This made me laugh!
Anna Shcherbakova
- Thread starter Roman09
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2018
Thank you sooo much Alex!
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2018
Above all I'm glad to see you back
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2018
Nika Egadze: “Shcherbakova fights to the end at every start and shows excellent skates. She recovered from fractures and achieved her goal - this is very cool.”
Georgian figure skater Nika Egadze explained why he is inspired by the performances of Olympic champion Anna Shcherbakova.
- What motivates you to keep skating? Before, you said that Anna Shcherbakova inspires you the most among the skaters.
– Yes, it still is. Anya always fights to the end at every start and shows excellent skates. In addition, we have slightly similar stories: she also had fractures, like me, including this year. But she recovered after them and achieved her goal - this is very cool, in fact. After such a severe injury, Anya showed quad flips and lutz at competitions - I think it's just super.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2021
So, the interview that Anna gave to Channel One the day after winning the 2021 Russian Championship. There was more than a year left before the Olympics and almost three months before the World Figure Skating Championships:
0:00 - 1:28 fragments of the free skate at the 2021 Russian Championship. Some footage was not shown in the regular broadcast.
How long did you sleep after the tournament ended?
- Probably about two hours. For a very long time… [couldn't sleep]. We arrived at the hotel so late. And besides, I continued to feel this transcendental adrenaline. I just lay there for a very long time, I could not sleep. I watched what was happening on social networks, wrote answers. I had a kind of list: first of all, I answer everyone on WhatsApp, because my closest friends communicate with me there. Then I looked at the following applications, where people wrote to me. Then I opened Instagram, looked at the marked publications, there was some incredible amount of Stories. In the same place, on Instagram, I read the comments and tried to answer the maximum number of those who wrote to me.
Then for some time, when I had already gone to bed, I was talking to myself, scrolling through all these events in my head and could not believe that everything that the competition was over.
Did you watch your performance yourself?
-Yes, I watched at my free skate. I had mixed emotions: on the one hand, I myself don’t understand how I could do it, but on the other hand, I, of course, can see moments in my performance when I ... Still, this was my first integral performance of a free programs, and there were moments when I tried to exhale, gather strength for further parts. That is, I cannot say that I invested 100% in every movement. Perhaps this is what allowed me to complete the entire program to the end, to land all the jumps.
The decision to perform in a free program - was it? ..
It was my decision. At first, it seemed like it was necessary to discuss everything and make a decision about whether I would skate. And I made it clear to everyone that I will perform in any case, regardless of how I feel. And it seemed to me that I quite precisely and definitely explained my position. But it is quite understandable that all the people continued to hint to me that at any moment I could refuse to perform. And in the end, already on the day of the competition, when my mother approached me with this proposal, I asked her: please, not a single word more, you prevent me from tuning in.
Because it's hard to tune in to good skating when all the people around say: “You can't! It is forbidden! Don't skate! In no case do not go out on the ice, you will not succeed. You're not ready! You were barely breathing yesterday, how can you complete the free program in full?!” These questions ... And I stand and convince myself: “I will reach the end of the program, I will reach the end!” (laughs)
Yesterday your dad promised to ask you where you got your strength.
I don't have an exact answer to this question. Probably, somewhere inside me I felt strength and knew that I could. If I had complete despair, a feeling that I would not succeed at all, then I would not have done it, but I had this hope inside that at the right moment I would gather strength and do it. There were unsuccessful trainings, but I tried not to think that now everything was gone and nothing would come of it. I tried to keep hope inside me and convince myself that at the right time I would be at the peak of my abilities. For me, the main thing was faith in myself and composure. Of course, I understood that everything would depend on my condition ...
But did you understand that it could all end differently?
It was hard for me, but these competitions were special for me. I can say that I had a completely different attitude [compared to previous tournaments]. I didn’t have any thoughts at all: “What if I don’t have enough concentration? What if I hit the ice badly or fall? There were no such thinks. I was so busy with my main problems, there were so many thoughts associated with it, that the usual worries and doubts were completely gone. In the same way, I did not worry about how many points I would score, what place I would take in the final protocol. Even before skating, I completely pulled away from this, went out on the ice as calm as possible.
(fragments of a short program are shown)
Was the free program easier for you than the short program?
Not! Morally, absolutely not. It turned out that I was more confident in the short program. I wasn't worried about this performance, even though I felt really bad. And the coaches said that my condition is not good at all. But I already completely did the short program in training at home (that is, in Khrustalny), and then I also felt bad. So I knew that I could deal with it, that there would not be such fatigue that I would have to fight desperately. More precisely, if there is such fatigue, then after landing all the jumps, and I will be able to skate to the end of the program. I looked the most tired then - this is because during the short program there is no such strong adrenaline rush. After all, during this performance, I always know that this is only the beginning, and then there will be a free skate. That's why I could look the most tired after the short program.
