Brian Orser: Medvyedeva skates with a certain promise
On Saturday, Russian figure skater Yevgeniya Medvyedeva won the silver medal at the Grand Prix stage in Moscow. The athlete demonstrated wonderful skating in both short and free programs and lost only to the Queen of Quads, Aleksandra Trusova. Medvyedeva’s current success would not have been possible without her Canadian coach Brian Orser. In an interview with TASS, the specialist summarized the preliminary results of cooperation with the skater, talked about why the elements of increased complexity may be “easy” for her in the future, as well as about his attitude to the quad jumps in the short program for girls.
- Brian, when we spoke with you in China, where you told that you hope to see the result of the hard work of Medvyedeva in training at the GP stage in Moscow. And here it is - this result. Are you satisfied with what you saw?
BO: Sure! This helps me, as her coach and teacher, make her believe that work will be rewarded. I do not mean that Yevgeniya didn't try before - she was always a hard worker, you don't become a World Champions and Olympic medalist just like that. But now, as an adult, she needs to work harder. And this is exactly what her approach to training should look like - every day you need to wake up in the morning and go to work out.
Just like people go to work. Or, for example, like at a university. When you study, you just get up in the morning and go to the library. For athletes it's all the same - we wake up and go to the gym. Training is work, and you need to take it that way, in an adult way.
- Before the start of the Moscow stage of the Grand Prix, you noted that Yevgeniya is in the best shape of her life. Some were skeptical of your words, but, as we say, the result is on the scoreboard. Tell me, taking into account all factors, can the result of this tournament be considered a kind of revival for Medvyedeva?
BO: Yes, I think so. I think this is the first time in her "adult" life when we all saw her skating in this way. She showed that she was a personality, still young, but at the same time an adult girl. And she has something to say, she rides with a certain message.
As for me, we saw it for the first time in her. We had a good outcome at the World Championships last season. But here, I think, she performed better both in short and in free programs. And this is manifested in everything - in representation, interpretation, and elements. And then more.
- When you first started working with Yevgeniya, you said that it would take about a year and a half to get her a new set of technical elements. And also adapt to the new training system ...
BO: By the way, just a year and a half has passed, right?
- Exactly. Do you think the process of adaptation and addiction can be considered complete?
BO: Yes. It seems to me that at these competitions we came to this. That was our path - we began in the year before last in May, and now - a year and six months.
- And you are happy with how this period passed?
BO: Of course! For me it is an incredible experience. In addition, in previous years, I was able to achieve high results with single skaters, and I have not had such a challenge ever since I started working with Kim Young A. She was 15 years old then. And together we went through the period when she turned into a beautiful young lady. I think for her this process was not so complicated because of her physique ...
And I am really very proud of what we have done [along with Medvyedeva], as well as what we still have to do. And she, I think, is also proud. This is a big breakthrough for her.
- You discussed your work with Medvyedeva with the leadership of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR)?
BO: Yes, they support me from the very moment we just started cooperation. This is generally a unique situation - I think this [change of coach] was the only option for Yevgeniya. I think everyone understands what it means to the federation and other skaters - she is an incredible fighter. And the audience loves her.
They support what she does, as long as she works hard. And, of course, we get advice from the federation, technical experts and judges. This happens quite regularly.
- Yevgeniya always speaks warmly about you and Tracy Wilson. You know, like a family. Tell me, do you communicate with her outside the ice?
BO: No, our communication is based on a discussion of work, schedules, things like that. As for the rest, Yevgeniya's mother lives with her in Toronto. She has her own life, and I trust her in everything related to concentration on figure skating.
- What do you think about her passion for veganism? Does it help in work or vice versa?
B:: I think it's a pretty healthy diet. We didn’t talk about it that much, but I can judge by how she looks on the ice. And she looks healthy. She has a balanced diet, Yevgeniya works with a nutritionist in Toronto.
There should be a balance in everything. But she is energetic, is in excellent physical condition. If there were any problems, I would intervene. You know, if suddenly her weight was less than necessary, or vice versa, it would bother me.
- Now let's talk a little about the essentials. How do you feel about the proposal of the FFKKR to allow quadruple jumps in the short program for women?
BO: I try not to get into this. Because in any case, I can not influence these decisions in any way. We just have to act within the framework of existing rules, that’s all.
But you know, it sounds pretty simple - change the rules and allow quadruples in the short program. But already the skaters are under enormous pressure. So many times we saw some mistakes in short programs that were caused by this pressure. And it affected skaters who went out on the ice just to “tear” it.
You have no groundwork, nothing to rely on at all. And such a limited number of elements ... In an arbitrary program it is permissible to make small mistakes on jumps, because there is an opportunity to correct at the expense of others. But in short it is necessary to "land" everything on point. I remember what was going on in my head when I skated myself. Quadruples in the short program are very difficult.
- What about Yevgeniya? She used to say that she was working on a quadruple Salchow. Do you practice quadruple jumping with her now?
BO: Yes, we are training the quadruple. We continue to work in this direction, we do everything necessary outside the ice in order to prepare her body for this. And you know, I think that as soon as she begins to feel this element, it will be quite simple for her. Someday we will come to this.
Now the main thing is to continue to work and try, try, try. And carry out the necessary training outside the ice, which will make her strong enough to cope with the quadruple.
- This season we can see the quad from Yevgeniya in competition?
BO: Everything is possible. Since Zhenya will probably not make it to the Grand Prix finals, we will have time to concentrate on training.
- We will not make plans for the Grand Prix finals - let's better talk about the Russian Championship in Krasnoyarsk ...
BO: Oh yes, I'm just trying to figure out how to get there. This is not so easy! (laughs).
- Will you fly with Yevgeniya to Russia for the National championship? There will not be such a big break after the Japanese championship (another student of Orser, Yuzuru Hanyu, should take part in it) ...
BO: Yes of course. I will have about a week after the Japanese championship, so I will fly to Russia.
- What goals will you set for yourself and Yevgeniya at the Championship of Russia?
B: We will just continue what we do. I would be glad to see the same skating from Zhenya in Krasnoyarsk as here - in short and free programs. It would be wonderful, and most importantly - it is in our power.
Of course, it would be nice if she could immediately get to the national team, and we would not have to try to qualify through any other tournament, like it was last season. Although it is wonderful, she got a second chance and took advantage of it. But I do not think that we will be aiming at any particular place.
Interviewed by Vladislav Zhukov
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From:
https://tass.ru/interviews/7136217
