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Elena Vaytsekhovskaya's interview with Elena Radionova `Am being judged for switching coaches? I saw that coming' for sport-express.ru
A year ago her coach Inna Goncharenko, when came back from the Worlds in Boston said about her `She is amazing. When she skates I simply enjoy watching her. I can't believe how well she turned out. I love it that she is smart, gorgeous and all grown up. And so fair. Almost royal.
Radionova became just 6th on that championship. Except for the winner - Medvedeva, the only European skater ahead of her was Anna Pogorilaya, who Radionova beat for 2 years in a row at the Europeans. But still - 6th place is quite painful for a skater as ambitions as Radionova. The next season the skater didn't even make it to the team. Once the season was over she voiced her decision: she would switch coaches. She walks away to change her life.
EV: How is it to rise so high in 2015 and be thrown out of your routine a year after?
ER: Almost every skater goes through some lows. So I was not thrown out. Guess it was just a possibility to think and reconsider some things. To understand what did I do wrong.
EV: Everyone is used for your being able to compete, you are always on the top of every situation even if you have to skate through your teeth. What have changed? When the feeling things went wrong came?
ER: I guess from the very beginning of the season. There were injuries, then I was ill and I was not ready by the test skates. I was expecting to get into the shape through the season but I didn't. I understood it's not the preparation I needed and I was lacking the usual contact with the coach. Each of these things separately was not a big deal, but combined they lead to that.
EV: Sergey Voronov and then Maksim Kovtun joining the group and your coach having to divide her attention - how much did that influence?
ER: I had a great sparring with Maksim and Sergey. I always focused on myself, so the guys were only motivating me.
EV: Every sparring has the other side; for many years you were your coach's only skater and all off the sudden you were just one of the skaters, probably not even the main one. Guess it wasn't pleasant to realize?
ER: I was helped so much by Tatiana Tarasova at that time. So I didn't feel left out.
EV: Did she advice you to change coaches?
ER: No, it was my own idea.
EV: Did the thought you might not make it to the team cross your mind during the Russian nationals in December?
ER: I wasn't even thinking of the placement, I was only focusing on skating both my programmes clean. Mentally I was ready. In general I only made one mistake - a touchdown landing the 3loop. I.e. it was not a terrible failure, but I became 5th. Perhaps someone else would be really upset. I convinced myself that I just need to keep going. Yes, I lost. It happens. It's the sports.
EV: Was it hard not to give up knowing you are not going to the Europeans nor the Worlds?
ER: Of course. We all want to win and every defeat is hard. I made myself think of the University games, that I have to skate well there thus get a chance to participate the WTT. I got that chance. Hence I can't say I lost the Russian nationals and the season was over. Even the opposite - the defeat made me more focused. There were the upsides in that situation. The time I had I could analyze what happened and what do I need to overcome and work on the mistakes I made.
EV: It was your fault those mistakes? Or it was just circumstances?
ER: Of course there was my fault.
EV: What?
ER: Am not willing to discuss it now. It's enough that I know the reasons and how work on them.
EV: Bourne choreographed your last year's great SP after which everyone started saying she is 100% your choreographer. Is it the reason you went to her again?
ER: I loved the programme, how it was received hence I decided the next season I'll work at least on one programme with Shae-Lynn
EV: I.e. you were not planning keeping the SP for another season?
ER: It's not that I was planning but I really wanted to keep it. When I started working with Buyanova she suddenly said she would love to keep the programme for another season, so we agreed. The idea choreographing the new LP with Shae-Lynn as well. I love her style and when we work on the ice we understand each other.
EV: What do you like the most about working with Bourne?
ER: Shae Lynn has her own skating style, it's very NA. It's different from ours. There are so many small details which you have to perform with your legs and the Canadians always make sure every move would be integrated into the music.
EV: Is it hard?
ER: You bet. The programme starts shining when the accents are right into the music. For that you need to be able to hear the music, the rhythm and all that be on an autopilot. Another thing I love about working with Shae Lynn is that all of her programmes are so different. She always comes up with something new. If following works of the choreographers you can find the same steps and templates that go from one programme to the other. Shae Lynn, on the other hand is coming up with the new things. Different from anyone else.
EV: Tarasova once said it's allright when the programmes keep the same elements layout, almost all the skaters do it.
