“Each has its trump card”: Averbukh on the hegemony of the Russians, Kostornaya's record and the flaws of Zagitova and Medvedeva

- Six victories at the stages of the Grand Prix - another confirmation of the hegemony of the Russians in figure skating?

- Of course, Russia is now the absolute leader in women's single skating, no one has any doubts here. It’s great that both Alyona Kostornaya and Alina Zagitova selected for the Grand Prix finals, where four of the six participants will be ours. It's a shame for Evgeny Medvedev and Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: if Japanese Rika Kihira rightfully got into the final part of the tournament, then the last ticket could go to one of them. Not enough was enough. But if you look at the overall picture, then this is a very good result. I think that we have every chance to take the highest places.

- Is it worth the International Skating Union (ISU) to think about expanding the quota of finalists to eight in order to diversify the struggle?

- I think not, because in this case the very idea of ​​this somewhat exclusive tournament, uniting the best athletes, will disappear. There is a higher world championship in status; everyone has the opportunity to come there. Therefore, nothing is worth changing.

- At the Grand Prix stage in Japan, Kostornaya scored 240 points and almost broke the world record. What impression did her skating make?

“Very good.” Alena has the most balanced program of all that I have seen this season. She has a very high quality of triple jumps, on each of them she is gaining additional bonuses. Her triple axel brings aesthetic pleasure. Therefore, Kostornaya absolutely took the first place in the case.

- Recently, records in figure skating are being discussed almost more than rentals themselves. What is your attitude to this trend? Should they pay such attention?

- Figure skating is not athletics, where everything is measured by specific indicators. There is a lot to do with it, since at every tournament a new judging team is working, adhering to its principles. In addition, do not forget about the factor of the country - the hostess of the tournament. Therefore, all these records are more likely for the press, no one else pays attention to them.

- Who will be the main favorite of the Grand Prix finals - Kostornaya or Alexander Trusov?

- A very complicated story. Do not write off Shcherbakov. Yes, and Zagitova in Japan showed a very good performance in the free program. If she rolls the short program well, she will also be in the top.

I think that any of our girls will be able to count on victory, because everyone has their own trump card: Alina has experience and mature skating, Trusova and Shcherbakova have exorbitant quadruple jumps, and Kostornaya has balanced programs. But the more exciting it will be to watch the Grand Prix finals.

- Many distinguish Alyona from among the students of Tutberidze for her “female” skating. Do you agree with this position?

- I would not want to measure in such categories, this makes no sense. All our girls are great. Yes, her program is distinguished by the fact that it combines complex elements and beauty, the expressiveness of their performance. If she submits to the second axel, then she will receive even higher scores. But Trusova and Shcherbakova with each tournament add in components, it is clear that they work a lot. Therefore, the whole struggle is yet to come.

- Before the Japanese Grand Prix, Kihira talked about her intention to include the quadruple salchow, but she never fulfilled it. Was it an attempt to intimidate rivals?

- Not. I think she made a sound decision without risking it. Apparently, the jump is not yet ready enough to include it in the program. Especially when on the scales getting into the Grand Prix finals and a quadruple mistake could crumple the entire program. Apparently, this was a tactical move made by the coaches, and they cannot be blamed for it.

- Will a Japanese woman be able to intervene in the struggle of Russians for gold in the finals?

- If Rika really adds a quadruple salchow, then definitely. The fact is that for some reason she stopped jumping triple lutz. And with her current set, she needs to either return this element, or complicate the program in another way. But Kihira at the moment is the only athlete who can prevent our girls from standing on the podium. She is very strong. But ours are stronger.

- Sofia Samodurova demonstrates relatively clean skating, but at the same time does not reach the top three. What should she expect in the near future?

- Sophia is a great clever fighter who overcomes the difficult period of growing up. At the beginning of the season, she was disassembled, and now she managed to pull herself together. Unfortunately, in Japan, the skater did not spin several jumps at once, so the final rating was not so high. But I'm still happy for her, because she looks very dignified. I think that when a triple axel or a quadruple sheepskin coat appears in her arsenal, she will immediately join in the struggle. I think Samodurova will be able to come to this. Unfortunately, now is the time that without these elements one cannot count on the highest step of the podium.

- What helps Zagitova and Medvedeva to adequately deal with growing up? Is it all about their character?

- Both fight and show very good, informed and mature skating. But the fact is that last year’s sets of jumps are not enough for them to win. It’s not enough just to keep fit. As air they need to learn quadruple jumps or at least a triple axel. Otherwise, both Alina and Zhenya will be forced to rely only on the mistakes of their rivals.

“So it's too early to write them off?”

- This is absolutely not worth doing, especially now that the stage of growing up has already been completed. I think that they can still count on something more. However, for this it is necessary to devote the next off-season to enhancing content. Of course, you need to focus on training, refuse to perform in ice shows. But both are in very good shape. I know that Zhenya is already learning the triple salchow. As soon as they jump the quadruple jumps, the rivals will not be greeted.

- Is it possible to say that mentally Zagitova and Medvedev are stronger than Adeline Sotnikova and Julia Lipnitskaya, who failed to cope with the champion burden?

- I would not compare them. Everyone ends his career when he sees fit. But Alina and Zhenya really are fighters, they went through a period of formation, developed as figure skaters, and now it is up to their desire to go forward, as well as the professionalism of the coaches.