Anna Shcherbakova | Page 244 | Golden Skate

Anna Shcherbakova

So many girls struggle to do a 3 - 3. It's a super tough jump to pull off back-to-back. Then Anna goes out in the Olympics and does a 4 freaking 3 as easy as a hot knife through butter.

I don't know if we've ever seen a lady skater with the highest level of artistry and technical difficulty as Anna.. It's easier to excel with one rather than both but Anna pulls off both it's quite remarkable.
You're perfectly right about it. That's what I love about Anya, the perfect combination of technique and artistry, together with Anya's iron will.
 
the thing i most admire about Anya is she is the ideal competitor. she is what i wished i was back in my competitive days, she just knows how to tune everything else out, completely focus on herself, trust her training, and put it together when it matters. she truly is very special in this area as this is a very big part of how you do well in competitions. i really admire her grit, willpower, determination and mental capabilities. she reminds me of Evgenia in this aspect.
 
the thing i most admire about Anya is she is the ideal competitor. she is what i wished i was back in my competitive days, she just knows how to tune everything else out, completely focus on herself, trust her training, and put it together when it matters. she truly is very special in this area as this is a very big part of how you do well in competitions. i really admire her grit, willpower, determination and mental capabilities. she reminds me of Evgenia in this aspect.
Very much so.

But let's hope Anna has a longer career than Zhenya is who was basically finished at age 20 due to the back injury the hospitalization the lung issue and coronavirus. She is only human and it was just too much to overcome. Lets hope Anna has better luck with your health.
 
2019 interview, after the US Grand Prix. First adult season. Anna is already the champion of Russia, but only once. More than a year remains before her incomparable performance at RusNats 2021.



from 3:19

It is with great pleasure that I present to you the Russian figure skater, current champion of Russia, student of Eteri Tutberidze, owner of the title of Her Airness, charming and incredible Anna Shcherbakova!

Hey! Choose the pillow you like best, sit down. Congratulations on your victory at the Grand Prix, it was just incredible and cool. As far as I know, you often have to travel, visit different countries, you are rarely at home. And in this regard, you sometimes miss school lessons. This is true?

-Yes!

I suggest you fill in the gaps in your education, and I will try to become your tutor in such a subject as chemistry. Do you love chemistry?

-Yes…

Great, look - we have ten flasks of water. These are our ten topics for discussion today. I'm giving you this jar of reagents. Each of them is painted in a specific color. Red color will indicate that you do not really want to talk about this topic. Yellow color means that you can talk about this topic, but you would not want to reveal it completely. And finally, this blue color will mean that you will be happy to answer all questions.

-Good!

I announce the topic, you throw the reagent into the flask, and we begin.

-Understandably.

So, our first topic is the Grand Prix. Choose a reagent.
(Anna gets up and chooses a blue pill)

So, now we will answer all the questions. And at the same time we will see how the reagent works.
(Anna throws the pill into the flask)

The American tournament was not without records. As far as I know, you got the highest mark in the history of women's figure skating for one element. For the 4Lz-3T combination you got 18.66 points. Do you know who set the previous record?

- To be honest, I don’t know, but if from girls, then I can assume that Sasha Trusova.

Yes! Your girlfriend. Do you realize that you broke your own friend's record?

- Well, it's just that this element costs more, that's why it happened (laughs).

Are there many records in store for fans this season?

- Well, yes, everyone wants to show their maximum, show complex elements at competitions, so it will be interesting.

Athletes spy on each other?

-You can't even say that we are peeping, because all the training takes place at the same time, and it is normal that we look at each other and try to do more and better than anyone else. That's why progress happens.

Do you have a favorite figure skating commentator? If not, try to imagine yourself as an expert. Imagine that you were invited as a star guest to comment on a figure skating competition. Are you ready to try?

-I will try!

Let's go.
(the screen shows Anna's performance at the US Grand Prix, Firebird program)

- Anna Shcherbakova is invited to the start.

How she skate! Look, what grace, what plasticity! What dress...

- And we have 30 seconds to take the starting position. This time is enough to warm up as needed.

(program starts)

-At the beginning of the program there will be two most difficult jumps. (pause) Now entering the most difficult combination in my program, and ...

AND! Clean! And clean again! Super.

-This is a combination of a quadruple lutz-triple toe loop, my most difficult element.

And imagine that this is a real live broadcast from America. Let's try to comment in English. I know that you give interviews fluently in English.
(Anna comments on the execution of the quadruple lutz in English, Sokolovsky also answers in English)

How do they pronounce your last name? Where is the emphasis placed?

-In fact, every time it is different, and often the first letter is pronounced strangely. Sometimes like Sh, sometimes like Shch - because they do not have the letter Щ.

Yes, comment further.

- Now, of course, it is not difficult for me to comment, because I know how the program went. Now slightly easier jumps are coming in the first half…

What element is now? Prompt for those who do not understand.

-Double axel

Double axel ... What is it called?