ER: It's not interesting. Look at Ashley Wagner - her programmes are so different and besides, I think figure skating is mostly about the gliding, the emotions expressions. Of course the jumps are important,and yet the audience are coming, first of all, to see us skating.
EV: You came to a new coach and into a new system. How do you feel about it.
ER: Frankly, sometimes it's hard. The schedule is not that different, but there is much working on the gliding and the programmes. I learn to skate focusing on every move. There is no more just skating from one jump into the next.
EV: And there was previously?
ER: More like I was focusing on the jumps only. Now the entrance takes much more time and effort than the jump. It's such a hard work on every move, every step.
EV: Probably it would be easier if you didn't yet have the titles.
ER: What do you mean?
EV: That for someone experienced and with the titles it's harder to admit they don't know or can't show something.
ER: The other way around. I came here to learn, so I listen to every word. There are many specialists who work with me and I learn from each of them. It's great!
EV: Were you relatives trying to talk you out from switching coaches?
ER: No
EV: Surely you discussed it with someone?
ER: My parents knew I had that idea in mind. My mom and I are very close , she was always a big part in my life and she knew about my problems and hesitations. Hence when I said home that I made a decision my relatives accepted it. You see, its still a painful topic to discuss. I am so grateful to Nina Germanovna for all she had done for me but sometimes you just hit a dead end. There is no more understanding that you used to have, something is not working anymore, the work is no longer satisfying, there is no happiness and all that used to feel so right in your life suddenly falls apart. I realized how much I owe my coach, how much knowledge, love and soul she invested in me and for how long. But that feeling of a dead end overtook.
EV: Did you mind what will be said about your switch?
ER: In figure skating you understand quite early there are people who just love you and those who you annoy. Of course I knew people would judge me and was ready. After all everyone is entitled to have an opinion.
EV: You already adjusted to the previous men only sparring. How comfortable are you with the female? I mean Maria Sotskova who trains with you on the same ice.
ER: We hardly ever spend time together on the ice. So far so good.
EV: Does Masha annoy you?
ER: Not at all. I simply don't have time to look around. There is so much information to digest. As if I needed now fighting for the coach's attention. I have a plan what I need to do and that's the most important.
EV: Do you have a plan to make the programme more complicated?
ER: Let's say there are things to discuss with the coach. For now it's just about some small correction. The current complication is enough for me.
EV: The words `Olympic Season' mean something special for you?
ER: Frankly, no. I don't want to think of that in advance. I have to work. Then we'll see.
EV: If you had a chance to choose your GP events which would you pick?
ER: Russia and China - just what I got. I skated in Chinese GP for the last 2 seasons, am loved there, I got my first Wold medal in China and I love skating there. And home is home. I love skating for the Russian audience. The timing is also great: CoR is the 1st, China is 3rd and if things should work out well I'll have enough time to get ready for the next competitions.
EV: When I saw the roster and that you are competing in the first competition with the World champion Evgenia Medvedeva I recalled the 2015,where you were competing with Tuktamysheva. You made no mistakes in the GPF and the Euros but both times were behind her, losing by a margin - at Euros - just 0.86. How did you feel back then?
ER: Of course I was so upset. But it was a little girl who really wanted to win and lost. I now see things differently. It was my first senior season, first Europeans and Worlds and I think I did just fine for the first timer. Yeah, guess I could had won the Euros and get the title, but what's the point talking about it now? Guess things had to come that way.
EV: Do you ever get tired of figure skating?
ER: No. I love skating, it's my life, how can you get tired of life? Besides, I have other things. Studies, for example. Am studying externally.
EV: It's very demanding and requires an inner discipline.
ER: No problem with that. When I know that's what I have to do I do it. It was the same in the school. I was studying between the practices, had private teachers in the evenings and was working on the school subjects and English. It was hard, but I passed my exams without any problems. I knew I'm the one who needs it.
EV: When working with Bourne were you speaking English?
ER: Yes. First I was quite stiff but then I got more comfortable and started talking. I understood I needed the practice no matter what I do. And then things probably will work
A year ago her coach Inna Goncharenko, when came back from the Worlds in Boston said about her `She is amazing. When she skates I simply enjoy watching her. I can't believe how well she turned out. I love it that she is smart, gorgeous and all grown up. And so fair. Almost royal.
