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Post by xavier on Aug 1, 2007 20:31:12 GMT 1
Renee, really thanks for take time and translate this interviews, all of them are very good, I also want to see now their OD. Now I'm studding Russian and I understand some words or ideas, but with your help is better.
Thank you too much. ;D
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Post by Renee V on Aug 3, 2007 12:56:33 GMT 1
I'm now working on a translation of the interview of Oksana and Roman, but it takes a long time because I can't use the online translator for this and I have to look up nearly every word in the dictionary!
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lexie
Big Domshab Fan
Posts: 169
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Post by lexie on Aug 9, 2007 14:52:57 GMT 1
I'm now working on a translation of the interview of Oksana and Roman, but it takes a long time because I can't use the online translator for this and I have to look up nearly every word in the dictionary! Cool! Thanks!
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Post by Renee V on Aug 16, 2007 15:12:12 GMT 1
sportcom.ru/sport/figurkat/news46c44721.htmOksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin have presented new programs As it became known to "Ñïîðòêîì", the Russian dancing duet Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin in this season ïðåäñòàíåò in new role. For original dance wards of trainer Alexey Gorshkova have made the program on cossack motives, having chosen for this purpose the music " Lads, unsaddle you horses". For the Free dance Domnina and Shabalin have chosen music from Katachurian's "Masquerade". According to the trainer of figure skaters Alexey Gorshkov and choreographer Sergey Petuhov, the program has turned out surprising, and - it will allow the figure skaters to show the passion of the characters.
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Post by Renee V on Oct 6, 2008 18:46:45 GMT 1
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Post by Renee V on Oct 7, 2008 15:20:02 GMT 1
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Post by Renee V on Oct 11, 2008 10:14:09 GMT 1
www.rg.ru/2008/10/10/figur.htmlI gritted my teeth and go onEuropean Champions in Ice Dance Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin now train in the USA Oksana Domnina answered RG's questions, and, as always, she is sensible and she is very frank. The Russian newspaper: Oksana why have you and Maxim left your favourite Odintsovo situated near Moscow and gone to train to America? What has the reason behind this decision? Oksana Domnina: We have left somewhere on July, 25th. And what was the reason? It is an interesting theme, but neither I, nor Maxim are ready to show all cards yet. We will say it this way: there was for us such necessity. RG: Necessity sports? OD: Yes. RG: And why you have chosen as trainers Natalia Linichuk and Gennady Karponosova, who have been living and training pupils in the USA for a long time? Knew them as good instructors and Olympic champions? OD: In dances on ice for us there are not so many class trainers. Well, of course, we knew them, and basically for a long time. Now gradually we find a common language with Natalia Vladimirovnoj and Gennady Mihajlovichem. Before eight years we trained with Alexey Gorshkov, he became too familiar a person for me. Now there is a normal acquaintance with new people and the trainer's methods new to us. RG: How do you get along with the instructors of the house? OD: Between us, we will tell so, we have normal labour relations. RG: And how did you communicate with Gorshkov? OD: Well, similarly... Rather. RG: And where do you live? How do you train? OD: W live in the State of Pennsylvania, in a place called Glenmills, and we go for a drive from a small suburb - literally 20 minutes on the car, before you get to the skating rink. We rent apartments. One room for Maxim and one for me. The conditions are good enough. RG: How do you get along without mum's pies? And where do you eat? Prepare it for yourself? Or it is impossible at such a place, how is it at your place? OD: I'm doing without mum's tasty things for eighth years. I prepare it myself whenever I call in somewhere: here at every turn is a place to have a bite. We have dinner sometimes in a cafe on the skating rink. We hold weight, we try. RG: And how does your partner cope with such everyday problems? OD: Maxim takes it the same way as I do. Grit your teeth and go on. RG: That means, all the same that there is a necessity to grit teeth? OD: Cardinally and sharply to change all in your life it is heavy. But it was necessary. Here everything is absolutely different - people, dialogue rules. RG: And how many hours a day you train? And when? OD: What time is it now in Moscow? RG: 23.30 pm. OD: And for us the first training only has ended. We train twice a day. Two hours on ice, a break between trainings - two hours. And again two hours on ice. A little bit in another way, than we were used to earlier. Because here we have individual lessons where the trainer is engaged only with one pair. And these individual employments last either 40 minutes, or 1 hour of 20 minutes. Depends on how the trainer establishes the schedule. RG: And who is engaged with you - Karponosov or Linichuk? OD: They alternate. In the morning we train with Natalia Vladimirovnoj, and in the evening - with Gennady Mihajlovichem. RG: If I am not mistaken, then you train with, probably, the main contenders - Americans of Tanit Belbin and Benzhamin Agosto? OD: you are not mistaken. And if we are with Karponosov, they are with Linichuk, and on the contrary. RG: And you with Americans are somehow crossed? OD: Where? RG: On ice, in life... OD: Well of course, we