Main » 2010 » December » 28 » Alena becomes two-time Russian vice-champion!
14:51
Alena becomes two-time Russian vice-champion!
Ladies competitions has ended in Saransk today. Thanks to her brilliant skating in the free program, Alena for the second time in her career became two-time Russian silver medalist.
The small margin between Alena and her immediate contenders, as well as the complexity of the main rivals’ programs and Alena’s last starting number in the warm-up promised a tough struggle with an unpredictable outcome in the free skating. But the ice in Saransk indeed proved to be lucky for Alena. She could withstand the weary waiting for her turn to skate and succeeded in doing her best. And what is even more important, she proved, first of all to herself, that she can skate with confidence, ease and beauty. The free program ended in tears of joy and was followed by Tatiana Tarasova’s applause and the audience’s ovation. Even Alena’s coach Alla Piatova cried for joy.
Q: Alena, you are crying with joy, aren’t you? A: Yes, with joy and happiness! I’m happy that I’ve endured everything and skated worthily. I’ve proved that I can skate classy!
Q: Isn’t it vexing to lose to a little girl? A: Not at all, surely! I didn’t watch Adelina skate, but I can say that I’m very happy for her.
Q: Everybody was impressed by your skating, it was a real spectacle! A: It’s just what I’ve wanted: to show a spectacle. I’ve been trying to skate better from event to event, and now finally succeed in doing everything. I like my free program image very much. On the whole, I like all my images, I can play anything, except maybe the dying swan.
Q: What were you thinking about when coming to the ice? A: I had no thoughts at all. I just remembered that I would skate last. I’ve already skated last this season, in Nice. I performed quite well there. So, today I’ve been recalling how I was getting ready to skate in Nice and did everything just like I had done there. Then I just came to the ice and did my best.
Q: Did you want to prove to yourself that you can do everything? A: I thougth about it only towards the end, I think you noticed it!
Q: Did it cross your mind after you’ve finished that you might come in first? A: I hadn’t heard Adelina’s score, that’s why I tought that the judges might put me into the first place. But the main thing was that I did everything and skated clean. Adelina’s program is more complicated, than mine, it’s her advantage.
Q: So, you aren’t resentful at the judges, are you? A: Of course, and I never am.
Q: Did you know how Ksenia Makarova had skated? A: No, I didn’t. I could only guess that she didn’t skate clean, because it was so quiet at the stands. I never watch anybody skate before I have skated myself. I listen to some music, read or sing.
Q: When are you going to skate again? A: Tomorrow I will skate at the gala, then I will take a rest and on the 3rd of January will start practicing.
Q: What did your coach tell you? A: Alla Yakovlevna is stunned just like me! All she could say was "Thank you!” It was my best skating in th season so far. Maybe we’ll make the program more complicated by the Europeans, because European girls are quite strong.
Q: Do you dream of making the podium? A: Of course I do! And I’ve been dreaming of it for a long time. Even at my first Europeans!
Q: What are your plans concerning preparations for the Europeans? A: I don’t know right now. First I will celebrate the New Year’ day. I’ve given myself a present for the New Year!
Alena’s interview in the mixed zone after free skating
Ladies’ press conference after the free skating, part 1
Ladies’ press conference after the free skating, part 2
Tomorrow Russian Nationals will conclude with the victory ceremony and an exhibition gala of the best skaters. Victory ceremony – 16.00 Exhibition gala – 16.45
Ladies competitions has ended in Saransk today. Thanks to her brilliant skating in the free program, Alena for the second time in her career became two-time Russian silver medalist. 