New Plushenko Interview | Golden Skate

New Plushenko Interview

Vitacus

Rinkside
Joined
Nov 7, 2004
My first post so I thought I should break the ice with this interesting interview made after the European's.

http://www.sports.ru/today/other/154001400000024713.html

A few quotes from the translated interview...

- Wouldn’t American Johnnie Weir or Canadian Jeffrey Buttle get on your level if they finally learn the quad? They are very gifted skaters in all the other aspects.

- I know they do this element at practice, but they don’t risk including it in the program. That’s the new judging system. Before, everyone tried to risk, and now, many are satisfied with what they learned well. If Weir and Buttle don’t try for more, that means they are afraid to lose their current position. That’s not the first position.

And...

- Is that judges attempting to create the intrigue artificially so the spectators won’t get bored?

- I think so. Everyone understands that the skating stopped in its development so they are trying to move it ahead somehow. I don’t understand why Joubert is set as my main rival. It would be more fair if it were Stefan Lambiel. He is gifted skater all-around. I can say responsibly and without emotion – in skating quality, spins, footwork and artistic expressiveness, he is stronger than Joubert. With that, Lambiel’s second mark in the free program was four points lower. Nothing changed. Judging just like it was before. Judges are free in their likes and dislikes as before. And just like before, the second mark is the tool to express their likes and dislikes. So what, then it’s Joubert. I’m ready for pressure.

:rock:

- Would you stay in the sport if you dream comes true and you take a gold in Torino in a year?

- I’m not ready to answer that now. It will depend on how I would feel at the moment. If I would be tired from the sport, I would leave. It’s very hard to come to any event thinking you must be first. Plus, not only I can get tired of having to win, the fans can get tired of my victories. Leaving timely is a big art.

You can read the rest of the translated interview made by Trinity at FSU
 
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mike79

On the Ice
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
I love the honesty that he displays. I completely agree with him about Lambiel being a better skater than Joubert, and that skaters like Buttle are just complacent and don't try to push themselves technically.

To win competitions at the senior level you should have to have a quad. Why was it that when Yagudin and Plushenko were battling it out that they would land two quads with great artitry in their programs, yet now it seems like you don't need a triple Axel to win. People can say that CoP awards skaters marks for things that didn't count before, but it shoudn't take away from the importance of the technical aspects.
 

Ptichka

Forum translator
Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Hey, you beat me to it. Here is my full translation:

http://sports.ru/today/other/154001400000024713.html
Evgenij PLUSHENKO: "I am ready for pressure. I don't care who will be putting it on".

Plushenko has regained his title of the European champion in a tough fight with Brian Joubert. Special "Izvestija" correspondent Igor Poroshin met with the most titled contemporary figure skater the day after his triumph on the Turin ice. Plushenko was very calm and confident in his superiority over the opponents.

Is there anyone in the world who can win gold given that Plushenko skates cleanly or even with small mistakes as it was in Turin?

No. If I have a clean skate, no one can overtake me.

Won't American Johnny Weir or Canadian Jeffrey Buttle be your equals if the finally get the quad - they are incredibly gifted skaters in all other regards?

I know they do it in practice, but don't risk putting it into the programs. That's the new judging system for you. Whereas before everyone took risks, now many are content with doing what feels comfortable. If Weir and Buttle don't attempt anything more, then they fear loosing the ground they've gained. That ground doesn't put them in first.

You don't like the new judging system?

It's complicated. It has its advantages. But the main disadvantage is greater - the system doesn't stimulate the growth of figure skating. The main motivation until now has been the attempt to do more difficult jumps while maintaining beautiful footwork and spins. Now I see many skaters replacing triple axel - triple toe loop combinations with triple lutz - triple to loop. In new system, it doesn't pay to take a risk. Risk, meanwhile, is a worthy endeavor.

Your main European opponent, Brian Joubert, does not lighten up his programs. In terms of jumps they are as difficult as yours. Does it mean Joubert is more dangerous for you then the others?

Joubert, Weir, Buttle, Sandhu, Goebel - I don't distinguish anyone from that group. All those guys are equally dangerous. Each has his strong and weak sides. One has cool spins, but isn't too strong in jumps. Another is the opposite - has the quads, but can't spin and isn't too artistic.