train at the same time. RG: And it does not unsettle you? OD: How to tell... Sometimes happens. But when we are with Natalia Vladimirovnoj, they are with Gennady Mihajlovichem. We are in the same business with the Americans, us and them. RG: And out of ice there are any relations? OD: Well, so. Maxim to Ben will sometimes talk in English. And basically is not present. RG: By the way, how at you with English? OD: In process. I try to speak. Here Maxim speaks, but hesitates. And I speak a little, but too I hesitate. Occasionally I go to the cinema - should help. It would be desirable to communicate a little bit to tighten it up. It would be necessary all the same to learn on courses. But where to find time for this? RG: I know, you are a very affable person. With whom here do you communicate? OD: In this small town with anybody. Yes, here it is dullish. In Moscow there was a life both out of ice, and on ice. And in the States, I for myself have resolved it, only long training gathering where there is only ice, the apartment, and all. - Odintsovo was like a home. The people there were like a family. And here Maxim and me as I already spoke to you, have to grit our teeth, we try to make everything as advantageous as possible for us. Entertainments will have to wait. RG: Consider, if, we will tell so, this self-renunciation is worth it? Will it bring result and will it raise your level? OD: Now it is heavy to answer. When this season will end at least, it will be possible to tell: has it been worth it or not. Now we have thrown all: native, close, the favourite trainer - also have arrived here. Yes, it is very big offer. But there is a certain sports purpose to which we go. And that is gold medals, the highest places. If we achieve that, it means that the offer was not vain and also that cost. If will not be, that means it is not present. RG: Oksana, your favourite person remained in Moscow. Almost all know: he is the Olympic champion in dances on ice Roman Kostomarov. Exchange calls? OD: Naturally, without it to me it is hard. And how can it be different if I have lived together with the person for three years in one apartment and now we are broken off as it were. Rum comes, there were two times. RG: Well, give about purely sports. What new you have prepared? For Moscow your programs are a surprise. OD: Because we did not especially extend bout it. Only in September it became clear what we will do and what to roll. Because when we arrived here, for a month we were engaged exclusively in technics, sliding, compulsory dances and searches of music which lasted long. And for the Free dance we took music of "Spartakus", a love adagio. RG: Katchaturian always sounds powerfully. OD: powerfully. Adagios was used often for a pair figure skating, and in dances and I do not remember, when it sounded. RG: What will be original dance? OD: Original - Shostakovich's waltz, is called "Jazz suite", in my opinion, 1934. Because this year's rhythms are 20-40. And accordingly music should be written and executed in those years. We searched for very long and have come to a conclusion: I will be the young lady, Maxim - the hooligan, and the idea was thought up for us by Natalia Vladimirovna. RG: When we will see you in Russia? Only on the Cup of Russia in November or, maybe, before? OD: No, only in a cup of Russia. Necessarily we will meet. Translated with the help of online-translator.com
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Post by xavier on Oct 12, 2008 1:46:35 GMT 1
Thanks for the info, I listened to the music of their OD and I like it
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Post by maximaddict on Oct 12, 2008 14:51:43 GMT 1
Article from Golden Skate goldenskate.com/articles/2008/101208.shtmlFresh start for Domnina and Shabalin Oksana Domnina and Maxim ShabalinOctober 12, 2008 Article by Tatiana Flade Photo © Barry Mittan Oksana Domnina and Maxim ShabalinRussia's Oksana Domnina, 24, and Maxim Shabalin, 26, perform to Waltz Masquerade at the 2008 European Figure Skating Championships. Russia's Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin are the most unknown factor in the world of ice dancing for this season. How has Shabalin recovered from his knee injury that kept the couple out of the 2008 World Championships? What effect will their rather unexpected change of coaches and their move from Alexei Gorshkov in Russia to Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karpanossov in the U.S. have? The Russians are even training with their close rivals Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto on the same ice with the same coaches. Now the European Champions are looking for a fresh start after Shabalin's injury and change of coaches. Although last season brought the team their best results thus far, they paid a high price for their success. Shabalin was already suffering from a meniscus injury from the spring of 2007 and had underwent surgery on his right knee. He then came down with appendicitis and had another surgery later in September. Nevertheless, the Russians worked hard to be ready for the Grand Prix, easily qualifying for the Final and winning the event. Shabalin, however, began to have problems with his other knee and needed surgery again in December. He managed to come back for Europeans, and although he was in pain and limped off the ice, the couple bested France's Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder to win their first European title. Perhaps Shabalin had risked too much. Although Shabalin went into special therapy for his knee right after Europeans, the problems continued. He was in constant pain and not able to fully train. Finally, the European Champions and top contenders for the World Championships had to withdraw a few days before Worlds