-It's spin. Arabian.

Arabian. Imagine, when I participated in the Ice Age, I called the Bedouin element Bessarabian. I said that I made a Bessarabian element.
(Anna chuckles)

-Now is the time to change the dress.

Like this?! I watch it again and again I am surprised - it's so easy!

-It really looks very easy. We work out such movements in training so that there are no hitches in competitions.

Will you show how it all happens?

-Certainly! (nods) Aggressive, powerful music that I try to convey through emotions. In addition, a sudden change of dress helps me. Now again there is a cascade in my program. Now I have a brighter image. At the beginning of the program, this image was rather smooth, alluring, but now it is more fiery, emotions have become brighter.

Of course, now, when I review my speech, I pay more attention to various shortcomings. But if it was a live broadcast, I would be much more joyful in my comments. But now, since I know exactly what elements were completed, I first of all pay attention to what needs to be finalized and corrected so that the next performance will be even better.


Well, colleague, how do you like Anna's skating?

-I am very glad that all the jumps turned out, now only the final elements are left - the sequence of steps and rotation. But in these places, too, you should not relax, as I understood after the short program. At this point, I want to ride a little for my own pleasure.

And how does your vestibular apparatus withstand so many spins in one place?

- From the fact that we jump and spin a lot in training, the vestibular apparatus becomes stable.

Well, what do you say, colleague? How do you like this performance?

- Well, in general, there are always shortcomings, and quite a lot. We will work to correct mistakes.

And I would sit like this all my life, look at this beauty, and I would not need anything else. It's so beautiful and charming!

-Thanks!

And you'll make a great commentator, I think.

- Well, commenting on myself, knowing how the performance went, is quite simple, but, really, it's interesting.

Tell me, doesn't it bother you that stuffed toys are thrown at you? Or do you not think about such trifles at this moment?

-Toys are thrown after the performance. There are so many emotions, especially if the performance was good, so much joy ... So I picked up a toy from the ice ...


Unfortunately, that's where I stopped for now. Tomorrow I will publish a sequel - if, of course, I live to see tomorrow. But a short snippet of that interview can be seen on the thread about jumping with arms overhead.
 
I highly doubt there is a legal base on which that would be possible but that's not a debate for a FF.
There is no legal base. Annas country is taking this decision to ban them from International competitions in sports to CAS for a decision on that.

As for Anna I'm sure she will keep working hard like she always does and hope she gets opportunities in the future outside of Russia.

But it's been a long brutal season for the figure skating world world and Anna and her teammates were at the Olympics for an insane amount of time. I'm sure they and she are worn out and I hope they get a real off season to rest and recuperate and come back in September for competitions whether they are just in Russia or both in Russia and Internationally as well.
 
Seventeen balloons for Anna, to mark the 17th of February, when she won her Olympic gold medal.



Google translation:

Congratulations again, Anya! ♥️🥳🎈
A month ago, on this day, we experienced incredible emotions from your victory! On this day, you made happy not only your family and friends, but also us, your fans! ♥️

May February 17, 2022, when you become an Olympic champion, be the day of Anna Shcherbakova! ♥️
@anna__shcherbakova_
We love and are very proud of you!

P.S. And the balls under the dress of the free program 😍 and there are exactly 17 of them, because on the 17th our Anya became the champion ☺️
 
I believe so; internationally, she has never finished worse than second, since turning senior. The last time she didn't make the podium was at the JGP Final in 2018.
I remember that she bombed the junior Grand Prix final in Vancouver but then she won Russian nationals as a senior 3 weeks later to start this incredible run she is on. The only thing that can stop this incredible run Anna is on is on is her health or other things that she can't control.

She could compete her whole senior career and never miss the podium. I think only Yuna has done that in ladies modern figure skating. Incredible!
 
Interview continued (beginning on page 244):

Look, right now you know that you have completed the program cleanly ...

- Yes, I was very happy and drove up to my coaches, we hugged, they congratulated me, and it was very nice, because they were the ones who set me up for this skating. And for me, it was also very important that I showed it and did not let them down. Therefore, yes, now, of course, the most joyful emotions for all this time.

I know that you are a big fan of Nathan Chen.

-Yes!

He was also at this tournament and also won first place. Did you have the opportunity to talk, to discuss everything that happened?

-I can’t say that we discussed a lot, but yes, we crossed paths, congratulated each other and talked a little.

If... Just imagine - I'm Nathan Chen and I say: hello Anna, you are so amazing and adorable! First place! How did you do it? And you answered him: Nathan, take me with you, right?

(Anna laughs)

-No, well, actually, since he is also a quadist, that is, he has ...

Who?

- Well, I said “quadist”, that is, he performs quadruple jumps. It's so often said. He has the highest number of quadruple jumps among men, and he constantly complicates his programs. In addition, he can perform the entire set of quadruple jumps. Therefore, the question “How did you do it” he most likely will not. But it is very pleasant that he saw my program, that he congratulated me.