It was different after the free program, which for me was mentally much more difficult. It was difficult to tune in to this rental. Usually all the skaters say: “we are setting up for the performance, as if for another training session,” but I could not do that. I tuned in to the fact that now I will do what didn’t work out in training. So mentally it was harder. And physically it turned out that adrenaline helped me. And after the performance, no matter how hard it was for me, all these emotions did not let me feel tired for several hours. I guess that's why I looked better, like during the moral uplift, that's why the performance looked easier.
How did you decide to go for the two quad jump option?
We prepared a variant of the free program with two quadruple jumps for the Rostelecom Cup. And even then I had the confidence that we had overcome this barrier, and I no longer planned to reduce the number of quads to one, to retreat. Of course, during the preparation for the Russian Championships, there were trainings when I could not even perform one quadruple jump, when nothing worked at all, even triple jumps. I missed training, but at the same time I felt like I was on a rollercoaster - one day I could come in good health, all the jumps are successfully completed, but then fatigue strikes, and nothing happens. The main task was to come to the moment of the competition in good condition, at the peak of possibilities.
In the morning practice before the free program, a lot of things were unsuccessful, but this did not lead to the fact that I despaired and thought "it's all over." On the contrary, I decided that by the evening my condition would be much better and I would be able to give the maximum.
Was the idea of abandoning quadruple jumps considered?
Well, I personally didn't consider this option, because for me the most functionally difficult thing was to skate until the very end of the program, and quadruple jumps, if performed cleanly, do not take an excessive amount of energy. Moreover, a purely executed quadruple, as I think, on the contrary, gives additional drive and energy. And if I replace these elements with triple jumps, this will not save my strength at all by the end of the program. It is possible that things will get worse as a result.
When you went out on the ice, did you turn to someone, or did it just seem to us?
When I go out, I am alone on the ice, a huge hall, all these spectators look only at me, applaud, and at this moment they only support me, they help me tune in. And always, when I go out on the ice, I try to feel this energy and even, one might say, recharge with this energy. Because when something doesn’t work out for you in training, but at competitions you go out and do it, the question arises: how? This is such a feeling of adrenaline, which gives the opportunity to do more than I can normally. And when I go to the start, I try to feel this energy, the huge support of the audience, calm down and complete this program for them. That is, I don’t look somewhere up, but I let in the energy of the audience, I try to take all of it and give it out during the skating.
Given the circumstances, it seems to us that both of your programs are about you ...
It seems to me that now both programs have developed in full accordance with my condition. The short program is very touching, it really touches the soul and it was very hard to start these competitions with it. I still didn’t know how everything would be in the free program, how I would complete it ... Yes, it all looked tragic. And in the free program, especially in the second half, there is such victorious music that dragged me along with it. And indeed, at the end of the program, I no longer tried to portray any emotions. It’s just that I don’t have the strength, but I tried with all my heart to give everything that I feel to this music.
This is probably the first competition after which almost all the people close to me, everyone who was at the tournament, everyone I saw, just cried. And in all the comments and messages they write to me that they cried when I spoke. And several times I could not hold back the tears. And I feel like I left all my emotions there...
Ted Barton was at a loss for words yesterday after your performance...
Yes, I watched the video with his comments too ... Probably, the right words are really very difficult to find, because it was not just a joy, like after ordinary skating. Some really incredible emotions. And after I experienced it yesterday, today I no longer have the strength to be happy or sad. Somehow I talk about it with such a breath about what happened yesterday, but I still can’t feel it again.
(it is shown how Tutberidze hugs Anna)
Your brightest skates end with you diving into a coat to Eteri Georgievna ...
Well, I want to share my joy with someone, and even better, if this is a person who saw my work done for the sake of this performance.
(show fragments of Anna's performance at the Grand Prix in Las Vegas)
In Las Vegas, the performance was indeed a bit similar. At that time, my short program did not turn out a little, and after that it was very important to tune in to the free program. In addition, it was there that I performed two quadruple jumps for the first time, and this was also a turning point, after which I began to believe in myself more. In this sense, that start became a kind of starting point. Then for the first time I believed, felt that now I would go out and skate cleanly. And so it happened. There are some similarities between these two performances. Then I wanted to share this incredible joy with the coaches. But then it was just fun. Now there are already some mixed emotions - and tears, and joy, and fatigue are much more.
Now, after the final pose, I was moving on the ice completely exhausted, while bowing I could hardly raise my hands to wave and move very slowly. And at the same time I wanted to share my feelings and fall on someone, because there is no strength to stand (laughs). And, probably, I still wanted to convey my emotions more.
(show coaches during Anna's performance)
After your performance, the coaches also gave vent to their emotions. Was it something special for you?
It is hard to say. Probably, after the performance, there was, first of all, unreal joy, even, perhaps, pride that I did it. Because in my head, of course, I imagined everything in advance, tried to tune in to a clean skate. And when the program went step by step, I landed each jump, and this feeling gradually grew in me, and I tried to suppress it a little so as not to give vent to emotions ahead of time and not make mistakes - after all, this also happens. And so I held back all this as much as possible, held back, and at the end of the performance - such a surge of emotions. At first, joy, and then, when I was sitting in Kiss and Cry, I saw in a repeat how Eteri Georgievna had tears in her eyes. I looked at this, and I also had tears ...