Radionova became just 6th on that championship. Except for the winner - Medvedeva, the only European skater ahead of her was Anna Pogorilaya, who Radionova beat for 2 years in a row at the Europeans. But still - 6th place is quite painful for a skater as ambitions as Radionova. The next season the skater didn't even make it to the team. Once the season was over she voiced her decision: she would switch coaches. She walks away to change her life.
EV: How is it to rise so high in 2015 and be thrown out of your routine a year after?
ER: Almost every skater goes through some lows. So I was not thrown out. Guess it was just a possibility to think and reconsider some things. To understand what did I do wrong.
EV: Everyone is used for your being able to compete, you are always on the top of every situation even if you have to skate through your teeth. What have changed? When the feeling things went wrong came?
ER: I guess from the very beginning of the season. There were injuries, then I was ill and I was not ready by the test skates. I was expecting to get into the shape through the season but I didn't. I understood it's not the preparation I needed and I was lacking the usual contact with the coach. Each of these things separately was not a big deal, but combined they lead to that.
EV: Sergey Voronov and then Maksim Kovtun joining the group and your coach having to divide her attention - how much did that influence?
ER: I had a great sparring with Maksim and Sergey. I always focused on myself, so the guys were only motivating me.
EV: Every sparring has the other side; for many years you were your coach's only skater and all off the sudden you were just one of the skaters, probably not even the main one. Guess it wasn't pleasant to realize?
ER: I was helped so much by Tatiana Tarasova at that time. So I didn't feel left out.
EV: Did she advice you to change coaches?
ER: No, it was my own idea.
EV: Did the thought you might not make it to the team cross your mind during the Russian nationals in December?
ER: I wasn't even thinking of the placement, I was only focusing on skating both my programmes clean. Mentally I was ready. In general I only made one mistake - a touchdown landing the 3loop. I.e. it was not a terrible failure, but I became 5th. Perhaps someone else would be really upset. I convinced myself that I just need to keep going. Yes, I lost. It happens. It's the sports.
EV: Was it hard not to give up knowing you are not going to the Europeans nor the Worlds?
ER: Of course. We all want to win and every defeat is hard. I made myself think of the University games, that I have to skate well there thus get a chance to participate the WTT. I got that chance. Hence I can't say I lost the Russian nationals and the season was over. Even the opposite - the defeat made me more focused. There were the upsides in that situation. The time I had I could analyze what happened and what do I need to overcome and work on the mistakes I made.
EV: It was your fault those mistakes? Or it was just circumstances?
ER: Of course there was my fault.
EV: What?
ER: Am not willing to discuss it now. It's enough that I know the reasons and how work on them.
EV: Bourne choreographed your last year's great SP after which everyone started saying she is 100% your choreographer. Is it the reason you went to her again?
ER: I loved the programme, how it was received hence I decided the next season I'll work at least on one programme with Shae-Lynn
EV: I.e. you were not planning keeping the SP for another season?
ER: It's not that I was planning but I really wanted to keep it. When I started working with Buyanova she suddenly said she would love to keep the programme for another season, so we agreed. The idea choreographing the new LP with Shae-Lynn as well. I love her style and when we work on the ice we understand each other.
EV: What do you like the most about working with Bourne?
ER: Shae Lynn has her own skating style, it's very NA. It's different from ours. There are so many small details which you have to perform with your legs and the Canadians always make sure every move would be integrated into the music.
EV: Is it hard?
ER: You bet. The programme starts shining when the accents are right into the music. For that you need to be able to hear the music, the rhythm and all that be on an autopilot. Another thing I love about working with Shae Lynn is that all of her programmes are so different. She always comes up with something new. If following works of the choreographers you can find the same steps and templates that go from one programme to the other. Shae Lynn, on the other hand is coming up with the new things. Different from anyone else.
EV: Tarasova once said it's allright when the programmes keep the same elements layout, almost all the skaters do it.
ER: It's not interesting. Look at Ashley Wagner - her programmes are so different and besides, I think figure skating is mostly about the gliding, the emotions expressions. Of course the jumps are important,and yet the audience are coming, first of all, to see us skating.