If we return to the "quadists" - as far as I know, there is a whole slang in figure skating. As you can see, I don't understand this slang at all. So I will ask you to tell me what these or those words mean.

-In fact, skaters have their own slang, and there is also slang that fans often use. I heard this slang and was surprised, but over time you can get used to it.

Let's try to figure out which is which. First: what does the word "mushrooms" mean?

-Yes, this, it seems to me, refers more to the slang of the fans. I did not recognize this word right away and at first, when I heard or read it, I did not understand it. Well, here is a situation where, for example, a titled, high-status figure skater, about whom the fans think that he was undeservedly given high marks. Let's say they put a plus for some jump that was not performed very well. These extra points are called mushrooms.

(TAT appears on the screen)

- Well, this is Tatyana Anatolyevna Tarasova

It's simple, of course...

- Everyone knows that.

The famous abbreviation for everyone who is immersed in the world of figure skating. Move on.

(QUAD appears on the screen)

-This is a quadruple jump, short for the English word quadruple, that is, quad.

Are you a quadist or a quadistka (feminized version)?

-Probably a quadistka.

That is, Eteri Georgievna has a whole generation of quadistka's?

-Well, yes. I can’t say that it’s completely correct to say this, because it’s still slang, but, probably, it’s still a “quadistka”.

Move on! Ouch…

(Screen displays "Zagitova fan's")

Zagi… what?

-Zagitova fan's. This is how the fans of Alina Zagitova call themselves.

That's what it's all about! And I thought that Zagibotes are when you bend something (from the Russian word "bend", "загибать", "zagibat'")

-No, this is also the slang of the fans ...

Isn't that an offensive word? Alina is not offended that she has a whole army of Zagitova fan's?

- Well, that's how they called themselves ... That's what they say, by the way. Well, the fans came up with this for themselves, so it's not a offensive.

(The inscription "Medvebot's" appears on the screen)

- Well, in this case, you can use logic ...

I guess now!

-Let's.

These are Medvedeva's fans.

- Exactly (laughs)

Yes!!!

-It's not that complicated, so...

I started to understand the slang of figure skating - great!

(The abbreviation ТЩК appears on the screen)

-This is Trusova, Shcherbakova, Kostornaya. Since the three of us skated in juniors, then, apparently, in order not to strain ourselves too much, our names were shortened to the abbreviation ТЩК. And if they talk about us, they often use this abbreviation.

Move on.

(Word "doopel'" appears on the screen)

-Doopel. Everything is obvious here, it's not even slang, it used quite often...

What, they say to someone: hey you, doopel, come here, right?

-No, this is name of the double axel jump in figure skating.

Doopel... I thought that was the name of a person who could not complete any element in any way ...

- No (laughs).

Well, great, we, in my opinion, began to understand the terminology quite well ..

-Yes, in general, I even understand something (laughs).

You are a great commentator and a great connoisseur of slang. And a connoisseur of English. It seems to me that you are just a born new symbol of Russian figure skating

- Thank you (embarrassed).

Topic number two is money. Choose a reagent.

(Anna gets up and goes to the jar of pills)

- I think I should choose yellow or red. Well, probably more so, because ... (takes a yellow pill and throws it into a flask)

That is, you will not tell us everything on this topic. Let's see what you have to tell us. What did you spend your first prize money on?

- Basically, I try to save my prize money, not spend it ...

What are you saving money for?

- I'm just saving up. I don't have a specific goal yet.

Are you saving money to escape to South America so you have a financial reserve and a fake passport?

-Yes! (laughs)

Great, I get it.

- Well, after the first prize, we bought a cake, celebrated a little with the family ...

God, what size was that cake?

- But we didn’t buy a cake with all the prize money (laughs)

Not for all money? Well, OK. And what did you spend your first fee for participating in the show?

- For the first time I participated in the show in Japan. Maybe…

Let's do it this way - how much, how much do they give champions for the show now?

- But I threw a yellow pill into the flask (laughs). No, but actually...

And for the Grand Prix?

- It seems to me that this is actually open information, somewhere this data can be seen. Everything is in dollars, but I don’t understand dollars very well, it’s about one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand rubles.

Cool. So this was your very first fee?

-Yes.

And now? It must have increased tenfold. Millions?

- I hoped that we closed this topic (laughs). But no. At the senior Grand Prix now, of course, there are already more.

How gambling are you?

- Actually, it seems to me ... It seems to me that yes, gambling.

Let's imagine such a situation - you make a bet with yourself, and if you win, you will receive any gift and prize that you dreamed of. The bet looks like this: you will do a triple Axel this season.

-Probably, I don't have any global dream right now... But yes, the first thing that comes to mind is that I know that there was an Imagine Dragons concert in the summer. I really like their songs, I often listen to this music before competitions. So I would choose as a prize - to visit their concert.

Excellent - Anya Shcherbakova performs a triple Axel, and we send her along with the whole family to the Imagine Dragons concert. Topic number three is ice trends.