After that, I more clearly realized what the path was to this, how difficult it was, and how at the right moment I was able to pull myself together and show what I could not even expect from myself before these competitions. In general, indescribable emotions!
0:00 - 1:28 fragments of the free skate at the 2021 Russian Championship. Some footage was not shown in the regular broadcast.
How long did you sleep after the tournament ended?
- Probably about two hours. For a very long time… [couldn't sleep]. We arrived at the hotel so late. And besides, I continued to feel this transcendental adrenaline. I just lay there for a very long time, I could not sleep. I watched what was happening on social networks, wrote answers. I had a kind of list: first of all, I answer everyone on WhatsApp, because my closest friends communicate with me there. Then I looked at the following applications, where people wrote to me. Then I opened Instagram, looked at the marked publications, there was some incredible amount of Stories. In the same place, on Instagram, I read the comments and tried to answer the maximum number of those who wrote to me.
Then for some time, when I had already gone to bed, I was talking to myself, scrolling through all these events in my head and could not believe that everything that the competition was over.
Did you watch your performance yourself?
-Yes, I watched at my free skate. I had mixed emotions: on the one hand, I myself don’t understand how I could do it, but on the other hand, I, of course, can see moments in my performance when I ... Still, this was my first integral performance of a free programs, and there were moments when I tried to exhale, gather strength for further parts. That is, I cannot say that I invested 100% in every movement. Perhaps this is what allowed me to complete the entire program to the end, to land all the jumps.
The decision to perform in a free program - was it? ..
It was my decision. At first, it seemed like it was necessary to discuss everything and make a decision about whether I would skate. And I made it clear to everyone that I will perform in any case, regardless of how I feel. And it seemed to me that I quite precisely and definitely explained my position. But it is quite understandable that all the people continued to hint to me that at any moment I could refuse to perform. And in the end, already on the day of the competition, when my mother approached me with this proposal, I asked her: please, not a single word more, you prevent me from tuning in.
Because it's hard to tune in to good skating when all the people around say: “You can't! It is forbidden! Don't skate! In no case do not go out on the ice, you will not succeed. You're not ready! You were barely breathing yesterday, how can you complete the free program in full?!” These questions ... And I stand and convince myself: “I will reach the end of the program, I will reach the end!” (laughs)
Yesterday your dad promised to ask you where you got your strength.
I don't have an exact answer to this question. Probably, somewhere inside me I felt strength and knew that I could. If I had complete despair, a feeling that I would not succeed at all, then I would not have done it, but I had this hope inside that at the right moment I would gather strength and do it. There were unsuccessful trainings, but I tried not to think that now everything was gone and nothing would come of it. I tried to keep hope inside me and convince myself that at the right time I would be at the peak of my abilities. For me, the main thing was faith in myself and composure. Of course, I understood that everything would depend on my condition ...
But did you understand that it could all end differently?
It was hard for me, but these competitions were special for me. I can say that I had a completely different attitude [compared to previous tournaments]. I didn’t have any thoughts at all: “What if I don’t have enough concentration? What if I hit the ice badly or fall? There were no such thinks. I was so busy with my main problems, there were so many thoughts associated with it, that the usual worries and doubts were completely gone. In the same way, I did not worry about how many points I would score, what place I would take in the final protocol. Even before skating, I completely pulled away from this, went out on the ice as calm as possible.
(fragments of a short program are shown)
Was the free program easier for you than the short program?
Not! Morally, absolutely not. It turned out that I was more confident in the short program. I wasn't worried about this performance, even though I felt really bad. And the coaches said that my condition is not good at all. But I already completely did the short program in training at home (that is, in Khrustalny), and then I also felt bad. So I knew that I could deal with it, that there would not be such fatigue that I would have to fight desperately. More precisely, if there is such fatigue, then after landing all the jumps, and I will be able to skate to the end of the program. I looked the most tired then - this is because during the short program there is no such strong adrenaline rush. After all, during this performance, I always know that this is only the beginning, and then there will be a free skate. That's why I could look the most tired after the short program.
It was different after the free program, which for me was mentally much more difficult. It was difficult to tune in to this rental. Usually all the skaters say: “we are setting up for the performance, as if for another training session,” but I could not do that. I tuned in to the fact that now I will do what didn’t work out in training. So mentally it was harder. And physically it turned out that adrenaline helped me. And after the performance, no matter how hard it was for me, all these emotions did not let me feel tired for several hours. I guess that's why I looked better, like during the moral uplift, that's why the performance looked easier.
How did you decide to go for the two quad jump option?
