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Post by Admin on Jul 16, 2020 5:03:12 GMT
http://instagram.com/p/B7xlfoYoXEk New program OC: How did the pandemic situation impact your life and training? Kostornaia: I’ve studied a lot and worked out at home. Sometimes I film videos of how I do make up for competitions, or my hair styles. I’ve tried some ‘life hacks’ from Instagram. I’d like to start recording now... something like a blog. I’d like to show what really happens in the world of figure skating, obviously without any scandals. Let's say it would be pleasant and soul-warming and could help some younger athletes in the future. OC: How hard was it mentally not to be on ice? Were you with your family during the lockdown? How have you kept in shape? Kostornaia: Once we were told there would be no Worlds, everyone relaxed. It was like, 'Oh, it didn't work out?’ Everything became way quieter, the coaches started joking at the practices, to cheer us up. Yes, it was a little hurtful that we prepared for so long, but in general if something happened it means it was meant to be. http://instagram.com/p/CCeMxeaIxs5 I spent all this time with my family, and I actually learned more about them than I knew before. This is very pleasant knowledge, pleasant moments... Because now I am here, training in Novogorsk [in suburban Moscow] for the second month. You can't come or go from here. And so here I am without my family but sometimes we talk via video calls. OC: On Instagram, your choreographer Daniil Gleikhengauz posted a new program of yours. Can you tell us about it in more detail? Is it Billie Eilish's music? Kostornaia: Yes, we have a very unusual choice of music, but both me and the coaches like it. We immediately heard it and realised this is what we need. The image I have is the same as (Billie Eilish has) in the video, we tried to repeat it, but didn't completely copy it. It actually suits me very much. I can't say anything concrete yet. The program is new (but) I know for sure that I like it. And probably with every year the programs become more and more interesting.
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Post by Admin on Jul 17, 2020 6:03:30 GMT
Training OC: What is it like to train with Eteri? Kostornaia: Eteri Georgievna is very often referred to as ‘the snow queen.’ I believe this is not the case. She is a very kind, open and honest person who will always tell the truth… she’ll never keep it away from you. OC: You were part of a group that everyone on the Internet called the 'Triple A' (including Kostornaia, Shcherbakova and Trusova). Now with Trusova leaving, how does the dynamic in the team change? Kostornaia: I won't say that these are drastic changes. Athletes come and go and there is nothing terrible about it. Every athlete has to find the coach with whom they feel comfortable and who will be able to lead them to the result. OC: Trusova is known for her quads, you have your triple Axel. Where are you with your practice around adding a quad to your skating? Kostornaia: I would like to learn the quad Salchow, but it is still too early to talk about anything right now. I need to train, to get back my jumps. First of all, to get back a triple Axel and at least try to skate the program with it. That's why... I don't want to make predictions, but in general I would like to (add the quad).
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Post by Admin on Jul 18, 2020 0:23:56 GMT
Time away OC: While it’s a different situation, you faced time away in 2019 when you broke your leg, not competing at Junior Worlds. How did you face those challenges? You came back stronger.
Kostornaia: Injuries always make us stronger, mentally and physically. Because you go out on the ice after a long break, you put your thoughts, your head, body… all in order. You understand what it is that you need and what do you want to get as a result. And what needs to be done for that. Sitting at home I had a fibula fracture in my left leg. I found out about it before Worlds and we decided not to take risks and withdrew.
(But) this time away, where I just sat there and couldn't do anything normally, (it) motivated me a lot. I don't see my life without figure skating.
OC: In regards to your current form and comparing it to March, how would you evaluate your current shape right now?
Kostornaia: It is clear that there has been a recession. As soon as we came back, there was even a video published, where I enter the ice and throw my mittens at Daniil (Gleikhengauz). [Laughs] Because it was very unexpected... I came out and I didn't understand what was going on.
It's not even like it's uncomfortable, no, there was no such feeling. It just felt as if I stepped on the ice wearing boots, not skates. And my legs moved sideways. It felt like everything was not mine. It was very unexpectedly strange and even unpleasant. Then we skated and kept jumping. After some time, Eteri Georgievna arrived and in these two and a half, three weeks, I recovered the triple jumps, started jumping bigger. Yes, it's not always successful but I jump and jump...
In general, the situation is pretty good right now, considering what could have been if we stayed at home longer.
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Post by Admin on Jul 18, 2020 18:47:41 GMT
Future dreams OC: In 2018, you told R-Sport that you dreamed of being a neurosurgeon, but then recently said that you changed your mind, (and) wanted to dedicate your whole life to figure skating. Tell us about these dreams and where you stand on them now. Kostornaia: It's really simple: Figure skating is not a sport in which you can skate up to thirty years and win. Yes, you can skate, you can please the audience, participate in shows, but you won't be in first place because there are 15-year-old girls who produce a bunch of quadruples. They have a lot of power and energy. There's no stopping them. "I’ll try to go through this season (and then) through the Olympic season. And then I will start fulfilling my (medical) dream. Maybe I will skate in shows; I always wanted to go on some long tour for almost a year, it is my dream. And then I will start realising my dream to become a neurosurgeon." http://instagram.com/p/CAZ7sdCJe5L OC: And why exactly do you dream about neurosurgery? What interests you the most about it? Kostornaia: There are a lot of different diseases. There is a lot of undiscovered stuff… surgeries that could be done but no one has attempted them yet because there are great risks. And I think it's a lot of adrenaline. http://instagram.com/p/CBWqYTVpd-q
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Post by Admin on Jul 27, 2020 1:45:15 GMT
Reigning European figure skating champion Alena Kostornaia has revealed her post-career plans, outlining she might retire after the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and switch to medicine. The 16-year-old produced a stunning performance during her first senior season winning all major events, including the ISU Grand Prix final and the European championship. In recognition of her splendid results she received the ISU skating award for Best Newcomer. Kostornaia said she doesn’t plan to have a long-term skating career admitting that she won’t be able to always hold leading positions and beat quad-jumping youngsters. “It's really simple: Figure skating is not a sport in which you can skate up to thirty years and win. Yes, you can skate, you can please the audience, participate in shows, but you won't be in first place because there are 15-year-old girls who produce a bunch of quadruples. They have a lot of power and energy. There's no stopping them,” Kostornaia said. http://instagram.com/p/B3mdj2joezl “I’ll try to go through this season (and then) through the Olympic season. And then I will start fulfilling my (medical) dream. Maybe I will skate in shows; I always wanted to go on some long tour for almost a year, it is my dream. And then I will start realizing my dream to become a neurosurgeon,” she added. The immensely talented skater who possesses a gorgeous triple axel said she would attempt to learn a quad Salchow to increase her technical content.
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