Interview with Elena at Cup of Russia


Q: Did you realize your last year's expectations when you switched to Mishin? Why didn't the breakthrough that everybody was talking about  happen?

Elena: Alexei Nikolaevich helped me to believe in myself - this is the most important thing. However, he decided not to redo the technique that was taught by Viktor Kudriavtsev. There are, of course, some new nuances. As for a breakthrough, it didn't happened because of my not quite successful skate... No, because the judges were not fair to my skating at Russian Nationals last year. Before the LP my music was delayed and I was waiting for it for eight minutes. It broke me down. The first part of the program was terrific but then I relaxed a bit and missed a jump. This jump cost me dearly because Russian Nationals probably the most important competition of the season. 

Q: As I remember, Sokolova has always been mistreated.

Elena: I have a man's character. My mom and dad expected a boy when I was born. So, my character developed as boy's even before I was born and remained the same. No matter what difficulties happen in my life I will survive and get over it. 

Q: Have you had any thoughts to quit skating after that unfortunate performance at Russian Nationals? 

Elena: Never. I would never make my competitors' life easier. 

Q: Alexei Yagudin said that the lack of attention to him was the main reason he left Mishin. When you were leaving Kudriavstev you also complained that he works more with Viktoria Volchkova...

Elena: I understand... We skate with Zhenya Plushenko "on different ice, at different times" as figure skaters usually say and the coach pays the same amount of attention to both of us. Alexei Nikolaevich is a cleaver man and he, probably, made conclusions from the situation that happened a few years ago between Yagudin and Plushenko. 

Q: While preparing the new programs with Mishin have you taken into consideration the peculiarities of the Olympic season?

Elena: We certainly have. But we tried not to change much of last year's SP style. It was a Gypsy dance - now it's Oriental. And it was done by the same choreographer - Edvald Smirnov.  I feel that this dance helps me stand out among my competitors. I also keep my old LP because the last season I didn't make it to Europeans or Worlds. 

Q: Is it a sign of  not enough attention from Mishin?

Elena: We've tried to do something new but it wasn't enough time for that. Or maybe I didn't have enough talent to build another character. Besides, I had a feeling that "Masquerade" is mine. I am fond with a character of my program. So, Alexei Nikolaevich and I have decided: last season I was getting used to this program, this year - I will shoot and win with it. 

Q: What about surprise, something unexpected?

Elena: I changed my choreographer and now work with Svetlana Korol. She has changed my point of view on  "Masquerade." She has not only showed me what I have to do but also explained me why it is so. I now feel what my character went through. 

Q: So in some degree it's a new program for you?

Elena: Not just to some degree, but completely new.

Q: What do you think about the position of the Russian ladies before the Olympics?

Elena: Ira Slutskaya is the one who will definitely skate at Olympics. She is great, after a long streak of bad luck she is now showing fantastic skating. Masha Butyrskaya and Vika Volchkova are also wonderful skaters. But if you believe in yourself and your coach you'll get over all the difficulties.

Q: What makes you better than Butyrskaya or Volchkova?

Elena: I think my technique isn't any less of anyone of them. As for the artistry... We'll do everything with my choreographer to make an impression on judges at Russian Nationals. 

Q: The experts, though, also point out your lack of confidence in the required elements, particularly in jumps. 

Elena: I am consistent landing even the most difficult jumps in practice but often can't handle them at competitions. However, if I can do them in practice, that means - the problem is not with my legs but in my head. I've lately been thinking to get some advice from a psychologist.

Q: Plushenko said Mishin and him are ideally suited to work together. What are your relations with this coach?

Elena: There are no ideal relations even between the closest people. We also argue sometimes, get irritated but, despite that, Alexei Nikolaevich is the best coach I have had my whole life. Last season we were getting used to each other, trying to understand. This season the real work has begun. 

Q: Is your goal to get to Olympics?

Elena: It's a bit different - to become the best. God gave me everything for that. The rest is up to me. 



Andrei Mitkov, Sport Segodnya
 




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