You mean Joubert?

I have nothing against him personally. Quite the opposite, I like competing against Joubert - he has a strong character, and is a real fighter. He knows how to put out not even 100, but 120 percent at competitions. But I am always surprised at his second mark. I think it's too high.

Are the judges creating the intrigue to entertain the viewers?

I think so. Everyone understands that figure skating has stopped developing, and is trying to move it forward. I just don't understand why Joubert is touted as Plushenko's main opponent. It would be fairer to name Stephan Lambiel. He is an all-around athlete, who, to be blunt, has stronger skating skills, spins, footwork, and artistry than Joubert. Yet Lambiel's second mark in the free skate was four points lower. So nothing has changed. The objectivity is still absent. Judges are as free in their like and dislikes as before. And the second mark, as before, remains the vessel for those feelings. Hey, why not Joubert. I am ready for the pressure.

Are you ready for increased pressure? Say, your old friend Alexei Yagudin and Tatiana Tarasova will become full members of Joubert team in the Olympic season. Tarasova already choreographs his programs, and Yagudin is Joubert's consultant. True, it's still mainly PR. But what if it goes beyond PR and choreography, and you'll face the whole team that defeated you at the Salt Lake City Olympics.

That's Joubert's right. I can't forbid him from working with Tarasova. Frankly, I couldn't care less about his team in the Olympic season. I have my team. We learned from the mistakes of the last Olympic cycle. We became stronger. Though I have to say I don't like athletes changing coaches all the time. It's wrong. You have to treat the coach as a person, not a machine that makes you.

Perhaps Joubert would have the same principles had he trained with Mishin.

I never denied having been very lucky with my coach.

I'm sure you've heard the opinion that Plushenko spends too much effort on various shows, and that it impacts his skating. What can you say to this?

At this point, Plushenko is the World, European, and Grand Prix champion - that's my retort. I get many offers to take part in ice shows, and I decline most of them. The shows that I do go to not only earn me money, but also the opportunity to perfect the programs, to see how the audience reacts. This is very important from the athletic perspective.

To explain the world of professional figure skating, can you tell us what percentage of you income comes from the shows versus the actual athletic competitions?

Certainly, most income comes room the shows. At least because there are far more shows than competitions.

Today we see many attempts in Russia to transform one-time and haphazard ice shows into something professionally organized. In particular, Ilya Averbukh has created his ice
enterprise. What do you think of the potential of such business in Russia?


I think they're good. Ilya is great. What he is doing can bring great results. I don't mean just the financial side. Most people quit serious figure skating as kids because in this sport only World and European medallists can earn descent money. If in Russia ice shows will become successful and profitable, this will dramatically increase the prestige of our sport, and parents will start bringing in their children to skating clubs not just, as they say, out of "love of art". Profitability is a very important stimulus.

Do you have a feeling of having been born in the wrong time? Just seven to ten years ago, it was very different. Former World champions and Olympic medallists made fortunes in tours and so-called professional championships. TV and advertisers also treat figure skaters differently. Now, ABC is reconsidering its contract with ISU to lessen it, ice shows are cutting the programs, and the prize money for skaters are falling.

I know that the stars of previous years earned significantly more than they do today. But I have enough. I feel very comfortable, and for me titles are still the most important. First and foremost, the Olympic title that I still lack.

In today's figure skating, is it possible to make more than a million dollars a year? I'm
not talking about advertising contracts of Michelle Kwan - she is unique.


I can only talk about myself. I don't earn millions.

I know you like football.

Yes, and by the way I'm good friends with Sasha Kerzhakov.

Do you envy football players? You are at least the Ronaldo of figure skating, but you don't get even one fiftieth of this money and fame.

Honestly, it happens. But there isn't much you can do - it's fate. I chose figure skating, not football. TV creates the commercial attractiveness of a sport. Advertising attractiveness of figure skating is significantly lower than that of football. You can't dress a skater in Adidas or Nike. We don't compete much. A skater spends just four minute on the ice, and another couple of minute in the kiss and cry corner. A football team, dressed in the uniform of the same maker with the same sponsors' logos, is constantly on screen for 90 minutes. Understanding football rules is far simpler than out lutzes and flips. Also, in figure skating there is an immense gap in earnings between those who regularly medal, and those who go just behind them. Not to mention the athletes of second and third tiers. Compared to, say, tennis, not just the actual sums, but also the gap in earnings is like day and night. However, we're talking about the most successful sports; if we compare gymnastics with figure skating, we'll see that my sport isn't so bad after all.

