Vaytsekhovskaya's interview with Vladimir Morozov

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Elena Vaytsekhovskaya's itnerview with Vladimir Morozov `I spent 2.5 weeks just lying on a couch' for rt.com

The pаndemic ruined the plans for the silver medalists Tarasova/Morozov more than for anyone else: they had to come back from the USA to Moscow leaving behind their coach Marina Zoueva. Not having a clue how soon they will be able to come back. Morozov who moved to Novogorsk with his partner this week took it phylosophically:
VM: Everyone experiences such problems now. We have simple plans for now: to break the new boots, and recall how to skate at all. If by the end of June/begnning of July the borders will open and there will an option to get back to the USA - it will not be bad.

EV: And if not?
VM: Then we'll train with Trankov till the Autumn test skates in Russia - there will be no point going anywhere.

EV: Initially Zoueva was supposed to do your new programmes?
VM: We indeed planned to choreograph the new programmes in the USA right after the Worlds since we still had ice in Florida. But the thing is that the specialists who Marina wanted us to work with live in different sate. Including California, which was locked down and it became clear they will simply not be able to come to us. Hence once we learned the Worlds were cancelled the flight to Canada was switched to a flight to Moscow. The same day but the opposite direction. So the programmes question is hard.

EV: You speak of it so calmly...
VM: These two months we spent home there was an opportunity to talk about everything, think of everything and come to some decisions about this season and calm down. Sure we still don't know what to expect: the Junior GP events were cancelled, so there is a chance so will the seniors.

EV: If the GP gets cancelled you might as well keep the old programmes for the rest of the season?
VM: It's a possibility. Of course we will change them taking the new rules into an account. The SP must include a different lift, different entrances, so leaving it untouched will not be possible. I think there will be changes in the LP as well. At least the elements order.

EV: When you first started working with Trankov 2.5 years ago you said `For Evgenia and I the most important is to understand we are on the right path'. Did the last controversial season make you doubt the path you chose being the right one?
VM: No. First part of the season was indeed tough because we were 3 working in the USA with Marina first, and then in the process we started picking the specialists we needed. By November/December we had a coaching team, so to say.

EV: Why didn't you think of the specialists before?
VM: It was hard because we were organizing it all ourselves. Artem Torgashev started working on the jumps - he lives not far and could drive to our practices, then our gym coach was found. Trankov started coming to the USA more often.

EV: Where is it easier to organize the practicing process - in Russia or the USA?
VM: Organizing is the same really, the money is different. In the USA you pay for an hour by the specialist's fee. A lot of time it's from your own money. Or, rather, you are the one to chose who are you to work with and you are to pay for it. Of course we are helped a lot by the regions (Tarasova represents Tatarstan), some part was payed by the RFSF, but it was still not enough.

EV: When you started sponsoring your skating had it changed your approach?
VM: Frankly, I was always very motivated during the practices, no matter who payed for it, because I know what do I want to achieve in the sport and in my life. And always knew. If I do something it's always to the top of my ability. It has always been the case.

EV: It seems you are practicing and skating not because it's what your life is, but because you have to. All is so calm, without any emotion bursts. But the viewers always want to see more real emotions because they can relate, care, return it. Have you ever thought by repressing your emotions you reject the viewers?
VM: We are surrounded by enough people who supported us, said nice words and were happy with our success. We can't please everyone.

EV: But you do make an effort to keep the emotions inside when you lose, or being reserved is just how you are?
VM: I make an effort, of course. You can't show how upset you are.

EV: Why?
VM: Why make someone's victory sweeter? Though when we lose it's always our fault and not the rivals, so we should really blame ourselves.

EV: Which of your defeats this season was the most painful one?
VM: I guess the Europeans. We were really ready for that competition.

EV: Have you tried to analyze why you were unable to use that readyness?
VM: Of course. We always do a post mortem. Just that this season was a rollercoaster: one competition went good, one bad, some weird mistakes...