We prepared a variant of the free program with two quadruple jumps for the Rostelecom Cup. And even then I had the confidence that we had overcome this barrier, and I no longer planned to reduce the number of quads to one, to retreat. Of course, during the preparation for the Russian Championships, there were trainings when I could not even perform one quadruple jump, when nothing worked at all, even triple jumps. I missed training, but at the same time I felt like I was on a rollercoaster - one day I could come in good health, all the jumps are successfully completed, but then fatigue strikes, and nothing happens. The main task was to come to the moment of the competition in good condition, at the peak of possibilities.
In the morning practice before the free program, a lot of things were unsuccessful, but this did not lead to the fact that I despaired and thought "it's all over." On the contrary, I decided that by the evening my condition would be much better and I would be able to give the maximum.
Was the idea of abandoning quadruple jumps considered?
Well, I personally didn't consider this option, because for me the most functionally difficult thing was to skate until the very end of the program, and quadruple jumps, if performed cleanly, do not take an excessive amount of energy. Moreover, a purely executed quadruple, as I think, on the contrary, gives additional drive and energy. And if I replace these elements with triple jumps, this will not save my strength at all by the end of the program. It is possible that things will get worse as a result.
When you went out on the ice, did you turn to someone, or did it just seem to us?
When I go out, I am alone on the ice, a huge hall, all these spectators look only at me, applaud, and at this moment they only support me, they help me tune in. And always, when I go out on the ice, I try to feel this energy and even, one might say, recharge with this energy. Because when something doesn’t work out for you in training, but at competitions you go out and do it, the question arises: how? This is such a feeling of adrenaline, which gives the opportunity to do more than I can normally. And when I go to the start, I try to feel this energy, the huge support of the audience, calm down and complete this program for them. That is, I don’t look somewhere up, but I let in the energy of the audience, I try to take all of it and give it out during the skating.
Given the circumstances, it seems to us that both of your programs are about you ...
It seems to me that now both programs have developed in full accordance with my condition. The short program is very touching, it really touches the soul and it was very hard to start these competitions with it. I still didn’t know how everything would be in the free program, how I would complete it ... Yes, it all looked tragic. And in the free program, especially in the second half, there is such victorious music that dragged me along with it. And indeed, at the end of the program, I no longer tried to portray any emotions. It’s just that I don’t have the strength, but I tried with all my heart to give everything that I feel to this music.
This is probably the first competition after which almost all the people close to me, everyone who was at the tournament, everyone I saw, just cried. And in all the comments and messages they write to me that they cried when I spoke. And several times I could not hold back the tears. And I feel like I left all my emotions there...
Ted Barton was at a loss for words yesterday after your performance...
Yes, I watched the video with his comments too ... Probably, the right words are really very difficult to find, because it was not just a joy, like after ordinary skating. Some really incredible emotions. And after I experienced it yesterday, today I no longer have the strength to be happy or sad. Somehow I talk about it with such a breath about what happened yesterday, but I still can’t feel it again.
(it is shown how Tutberidze hugs Anna)
Your brightest skates end with you diving into a coat to Eteri Georgievna ...
Well, I want to share my joy with someone, and even better, if this is a person who saw my work done for the sake of this performance.
(show fragments of Anna's performance at the Grand Prix in Las Vegas)
In Las Vegas, the performance was indeed a bit similar. At that time, my short program did not turn out a little, and after that it was very important to tune in to the free program. In addition, it was there that I performed two quadruple jumps for the first time, and this was also a turning point, after which I began to believe in myself more. In this sense, that start became a kind of starting point. Then for the first time I believed, felt that now I would go out and skate cleanly. And so it happened. There are some similarities between these two performances. Then I wanted to share this incredible joy with the coaches. But then it was just fun. Now there are already some mixed emotions - and tears, and joy, and fatigue are much more.
Now, after the final pose, I was moving on the ice completely exhausted, while bowing I could hardly raise my hands to wave and move very slowly. And at the same time I wanted to share my feelings and fall on someone, because there is no strength to stand (laughs). And, probably, I still wanted to convey my emotions more.
(show coaches during Anna's performance)
After your performance, the coaches also gave vent to their emotions. Was it something special for you?
It is hard to say. Probably, after the performance, there was, first of all, unreal joy, even, perhaps, pride that I did it. Because in my head, of course, I imagined everything in advance, tried to tune in to a clean skate. And when the program went step by step, I landed each jump, and this feeling gradually grew in me, and I tried to suppress it a little so as not to give vent to emotions ahead of time and not make mistakes - after all, this also happens. And so I held back all this as much as possible, held back, and at the end of the performance - such a surge of emotions. At first, joy, and then, when I was sitting in Kiss and Cry, I saw in a repeat how Eteri Georgievna had tears in her eyes. I looked at this, and I also had tears ...
After that, I more clearly realized what the path was to this, how difficult it was, and how at the right moment I was able to pull myself together and show what I could not even expect from myself before these competitions. In general, indescribable emotions!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2021
part 2:
Do you understand how outstanding this tournament turned out to be?
