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Maria Sytnik's interview with Ivan Pavlov - `From Ukraine with sadness - Ukranian skater starts gofundme to continue skating' for sportarena.com
First of all: here is the link to his gofundme page.
The 18y.e. skater Ivan Pavlov is a 2 times Ukranian champion, represents our country in the international competitions and recently followed the example of the foreign skaters and started his gofunme page.
It was not something done by choice. Ivan Pavlov talks why the Ukranian skaters need an additional funding and what is the situation with the Ukranian figure skating
MS: Tell me, how come you will be left with no ice from the end of May till the middle July?
IP: The thing is - our ice in Darnitsa, where we skate, will undergo renovations and there will be no ice.
MS: I.e. there is no other ice during the renovations?
IP: Right.
MS: Have you considered moving to a different city?
IP: It's complicated. At the end of the day it's all about the money. For instance, there is an ice in Boguslavl. Perhaps we, the team, will be allowed to skate there, perhaps not - it all costs money. Besides it would be nice to participate a training camp.
MS: Does the skating federation support you?
IP: They used to. Now the situation is such that the previous management left a huge debt - about 400K hryven. The current management have to return the debt and till they do - all the federation's accounts are frozen. They can't support the athletes.
MS: Igor Zhdanov, the sports minister said he would figure it out, did any information get to you?
IP: I haven't heard a thing yet.
MS: Have you contacted the ministry about it?
IP: The ministry always supported us. The flights, the competitions - they always payed for that. But they can't pay for everything, right? Of course we were in touch, spoke and thought how to work it out, but there is nothing certain for now.
MS: How did you come up with a gofundme idea at the first placE?
IP: I saw it's quite popular abroad: in the USA and Europe. Many skaters used it, so I thought - why not give it a try.
MS: How did your coach take the idea?
IP: It was ok.
MS: If you fly abroad - does the coach come with you?
IP: No, I go alone. It's quite common in figure skating - while you are taking lessons and consulting with the other coaches and gaining the experience. The more specialists work with you - the better.
MS: Do you have some international camps in mind?
IP: Yes, I plan going to Latvia in June to a Rukavitsin training camp with his skaters. Perhaps some other camp, am checking out now and see what will work out.
MS: The main goal for the gofundme is the Olympics. But first you have to get a spot in the German Oberstdorf. Is it certain you will be going, or can it be Yaroslav Panyot?
IP: I don't know, but guess there will be a deciding competition.
MS: Just between you two?
IP: I think so.
MS: Will you have new programmes this season?
IP: I changed my SP. I will probably keep my last year's LP.
MS: What is your new SP?
IP: To the music from the movie `Mr. & Mrs Smith'. A tango and another piece, also from the same movie.
MS: How are your quads going?
IP: I work on them. I just changed the boots and broke them, did the new programme. The last week I spent rehabilitating - a small rest as I was recovering from the season. Am now getting back in shape and do all the jumps. I touch the quads slightly, landing a lot of tripples to get ready for the quads. When I came back from the Worlds I attempted a 4Lz, it was quite allright.
MS: The most expensive jump?
IP: Right. I didn't fully rotate it, but I feel I have the potential and can work on it. I'll try my best and hope to show one of the quads in one of the competitions.
MS: What was it about you falling and breaking an arm before the worlds?
IP: Well, yeah, that happened. I fell in the practice from the quad. My 4T was quite decent, almost consistent, I was integrating it in the programme. But yes, unfortunally I fell from it and broke my left arm. They put a plaster and I was not allowed to jump it anymore so I won't fall again and make things even worse.
MS: You were practicing with the plasteR?
IP: Yes. It went from the arm to the elbow.
MS: I.e it didn't bother you too much.
IP: Yes, but I didn't risk the quad so I wouldn't break it even worse, hence I performed at the worlds without the quad.
MS: Whose quad is the textbook?
IP: Had to say. I like a lot of quads performed by the top skaters such as Hanyu, Fernandez, Chan. They have a technique that is not so different. They are so different, but the jumping technique is not so. I see how they do their quad and try to do the same.
MS: How high, do you reckon, one can be placed now in Euros and Worlds without the quads?
