New interview, conducted by someone who clearly KNOWS a bit about skating!!! Thought-provoking as always that Mr. Zhulin.. Maureen
http://www.newizv.ru/news/2007-11-27/80490/
November 27, 2007
“Figure Skating is a Full-time Battle” – Aleksander Zhulin
Andrei Simonenko
Q…. With Oksana Domnina and Maksim Shabalin winning in Moscow with a record score, does it mean that all talk about the possibility that Yana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski gaining the number 1 status in Russia no has no foundation?–
“I cannot give a categorical answer because these pairs have not yet competed directly against each other. Moreover, Domnina and Shabalin competed in Russia. I was in Paris, where Khokhlova-Novitski skated, so I can say that we have two excellent pairs. The strong aspects of Oksana and Maksim are, of course, beauty, wonderful lines, excellent stroking. The team is statuesque; they look great. But there are certain difficulties connected with the new rules. Having traveled to different competitions, I can say that I have come to the conclusion that the female dance partners are getting smaller. Thanks to the new rules, they get points from being small and easy to maneuver in tricks. The judges pay less attention to the composition of programs now, to how people look on the ice, to the culture of dance. In general, it’s already a new kind of sport, one that I understand less and less.”
Q. Does it mean that Khokhlova’s acrobatic style is preferred to Domnina’s academic approach?
“I cannot say that. I was thrilled by the skating of Yana and Sergei in Paris. Their free dance is spectacular. Ira Zhuk and Sasha Svninin have worked for glory. I am sure that thanks to this dance they will make even more noise this season. Although, in my opinion, Oksana and Maksim will remain the number 1 pair in the country. But I wouldn’t say it’s all clear skies and sunny days for them.”
Q. In pairs, we have a similar situation. Two basically equal teams are fighting for the number 1 spot….
“I like how Oleg Vasiliev is working with Maria and Maksim. I see their progress, but I think his former coach, Tamara Moskvina, is ahead. Kawaguchi-Smirnov’s programs are more interesting, unique and full of typical Moskvina cool stuff. But if Oleg Kimovich (trans. This must be his patronymic) can add originality and interesting connections to Mukhortova-Trankov, then it will be super.”
Q. But is it strange that Vasiliev’s students got higher artistic marks at Cup of Russia?
“Of course not. Mukhortova-Trankov are national champions, so there is nothing surprising about it. In general to understand the honesty of everything that is going on, it’s necessary to watch the bottle that occurs overseas when Russian judges are not there. Everything that happens here, it’s well… “
Q. So the only chance Kawaguchi-Smirnov has now is to do difficult elements, like quad throw, that judges have to give high scores whether they want to or not?
“In the beginning, yeah. So that the country can see that they should put their money on you. I went through it myself. When Marina Klimova-Sergei Ponomarenko were the first pair and Maya Usova and I were second. We fought and fought… In general, life here is such that figure skating is just battle after battle.”
Q. Were there any surprises for you at Cup of Russia in women’s?
“The main surprise was the unsuccessful skate of my student Fumie Suguri, who was physically prepared and in excellent shape. Psychologically, she fell apart. I was impressed, but not surprised, by the Korean Yu-Na Kim. She is a fantastic girl from God. She is my favorite. When I see her, I just want to stand up and quit coaching. Of the Russians, I liked Katarina Gerboldt, even though she blew her free skate. Nina Petushkova did not hold back and did well. She needs to work on grace and we’ll have another decent skater.”
Q. President RFSF Valentin Piseev sometimes quite critically and publicly comments on our female figure skters. In your opinion, is this appropriate - especially psychologically?
“Of course, it’s right. Take for example, Elena Sokolova heard such words that she went out and got 2nd at worlds right away. Maybe they all need a beating, I don’t know. I’m joking of course. But harshness is necessary. Piseev has also yelled at me. I tell him that I gave my students a good footwork sequence. He answers, how can level 2 be good? What kind of coach are you? You’re not a coach, you’re ****! Even though I tried to explain that Western judges are holding me down, the wrong technical controller is there… All I’m saying is Piseev does what he does with good intent. And you need to look in the mirror and say maybe I should increase the difficulty of the footwork?”
Q. In men’s Andrei Gryzev took bronze, mostly due to others’ errors. What do you think about the future of our men?
“It’s hard to fight with all those Weirs and Lambiels, what can you say. A skater of the level of Plusehnko or Yagudin could, but we don’t have them now.”