-I don't know what that means, but I would like to talk about it.

(Takes blue pill)

That's great, let's talk about it. Your free program is something incredible. This trick with the dress and the Firebird, in my opinion, surprised the whole world. Has no one done this before?

- Well, I know that there were such ideas, skaters did something similar at demonstration performances. But I can say that this was not common in figure skating. There was no such thing that in the middle of a long program the image changed, the costume changed.

Who invented it, who?

- My coaches.

I want to see how it works. Will you show?

-Yes!

(A mannequin dressed in Anna's dress was placed in the studio)

Well, show me how it works.

-So, in the program I do it during the spin. I unhook with my hands ... Just one movement ...

(the screen is covered by a banner that says Top Secret)

At the moment of spin? You unfasten this thing like this

-And op!

(dress turned red)

Wow! Look what's happening around - the color of the studio has also changed! And you, too, changed color - in one motion.

-Yes, a couple of seconds - and a complete reincarnation.

So simple, amazing. That's very beautiful. How can I return the dress to its original state?

-To make the dress the blue is a little more difficult than to straighten ...

(the screen is again covered by the inscription Top Secret)

What is the difficulty?

- The difficulty is that it takes much more time. I do this before the show.

And how long does it take? One hour, two hours?

- Well, about five minutes, probably (laughs)

Five minutes… Has it ever happened to you that this dress suddenly, unexpectedly for you, opened up on its own and turned red?

- It happened in training. At the very beginning, when we were just trying this idea…

(dress is blue again)

Well, be stunned, of course. Incredible!

I know that in training you have to fall a lot.

-Yes. But what actually helps us is the protective clothing we often put on, especially when learning new elements.

And what is your protection?

-I have special shorts...

(training is shown on the screen)

-Yes, I'm in these shorts. They are zippered (shows shorts). It can be put on and taken off during training. There are special inserts made of foam rubber. This is necessary so that when falling it is not so painful.

May I have a look? (takes shorts) I just didn’t have such shorts, we weren’t awarded such shorts in the Ice Age ...

- And it would be very useful to you.

Tell me, isn't it strange that shorts protect the softest part of the body? What is there to protect, after all, and so you fall on the soft.

- And you try to fall a couple of times from a quadruple jump - and then you will understand that this soft part of the body does not protect in any way ...

When performing quadruple jumps, the soft part of the body does not save ...

-Yes, especially since this is how we most often fall, but in fact I also have additional protection. Just in case things get really bad.

Just a piece of foam?

-Yes. If everything is really bad, then I put this piece inside to strengthen the protection.

It is a pity that during the competition you can not wear such shorts ...

- Well, yes (laughs). Because if you constantly wear these shorts during training, then the habit appears, and without it it’s already somehow uncomfortable.
 
part 3:

OK. Our next topic is quadruple jumps. Choose Reactant!

(Anna gets up and takes the blue pill)

- On this topic, in general, I am also ready to talk.

Fine! How sincere you are today, do not hide anything. I understand correctly: there are no secrets? But quadruple jumps are such a thing: no matter how much you talk about them, it’s difficult to repeat them. Do you know a lot of skaters who do quadruple jumps?

- Well, there are a lot of men, but of women, girls, it turns out that almost everyone in our group skates. Of course, I know all of them. We learn together, we train together.

How many of you can be counted on the fingers? Four, five, three?

-Liza Tursynbayeva, Sasha Trusova, also Alice Liu from America, Kamila Valieva, formerly Miki Ando. And I. I think only six.

Do you know men?

- Of course, I know men, but there are a lot of them, in this case there will definitely not be enough fingers on my hands.

So you're catching up with male figure skaters?

-We're trying.

What do you have time to think about when you take off in a quadruple jump? For example (says in slow motion, imitating a jump) "What a lot of spectators!" So this is all happening?

-No, because almost nothing is visible due to the very fast rotation. But there is still time to think. Thoughts mostly about the jump. It happens that you enter the jump, and it is immediately clear that everything is going well, but it also happens that you need to somehow correct yourself in the air, fight for the jump.

That is, the thoughts are: “I’m not rotate something”?

-Yes, yes, that's exactly what happens. Sometimes it even happens that you perceive yourself as in slow motion and understand: so, the take-off was bad, you need to shrink more, there is still an opportunity to complete the element normally, fight to the end and perform. It also happens that it becomes clear: everything is really bad, you need to group together so that at least not to fall painfully. That is, everything is different ...

Okay, that's great, but how does it happen when you jump with your hands up?

-Yes, with hands at the top, the jump technique is generally similar. We usually hold our hands like this and press them to ourselves. And here…

Yes, we were taught that we should do like this - hop, and ourselves [spin]

- And here, in the same way, you move your hands (gets up and shows) and connect them at the top. This is also really the case - as you jumped for the first time, so then you join your hands - so that you feel comfortable.