I really like your free skate. In my opinion, it's your best one in the last four years, perhaps in your whole career.

I agree.

Given that, do your regret having it in the pre-Olympic year? Shouldn't you have saved it for the Olympics?

Well, that would have been odd. Edvin Marton got the inspiration and wrote the music. My coach and I heard what Edvin did, and got inspired as well. I couldn't get that melody out of my head. Anything else would have seemed boring in comparison if we decided, as you suggest, to put it away for the Olympic season.

Some skaters use the same program for two seasons. Would you?

I won't rule it our. Though I'd like to try making something even more captivating.

Will you remain the sport if your dream does come true and in a year you, as today, will bring gold back from Turin?

I can't answer this question now. It will depend on how I'll feed at the time. If I'll get tired of the sport, I'll go. It's very hard to approach each championship with the idea that you must be the first. Also, not only I can get tired of winning, the audience can get tired of my victories. Leaving at the right time is a great art.
 
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Doggygirl

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 18, 2003
I love Plush's personality...

He is confident, but he has earned the right to be. He also seems very wise in his thinking. He doesn't seem to take anything for granted. Thanks for the translations of this article!! I enjoy him fan-wise as a competitor (more than I personally like his skating style sometimes!) and hope he can stay on through Turino (with his knee and all).

DG
 

Vitacus

Rinkside
Joined
Nov 7, 2004
Ptichka, thanks for the full translation! I enjoy his confidence and honesty and he seems to have found the right balance -- and stayed grounded, which is admirable. :)
 

chuckm

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Country
United-States
This interview shows just how Plushenko is not a bit arrogant. He knows what he does well, and what other skaters do well. He is not afraid to praise his competitors, yet he knows that if he works hard, he can still beat them. He respects them, but doesn't fear them.

Funny though---he doesn't say much about Sandhu!
 

mzheng

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 16, 2005
Thanks for Ptichka's translation.

He is really honest with himself and his compatetor.

I like to hear what he said about the Lambial. I just :love: his skating. He is right, if Lambial gets the consistant down and with the quad, he can beat Plushine.

You :rock: for the guts interview and skating.
 
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Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Vitacus, thanks for the great thread, and welcome to the forum!

Ptichka, as usual you outdid yourself with that fine colloquial and idiomatic translation. OK, that doesn't make sense, but you know what I mean, LOL.

Don't you guys wish American skaters would be as forthcoming in their interviews?

MM:)
 

Doggygirl

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 18, 2003
Yesssssss!!!!

Mathman said:
Vitacus, thanks for the great thread, and welcome to the forum!

Ptichka, as usual you outdid yourself with that fine colloquial and idiomatic translation. OK, that doesn't make sense, but you know what I mean, LOL.

Don't you guys wish American skaters would be as forthcoming in their interviews?

MM:)
And in case that was wishy washy,.....YESSSSSSS!

DG
 

mzheng

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 16, 2005
Mathman said:
Don't you guys wish American skaters would be as forthcoming in their interviews?

MM:)

Which US skater in your mind should be as forthcoming as him?

Non of US skaters dominate at world scene **these days** as Plushin. Anyone less dominate as he is would come out as **Arrogant** in my book. Not even with the Kween these days. But again if Kween comes out like this, I wouldn't be a fan of her anyway. :p
 

soogar

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 18, 2003
mzheng said:
Which US skater in your mind should be as forthcoming as him?

Non of US skaters dominate at world scene **these days** as Plushin. Anyone less dominate as he is would come out as **Arrogant** in my book. Not even with the Kween these days. But again if Kween comes out like this, I wouldn't be a fan of her anyway. :p

Weir and Weiss are both as forthcoming as Plush.
 

