Russia’s having an unprecedentedly hot summer. While winter and its equally hot ice battles are still far ahead, we had a talk with Alena Leonova, a bright and clever girl, St. Petersburg’s and Russia’s rising figure skating star. The conversation took place within the hospitable walls of The Sport Psychology Agency. Alena has already worked with the Agency’s best specialists, and we couldn’t help but inquire why. Of course, we went the extra mile and asked a lot of other questions. 

Q: Alena, what made you understand that you need to work with a psychologist, that a psychologist’s help is necessary for an athlete?

A: I followed my coach’s advice, because I was under serious stress. I was expected to perform better with every event, that’s why we decided that beside my friends and coach I must commune with a psychologist, too.

Q: Does a psychologist work more with an athlete or with their coach? I mean, a coach can follow a psychologist’s guidelines, couldn’t they?

A: As for us, it is about fifty-fifty, but I think that he contributes more time to me, because I do not only converse with him, but undergo special procedures, hypnosis, for instance.   

Q: Aren’t you afraid of it?

A: No, quite the contrary. Things that help do not frighten me.

Q: How do you know that it does help you?

A: I don’t know exactly how, but a certain state of mind remains, and I feel that it makes it easier for me to compete.

Q: Figure skating is a special sport, full of constant pressure from all directions. A skater has to live in stress, being ready to give a rebuff at any point. What methods help you to forget it all and remain yourself?

A: In such situations I don’t know for how many seasons in a row I forget about the Federation and the places I am expected to take, and skate for myself, the audience and my coach. It helps me, because I do not think about anyone else. At competitions I limber up with earbuds on, and do not pay attention to the girl who skates before me. While driving to the skating rink I read something in the bus. I focus on myself solely.

Q: Have there been moments when you clearly understood that you had burned your nerves out, though you were in good shape and ready to compete?

A: It happens to me when I skate last. That’s why I hate the last starting number.

Q: And what about the first?

A: It is much better. You open competitions, and it’s great, especially if you do it well.

Q: You have been in figure skating for so long, almost from the cradle. Do you notice when others make mistakes on ice?

A: Yes, I do.

Q: Do you mean technical or psychological mistakes?

A: Both.

Q: Can you give a piece of advice to a skater?

A: No, I never do that. Every skater has their own psychologist and coach.

Q: Being an athlete competing at the highest level, you see it when a coach commits a grave psychological error, but do not tell anybody about it. Do you think that if specialists from a psychological center worked with coaches, they could change the situation for the better? Could they bring their useful knowledge home to coaches?

A: I think that coaches of a certain age would have trouble receiving such an approach. But as for the young coaches, they can and they should talk with psychologists. I think that coaches mustn’t show their nervousness, because they transmit it to their athletes, which is a most unnecessary thing during competitions.

Q: What are your plans for the upcoming season? What are doing now? [Don’t forget that the interview was taken in July]

A: Now I’m passing through a recovery period after two weeks of rest. Two weeks are a rather long while, so I recover with more strain than usual. I want to try different skates, now I’m wearing it to shape and feel rather comfortable, but still I’m afraid that something may break (smiles). Training loads are moderate for the time being, because we still have a lot of time. In Sweden, where we will go for a summer training camp, things will get much harder.     

Q: What is the difference between your old and new skates?

A: The old ones were Jackson, the new ones are Graff. They have lighter blades. I feel that they slide better. As for the lightness, I do not really feel it, but I’ve been told that it must come toward the end of the program. So, I keep thinking: ‘If only I could stay alive by the end!’ (laughs) But they do slide better.

Q: For how long can you rest without losing shape? Do you know what schedule of rest is optimal for you?

A: After competitions I usually take two day-offs, that’s enough. As for my holidays, they last about 10 days, no more.

Q: So, a one- or two-month holiday isn’t an option, is it?

A: Definitely. You start from scratch after that.    

Q: We know that you have attended a training camp in Switzerland. What did you do there?

A: Alla Yakovlevna got acquainted with a choreographer at one of the events, later I learned that he is currently working in Switzerland. Being a good skater I was allowed to attend the camp. We arranged that he would choreograph my new program. Not long ago I went there for the second time to polish some details. I had a choice: Switzerland or Sochi. Of course, I chose Switzerland, because I new that I would have fun there and practice my English, too. I liked it there. 

Q: Which famous skaters did you share the ice with?

A: Daisuke Takahashi was there, he was having his program choreographed by Stephane Lambiel. It was very interesting to watch, because they are of the same age. They made a really good job out of it.  

Q: Stephane has become a coach quite recently, less than half-year ago. Does he look like a coach, or is still an athlete to a greater degree?

A: He is still an athlete.

Q: So, it’s easier for him to show than to explain, isn’t it?

A: Yes. 

Q: Did he show anything to you?

A: No, we just talked and took pictures.

Q: Were you impressed by the Swiss school of figure skating?

A: Yes, their federation is very supportive to Swiss skaters. Nobody pushes anyone.

Q: It is often said that the Swiss have the best spins, that spins are their strong point. What’s the reason for that, in your opinion? Is it something they learn in childhood?

A: Yes, I think they learn it in childhood. For another thing, they pay much attention to this element. Working on spins takes about a half of the time they spend on ice. It is far from our common practice: when you see the zamboni coming, it means that it’s time to do a spin and go home. We devote more time to jumps. The Swiss skate much more gracefully, they aren’t obsessed with jumps.    

Q: Didn’t you inquire how they succeed in promoting such a love of spins for their skaters?

A: I asked Stephane, but he said he doesn’t know. It happens by itself in childhood.

Q: Your programs are new, and what about new costumes?

A: Starting from the last season I work with one designer and I like her very much. She is a real neoteric. Our collaboration suits me just fine.

Q: Didn’t you search through cloths in Swiss shops?  

A: No, I just picked some cheese.

Q: Last season you had a swell exhibition program. Can we expect any surprises this year?

A: No, we kept the old program for galas, because we focus on the new short and free programs, which are much more difficult than last season’s ones.

Q: What about your triple Lutz?

A: Not to speak too soon, but everything’s OK with it for the time being.

Q: And what about combinations?

A: I am just working on a 3L+3T combination right now.  

Q: Have you and Alla Yakovlevna calculated your programs’ value in terms of points? How competitive it is from a purely arithmetical point of view?

A: The thing is that the rules have undergone big changes. Now things are in a real mess. Some jumps became more valuable and some less. I haven’t learned everything yet. Maybe my programs’ basic value won’t change. After the last change we calculated a program and found that it became more valuable by three points. But, of course, to get high scores I must skate clean and receive pluses for all the jumps.

Q: How do you choose your music? Who helps you?

A: I make suggestions, as well as Alla Yakovlevna and her assistants. Then we make the final choice together. The main thing is that the piece in question shouldn’t be The Dying Swan or something like that, or else I will fall asleep.

Q: Have you ever thought about asking some musicians to arrange and record a tune especially for your program?

A: As for now, we deal with things already recorded. But some friends of mine are acquainted with musicians, and if such an idea leaps into my mid, I will certainly approach them.  

Q: You have a wonderful website. Is there someone who helps you?

A: I have a press manager. Last year she gave me the site as a present for March, 8. I’m fond of communicating with people, and I like to write down my impressions of competitions and training camps. So we decided that I should have a site to post my thoughts and stories there.

Q: Thank you, Alena! Good luck in the new season!