Many people before the start like to think something like this: “well, if everyone skates cleanly, then this athlete will win.” But these arguments are always so hypothetical, because it is very rare that all performances are clean. Usually it all depends on the mistakes, and not the one with the strongest set of elements wins. And here is really that rare case when the skaters who fought for the highest places showed their maximum. I think it was an insanely spectacular competition.
Did you know how Sasha and Camila performed before you?
I knew that I would skate right after my two main competitors, and I tried not to listen to how many points they scored, not to listen to how they were applauded. But then I looked up and saw the leader's score. It happened quite by accident. Of course, some extra thoughts appeared after that. You think: “Forget about it”, you go on a jump, and a calculation takes place in your head: “So, this is how many points the leader has. So, the skating was, most likely, like this ... ". And immediately the question is - who is first, Sasha or Camila - but I stop myself: “everything is enough, don’t think about it, you have your own program.”
Already in the evening I watched the performances of the girls and yes, at first my own, and then I decided to look in the order in which they went on the ice in order to understand how everything happened. At first I looked at Sasha, then Camila, then myself again - and really understood how it was. Initially, I only knew about my performance, but then I saw what the level of competition was. I didn’t know that I was going out on the ice after such wonderful performances, yes. Everyone went out and showed her maximum. Perhaps it’s even better that I didn’t see that there were such skates in front of me so that unnecessary thoughts would not appear.
Mao Asada and Kim could not compete with you and other girls.
I understand that, but they are still different things. We did not compete at the same time, and this, of course, needs to be perceived differently. You can not compare these performances, and even more so you can not compare the points received. Each performance must be evaluated taking into account the time when certain skaters competed.
It was especially nice to see that none of the medalists made falls in the free program.
We skaters get used to falls during training, and this does not bother us so much. We understand that falling is absolutely normal, because in training you can fall literally hundreds of times during a program, and this is nothing special. You can lie on the ice for half of the program, and this is also included in the norm. But to the audience, when they see it from the side, it seems that this is just a beautiful picture, light skaters in beautiful dresses: “And how is it that she fell?! Everything, the performance is disrupted". It is hard for them to understand that even with a fall there can be a good performance, because now the programs are so complex that a fall does not yet lead to failure.
But probably yes, if you really look from the outside, then clean skates give even more emotions. And this can be seen as another plus for us, because many people complain about quadruple jumps, arguing that after the girls began to perform these elements, there were more falls. Spectators often don't like it - everyone is skating, everyone is falling, but there is no beautiful picture. And now we have shown performances in which there are not only quadruple jumps, but also a whole beautiful picture without missteps.
(show footage of the warm-up on the ice)
The leader in the Russian Championship has not changed for three years.
Probably, yes, it is very pleasant that a year later the Russian Championship is held again, and again I show a successful performance at this competition, and every time these joyful emotions. In addition, it is very pleasant that this tournament is held before the New Year, and I always go on vacation with such a clear conscience. Nice tradition, I love it!
It turns out that Santa Claus has already given you a gift?
This medal has nothing to do with Santa Claus (laughs). And I didn't count on anyone else's strength but my own. I didn't expect any miracle. It was necessary to do all this without unnecessary worries. And now I just want to rest, fully recover and only ask that the World Championship still take place, so that not this current tournament becomes the final point of the season, but an even more important competition.
(show training and practicing jumps)
You will soon be 17 years old. Do you feel your age?
That I'm 17, I probably don't feel it yet. But I am absolutely aware that I am now 16. I don't feel like I'm still a small child. Of course, sometimes this feeling still appears. I don’t live separately yet, I don’t completely solve all my questions, and I have such a peculiarity ... I don’t know how to say it, I can never make any important decision myself, I always consult with everyone ten times. I consult with mom, dad, and until they express their opinion, it is very difficult for me to make a decision, even if these are some simple questions. You have to choose one of the two, and I'm always torn between these possibilities, and I can't decide for myself which is better. But in general, I feel quite conscious for my age.
Nevertheless, you made the most important decision about participating in the Russian Championship yourself.
There was simply no doubt about this decision.
So, the first place in the national team and a ticket to the World Cup are yours.
I can safely say that the World Figure Skating Championships is a huge goal for this season. And I really hope, I believe that this competition will still be held, because it should not be in vain. I still perceived these competitions not as a final point, but as a qualifying tournament for the World Championship. Of course, everything turned out somehow very loudly, so many emotions, it seemed that everything was over. And maybe at that moment it was so - I overcame difficulties, the tournament ended beautifully, but this should be the beginning of something even more significant.
This should not be the end, this is a good selection that I passed. I have satisfaction because I am selected, I gave my best, despite my condition, without any concessions to myself. I did not make the programs easier, I skated completely, as I wanted, and now I would like to prepare for the World Championships in the same way, without doubts about whether this tournament will take place. I think if the championship is canceled for the second time, it will be much harder. And I want the whole season to end with the same happy ending as the last tournament.
