- Joined
- Jan 5, 2019
And another one https://tass.ru/interviews/6843792
(I skimmed through google translate, it seemed tolerable but do let me know if it messes up in some places and I will translate)
Here is my take at it.
Alina Zagitova: I realised that you don’t have to go round and round chasing medals
Olympic champion, winner of Gold in the World and European figure skating championships Alina Zagitova is always in great demand, as they say. At competitions and ice shows, the 17-year-old athlete is accompanied by an army of fans who are ready to stand in lines for an autograph and a photo with their idol. Because of her busy schedule, it is even more difficult to get in touch with the famous skater - Alina does not have time to communicate with the press very often.
On Wednesday, Zagitova presented her very own training program in Moscow. The event, held on Pushkin Bridge, was organised by the Puma brand because Alina is their ambassador. It was only possible to get access by appointment, by no means everyone could see the athlete personally, because only a few minutes after registration was opened, there were no more places. Before the start of the presentation, Zagitova answered questions about the upcoming season, and also told what was the secret of her illustrious coach Eteri Tutberidze.
Q: Alina, you have been booked all summer for shows. Tell me, did you even have time to relax?
A: Yes, we had two weeks of vacation. In these two weeks I relaxed, and on the show, you can say, I skate for fun.
Q: Did your employment in the show somehow affect your preparation for the upcoming season?
A: No, I returned and I had enough time to prepare.
Q: Would you like to share your expectations for the upcoming season?
A: Like all athletes, I hope this will be a very good season (smiles), that everything will work out, and that difficulties will pass by me.
Q: This season we will see you in new images both in the short and in the free program. Tell us why you, together with the coaching staff, decided to move away from the classics towards more avant-garde productions?
A: It seems to me that you can’t stop there and you need to always develop yourself, skate not only in those same images, but look for yourself in new ones. For me it is important and, of course, very interesting.
Q: Competition in women's single skating this season will increase incredibly. Tell me, taking into account all the factors, what result will be acceptable for you?
A: I probably always say this, as do the others, the main thing is that I and the audience should like it and that everyone is happy.
Q: Do you plan to complicate your technical content?
A: Not this season.
Q: Returning to the moment of your triumph - victory at the World Championships. You said that preparation for that tournament was difficult - you could even withdraw from the tournament. Tell us in more detail about what happened then.
A: Everything is already in the past. I do not like to remember those moments. Behind me stood a lot of people, the coaching staff led by Eteri Georgiyevna, all who helped and supported me. There were many people, and it was they who gave me the incentive to move forward.
Q: Tell me, what, in your opinion, is the secret to the success of the Tutberidze group?
A: It lies in hard work, patience, the ability to fully surrender yourself to what you do. In general, there are many factors, but these are the main ones.
Q: Is Eteri Georgiyevna more a kind of creator of success or more a wise mentor who can help and support?
A: Both this and the other (smiles).
Q: People far removed from sports have this question: how to look for motivation when all the peaks have already conquered? What is your motivation now, what else would you like to achieve in your professional career?
A: I realised that we should not strive to take some place. Of course, it is is very important, but the main thing is not to focus on this. For example, I went to the World Championships just to go out on the ice and skate my program.
And everything worked out for me, because I didn't only concentrate on taking some place. This season I will skate for the spectators, for myself. In the same way as at the World Championships - I just want to go out on the ice and show what has been worked out with the coach.
Q: Tell me, have you already thought about the next Olympic Games? Do you plan to take part in them?
A: No, I haven't thought about them. Just as I did not think about the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang. We must skate for fun. And of course, it is important you're healthy.
Q: In 2020, the International Skating Union will discuss the idea of replacing short and free programs with technical and artistic ones. What do you think of it?
A: Honestly, I haven't heard about this. I do not think about the future, since we will still be based on the current rules. I think this is something new, figure skating has always moved forward and developed. Perhaps it will be beneficial? Time will tell.
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Just reading Alina's words, and you can tell just how relaxed and confident she expects the start of the new season. 
