At the Russian Figure Skating Championship in Krasnoyarsk, short rentals in women's competitions ended. The abundance of world-class stars made this type of program the most anticipated for both fans and experts. At the same time, the absence of the current Olympic champion Alina Zagitova did not greatly affect the excitement around the competition. Alena Kostornaya took the top, gaining a phenomenal 89.86 points, which is 4.41 points higher than the world record she set in the Grand Prix finals in Turin.
“I was more pleased not with the points, but with the words of Tutberidze. The first time I heard this from Eteri Georgievna. So far the best rental of what it was. She proved to herself that, in spite of everything, you can ride cleanly and very well, ”said Kostornaya.
It is noteworthy that a few days before the Russian championship there were rumors that Kostornaya might miss the tournament in Krasnoyarsk. The athlete herself admitted that this was a revelation for her.
“I did not know about the rumors that I was missing the Russian championship. Only Daniil Markovich (Gleichengauz. - RT ) told me at the reception: "Oh, Alyon, are you going?" I was surprised: "Shouldn't I?" He showed the article. It turns out that now Instagram decides everything, ”said the skater.
She admitted that she was not going to upload photos to social networks more often, noting that she was not an Instagram model. Also, the world record holder said that the status of the competition does not exert psychological pressure on her. As you know, the final position of the athletes at the national championship will seriously affect the formation of the Russian national team for the European and world championships.
“It didn't get any harder for me because of the selection for the national team. Unless last year the Russian championship was held earlier and was easier. You just have to do your work, and then the federation will distribute who goes where. After winning the Grand Prix finals, neither confidence nor responsibility increased. Rather, it's just a medal in the collection, ”said Kostornaya.
She said that over time she began to relate differently to the short program that she has been introducing for two years. According to her, for her she is no longer a revelation and does not cause a feeling of "supereuphoria". In addition, she talked about her mentor Eteri Tutberidze, especially paying attention to her exactingness for the wards.
“Eteri Georgieva squeezes everything out of everyone. Fully devoted to our sport and therefore requires the same from athletes. To get praise from her is worth the efforts that we are making, ”the girl said.
In addition, Kostornaya shared her opinion about the absence of Zagitova as part of the participants in the Russian championship. She said that Alina continues to train, but admitted that she does not personally communicate with her.
“There is nothing special in the fact that Zagitova did not go. This is not to say that it is something supernatural. There is such a thing that you’re going and there isn’t enough of some familiar face, ”concluded the winner of the short program.
Following Kostornaya, another student of Tutberidze settled down. Anna Shcherbakova performed the short program well, but even this did not help her to impose competition on the winner of the Grand Prix finals. She lost her almost ten points, gaining 79.93.
“Today was nervous. There was excitement, a small jerk, so she began to enjoy only after the last jump. Then she skated from the heart, with emotions and mood, ”admitted Shcherbakova.
Unlike her teammate, Anna admitted that the risk of not getting into the team seriously affected her emotional state before going on the ice. At the same time, she added that for her every competition is of great importance.
“Everywhere is important to prove yourself. Now the goal is to show your maximum. I would be glad if this affects the results. A little rest will be after the championship of Russia. As usual, we will spend time with the whole family in the country, ”Shcherbakova concluded.
The third was another yesterday's junior, and now one of the main stars of the world figure skating Alexander Trusov. It was she who was the first in the world to actively perform quadruple jumps, but in the short program she was deprived of the opportunity to use her main weapon. In Krasnoyarsk, she unexpectedly decided to replace the triple axel with a double one, and in the cascade the Lutz - Rittberger preferred the less valuable sheepskin coat to the last element. As a result - 76.46 points.
“In general, I’m happy with the rental, but there was a feeling that I had finished something, because I performed a double axel instead of a triple one. Today, after the lesson, the coaches said not to risk it, as they had to be selected (to the Russian team. - RT ). Of course, she wanted to jump and for a long time did not agree. But then I decided to skate just clean. This is right in this competition, ”said Trusova.
She assured that in the future she plans to make an exclusively triple axel in a short program, and also promised to speak at the limit of her capabilities in an arbitrary.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva was a little behind Trusova. The athlete made only one mistake in the short rental, not confidently leaving the triple axel. However, this did not stop her from gaining 75.74 points and leaving excellent chances of getting into the top three winners.
“Given the condition, I’m happy with the rental, although it turned out to be not ideal. There was some kind of excitement that could interfere with the performance as I can. How to do it in training. Tomorrow I would like to skate better, more confidently. It seemed that the jumps were not very cool, not really mine. Therefore, the score immediately becomes lower. I want to go out and just drum everything I can and leave, and not start digging in my head, ”Tuktamysheva admitted.
According to her, the current state of affairs in women's figure skating only makes you work harder on yourself.
“Now there is such a competition that you cannot have any shortcomings at all. It turns me on, ”added Tuktamysheva.
As a result of the short program, Evgenia Medvedeva took the fifth line, although on the eve of her participation in the Russian championship was in question. The reason for this was the problem with the inventory of the two-time world champion, who deprived her of skates. As a result, she had to perform in new ones, which is extremely difficult.
Nevertheless, Medvedev scored 71.08 points, and she was prevented from approaching Tuktamysheva by a shortage when playing a triple sheepskin coat in a cascade with a triple flip. It is noteworthy that Eugene began with this element, but then was able to get together.
“Unfortunately, I did the maximum that I could. Legs hurt from skating. Yesterday was a very difficult day. First, an unpleasant fall in training, after which it turned out that the boot was broken. Then they tried to find a new pair, but neither my model nor size appeared. The best thing was skates designed for beginners. We removed the blades, set them on, but nothing good came of it, ”Medvedev said.
The excitement regarding the future performance of Medvedeva only intensified at the end of the warm-up, in which she could not make a single element.
“I tried not to think about the boot at all. I feel confused and unpleasant. I will try to execute an arbitrary program tomorrow. Most importantly, she coped with nerves, with knees and hands shaking, ”admitted the silver medalist of the Olympics in Pyeongchang.
The skater thanked the fans for their support.
“I want to thank you for such warmth and so many gifts. Today, the impressions were enormous. Brian Orser said he was proud of me. In the junior season, I also managed to get on the podium from 11th place, ”Medvedev concluded.