Do you skate primarily because you need it yourself?
Yes indeed. Firstly, no one has ever forced me to skate. My parents have nothing to do with professional sports at all. I was brought to the rink not to become a professional figure skater, but for general development. Moreover, my mother just now told me that when I was little, she approached the coaches and asked them to be softer, not scolded, saying: “How is it, she’s a child, how can you yell at her? After all, this will affect the psyche.” That is, she is not one of those parents who will force their child to train with all their might, to go to classes despite their reluctance. In general, it always seemed to me as a child that I came here because I wanted to, but it turned out that my mother also contributed to this.
It's normal when children are treated a little harder in sports than at school, because if you come to professional sports, you have to give all your best. And for me, this realization that I am here, in professional sports, came a little later. At first it was like this - I just like figure skating and I come. Gradually, I somehow came to understand that I needed it, no one put it in my head. In addition, I am not speaking for any particular medal. I really like all this, the whole process, and especially this feeling at the competitions, when everything works out. Such pleasure from the work done cannot be compared with anything when you feel proud of yourself. I can't imagine how I would have lived without it.
You skate for yourself, but you bring joy to millions of fans.
I don’t always perceive it this way, but it was after these competitions, when I read what the spectators and fans wrote to me, I also sometimes had tears just from these messages. People just felt the same as me, they were imbued with what happened yesterday. And I really always want to share my emotions and my joy with someone. And now I have a complete feeling that some incredible number of people experienced these emotions together with me yesterday. Perhaps some people worried about me even more than I worried about myself. It's just incredible.
Probably yes, all the viewers who saw this story, it became clear that it is not as easy as it sometimes seems. Indeed, sometimes, when everything is going well, the audience does not have such enthusiastic emotions - it seems to them that everything is easy to get. And when, firstly, the girls come out one after another and show such skates, the struggle is visible, it is clear what we are going through, what kind of competition we have, how hard it is for us - this is different. For example, many people were worried after the short program because they saw me breathing heavily. But this is a sport and here, if I had not performed at the tournament, they would not have seen that I was breathing heavily in training in the same way, working out the programs. And every day I redid something several times. Programs are worked out so that the audience does not notice how hard we breathe.
When the audience sees that the program is over, and the athlete does not look tired, this does not mean that everything went without effort. The athlete goes through this fatigue in training, that's when he breathes heavily, has difficulty completing the program, and he repeats this so many times that the performance is perfect. So yesterday and the day before yesterday, many people just saw something that often remains out of sight.
Many people start following an athlete when he enters the international level, or only when he moves into senior competition. But a child starts skating at the age of three, his whole life is on the ice. And when you have been going to this for so long, almost all your life, you are going to this, you get to a high level, for example, to international competitions, and they say to you: “You are still nobody, you have just arrived.” But in fact, you have already gone some way for yourself. For example, I had difficulties even at children's competitions. I had injuries from which I returned. And even after some time, I can’t say that it was easy for me to go through all this, because I was small. In the same way, the question arose - to finish or not, I could lose heart, quit and not continue. But then I also looked for strength in myself, I also had bad training. I, too, was suffocating, working out the programs again. I had very unsuccessful competitions, where everything fell out of hand. This is what I now try to never allow - when you fall apart from the first jump, your hands drop and you just wait for the program to complete. This can happen at any age. Of course, even more significant events may happen with us over time, but the path of an athlete begins long before important competitions.
Do you understand how outstanding this tournament turned out to be?
Many people before the start like to think something like this: “well, if everyone skates cleanly, then this athlete will win.” But these arguments are always so hypothetical, because it is very rare that all performances are clean. Usually it all depends on the mistakes, and not the one with the strongest set of elements wins. And here is really that rare case when the skaters who fought for the highest places showed their maximum. I think it was an insanely spectacular competition.
Did you know how Sasha and Camila performed before you?
I knew that I would skate right after my two main competitors, and I tried not to listen to how many points they scored, not to listen to how they were applauded. But then I looked up and saw the leader's score. It happened quite by accident. Of course, some extra thoughts appeared after that. You think: “Forget about it”, you go on a jump, and a calculation takes place in your head: “So, this is how many points the leader has. So, the skating was, most likely, like this ... ". And immediately the question is - who is first, Sasha or Camila - but I stop myself: “everything is enough, don’t think about it, you have your own program.”
Already in the evening I watched the performances of the girls and yes, at first my own, and then I decided to look in the order in which they went on the ice in order to understand how everything happened. At first I looked at Sasha, then Camila, then myself again - and really understood how it was. Initially, I only knew about my performance, but then I saw what the level of competition was. I didn’t know that I was going out on the ice after such wonderful performances, yes. Everyone went out and showed her maximum. Perhaps it’s even better that I didn’t see that there were such skates in front of me so that unnecessary thoughts would not appear.
Mao Asada and Kim could not compete with you and other girls.