IP: Well, you've seen - even with the clean skate I didn't make it through the LP cut at the Worlds. Lets assume I would have made it so I would be 24th or 23rd. Frankly, it's hard to get anywhere without the quad. On the other hand there is Denis Vasiljevs, who doesn't have a quad yet placed quite high both at Euros (7th) and Worlds (14th). It's all about the 2nd mark, how high you are placed in the wolds standings. Of course my components are lower than Vasiljev's, for example. Perhaps am not skating much worse than he does, but his coach Lambiel adds a bit and he placed so high in the GP events, in the Junior worlds. It also influences the 2nd mark.
MS: So which, do you think, is better - a clean skate with no quads or a programme with the quads with some mistakes and even falls?
IP: Depends on a competition. The Junior GP events- why not give the quad a try? When you put the quad in the programme for the first time the odds you'll have a clean programme are low - it's hard to concentrate enough for all the elements, but it's something to go through. I.e. first you add the quad and land it, but the rest of hte jumps might escape you, or the other way around - the quad will not work. But you need to keep trying so one day you'll be able to land a quad and have a clean skate.
MS: What is your favourite jump?
IP: I don't know. Guess a lutz. It's the easiest for me. I'm most comfortable jumping a lutz.
MS: Your colleague and a competitor Yaroslav Panyot lives and trains in the USA. The same the ice dancers Nazarova/Nikitin. Have you considered moving?
IP: I thought about it. It's easy to say, of course I would move if I could, but then again - it's all about the money. Yaroslav's family adjusted to him and they all moved to the USA. If am not mistaken, his mom married an American who sponsors Yaroslav. As for Maks Nikitin - their team has a sponsor, i.e. they are funded and they can afford skating there. Since am not sponsored by anyone I can't afford a move. But if there is such an opportunity - I will give it a try, why not.
MS: Do you think the skating develops in Ukraine or stagnates?
IP: Hard to say. Judging by the conditions we have - it's the same as 5 years ago and there is no progress. Perhaps someone wants to change things and get some funding, but there is no progress - there are no rinks. We all share the same ice in Darniza - together with the short track and the hockey. We only get 10 ice hours a week, which is not enough. And we share the ice when we are there. It's hard to skate when the kids are on the ice at the same time - they don't see you and can't react right. When I attempt a quad there is always someone on my way and I have to be careful not to injure anyone. It's hard. The ice quality is not the best either. We begged the zamboni guys to at least use a warm water so it would be more even, but still the ice is not good, it's too soft. Now when it's warm outside no one measures the ice temperature and there are lots of puddles. When I practice a quad I fall near the borders, where it's all wet. Some `fun'.
MS: Do you see a lot of kids starting figure skating?
IP: I train together with the 13y.o. kids. I think there are quite a few of them, but at any rate they drop out, because figure skating is a hard sport, you have to work hard and there are not a lot of opportunities. Besides, it's expensive for the parents.
MS: When you first started skating was figure skating more popular?
IP: I started skating on the rinks with lots of kids. There are rinks with the kids now as well, but there used to be more rinks. There was a Sokol, I started skating in Atek, was `Ldinka' in Darnitsa, the Republic stadium. Now there are only 2 rinks left on Darnitsa - one for the little kids and one where we all skate. So I guess there are less skaters now.
MS: What is the mood in the Ukranian team? Do you support each other, comment on each other skates?
IP: Of course we do. We are not practicing on the same rink - only Ivan Shmuratko and I share the ice. The others come from different towns. But we are all friendly, we all talk to each other. We always support each other in the competitions.
MS: Are you in touch with the foreign skaters?
IP: With some. Mainly the European skaters: from Russia, France, Czech republic etc. We are all friendly and support.
MS: Who do you look up to out of the contemporary skaters?
IP: I always liked Patrick Chan - since the times he was winning the Worlds. He was one of the first skaters to combine a cool skating with the quads, and I've been his fan since. I think he is at the end of his career now, but he can surprise at the Olympics. I support him.
MS: Who was your childhood idol?
IP: Childhood? You know, when I was little I was not really following the figure skating, guess I only knew Yagudin and Pluschenko.
MS: And Ukranian?
IP: I guess Petrenko.