Come on, I'll try, teach me, show me a master class (gets up and goes out of the chair). Can we do it here now?..Look - this is how Adelina Sotnikova taught me: step, bounce, spin and ...

-That's pretty good! This is your axel, that is, a jump to the front. And in the same way - you take your hands to yourself, but here you need to bring your hands up and connect. For example, I put my hands together like this (shows). That is, I take my right hand with my left hand. But it's more convenient for someone.

That is, you need to spin yourself in the same way, and ...

-But you need to work out this movement ... Like this, yes. In the same way, bring your hands up (shows).

I'm going to try now! (Jumps with arms up)

-I think it's even better!

It worked, right? Great, but that's about it.

- There are actually athletes who find it easier to jump with their hands up, because it somehow lifts the body more into the air.

But it's harder to spin yourself, isn't it?

- Well, it depends on the habit. For example, I do some jumps only with my hands up and if I am asked to perform the same elements “without hands”, then I will probably fall a lot of times and not immediately be able to remember what to do.

So, let's do a quad blitz. You will answer quickly without hesitation.

(Anna nods)

Which is more difficult - doing makeup for a performance or doing a quadruple jump?

-If for a performance, then make-up.

Which is more difficult - crossing several time zones in a day or making a quadruple jump?

- Probably, changing several time zones is more difficult.

What is more difficult - to go to university or to perform a quadruple jump?

-Going to university is harder.

What is more difficult - to wash your beloved cat or to perform a quadruple jump?

-It is more difficult to wash your favorite cat.

By the way, since we mentioned your favorite cat. Our next topic is pets. Choose a reagent.

- Can I throw the blue right away? I want to be in this flask. (throws a blue pill into the flask)

Fine. Please tell us how you got your favorite dog Bonny.

- Bonny we found. She ran near our house when I was walking with my sister. And we couldn't get past. She was very small then, and now she is almost nine years old. And we dragged her to her parents, persuaded them, said: "Please, please, let her stay with us." Mom said she'd call dad and we'd sort it out. We looked forward to the evening. We didn't have any animals back then. Dad allowed, and so she stayed with us to live.

You guys are great, this is a really big deal. What about Shipa the cat?

- A cat... At first, we had a cat named Shaini. This happened almost simultaneously with the appearance of Bonny. She lived with us for a long time. And then we found a kitten. He had problems with his eyes. He does not see at all, but we also took him with us. It was not so easy to do, because Shaini already lived with us.

How does he navigate in space?

-He… In fact, if you spend just a couple of minutes with him, you can forget that he has any vision problems. He feels everything and there is a feeling that he sees. He always seems to be happy, with closed his eyes. That is, it is well oriented in space. Calmly jumps on the furniture, as if he saw. Now he lives with my aunt. Two other cats live with him, with whom he is very friendly. They even sleep together.

I know that you did not come to us alone today.

- Yes, I came with my friend, with the Mafia. She, probably because of her size, was much easier to bring in than my dog...

Come on, bring her here. I want to meet the Mafia, no matter how strange it may sound.

(Anna brings the Mafia)

Yes, right here. Sit down. What a Mafia you are! This, it seems to me, is the cutest mafia on the planet.

- Well, it's just now that you have such an impression. She's just still shy. Yes Mafia? She is getting used to it (laughs).

Tell her story, how did you get her?

-We found her this summer. So small, she lay by the road, we picked her up and took her to us. We thought for a long time what name to give her. And for some reason, this name came to our mind - Mafia. In fact, not long before this, we were playing the Mafia game with the whole family. There were doubts, of course - what kind of mafia is this, such a cute little kitten. But no, she showed herself and therefore now she, of course, is a real Mafia.

As far as I know, all your fans know about your pets and are interested in their life, and even give you related gifts.

- Yes, I was very pleasantly surprised at these competitions. I was given toys in the form of my animals, all with collars, and each engraved with a name. There were also several toys similar to the Mafia.

Maybe you took these toys with you?

-Yes. I have toys with me.

(Toys are thrown into Sokolovsky's hands)

Look - this toy is just a copy of the Mafia.

-Be careful!

I understand that the Mafia does not really like the toy, right?

-It's a competitor for her. She feels the competition. She has character, just like her owner.

Here, the keychain even says "Mafia". That is, it is indeed a copy of it.

-And here it written "Mafia" too

Just unbelieveble. So what else do we have here? (takes another toy)

-This is also the Mafia, but I brought this toy, because I picked it up from the ice after the performance. She was thrown right at my feet, and I immediately saw that she looked like my cat. So I picked it up and then sat with this toy in Kiss and Cry. But those three toys, as I suspect, were presented by the same fan, because the engravings with names are similar. This is my dog Bonny

This is what the dog looks like… Is that Shainy?

-Yes, that's her. Also my favorite cat.

So, let's get the Mafia, drag her back.

(Anna picks up Mafia)

Say thanks to Mafia.