I understand that, but they are still different things. We did not compete at the same time, and this, of course, needs to be perceived differently. You can not compare these performances, and even more so you can not compare the points received. Each performance must be evaluated taking into account the time when certain skaters competed.
It was especially nice to see that none of the medalists made falls in the free program.
We skaters get used to falls during training, and this does not bother us so much. We understand that falling is absolutely normal, because in training you can fall literally hundreds of times during a program, and this is nothing special. You can lie on the ice for half of the program, and this is also included in the norm. But to the audience, when they see it from the side, it seems that this is just a beautiful picture, light skaters in beautiful dresses: “And how is it that she fell?! Everything, the performance is disrupted". It is hard for them to understand that even with a fall there can be a good performance, because now the programs are so complex that a fall does not yet lead to failure.
But probably yes, if you really look from the outside, then clean skates give even more emotions. And this can be seen as another plus for us, because many people complain about quadruple jumps, arguing that after the girls began to perform these elements, there were more falls. Spectators often don't like it - everyone is skating, everyone is falling, but there is no beautiful picture. And now we have shown performances in which there are not only quadruple jumps, but also a whole beautiful picture without missteps.
(show footage of the warm-up on the ice)
The leader in the Russian Championship has not changed for three years.
Probably, yes, it is very pleasant that a year later the Russian Championship is held again, and again I show a successful performance at this competition, and every time these joyful emotions. In addition, it is very pleasant that this tournament is held before the New Year, and I always go on vacation with such a clear conscience. Nice tradition, I love it!
It turns out that Santa Claus has already given you a gift?
This medal has nothing to do with Santa Claus (laughs). And I didn't count on anyone else's strength but my own. I didn't expect any miracle. It was necessary to do all this without unnecessary worries. And now I just want to rest, fully recover and only ask that the World Championship still take place, so that not this current tournament becomes the final point of the season, but an even more important competition.
(show training and practicing jumps)
You will soon be 17 years old. Do you feel your age?
That I'm 17, I probably don't feel it yet. But I am absolutely aware that I am now 16. I don't feel like I'm still a small child. Of course, sometimes this feeling still appears. I don’t live separately yet, I don’t completely solve all my questions, and I have such a peculiarity ... I don’t know how to say it, I can never make any important decision myself, I always consult with everyone ten times. I consult with mom, dad, and until they express their opinion, it is very difficult for me to make a decision, even if these are some simple questions. You have to choose one of the two, and I'm always torn between these possibilities, and I can't decide for myself which is better. But in general, I feel quite conscious for my age.
Nevertheless, you made the most important decision about participating in the Russian Championship yourself.
There was simply no doubt about this decision.
So, the first place in the national team and a ticket to the World Cup are yours.
I can safely say that the World Figure Skating Championships is a huge goal for this season. And I really hope, I believe that this competition will still be held, because it should not be in vain. I still perceived these competitions not as a final point, but as a qualifying tournament for the World Championship. Of course, everything turned out somehow very loudly, so many emotions, it seemed that everything was over. And maybe at that moment it was so - I overcame difficulties, the tournament ended beautifully, but this should be the beginning of something even more significant.
This should not be the end, this is a good selection that I passed. I have satisfaction because I am selected, I gave my best, despite my condition, without any concessions to myself. I did not make the programs easier, I skated completely, as I wanted, and now I would like to prepare for the World Championships in the same way, without doubts about whether this tournament will take place. I think if the championship is canceled for the second time, it will be much harder. And I want the whole season to end with the same happy ending as the last tournament.
Do you skate primarily because you need it yourself?
Yes indeed. Firstly, no one has ever forced me to skate. My parents have nothing to do with professional sports at all. I was brought to the rink not to become a professional figure skater, but for general development. Moreover, my mother just now told me that when I was little, she approached the coaches and asked them to be softer, not scolded, saying: “How is it, she’s a child, how can you yell at her? After all, this will affect the psyche.” That is, she is not one of those parents who will force their child to train with all their might, to go to classes despite their reluctance. In general, it always seemed to me as a child that I came here because I wanted to, but it turned out that my mother also contributed to this.
It's normal when children are treated a little harder in sports than at school, because if you come to professional sports, you have to give all your best. And for me, this realization that I am here, in professional sports, came a little later. At first it was like this - I just like figure skating and I come. Gradually, I somehow came to understand that I needed it, no one put it in my head. In addition, I am not speaking for any particular medal. I really like all this, the whole process, and especially this feeling at the competitions, when everything works out. Such pleasure from the work done cannot be compared with anything when you feel proud of yourself. I can't imagine how I would have lived without it.
You skate for yourself, but you bring joy to millions of fans.
I don’t always perceive it this way, but it was after these competitions, when I read what the spectators and fans wrote to me, I also sometimes had tears just from these messages. People just felt the same as me, they were imbued with what happened yesterday. And I really always want to share my emotions and my joy with someone. And now I have a complete feeling that some incredible number of people experienced these emotions together with me yesterday. Perhaps some people worried about me even more than I worried about myself. It's just incredible.
