Elena Radionova: 2015 Russian National Champion

- Lena, after the execution of any program in your eyes filled with tears. Why was such a reaction?
- They were tears of happiness. I was very strongly acted failure in the previous step, "Grand Prix" in Beijing. There I was alarmed and has done a lot of mistakes. And in Moscow to "Rostelecom Cup" I proved to myself that Lena was again one that can act cool. After rolling, I was moved, I could not hold back emotions.
- And how do you explain the failure of the tournament in China?
- Before leaving for Beijing, I learned the bad news: my permanent coach Inna Goncharenko does not go with me. She was admitted to hospital. I was panic. This is the first time that I was leaving to foreign competition without Ina Germanovna. I train with her since my childhood, my coach - as a second mother.



- I had hoped to the last that will fly to Beijing - says Inna Goncharenko. - To change tickets for another flight - thought doctors released. But they are forbidden to leave the hospital. Nakata despair. And the feeling that I had let my athlete. I would even say it is not very convenient. The stage in Beijing, I watched on TV - it is the doctors could not forbid me. Prior to the start we talked with her text messages, I tried to calm Lena. Understood in 16 years to be in this situation is not easy. I am grateful to the coach Artur Dmitriev (double Olympic champion in figure skating. - SD) - he agreed to replace me, and drew Lena at the start. After the short program, we phoned Dmitriev and quickly developed a plan of action. Then everything went quietly. Lena fellow - gathered skated well and eventually finished third.
- Maybe it's for the best: I gained invaluable experience, forcing me to somehow manage - says Radionova.



- On the "Rostelecom Cup" you ahead of all rivals, including Adelina Sotnikova. Would you say that at the moment you are better than the Sochi Olympic champion?
- I do not think that I'm cooler than someone. With Adelina we train at CSKA on one rink, but at different times. I can meet her in a cafe to talk about this and that. Me and Julia Lipnitskaya normal relations, and Lisa Tuktamysheva.
- But the final "Grand Prix" to be held in Barcelona from 10 to 13 December, none of them came. And you succeeded.
- There will be more of our Eugene Medvedev. She could reach the final and Tuktamysheva, but she was not so lucky. At the stage of "Grand Prix" in France, the competition in any program canceled - the country declared mourning after the tragedy in Paris. A short program in Lisa was only fifth. This result, and it went in the overall standings.
- Officials, in your opinion, had done right?
- Of all the possible options, probably this is the best. Although I thought that skaters still give the opportunity to skate the long program later.
- Lisa is two years older than you, she will soon turn 19. And she, as they say, has already met with the boys. And you young men do not devote more poems?
- Japanese fans write me poetry and touching messages - a little embarrassed, says Lena. - Fans from Japan showered me with gifts. And as for the boys something to say? Until I was up to them. That's when I grow up, catch up.



- Are you my mother say on this subject? She and the coach probably afraid that after some time, sport can for you to move into the background.
- I do not know how the coach and my mom, but I have no such fear. Now I live only to figure skating. And next year I want to go to the Russian State University of Physical Culture. I have tutoring every day, including weekends. They CSKA come to me after training. I try not to start their studies. When finished career, maybe I get a second degree.
- And when are you going to finish?
- Prior to the Olympic Games 2018 in Korea exactly (laughs). I will then be 19. But there is still need to get there. The competition we have in the team - you know what.
- Julia Lipnitskaya seems she does not stand up to criticisms.
- I think she will cope with all the difficulties of the transition period and will return to the previous level. The main thing is that Julia already has the title of Olympic champion. No one can take it away.
- You might, as Lipnitskaya did, get away from the coach who brought you up and made you a champion?
- I'm not going to move away from Ina Germanovna, we have good relations. And what about Julia hard for me to judge. Perhaps its the right decision. In Julia's coach's case, something went wrong.
- And you have a strict coach? Inna Germanovna makes you go to bed at exactly eleven? Prevents something?
- Once a week I have a day off. And I was doing that day all I want. The coach is not watching me and never indicates what time I go to bed, what to eat and where not to go. She trusts me completely.
- Lena got a good education. She did not go into bad company - says Inna Goncharenko. - You know, the practice shows that no matter how people warn you still usually learn from their mistakes. If strongly dolbanet man makes the right conclusions. Lena and discussing good books, and movies. She is very clever and properly applies to many things. But Lena somehow live their lives, to impose her my views and ideas will not. I can only advise and from something caution.



- Lena hard every time to wake up at six in the morning?
- It used to be. And now I have the first training at nine. You can sleep up to seven. Tolerant, I'm used to it.
- A late night training session?
- Yes. Once we set a new program with Ilya Averbukh. During the day he was very busy and said he was only released in the evening. We rehearsed with him the program "Birds" until four in the morning. With it, in 2013 I won my first World Junior Championships.
- Who are the famous people would you like to meet?
- Oh I do not even know. And, that's who! With Korean Kim Yu-Na (2010 Olympic champion in the women's figure skating. - SD). And with Carolina Kostner (ex-world champion and five-time European champion from Italy. - SD). They are both athletes with great titles. If I learn to skate as they are, it will be really cool.