning... I never dreamed about figure skating before. Now, I guess things start emerging from within. Even Anna, my girlfriend is sometimes unable to understand my mood swings, despite being an athlete herself - the head of the Russian national curling team. We are not arguing or fighting, just that sometimes I'm in `leg' - go somewhere deep inside myself. That's it. And it takes a while to dig me out of there.
EV: Perhaps you just need some time to overcome it?
DS: Perhaps...
EV: When we spoke about the interview you wrote me `I rested, rethought things and really want to come back'. Let's elucidate: who do you want to come back with, when and what for?
DS: When Katia (Bobrova) and I decided to retire I started skating in Tatiana Navka's show with Elena Ilinykh and was thinking what else can I do. What business should I start, in which field to develop. There were a lot of thoughts and it's still stuck in my head. For example I learned am pretty good with the new beginnings. I like taking photos, creating videos, producing, deciding on the right angle for the shots. I might pursue it professionally. For now, however, it's just a hobby. I bought a lot of equipment. The cameras, the lenses, the copters and so on.
EV: The hobbies are great when you also have a paycheck.
DS: That's exactly what I talk about. Figure skating with it's various shows and events will always be part of my life. But it's so interesting to develop somewhere else, try out, dare. Just that everything had changed once we paired up with Elena Ilinykh. We were skating just after two days of practicing.
EV: I.e you understood it just might work out?
DS: Not might, it worked and so fast and so good I was quite lost. I wasn't even thinking about the sports. It was in the past for me. I realized Katia will not come back after giving birth and was not thinking of any other option. And then people were approaching me, and I don't mean casual fans, but the known athletes and say `guys, why haven't you tried before?'
EV: And?
DS: We started filming our practices. We started coming up with some new transactions and even came to some practices with Dmitrii Ionov and worked on some lifts. We came up with a lot of interesting stuff, new spins, we even had a music in mind which we could skate to. We came up with the style. And we wanted it so badly.
EV: In my opinion when Elena Ilinykh paired up with Ruslan Zhiganshin she was the moving force in that pair and it was thanks to her they became the national champions. And then she had enough. Are you sure she will want to go through all that again?
DS: Athletes are different. Some are so deep in their sports then have no chance to get out. I once spoke to Alexandr Legkov, who is still dragging that case with his Olympic medals. He told me he would just go out and run at night when things became too heavy. For 20-30km.
It's the same for me - at some point I realized the practiced made me feel much better. Figure skating still haven't released me. I can do something completely unrelated, but once I see a photo, a video, something figure skating related there is a bulb lighting in my head - `I want to be there!'. I miss it a lot now. Am ready to do all it takes to come back. I know a gym coach who can get the athlete in the right shape. He used to work in the american football and has a really cool preparation technique, which is so simple yet so well balanced, so you get into the top shape without too much stress.
EV: It's not exactly what I asked.
DS: My vision of figure skating - it changed so much, I burn with passion to put it all on the ice, and think my passion would be enough for both. Alexandr Zhulin said in January he would be interested working with us as a pair.
EV: Have you discussed it with Elena?
DS: Yes. She said she was not ready. We planned talking again after the new years, but there were so many shows, it was hard, especially since she was ill, I was ill and we were doing tree shows a day. The first one was in Khodynka, then on another rink and then back to Khodynka and then remained for a practice. We slept for 2-3 hours a day and it was exhausting. Think that's when Lena started doubting. I can understand her: she and Julia Lipnitskaya have their champions academy that she travels with a lot, a project together with Sergey Polunin, i.e. she has some certainty in life. That certainty is out of figure skating. There are other reasons as well.
EV: I have a feeling Zhulin must be dreading your come back. It would create a tension in the group which might not disappear.
DS: The example of White/Moir was already given - they were representing different countries and the competition within the group was high. It was quite similar for me and Nikita Katsalapov. But we were always quite open about it.
EV: I think you were open about it when you and Bobrova were Russia n. 1 while Katsalapov and Sinitsina were struggling to make it to the team. Now the situation is reverse: Viktoria and Nikita have a world silver medal and am not sure they are willing to leave their comfort zone seeing the main rivals so close. What I mean is that the constant competition is usually good for the n.2, it's not necessarily so good for n.2
DS: And now imagine our state with Katia, when just before the Olympic season we suddenly learned Viktoria and Nikita will be practicing in our group. Frankly, it was a blow. First we didn't even understand what will be going on. We knew Zhulin was also scared. But in the end it worked out great. I.e. we were not minding a thing and just worked. It was then when I learned I can just work no matter what goes on around. I just ignore everything.
EV: You have to agree getting used to a sudden competition is a tough process
DS: Of course. On the other hand - why do I have to think of someone else? It might sound very egoistic, but I don't have to be considerate to my rival. I need to think how my decision will influence the comfort of me, my family and my beloved ones.
EV: I understand it Lena had not yet answered `yes'?
DS: She said `I want'. But immediately added she is not sure. There was no certain `No' either.
EV: Hence you keep hoping?
DS: I don't hope. I just understand am now stronger and better than I was in all previous years.
EV: And Elena? Are you sure she is better? Are you ready to face the fact she once lost to Nikita Katsalapov and she might lose again?
DS: Am not sure about anything. I don't know how things will turn out. I know there are a lot of not sports related causes that might bother us. But I never pressed on anyone to make a decision and am not going to now. I am willing, however, to guarantee I will be the moving force taking the state am currently in and the will I have to go on.
EV: Are you afraid to be a person who had a chance and threw it away?