Q. On the other hand, Weir doesn’t do anything extraordinary. He doesn’t even have a quad.
“Yes, but he does clean triples and gets more points for them than Lambiel gets for quads. I repeat the rules have changed. You don’t need a quad now. In Paris, Voronov didn’t do lutz or flip due to injury. But he did great axels, interesting steps, spins and practically beat everyone. It’s a credit to his coach Aleksei Urmanov, who is bringing up a great skater for us. In my opinion, he is our most promising guy at the moment. The only thing is that he shouldn’t give in to our typical Russian psychology.”
Q. What do you mean?
“They all wait on the sidelines for Lambiel and Weir to let them go ahead. But you need to go out and fight! This is our main problem – we don’t have a leader who takes responsibility for his skating. Who announces for all to hear – I am the best at everything, jumps, steps and spins…”
Q. Can you “fill” their brains with this?
”How can you give them these kinds of brains, if they weren’t born Japanese?! There you don’t have to explain anything. They work 24 hours a day. But Russian skaters are not just lazy, but also crafty. We try to give them the right mindset, believe me. But they won’t take it. We tell them, push them, they nod their heads and agree. But he next day, they are suffering food poising, the next day – excuse me, their rear end is hurting, on the third day, some sort of draft made their back hurt. The Japanese don’t need to be given the right mental attitude. They come to the ice sick and aching and train. And they win.”
Q. We often here that Plushenko will return and turn up the heat…. Is he ready…
“Understand that sports are tough – you have to work hard all the time. Marat Safin got coddled, stopped working hard and where is he now? Even though he is great… If Zhenka can manage to work hard at the level needed for 2.5 years til the Olympics in Vancouver, then anything is possible.. Although he has to start already. At least at some Russian national competitions. So he can understand if he wants it or not. Honestly, it will be hard for Plushenko. He has the meniscus, the divorce, the ton of business enterprises. Physically, it’s tough to come back. I started skating after a long break. At first, it’s wonderful. I think yeah, I’m still young, I can still work my bottom off. But a week later, it starts – the groin, back, head… I start thinking, why do I need this? What have I done?”
Q….. Is it tough to make up 7 programs in a week or does the challenge give you drive and courage?
“There is no drive. I cannot wait until it all ends. My brain is overloaded. I haven’t had a day off in 2 and a half months. Not one!”
Q. What about your athletes?
“I train them each day. Then I got to “Mosfilm” (site of TV show, where there is a rink). If I don’t manage to make some programs, I work nights. In the morning, I’m at practice (with athletes) again. This is how I live. I get by as I can. I don’t have the right to let anyone down. I started, so I have to finish it. And do it as well as possible.”
http://www.newizv.ru/news/2007-11-27/80490/
November 27, 2007
“Figure Skating is a Full-time Battle” – Aleksander Zhulin
Andrei Simonenko
Q…. With Oksana Domnina and Maksim Shabalin winning in Moscow with a record score, does it mean that all talk about the possibility that Yana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski gaining the number 1 status in Russia no has no foundation?–
“I cannot give a categorical answer because these pairs have not yet competed directly against each other. Moreover, Domnina and Shabalin competed in Russia. I was in Paris, where Khokhlova-Novitski skated, so I can say that we have two excellent pairs. The strong aspects of Oksana and Maksim are, of course, beauty, wonderful lines, excellent stroking. The team is statuesque; they look great. But there are certain difficulties connected with the new rules. Having traveled to different competitions, I can say that I have come to the conclusion that the female dance partners are getting smaller. Thanks to the new rules, they get points from being small and easy to maneuver in tricks. The judges pay less attention to the composition of programs now, to how people look on the ice, to the culture of dance. In general, it’s already a new kind of sport, one that I understand less and less.”
Q. Does it mean that Khokhlova’s acrobatic style is preferred to Domnina’s academic approach?
“I cannot say that. I was thrilled by the skating of Yana and Sergei in Paris. Their free dance is spectacular. Ira Zhuk and Sasha Svninin have worked for glory. I am sure that thanks to this dance they will make even more noise this season. Although, in my opinion, Oksana and Maksim will remain the number 1 pair in the country. But I wouldn’t say it’s all clear skies and sunny days for them.”
Q. In pairs, we have a similar situation. Two basically equal teams are fighting for the number 1 spot….
“I like how Oleg Vasiliev is working with Maria and Maksim. I see their progress, but I think his former coach, Tamara Moskvina, is ahead. Kawaguchi-Smirnov’s programs are more interesting, unique and full of typical Moskvina cool stuff. But if Oleg Kimovich (trans. This must be his patronymic) can add originality and interesting connections to Mukhortova-Trankov, then it will be super.”
Q. But is it strange that Vasiliev’s students got higher artistic marks at Cup of Russia?
“Of course not. Mukhortova-Trankov are national champions, so there is nothing surprising about it. In general to understand the honesty of everything that is going on, it’s necessary to watch the bottle that occurs overseas when Russian judges are not there. Everything that happens here, it’s well… “
Q. So the only chance Kawaguchi-Smirnov has now is to do difficult elements, like quad throw, that judges have to give high scores whether they want to or not?