To support Ivan and help him follow his Olympic dream - please follow his gofundme page link.
First of all: here is the link to his gofundme page.
The 18y.e. skater Ivan Pavlov is a 2 times Ukranian champion, represents our country in the international competitions and recently followed the example of the foreign skaters and started his gofunme page.
It was not something done by choice. Ivan Pavlov talks why the Ukranian skaters need an additional funding and what is the situation with the Ukranian figure skating
MS: Tell me, how come you will be left with no ice from the end of May till the middle July?
IP: The thing is - our ice in Darnitsa, where we skate, will undergo renovations and there will be no ice.
MS: I.e. there is no other ice during the renovations?
IP: Right.
MS: Have you considered moving to a different city?
IP: It's complicated. At the end of the day it's all about the money. For instance, there is an ice in Boguslavl. Perhaps we, the team, will be allowed to skate there, perhaps not - it all costs money. Besides it would be nice to participate a training camp.
MS: Does the skating federation support you?
IP: They used to. Now the situation is such that the previous management left a huge debt - about 400K hryven. The current management have to return the debt and till they do - all the federation's accounts are frozen. They can't support the athletes.
MS: Igor Zhdanov, the sports minister said he would figure it out, did any information get to you?
IP: I haven't heard a thing yet.
MS: Have you contacted the ministry about it?
IP: The ministry always supported us. The flights, the competitions - they always payed for that. But they can't pay for everything, right? Of course we were in touch, spoke and thought how to work it out, but there is nothing certain for now.
MS: How did you come up with a gofundme idea at the first placE?
IP: I saw it's quite popular abroad: in the USA and Europe. Many skaters used it, so I thought - why not give it a try.
MS: How did your coach take the idea?
IP: It was ok.
MS: If you fly abroad - does the coach come with you?
IP: No, I go alone. It's quite common in figure skating - while you are taking lessons and consulting with the other coaches and gaining the experience. The more specialists work with you - the better.
MS: Do you have some international camps in mind?
IP: Yes, I plan going to Latvia in June to a Rukavitsin training camp with his skaters. Perhaps some other camp, am checking out now and see what will work out.
MS: The main goal for the gofundme is the Olympics. But first you have to get a spot in the German Oberstdorf. Is it certain you will be going, or can it be Yaroslav Panyot?
IP: I don't know, but guess there will be a deciding competition.
MS: Just between you two?
IP: I think so.
MS: Will you have new programmes this season?
IP: I changed my SP. I will probably keep my last year's LP.
MS: What is your new SP?
IP: To the music from the movie `Mr. & Mrs Smith'. A tango and another piece, also from the same movie.
MS: How are your quads going?
IP: I work on them. I just changed the boots and broke them, did the new programme. The last week I spent rehabilitating - a small rest as I was recovering from the season. Am now getting back in shape and do all the jumps. I touch the quads slightly, landing a lot of tripples to get ready for the quads. When I came back from the Worlds I attempted a 4Lz, it was quite allright.
MS: The most expensive jump?
IP: Right. I didn't fully rotate it, but I feel I have the potential and can work on it. I'll try my best and hope to show one of the quads in one of the competitions.
MS: What was it about you falling and breaking an arm before the worlds?
IP: Well, yeah, that happened. I fell in the practice from the quad. My 4T was quite decent, almost consistent, I was integrating it in the programme. But yes, unfortunally I fell from it and broke my left arm. They put a plaster and I was not allowed to jump it anymore so I won't fall again and make things even worse.
MS: You were practicing with the plasteR?
IP: Yes. It went from the arm to the elbow.
MS: I.e it didn't bother you too much.
IP: Yes, but I didn't risk the quad so I wouldn't break it even worse, hence I performed at the worlds without the quad.
MS: Whose quad is the textbook?
IP: Had to say. I like a lot of quads performed by the top skaters such as Hanyu, Fernandez, Chan. They have a technique that is not so different. They are so different, but the jumping technique is not so. I see how they do their quad and try to do the same.
MS: How high, do you reckon, one can be placed now in Euros and Worlds without the quads?
