Alina's interview:
- You became the face of the new Puma Studio Collection. What does this mean to you?
- I have been working with Puma for two years now, we are working very closely and fruitfully. I'm glad they saw in me a person who can be their face. For me, this is very responsible and happy news. Now our cooperation has reached a new level. We are only moving forward.
- Let's talk about studying. How was the first exam session?
- Difficult and very exciting. But we know that athletes always go to the end (smiles). And they do everything that depends on them to the maximum. I tried very hard, and studied. It was difficult, but I completely closed the first session. I passed all my exams.
- Did you have a lot of exams?
- Oh, now I can't even count, quite a lot. But I can say for sure that I have progressed in my studies. And I learned a lot for myself. My great interest in the classes overlapped with all the complexity that was sometimes present. Plus, I made friends at the university. They help me, give me tips when it is necessary. For example, they send me lectures that I've missed. We've got it all covered.
- Do teachers meet halfway, given your busy schedule?
- I will say this: of course, they turn a blind eye to the fact that sometimes I miss some classes. But I do whatever is needed. I attend all important classes - final lectures, seminars. The most important thing is that something is deposited in my brain, and I pass tests and exams. And now our second semester has already started. And I have time for almost all classes.
- Wow. Not difficult?
- We have three days of distance learning and two days at the university itself. I visit almost everything. For example, if a lecture is online, then I can listen to it while sitting in a split, while working on an ellipse, on a treadmill. It's more convenient to study this way.
- Do you have zoom sessions directly from "Khrustalny"?
- If training coincides with study, then yes. But here you can listen without video. Therefore, the teachers do not understand what I am doing there. Probably, it would be strange for them to see a student listening to a lecture sitting in a split or while working on an ellipse (laughs).
- What is the main conclusion you can make about your studies in the first seven months?
- I manage to combine theory and practice. For example, recently there was the Channel One Cup, where I acted as a producer - I controlled everything. I made sure everyone was on time. I even ironed our red uniform, vacuumed in kiss'n'cry (laughs). Keeping track of everything, controlling it all is my practice as a producer.
- In one of your interviews you said that producing is closer to you than journalism. Has this opinion changed?
- It's too early to say, I'm still only in my first year (smiles). You can say that I finding myself. But at the moment, of course, producing is closer to me.
- So, you like to act as an organizer? Be a leader?
- Perhaps, yes. It all comes from sports. It helps me to achieve my goals.
- We can see you cooking on Instagram - is this your hobby?
- Probably not. It is, rather, according to the mood. Sometimes you just want to do something nice for your family. For example, if everyone worked hard all day, they are tired, and I had a day off. I would like to please them with something tasty. I cannot say that I am some kind of super culinary specialist, but I can make something light at the same time paying attention to proper nutrition.
- Does it happen that you've cooked something, and the family says "Wow, how cool!"
- Oh, they always say that. I think they ...
- Are they lying?
- Haha, well, it tastes good to me. Although, they say that something cooked with your own hands will always be tasty for you. Therefore, maybe they are deceiving me (smiling). The most important thing is that I cook with love.
- What do you like to cook for yourself most of all?
- Probably salads. All sorts of different types of them. But I haven't tried so much yet - I don't always have enough time.
- On February 23, three years have passed since you became an Olympic champion. How did you celebrate this event?
- I did it in training (laughs). We even celebrate birthdays at the skating rink. So Eteri Georgievna has taught everyone. We can only have "holiday run-throughs". For example, double lutz instead of triple.
- The fans gave you a large handmade picture as a present.
- Yeah, it's just wow. I am incredibly grateful to my fans for how they support me in any situation, in any endeavor. I love them very much.
As for the picture, it was made from puzzles. There is even a video that I uploaded to Stories. The work went on for an insane amount of time - they did everything with their own hands, carefully measured out. If I started doing this ... I would just say “I will not do it” and put it aside. Although I have patience and perseverance. Now this picture hangs in my house. And it reminds me of all the people who support me.
- Do you often remember winning the Olympics?
- It is always with me. But I prefer to live for today and achieve new goals. Probably no one will forget my victory in Pyeongchang. And you shouldn't forget it.
- What has changed in you over the years?
- Inside I am the same Alina. Only got smarter. Life experience was added. If I competed at the Olympics in my current state, then I would behave in the same way. It's me. I'm not trying to pretend to be something, somehow to play in public. I'm just trying to be myself, real. And I do it.
- How often do you come to training now?
- In general, everything is as it was before. The changes are small. For example, if I have to come to university, I skip the morning workout and go to the evening one. If I have time, I visit everything in full. But now, because of my studies, I have a floating schedule. I try to keep up with everything.
- What are you preparing for now?
- I have two shows ahead - on March 6 at the anniversary of Alexei Nikolaevich Mishin and on the 7th "Ice Age" in "Megasport", where project participants and guest stars of figure skating will perform. And on March 26, I leave for Yakutsk. There I will have a performance and a master class.
- What programs will you surprise us with?
- There won't be anything new, but I still don’t want to say in advance. But I know for sure that at the show of Eteri Georgievna I will skate a new program.
- What do you pay more attention to in training now?
- I skate programs to show my maximum on the show. Trying to hone all the jumps. Well, I also work more on choreography. Now I am actively developing in this aspect of skating - I carefully study all the artistry points of the program. I think: "Here I can do this, but here it is different." These small details are very important to the overall impression of the program. All coaches work with me, as before. Nothing has changed in the workflow.
- That is, trainings are held in the same way as 2-3 years ago? Except that you sometimes go to school.
- In general, yes. Although there was madness in the Olympic season, so I can't say that now everything is going the way it was then.
- We talked a little about the Olympics. But you also had a world championship, where you won in brilliant style. Which tournament was the hardest?
- Both seasons were very difficult. But the World Cup was still more difficult, I guess. Preparation for it was like a swing - sometimes in competitions it worked out, sometimes it didn't. And in the training moment it's the same. Everything that was achieved there was only thanks to the spirit and endurance. But in the end everything worked out very well for me.