“In the beginning, yeah. So that the country can see that they should put their money on you. I went through it myself. When Marina Klimova-Sergei Ponomarenko were the first pair and Maya Usova and I were second. We fought and fought… In general, life here is such that figure skating is just battle after battle.”
Q. Were there any surprises for you at Cup of Russia in women’s?
“The main surprise was the unsuccessful skate of my student Fumie Suguri, who was physically prepared and in excellent shape. Psychologically, she fell apart. I was impressed, but not surprised, by the Korean Yu-Na Kim. She is a fantastic girl from God. She is my favorite. When I see her, I just want to stand up and quit coaching. Of the Russians, I liked Katarina Gerboldt, even though she blew her free skate. Nina Petushkova did not hold back and did well. She needs to work on grace and we’ll have another decent skater.”
Q. President RFSF Valentin Piseev sometimes quite critically and publicly comments on our female figure skters. In your opinion, is this appropriate - especially psychologically?
“Of course, it’s right. Take for example, Elena Sokolova heard such words that she went out and got 2nd at worlds right away. Maybe they all need a beating, I don’t know. I’m joking of course. But harshness is necessary. Piseev has also yelled at me. I tell him that I gave my students a good footwork sequence. He answers, how can level 2 be good? What kind of coach are you? You’re not a coach, you’re ****! Even though I tried to explain that Western judges are holding me down, the wrong technical controller is there… All I’m saying is Piseev does what he does with good intent. And you need to look in the mirror and say maybe I should increase the difficulty of the footwork?”
Q. In men’s Andrei Gryzev took bronze, mostly due to others’ errors. What do you think about the future of our men?
“It’s hard to fight with all those Weirs and Lambiels, what can you say. A skater of the level of Plusehnko or Yagudin could, but we don’t have them now.”
Q. On the other hand, Weir doesn’t do anything extraordinary. He doesn’t even have a quad.
“Yes, but he does clean triples and gets more points for them than Lambiel gets for quads. I repeat the rules have changed. You don’t need a quad now. In Paris, Voronov didn’t do lutz or flip due to injury. But he did great axels, interesting steps, spins and practically beat everyone. It’s a credit to his coach Aleksei Urmanov, who is bringing up a great skater for us. In my opinion, he is our most promising guy at the moment. The only thing is that he shouldn’t give in to our typical Russian psychology.”
Q. What do you mean?
“They all wait on the sidelines for Lambiel and Weir to let them go ahead. But you need to go out and fight! This is our main problem – we don’t have a leader who takes responsibility for his skating. Who announces for all to hear – I am the best at everything, jumps, steps and spins…”
Q. Can you “fill” their brains with this?
”How can you give them these kinds of brains, if they weren’t born Japanese?! There you don’t have to explain anything. They work 24 hours a day. But Russian skaters are not just lazy, but also crafty. We try to give them the right mindset, believe me. But they won’t take it. We tell them, push them, they nod their heads and agree. But he next day, they are suffering food poising, the next day – excuse me, their rear end is hurting, on the third day, some sort of draft made their back hurt. The Japanese don’t need to be given the right mental attitude. They come to the ice sick and aching and train. And they win.”
Q. We often here that Plushenko will return and turn up the heat…. Is he ready…
“Understand that sports are tough – you have to work hard all the time. Marat Safin got coddled, stopped working hard and where is he now? Even though he is great… If Zhenka can manage to work hard at the level needed for 2.5 years til the Olympics in Vancouver, then anything is possible.. Although he has to start already. At least at some Russian national competitions. So he can understand if he wants it or not. Honestly, it will be hard for Plushenko. He has the meniscus, the divorce, the ton of business enterprises. Physically, it’s tough to come back. I started skating after a long break. At first, it’s wonderful. I think yeah, I’m still young, I can still work my bottom off. But a week later, it starts – the groin, back, head… I start thinking, why do I need this? What have I done?”
Q….. Is it tough to make up 7 programs in a week or does the challenge give you drive and courage?
“There is no drive. I cannot wait until it all ends. My brain is overloaded. I haven’t had a day off in 2 and a half months. Not one!”
Q. What about your athletes?
“I train them each day. Then I got to “Mosfilm” (site of TV show, where there is a rink). If I don’t manage to make some programs, I work nights. In the morning, I’m at practice (with athletes) again. This is how I live. I get by as I can. I don’t have the right to let anyone down. I started, so I have to finish it. And do it as well as possible.”
hwell:
