Today Alena returned from Novogorsk, where the test skate session for single skaters had been held. By the way, it was the first time she participated in this traditional check-up for the Russian top skaters, so it was all the more thrilling for her. There were some mistakes made during both programs, but on the whole the coaches and other figure skating specialists who watched Alena perform were thoroughly satisfied with what they saw. Tatiana Tarasova appreciated the Chicago free program, choreograped by Olga Volojinskaya. Technical specialists pointed at Alena’s good physical shape and endurance. Alena’s coach Alla Piatova was satisfied with the test skate, too.

Valery Artyukhov, the chief coach of the Russian national team, conveyed his impressions to the All Sport news agency: ‘We liked Alena Leonova’s performance. Her programs are interesting and compicated and it’s obvious that she likes working. Of course, some things are a bit crude for the time being, though in the free program she did a clean 3+3 combination. But the main thing is that her programs look very effective’.