DS: I just realize so well in 3 years from now I will be sitting in front of the TV screen and will be kicking myself that I haven't even tried. Especially as there is a potential and a possibility to participate my favourite sports. Why not?
EV: Tell me how is Ilinykh as a partner
DS: I like it that she does not only listen, but hear and does. It's very important which many who skate in a pair don't use.
EV: Explain?
DS: I will. It's like a relationship. You can shout, convince, beat your head on the wall, but if the partner does not hear you everything will be in vain. Katia and I always listened to each other. Even if there was a big misundertanding we would go to a different direction, do several rounds on the rink and go back hand in hand. I could make a remark and I knew Katia would take it not as a critique, but as an advice. At least she will try to understand. It's the same understanding we found with Elena.
EV: How complicated was pairing up?
DS: First it was weird. I had no plans skating with her. For many years we were rivals and were not in touch. And then I got a phone call from Tatiana Navka and she said `I have an amazing partner - Elena Ilinykh. And said that when Elena learned I would be the partner to skate with she agreed immediately.
It was a boost. I know how women are, but the thing is that I needed no convincing or bribing to begin with - I didn't mind. And then we came to the practice. Katia joined to show Lena the steps we needed to do. I remember well the first phrase Navka said `Dima, I had no idea you were skating that well?!'. We needed more ice space, we were unable to do the right pattern, both of us. The sync was immediate and it was very comfortable for me.
I in no way compare Elena and Katia. Katia and I went through so much together, we are great friends. It's a special person for me, a different story. Katia has her great quality, but about the ice dance - I'd say we both are not that talented, but worked very hard. We both could work so much and thanks to that we were one of the top teams.
EV: You had just voiced what the top athletes usually refrain from saying.
DS: Am a sane person. If I understood we had no chance I wouldn't even consider coming back. But I don't think so. More than that, I think we have a lot of interesting things to do in the sports. I even have a nice piece of music in mind for the FD. Even two FDs.
EV: I.e. if Katia decides she never wants to skate again you will not remain partnerless for good?
DS: I never even thought about it.
EV: I recall the 3 times Olympic champion Aleksandr Karelin when he was a politician decided to get ready for his 4th Olympics. When he was asked why he replied he can be a politician when he is 50, but he can't be a national champion when he is 50.
DS: It's true. There isn't much time left for me in the sports. 3 years. And the clock is ticking.
EV: Do you have any kind of an agreement with Ilinykh for now?
DS: Elena is now busy with her academy and I agreed to participate Ilia Averbukh's show in Cremea.
EV: With whom?
DS: Katia.
EV: Well, that's sudden. Imagine you are doing the shows with Katia, coming back and her telling you `Dima, let's try again'
DS: I considered that. But Katia already said a certain `no'.
EV: When a woman says a certain `no' it does not mean next second it will not become a certain `yes'
DS: I agree things happen in life. I try to predict various situations, but I doubt Katia will change her mind.
EV: Have you considered working with Ilinykh but not with Zhulin?
DS: I thought about it. Just that Zhulin has a unique team: Durnev, Petukhov, Ionov. Alexey Sitnikov who is really improving as a coach had just joined. It's a team who are so professional and I like them so much I'd like to have a working relationship with them not just now as an athlete but in the future - for work, business etc.
EV: After the Olympics 1992 the ISU allowed the retired skaters to come back. Those who did in 1994 and lost bitterly - Boitano, Witt, Petrenko - later said they were not sorry for doing it. Because by just one year of practiced they prolonged their show business careers in years.
DS: It's true. Elena and I risk nothing and have nothing to lose. No matter what the result will be it won't a negative PR for us. Not every athlete is willing to come back and work. And it is something to admire. It is interesting for me because I did try something completely new and came up with the new strength.
EV: What is your and Ilinykh;s point of no return?
DS: It's a point of no return for me. The beginning of the season. After that it will be late.
EV: What do you think should happen? Do you plan choreographing the competitive programmes? Showing the programmes? Do you think it's possible?
DS: The more time passes the harder it is to answer that question. Had we started working now it would be easy to get ready for the season.
EV: I.e you reckon within the summer you would be on the level the contemporary ice dancing demands?
DS: We were not planning coming back and being `like everyone else'. What fun would it be. Hence we did very complicated and interesting things on the floor, learned new lifts. I.e. we both understood if we came back it must be a burst, we must get the attention at once. There is no other way. Some things were a sheer magic - for example the music that I found and offered Zhulin - it lasts exactly 4 minutes, no need to cut or arrange. I imagined the choreographer Radu Polikartu working us, wrote him and received his agreement. I know Radu would integrate a lot of interesting things in this programme. Then it would be Petukhov's work to add his special expression...
EV: I can't get rid of a feeling you are telling me all that so Lena Ilinykh would read it, cancel all her plans and run to the practice.
DS: I guess in a way it's true. Perhaps it's the cry of my soul. I don't know how else should I shout how badly do I want to skate. I recently watched a movie `Creed' - about a boxer who lived through some downs in his career. When he was unable to hold the emotions within he would dive and shout under the water letting go of all that was filling him. I even had a dream I was a singles skater, was getting ready for my first Nationals, landing two quads in the SP, the 3A and winning... I never dreamed about figure skating before. Now, I guess things start emerging from within. Even Anna, my girlfriend is sometimes unable to understand my mood swings, despite being an athlete herself - the head of the Russian national curling team. We are not arguing or fighting, just that sometimes I'm in `leg' - go somewhere deep inside myself. That's it. And it takes a while to dig me out of there.
EV: Perhaps you just need some time to overcome it?
DS: Perhaps...
That was a major red flag.
Never mind Dima...