IP: Well, you've seen - even with the clean skate I didn't make it through the LP cut at the Worlds. Lets assume I would have made it so I would be 24th or 23rd. Frankly, it's hard to get anywhere without the quad. On the other hand there is Denis Vasiljevs, who doesn't have a quad yet placed quite high both at Euros (7th) and Worlds (14th). It's all about the 2nd mark, how high you are placed in the wolds standings. Of course my components are lower than Vasiljev's, for example. Perhaps am not skating much worse than he does, but his coach Lambiel adds a bit and he placed so high in the GP events, in the Junior worlds. It also influences the 2nd mark.
MS: So which, do you think, is better - a clean skate with no quads or a programme with the quads with some mistakes and even falls?
IP: Depends on a competition. The Junior GP events- why not give the quad a try? When you put the quad in the programme for the first time the odds you'll have a clean programme are low - it's hard to concentrate enough for all the elements, but it's something to go through. I.e. first you add the quad and land it, but the rest of hte jumps might escape you, or the other way around - the quad will not work. But you need to keep trying so one day you'll be able to land a quad and have a clean skate.
MS: What is your favourite jump?
IP: I don't know. Guess a lutz. It's the easiest for me. I'm most comfortable jumping a lutz.
MS: Your colleague and a competitor Yaroslav Panyot lives and trains in the USA. The same the ice dancers Nazarova/Nikitin. Have you considered moving?
IP: I thought about it. It's easy to say, of course I would move if I could, but then again - it's all about the money. Yaroslav's family adjusted to him and they all moved to the USA. If am not mistaken, his mom married an American who sponsors Yaroslav. As for Maks Nikitin - their team has a sponsor, i.e. they are funded and they can afford skating there. Since am not sponsored by anyone I can't afford a move. But if there is such an opportunity - I will give it a try, why not.
MS: Do you think the skating develops in Ukraine or stagnates?
IP: Hard to say. Judging by the conditions we have - it's the same as 5 years ago and there is no progress. Perhaps someone wants to change things and get some funding, but there is no progress - there are no rinks. We all share the same ice in Darniza - together with the short track and the hockey. We only get 10 ice hours a week, which is not enough. And we share the ice when we are there. It's hard to skate when the kids are on the ice at the same time - they don't see you and can't react right. When I attempt a quad there is always someone on my way and I have to be careful not to injure anyone. It's hard. The ice quality is not the best either. We begged the zamboni guys to at least use a warm water so it would be more even, but still the ice is not good, it's too soft. Now when it's warm outside no one measures the ice temperature and there are lots of puddles. When I practice a quad I fall near the borders, where it's all wet. Some `fun'.
MS: Do you see a lot of kids starting figure skating?
IP: I train together with the 13y.o. kids. I think there are quite a few of them, but at any rate they drop out, because figure skating is a hard sport, you have to work hard and there are not a lot of opportunities. Besides, it's expensive for the parents.
MS: When you first started skating was figure skating more popular?
IP: I started skating on the rinks with lots of kids. There are rinks with the kids now as well, but there used to be more rinks. There was a Sokol, I started skating in Atek, was `Ldinka' in Darnitsa, the Republic stadium. Now there are only 2 rinks left on Darnitsa - one for the little kids and one where we all skate. So I guess there are less skaters now.
MS: What is the mood in the Ukranian team? Do you support each other, comment on each other skates?
IP: Of course we do. We are not practicing on the same rink - only Ivan Shmuratko and I share the ice. The others come from different towns. But we are all friendly, we all talk to each other. We always support each other in the competitions.
MS: Are you in touch with the foreign skaters?
IP: With some. Mainly the European skaters: from Russia, France, Czech republic etc. We are all friendly and support.
MS: Who do you look up to out of the contemporary skaters?
IP: I always liked Patrick Chan - since the times he was winning the Worlds. He was one of the first skaters to combine a cool skating with the quads, and I've been his fan since. I think he is at the end of his career now, but he can surprise at the Olympics. I support him.
MS: Who was your childhood idol?
IP: Childhood? You know, when I was little I was not really following the figure skating, guess I only knew Yagudin and Pluschenko.
MS: And Ukranian?
IP: I guess Petrenko.
To support Ivan and help him follow his Olympic dream - please follow his gofundme page link.