- You behaved like an exemplary cat for a long time! (laughs) For a long time pretending that you are well brought up ... (takes away the cat)
 
part 4:

The next topic is Team Tutberidze. Choose a reagent.

(Anna chooses the blue pill)

Are you really ready to answer any questions? Well, you must!

-This topic doesn't sound dangerous.

Not dangerous?

(The screen shows how Tutberidze meets Anna after the performance)

What does Eteri Georgievna tell you?

- This moment was probably the warmest and most joyful. At that moment, the competition ended, and they meet me after the skating. Especially nice if this skating was good. Of course, they congratulated me, praised me for the fact that I coped with the excitement, gathered myself, completed all the jumps.

Did Eteri Georgievna ever give you some super-secret instructions?

- Well, she gives instructions rather before the start. That is, after the start, we are already did all what needed...

(The screen shows how Tutberidze says to Anna: “You are my hero!”)

-After the skating, especially after a good one, they are all happy, they just congratulate, and before the skating - yes, they set me up to show my maximum. It's different every time, it depends on the situation, on the program, on the complexity of the elements.

We heard that Eteri Georgievna tells you: "You are my hero." This is true?

-In fact, there were so many emotions that I don’t remember any specific phrases. But, of course, I was very pleased ...

Does she often say that to you?

- Not now, because in training you still need to work as much as possible. And then, when I finally showed the result for which we all worked so long, of course, it was very nice to hear it from her.

And who is your hero?

-Probably, Eteri Georgievna.


It's mutual for you...

-Yes. (laughs) Well, because she has been working for so many years, she comes every day, she puts her soul into every athlete and she is responsible for everything. There is nothing that she would leave without control. She always monitors and controls everything.

Great, thank you very much Eteri Georgievna for another champion she brought up. And we have the next topic. This is your injury in the 2017/2018 season. Choose a reagent.

(Anna chooses the yellow pill)

Yellow... OK. As far as I know, after the injury, you actually learned to walk again. Tell me about it, please.

- It so happened that during the restoration of sports form after a summer vacation, I broke my leg while performing a jump and after that I had to ... Yes, I was put in plaster and for a long time I did not get up and did not move at all. Then I walked on crutches for a while. It was hard, of course, but we did it.

But you recovered so quickly and already became a champion after that. I know that people sometimes get in shape after this for years. How could you come back so quickly?

-Actually, I didn't feel like it was fast at all. It all dragged on for so long, when you can’t do anything ... Then I thought: “Well, it’s all over, I’m going out on the ice.” I remember the first training. The coaches told me: “Don’t go on the ice yet, wait for us.”

Does that mean you were protected?

- Well, I put on my skates and was already ready, and they told me: “Wait until we go out.” And I thought - it's strange, why wait, now I'll go out and skate, everything is already fine. They drove up to me, they say "Come out." I went out on the ice and it immediately became clear that I didn’t understand how to skate at all. I stagger, they hold me. I thought that was all - I’ll go out, skate, and then, maybe a little later, I’ll start jumping. But no - I had to spend some time learning how to skate in a circle, change the supporting leg. I was held by the hand...

It's like coming here for the first time...

-Yes. I felt like a small child who again does not know how to stand on skates - but before it was so easy. This process was gradual, I was not rushed. For a while I just glided, then I began to carefully perform single jumps. Then I jumped for a very long time only on the lounge, with insurance, in order to be completely confident in myself when entering the jump.

OK. Our next topic is 16-. Choose a reagent.

-I don't really understand what this is about...

This is the most interesting!

- So just in case, I'll throw a yellow pill. To always have an excuse.

Okay. Tell me, how often do you read everything that is written about you on the Internet - comments, some articles? Maybe you read sports portals and find out what they write about Anna Shcherbakova?

-You can't say that I don't read all of this at all. I read some news, I watch interviews.

Are there any restrictions?

-Restrictions? Well, at competitions, I try to limit myself, I try not to go into any social networks that can be ...

Coaches take your phone, right? How about Alina Zagitova?

-No, they don't take away my phone. But I myself understand that I don’t need it, that it can distract me, knock me off my mood, and I don’t read any interviews before the competition ...

That is, you are the most disciplined, the most responsible, the most serious. You are the elder, probably in your little world.

- It seems to be not, it seems to me that all athletes understand that they do not need to lose their concentration. And if I constantly read some headlines related to skating before the starts, it can hurt me. Therefore, during the competition, I do not go to some social networks.

That is, you do not have an addiction to the Internet, smartphones and social networks?

- Well, probably from smartphones to some extent ...

Well, tell me, you probably want to sit on Instagram, don't you?

-Yes, but I'm not saying that I don't go to Instagram. I'm signed there not only for figure skating. That is, I look at social networks, but I don’t read any interviews ...

And who are you interested in there, besides skaters?

- Well, I'm interested most often, except for figure skating, rhythmic gymnastics and ...

Artists, musicians?

-Yes, probably. There are some performers, musicians, singers ...

You know, I look and see that you are subscribed to some pages dedicated to cooking. Do you love to cook food? Or do you want to learn how to do it?

- I can cook a little.

But when do you have time to do it? When, tell me when it happens, I don't believe it. What, during training, you go to the locker room and there you have a gas stove on which you quickly cook lunch?

- Well, I can't say that I cook food every day or with some periodicity. Mostly on weekends, or in the summer, when there is most free time. To be honest, I like to cook something tasty - cookies, for example.

Does your coach let you? Who is actually watching this?

-We are being weighed, they are watching...

It's all strict, right?

-Everyone understands that we do not eat only diet foods. We do not have a complete ban on sweets. I mean, coaches know I don't just eat light salads or anything like that. I think they know how I eat, and at competitions we often go to lunch together. There are no hard limits.

An interesting question - how to deceive the coach at the weigh-in?

(Anna smiles slyly)

We promise we won't show it

- Well, yes, of course (laughs). Of course, some individual stories happen, but in general it is almost impossible to do this.

You need to let all the air out of yourself, like this - fuhhh!

-Not. There are different tricks. Someone starts jumping right before weighing, you can stand on the scales, strain as much as possible, exhale, something else. But of course, all this does not help anymore - it's too late.
 
part 5:

You are 15 years old, but you have already managed to write your name in the history of figure skating. Can you recognize objects from my childhood from the photo? I'm wondering if you know what those things are?

(The pager is shown on the screen)

-It's (uncertainly) to convey information, right?

Yes!

-Pager?

Pager, yes! Well done, right! How do you even know this word?

- Well, I just know what a pager is, but I don't know what the device looks like. That is, I had assumptions that it was a pager.

We even had such an expression - a teenager, a pager in his pocket. And what's that?

(The voice recorder is shown on the screen)

-Phone?

Yes, in my childhood, phones looked like that, but in reality they are not.

-Do not know.

Hint - this is for listening to music

- A (confused)

This is the grandfather of the iPod, by the way. This is what it looked like - a cassette recorder.

(they show a game console to the TV on the screen)

Well, it's easy! You know that! It was in every home.

-DVD player?

Well, yes, the DVD player in my childhood ...

-I don't know (laughs).

Hint - such things were inserted into it (cartridges are shown on the screen)

-Cassettes.

So good.

- By the way, I even watched videos on cassettes ...

Only it's not really cassettes, it's called differently.

(Anna is confused)

It was called the terrible word "cartridge"

- No, I also watched some of my first cartoons on cassettes ...

And the device itself is called a game console

-A-ah-ah!

And what's that? This you should know.

(Tamagotchi is shown on the screen)

You are new from Japan. This is the most famous Japanese toy of the 90s. It was necessary to raise a pet in it.

- I don't know about that... Well...

Do not you know? Entire generations grew up on Tamagotchi!

- How much I don't know! (laughs)

We are only 15 years apart, but what an abyss! (gets up in defiant despair and leaves, but immediately returns)

So, okay. The next topic is talking to your fans. Choose a reagent.

(Anna chooses the blue pill)

Fans, you can ask absolutely any question! Anya chose the blue pill. Fine. You will need to quickly answer questions from your fans. And for the question that you like the most, you will give a prize.

-Yes OK.

Fan #1:
Hello Anya. My name is Nastya Kazanskaya. How do you do quadruple jumps? And is it easy to jump? And how did you learn to do it?

- Serious preparation is required for the quadruple jump. It is necessary to perfect the triple jump. First of all, you should choose which jump you will perform. You should choose a jump that works best, with the largest margin in height. Further, this element needs to be improved, brought to the maximum, additionally increase the height. And it seems to me that the most important thing is the training on the lounge. This is a special device with which the coach insures you, helps. The lounge helps to fully experience the jump, and eventually gain confidence.

Fan #2:
Hello Anya! My name is [inaudible]. I have been figure skating since the age of three. Do you have any tradition before going out on the ice? If there is, then I will do the same.

- I don't know... Put on skates?

Great tradition...

-Actually, I don’t have any traditions. Probably not…

No ritual, nothing?

-No, since it still happens twice every day, so it would be too difficult to carry out some rituals, to overload your head ...

It is clear - all of a sudden you will cause rain with this ritual. Next!

Fan #3: Anya, hi! My name is Emilia. Do you have a talisman or not? If there is, show it.

-I have a napkin holder that goes with me to all competitions. This is a bear that was given to me in Japan. It so happened that this bear is with me at all trainings and at all competitions. Everywhere with me.

Fan #4:
Anya, my name is Irina. Are you recognized on the street? Do you feel like a star?

-No, they rarely recognize me on the streets, except perhaps near the skating rink. That is, these are people who understand figure skating. Or if we go somewhere after the competition, they can also find out.

I saw how you were met at the airport in Japan literally at the exit from the terminal.

-Yes, it happens in certain situations. For example - here we flew to some show, they meet us. It is very nice to have such support. But to say that I feel like a star and I'm not allowed to freely walk down the street - there is no such thing.