Vitacus

Rinkside
Joined
Nov 7, 2004
As long as the skaters can put their money where their mouth is, then it's fine with me. Plushenko certainly can.
 
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
mzheng said:
Which US skater in your mind should be as forthcoming as him?

None of US skaters dominate at world scene **these days** as Plushin. Anyone less dominate as he is would come out as **Arrogant** in my book. Not even with the Kween these days. But again if Kween comes out like this, I wouldn't be a fan of her anyway. :p
Good point. That's the double standard that "lady" athletes, and especially figure skaters, labor under. Unlike male athletes, women are expected to be modest and demure, not to mention pretty and delicate.

In contrast we have gotten used to male athletes beating on their chests and telling everyone how great they are.

MM
 

mzheng

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 16, 2005
soogar said:
Weir and Weiss are both as forthcoming as Plush.

Well how much flames did Weiss got? Weir both his skating and forthcoming not come to Plush's league yet. He is new and young at the scene ppl still cut him some slacks.

But you are right, I guess that's why I can never be their fans (well in Weiss case any way)

That said, I believe what Michelle said in public interviews. IIRC there was time (1998-1999/2002) when MK won every competetion in sight, she was talking in one interview on TV something like that for her she felt not about improvement on her skating any more, it was more of put things out there when times count. It cames instantly to me as she was a bit of **Arogant**, but then I only enjoyed her skating, not consider myself as a fan of her. For me became a fan of somebody or anybody, besides he/she must have the outstanding achievements in his/her own specialty but also a great integrety as a human being.
 
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RIskatingfan

On the Ice
Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Mathman said:
Don't you guys wish American skaters would be as forthcoming in their interviews?

MM:)
Skaters are beaten to death every time they say anything out of the ordinary lines. American skaters more.

I also find quite funny that many fans think that skaters can only be outspoken in interviews if they win a World title or the Olympics. Apparently, without medals they are not entitled to their opinions LOL They can only say that they don't care if they win (just want to have fun) and that everyone is better than them (God forbid they say they are better than anyone). Oh well. Skating fans :)
 

brad640

On the Ice
Joined
Dec 8, 2004
Thanks Ptichka and Vitacus for posting/translating this great article. This illustrates that Plushenko is the strongest skater competing right now because he is great at sizing up his competition.

mike79 said:
I love the honesty that he displays. I completely agree with him about Lambiel being a better skater than Joubert, and that skaters like Buttle are just complacent and don't try to push themselves technically.

Yes - Plushenko is smart to recognize that Lambiel, not Joubert, is his biggest competition. Plushenko is great, but his spins are not especially compared to Lambiel. Hopefully when Plushenko retires from competition he will become a judge!!


mike79 said:
To win competitions at the senior level you should have to have a quad. Why was it that when Yagudin and Plushenko were battling it out that they would land two quads with great artitry in their programs, yet now it seems like you don't need a triple Axel to win. People can say that CoP awards skaters marks for things that didn't count before, but it shoudn't take away from the importance of the technical aspects.

The days of Plushenko/Yagudin competitions were the best. At one point Plushenko was attempting a 4t/3t/3r and a 4t sequence into a 3s and a 3a/3f. Sadly, those days are gone and his programs are watered down because no one is pushing him right now.
 

Vitacus

Rinkside
Joined
Nov 7, 2004
Doggygirl said:
Until we have a Dennis Rodman FS equivalent, US interviews are TAME.

Too true. :rofl:

RIskatingfan said:
Skaters are beaten to death every time they say anything out of the ordinary lines. American skaters more.

I also find quite funny that many fans think that skaters can only be outspoken in interviews if they win a World title or the Olympics. Apparently, without medals they are not entitled to their opinions LOL They can only say that they don't care if they win (just want to have fun) and that everyone is better than them (God forbid they say they are better than anyone). Oh well. Skating fans

:sheesh:

Some skaters, like Plushenko, has a little more 'meat on their bones' and doesn't come off sounding boastful or arrogant -- not saying any US skater does so please no flaming me -- if anything what Plushenko said sounds very logical. He is the one to beat and everyone knows it.

Personally, I don't have any problem with outspoken skaters be it Plushenko, Weir or Weiss. It adds a little more spice to this sport -- :rock:
 
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