EV: You came to a new coach and into a new system. How do you feel about it.
ER: Frankly, sometimes it's hard. The schedule is not that different, but there is much working on the gliding and the programmes. I learn to skate focusing on every move. There is no more just skating from one jump into the next.
EV: And there was previously?
ER: More like I was focusing on the jumps only. Now the entrance takes much more time and effort than the jump. It's such a hard work on every move, every step.
EV: Probably it would be easier if you didn't yet have the titles.
ER: What do you mean?
EV: That for someone experienced and with the titles it's harder to admit they don't know or can't show something.
ER: The other way around. I came here to learn, so I listen to every word. There are many specialists who work with me and I learn from each of them. It's great!
EV: Were you relatives trying to talk you out from switching coaches?
ER: No
EV: Surely you discussed it with someone?
ER: My parents knew I had that idea in mind. My mom and I are very close , she was always a big part in my life and she knew about my problems and hesitations. Hence when I said home that I made a decision my relatives accepted it. You see, its still a painful topic to discuss. I am so grateful to Nina Germanovna for all she had done for me but sometimes you just hit a dead end. There is no more understanding that you used to have, something is not working anymore, the work is no longer satisfying, there is no happiness and all that used to feel so right in your life suddenly falls apart. I realized how much I owe my coach, how much knowledge, love and soul she invested in me and for how long. But that feeling of a dead end overtook.
EV: Did you mind what will be said about your switch?
ER: In figure skating you understand quite early there are people who just love you and those who you annoy. Of course I knew people would judge me and was ready. After all everyone is entitled to have an opinion.
EV: You already adjusted to the previous men only sparring. How comfortable are you with the female? I mean Maria Sotskova who trains with you on the same ice.
ER: We hardly ever spend time together on the ice. So far so good.
EV: Does Masha annoy you?
ER: Not at all. I simply don't have time to look around. There is so much information to digest. As if I needed now fighting for the coach's attention. I have a plan what I need to do and that's the most important.
EV: Do you have a plan to make the programme more complicated?
ER: Let's say there are things to discuss with the coach. For now it's just about some small correction. The current complication is enough for me.
EV: The words `Olympic Season' mean something special for you?
ER: Frankly, no. I don't want to think of that in advance. I have to work. Then we'll see.
EV: If you had a chance to choose your GP events which would you pick?
ER: Russia and China - just what I got. I skated in Chinese GP for the last 2 seasons, am loved there, I got my first Wold medal in China and I love skating there. And home is home. I love skating for the Russian audience. The timing is also great: CoR is the 1st, China is 3rd and if things should work out well I'll have enough time to get ready for the next competitions.
EV: When I saw the roster and that you are competing in the first competition with the World champion Evgenia Medvedeva I recalled the 2015,where you were competing with Tuktamysheva. You made no mistakes in the GPF and the Euros but both times were behind her, losing by a margin - at Euros - just 0.86. How did you feel back then?
ER: Of course I was so upset. But it was a little girl who really wanted to win and lost. I now see things differently. It was my first senior season, first Europeans and Worlds and I think I did just fine for the first timer. Yeah, guess I could had won the Euros and get the title, but what's the point talking about it now? Guess things had to come that way.
EV: Do you ever get tired of figure skating?
ER: No. I love skating, it's my life, how can you get tired of life? Besides, I have other things. Studies, for example. Am studying externally.
EV: It's very demanding and requires an inner discipline.
ER: No problem with that. When I know that's what I have to do I do it. It was the same in the school. I was studying between the practices, had private teachers in the evenings and was working on the school subjects and English. It was hard, but I passed my exams without any problems. I knew I'm the one who needs it.
EV: When working with Bourne were you speaking English?
ER: Yes. First I was quite stiff but then I got more comfortable and started talking. I understood I needed the practice no matter what I do. And then things probably will work
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. . . It would still be funny if Google Translate said something stilted like "I was in the process of decapitating these people with my teeth, then my attention transferred elsewhere." . . . 
I really enjoyed the interview. She's grown up so much and it was nice seeing her compliment Shae-Lynn/Ashley and explain the process. Bonus points, suddenly I'm rather taken with her. I hope we see a new upgraded Radio (with surround sound, turnt up) this year. 
possessed-arms aside she's a very cool competitor!