More to come, trust me. Next question!

Fan #5: Hello Anya! I do figure skating. How many sweets can figure skaters eat?

- In fact, I have never been severely restricted in food, that is, there is no such food that could not be eaten. There are other restrictions - for example, you can’t have a lot of sweets. But there is no complete ban, or when it will be allowed, you can immediately break down and start eating a lot.

Fan #6:
Hello, Anna Shcherbakova! My name is Margot. I also love figure skating. What jumps did you perform at the age of seven?

-I was a little embarrassed that I was addressed as an mature woman (laughs)

Aha! Did you feel like a dinosaur?

(Anna laughs)

- At the age of seven I jumped all double jumps.

Fan #7:
Anya, hello! My name is Polina, I am seven years old, I am also a figure skater. Would you like to become a film actress?

- I think yes, it's interesting.

Do you want to play yourself or some other role?

- No, probably some other role.

Fine!

Fan #8: Hello Anya! My name is Sasha. Have you ever been yelled at by a coach?

- Coach, he is like a psychologist. He looks at the situation, where you need to press, and where to let go. And there are times when you need to put a little pressure on the athlete so that he shows his maximum, the best result.

Does it motivate you?

-Yes.

Doesn't bother?

- No, I just think that the coach knows when to put pressure on you to show what you are capable of.

Fan #9:
Hello, Russia! Hello Anya! I'm Brenda from Buenos Aires. Figure skating is not popular in Argentina, soccer is more popular here, but I follow this sport on the Internet. You perform very cool! I'm surprised you don't get cold during a performance. Only one or two athletes compete at our figure skating championship. Would you like to take part in this competition to be guaranteed a medal? Bye. Kiss you!

Question from Argentina! Is it cold on ice? How do you not freeze?

-Here, it very much depends on which rink the competition is held on. For example, at the US Grand Prix it was very warm and comfortable, that is, I did not freeze at all. Therefore, it was easier for me to warm up the muscles during the warm-up and jump. But there are skating rinks where it is quite cold. In such cases, I try not to take off my sweatshirts for a longer time, I have to spend more time warming up, I need to be in constant motion so as not to freeze.

You were invited to Argentina to participate in the tournament. Will you fly?

- Well, to participate in the Argentine Championship, as I understand it, you still need to play for Argentina. And I'm playing for Russia.

You will be taken to any championship, as long as you come there. So, that's it. Now you need to choose the question that you liked the most. And the author of this question will receive a gift. By the way, what is this gift?

-I brought a figurine of a figure skater with me. I have a whole collection at home. I have a shelf on which these skaters are installed in various beautiful poses. I brought this figurine.

To whom is the statuette send?

- I choose a question about cinema. Therefore, I will give the figurine to Polina. And I will put this figurine in a bag that was given to me in Japan, and this bag with my signature.

Are you signing right now? Come on.

(Anna writes on the bag "Polina from Anna" and signs)

Polina, I got...

Well, on this wonderful note, let's move on to the next topic, which is called "Hugs". Choose a reagent.

(Anna chooses)

And now she will take the red one!

- No, let's end on a good note. (picks up a blue pill). We will not have a single red pill.

Yes, be careful. We will now show you the warm moments of the competition, and you will have to guess where it was.

- Okay, I'll try.

(Show first snippet)

- This is the World Junior Championship.

What are they telling you?

-Now they say: “Well done! But why this step-out on the Lutz?” Okay, mistake on the first jump. One small mistake on the first element.

You're very upset, aren't you?

- No, I'm both happy and upset at the same time, because in general it was a good skate, but one small mistake on the first jump ... That is, I was offended, and I was glad that after all the skate was quite successful.

(Show second snippet)

-This is the championship of Russia. There are only happy emotions here, I guess. Because the whole program was good.

(show the third fragment)

-This is the Lombardier Trophy, the first competition this season. At that moment, I was also very pleased, I performed well.

What do they tell you there?

-They say - well done, gathered. It was the first time I performed a quadruple lutz in a competition. Moreover, it cannot be said that during the warm-up this element was perfect.

(show the fourth fragment)

-Oh, these are competitions at our rink, for the first time I participated in them. Now I'm trying to remember what year it was. It seems to me, 2016. I then also completed the program well.

You got a paternal pat on the shoulder, no hugs. Just "well done, well done"

- I was still small. Moreover, these competitions were already at the end of the season, not as important as before.

Listen, what a great memory you have at 15. This is great.

- It's not even a memory, it's just such important, bright moments that it's impossible to forget them.

So, well, out of ten flasks, you only used the yellow pill three times and not once the red one. This shows that you are a very sincere person. Thank you for this. You were very sincere in your answers, it was very interesting. Thank you very much. Well, what are the most pleasant hugs? (Hugs with Anna)

-Thanks!

Good luck with your next competition. To just win over everyone.

-Thanks!
 
Back
Top