Probably yes, all the viewers who saw this story, it became clear that it is not as easy as it sometimes seems. Indeed, sometimes, when everything is going well, the audience does not have such enthusiastic emotions - it seems to them that everything is easy to get. And when, firstly, the girls come out one after another and show such skates, the struggle is visible, it is clear what we are going through, what kind of competition we have, how hard it is for us - this is different. For example, many people were worried after the short program because they saw me breathing heavily. But this is a sport and here, if I had not performed at the tournament, they would not have seen that I was breathing heavily in training in the same way, working out the programs. And every day I redid something several times. Programs are worked out so that the audience does not notice how hard we breathe.
When the audience sees that the program is over, and the athlete does not look tired, this does not mean that everything went without effort. The athlete goes through this fatigue in training, that's when he breathes heavily, has difficulty completing the program, and he repeats this so many times that the performance is perfect. So yesterday and the day before yesterday, many people just saw something that often remains out of sight.
Many people start following an athlete when he enters the international level, or only when he moves into senior competition. But a child starts skating at the age of three, his whole life is on the ice. And when you have been going to this for so long, almost all your life, you are going to this, you get to a high level, for example, to international competitions, and they say to you: “You are still nobody, you have just arrived.” But in fact, you have already gone some way for yourself. For example, I had difficulties even at children's competitions. I had injuries from which I returned. And even after some time, I can’t say that it was easy for me to go through all this, because I was small. In the same way, the question arose - to finish or not, I could lose heart, quit and not continue. But then I also looked for strength in myself, I also had bad training. I, too, was suffocating, working out the programs again. I had very unsuccessful competitions, where everything fell out of hand. This is what I now try to never allow - when you fall apart from the first jump, your hands drop and you just wait for the program to complete. This can happen at any age. Of course, even more significant events may happen with us over time, but the path of an athlete begins long before important competitions.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2021
It is unfortunate that Anna's victory in Beijing was overshadowed by events that had nothing to do with her. I hope that the scandal will be forgotten, but the gold medal will remain. Well, those who now do not allow her to compete are robbing themselves. I won't judge them, after all, nostalgia and retro is not bad either, and now we can all watch the World Championship and feel like travelers into the past.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2014
Anna is without question now one of the great ladies in the history of figure skating. Her incredible combination of technical difficulty and incredible artistry is unmatched.
I just hope she can stay motivated not having any International competitions perhaps for the foreseeable future and international competitions is where Anna could become the real GOAT. But no ladies figure skater has ever been at her level of artistry musicality and technical ability. That is not even debatable. Others have had a very high level of artistry and musicality but not technical ability and that's what separates Anna she has all of that at the highest level.
Thank you for the interviews Alex.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2018
I love how she says not to idolize a person, but she doesn't pretend to be someone "perfect" or different from what she is. Ironically, this answer just makes me admire her more
, but she makes excellent points that a person, any person, comes with all sorts of qualities, and that's what makes them them. (Obviously my explanation only makes a fraction of the sense Anna's does)
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2018
I agree with all of this. I am thankful for every moment of joy that Anna has given me, and there is nothing that other people unrelated to her can do or say to take that away.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Yes, I saw that. But I was watching in real time, as well, and Anna looked serious and forlorn for several minutes, and I just wished someone could have been with her. Everything is to her credit
It wasn't just Tara, although I'm sure Tara understood that Anna was affected by the whole situation with her teammates. I think Tara just wanted Anna to have that moment of elation. Elena Bechke also talked about how sharing the moment of winning her Olympic silver medal was part of it. But if Anna wasn't bothered by it, so be it.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2014
People made too much about it. Other great Olympic champions can't relate because they didn't have 2 other phenomenal ladies from the same camp competing for Olympic gold. Kamila was crushed understandably so under the pressure. Sasha was phenomenal but frustrated and Anna understood that as well. It would be hard for her to rejoice when her teammates and friends are in dismay. Why can't people understand that?
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2018
100%.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2021
Recently, Anna was called a person from another universe. Maybe that's the way it is. I remember how she took care of her fans at the 2022 Russian Championship - and this was not some kind of PR campaign, just a normal and natural act for her.I love how she says not to idolize a person, but she doesn't pretend to be someone "perfect" or different from what she is. Ironically, this answer just makes me admire her more
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2018
Exactly.
There is also the way she handled the moments immediately after the Olympics concluded. I think about Kaori too, and the Japanese fed/staff. There was also a cultural and language barrier, even though we know Anna speaks excellent English. It's not at all automatic that someone, especially a teenager, can know what to do in this situation, but she showed compassion and kindness and humility every step of the way in an impossible situation. That was not PR, because no one in the world can prepare for something like that, but actually Anna's natural instincts.
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2018
Anna published the Channel 1 Cup schedule on her telegram profile:
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Anna Shcherbakova
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