- Alena Kostornaya shows the space level of skating in the short program for the second time in the last two weeks. Does it strike the imagination more than anyone and ever?
- Honestly, I try to avoid superlatives, but Alena is really a great fellow, she is in very good shape and demonstrates balanced skiing. The Russian woman secured an excellent reserve before an arbitrary program.
- In a short program in Turin, Kostornaya broke her own world record. What words first came to your mind after its rental?
- I have always highlighted both her jumps and her expressive skating. But it is worth noting that, in many ways, the International Skating Union (ISU) ban on the performance of quads in the short program for women also helps her achieve this. In my opinion, this is a very dishonest rule. Because of him, Alexander Trusov and Anna Shcherbakova can not do their cascades. Objectively, this is nonsense. The same as forbidding athletes to jump above a certain level. A very strange rule, which, moreover, is not in men's competitions.
- Is Alena now the main contender for the victory in the Grand Prix finals, or is it too early to talk about this yet?
- After a short program, she really has a pretty decent margin from other rivals. If Kostornaya cope with arbitrary, then hardly anyone will compete with her.
- Is it possible to say that this is the limit for Kostornaya, or is she able to ride even better?
“Of course she can do better.” Obviously, she has a strong base and still has room for growth. However, I would not draw far-reaching conclusions solely on the Grand Prix. This is an intermediate tournament, and much more important starts are ahead of the championship of Russia, as well as European and world championships.
- Is it possible to say that the start of the tournament from a world record was a psychological blow for Alena's rivals? Was Alina Zagitova hurt by this “exploding bomb” just because she was the last to go to the rink?
- Not. Girls train together every day, constantly see each other on the ice. Therefore, Zagitova now must compete only with herself. As for Trusova’s mistake, here, perhaps, the point is in some changes in the technique, because she has long studied the triple axel. Or she could just grow up a bit. There can be many reasons, but I do not think that they are related to psychology.
- Do you agree that this was the worst Trusova program for the last two years at the international level?
- Honestly, I do not follow all her performances. But it already demonstrates an exorbitant level, and no one is safe from mistakes.
- Before the free program, Sasha gives 14 points to Alena. Is it realistic for her to clear up such a backlog if Kostornaya once again performs flawlessly?
- As I said, Kostornaya will most likely take the first place, but then a serious struggle will unfold. In my opinion, Sasha has a chance to get around Zagitova and move to the second position.
- How difficult will it be for Trusova from a psychological point of view, given the fact that at the adult level she has not lost to anyone yet, and even more so so impressive?
- I think Sasha simply cannot have any psychological blows. She is a great athlete, despite her young age. She knows how to get together and has shown it more than once.