EV: Orser and Aratuyniana said you can't accept a new pupil and immediately see some positive changes, that the adaptation takes at least 2.5 years. Is it the same with your relationship with Marina Zoueva?
VM: We found the common language really fast when we started working together: Marina always asks what do we lack, listens to us, knows what needs to be done. Just that we tried so many things this year - the programmes, the new entrances, the various small things. Getting it all together didn't work - our concentration was spread over too many details. It was the hardest thing to cope with.

EV: Two years ago you lost the Europeans to the French James/Cipres, this year to Boikova/Kozlovskii. Which one was more painful? Is there a difference who beat you?
VM: If you mean the emotions which flood you after the competition being beaten by the French was more painful. That season was successful for them, but we also had good skates. But we did two stupid unexpected mistakes. We got stuck. As for the last competition - we missed the most costly element in the SP. The competition was over right there.

EV: Many noted that Boikova/Kozlovskii became a dangerous rivals really fast right out of the juniors. How do you take them?
VM: For us it's really not important who to compete with. The rivals will always be there: one team goes, another comes. I think there is no point following one team in particular. What is important is what you do.

EV: How fast do you get back to shape after the vacation?
VM: After a usual 2 weeks vacation I hardly notice any break. A couple of days to warm up and we start doing a lot of elements on the ice. The only time we spent 3 weeks of ice was when we were in Kislovodsk, but we were working on our shapes and the ice feeling comes back really fast when you are in a good shape. The two months break is something that never happened before to neither me no Evgenia.

EV: Well, it's not as if you were lying on a couch these two months?
VM: I did first. When we came to Moscow in March we spent 2.5 weeks doing nothing. Then we started working on the shape a bit so we would not be overworked or injured, then I went to my summer house where I started working seriously - running, gym. I have a table tennis there, so my brother and I were playing it. I think it was one of the most fun things to do. And our gym coach sent Evgenia and I the working plan.

EV: Have you learned anything new during these 2 months?
VM: No. I never learn anything just for the sake of it. That's how I was raised. More like I reconsidered a lot of things: the last season, the sport career, the attitude in general. I think the unplanned break was for the best in that department.

EV: What have changed in your perception of figure skating and your career?
VM: I'd say I started taking things easier which were really pressing on me before.

EV: What was the most positive emotion during the isolation?
VM: It might sound weird, but I'd say the CS:GO tournament that I participated with Aliev, Katsalapov and Enbert. Everyone played that computer game - some more, some less, but the point was not so much the result, but to show that people do something in the isolation, and so do the athletes.
Besides, it was a wonderful opportunity for the supporters to see their favourite athletes in a different lights. There was a bit of adrenaline that you feel during the competition. Not much, but still..

EV: Are you addictive by nature?
VM: I guess so. I love playing cards, the billiard, all the games really.

EV: In that case it's really a shame you and Evgenia did not participate the GP in Las Vegas last year.
VM: Yeah, we really wanted to. I'm sure I'll get there one day. If not for a competition I'll just come as a tourist. It's interesting to see Las Vegas and perhaps play a bit.

EV: Are you scared of the perspective of the total isolation in Novogorsk without an option leaving the base?
VM: I think in our current situation it doesn't really matter. What can you do if that's the only place with the ice?

EV: Where you already told the first 3 days after the test you will even be given food under the door, like in the jail?
VM: I can endure jail for 3 days for that.
 
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Bigbird

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Thanks for the translation. He's a tough cookie but it's still a bit sad.
 

skylark

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thank you for this translation. I found his answers really interesting and thoughtful, not sad. In an early March interview, Marina Zueva said it was important for everyone to really make the forced break a true vacation. I had the idea she meant it was a good opportunity for re-creating oneself and one's art. I feel like Morozov is saying that's exactly what he (and Evgenia) did. They took the chance to think, to talk about the season and to calm down. I'm looking forward to seeing them skate again, and to see if they'll have incorporated all the changes, the new entrances, the new programs, too many new (if small) things to focus on all at once. I love watching T/M skate, with their classical pairs style and gorgeous elements.
 

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