kicked off in Gothenburg, Sweden. News on the couple were sparse in the weeks after Worlds. At the end of April, Shabalin went into rehab in a hospital in Munich, Germany for about five weeks. His partner was left to train on her own in Odintsovo near Moscow. The couple had been training there ever since their longtime coach Alexei Gorshkov teamed them up in spring 2002. Shabalin finally returned from Germany in June, and the European Champions were expected to resume practice and build up their new programs with Gorshkov and choreographer Sergei Petukhov. Suddenly, however, they announced a change of coaches and went to Linichuk and Karpanossov. What happened? "We took our final decision on June 12 when Maxim had come back from Germany," revealed Domnina. "But actually the question started to come up in the middle of May. Why? It's very hard to answer this question, because there were a lot of things happening. It had to be, and it's probably the best for us. Time will show." Currently the team's goals are to compete at the 2010 Olympic Games. "We are striving for that as we overcome many difficulties," admitted Domnina. "It was very hard for us to take this decision. We had to leave behind everything – our families, friends, our dear coach who was like a second father to me. We had to leave behind Odintsovo and the ice rink which was, and I hope always will be, our home. We had to leave behind everyone who supported us so much, and that is not easy. I hope that all these sacrifices will pay off one day. We will know at the end of the season if our move was worth it or not." In the Russian figure skating circles, everybody including former coach Alexei Gorshkov is convinced that the Russian Figure Skating Federation under president Valentin Piseev more or less "ordered" Domnina and Shabalin to change coaches. Apparently the federation officials felt that the ice dancers needed new input and would have better chances at the Olympic Games under the tutelage of Linichuk and Karpanossov. They not only coached Oksana Grishuk and Evgeni Platov to Olympic Gold, but coached Anjelika Krylova and Oleg Ovsiannikov and Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Averbukh to World titles and Olympic silver medals. Whatever the exact reason behind the move, the Russians have been training in Aston, Penn., since June. "The work there is completely different!" Domnina pointed out. "It's a different technique, a different relationship, a different training mode. The first month we were just learning to skate again, like children who are in first grade and learning how to read. But while the children have ten years to go through school, we had only one month! And we had to forget that we went through the whole program before and had to get used to the new program. I can't even tell if I like it or not because it's a completely different understanding of figure skating. It's not better or worse. Everywhere there are plusses and minuses. The most important thing is the result." The move seemed also surprising as close rivals Belbin and Agosto had switched to Linichuk and Karpanossov in April. "When we came here, we knew that they were training here, therefore we saw the advantage of it and that's it!" Domnina stated. "Competition is stimulating the process of training. We don't have any problems with sharing the attention of the coaches because when we are working with Natalia (Linichuk), they are training with Gennadi (Karpanossov) and the other way around." The team not only had to get used to new coaches and different training methods, but also to transition into a completely different environment when they left Russia. "We don't really get used to the life in the USA," revealed Domnina. "I decided for myself that I'm in a training camp here. Russia is my home." The skaters are renting two apartments, a 15-minute drive from the ice rink. "The living conditions are good, but it's a little bit boring here," said Domnina. "It's 45 minutes to Philadelphia and two and a half hours to New York. On the weekends I sometimes go there because there is nothing else to do." Another question mark is Shabalin's health. He resumed training at the end of June when the couple moved to Aston. "The recovery is still going on," shared Domnina. "The first two months here, Maxim went everyday in between practices to see the doctor. Now he is going three times a week. It's getting better, but the recovery is happening slowly." Shabalin is treated by the same doctor who helped Evgeni Platov when he had problems with his knees. "I really hope that Maxim will recover completely, because you can't say that he will forget the pain," said Domnina. "Of course he is training and he is doing a great job." The Russians have two new programs – Dmitri Shostakovich's beautiful Waltz from the Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 1 from 1934 for the original dance, and a selection from Aram Khachaturian's Spartacus for the free dance. "We were searching a long time for the music, because you are always looking for something unique and unrepeated," Domnina explained. "Spartacus has been rarely used in ice dancing. Usually it's used in pairs skating." Domnina joked that since ice dancing is slowly being turned into pair skating, they decided to use what they felt was suitable music for this discipline of figure skating. The couple picked the Waltz for the original dance as they feel that most of the others are using rhythms like the Quickstep and Foxtrot. "I don't like these rhythms and we want to set ourselves apart, so we chose this music," she added. Currently Domnina and Shabalin are scheduled for the Grand Prix Cup of China and Cup of Russia in November and hope to be ready to attend them. "We are preparing for our competitions and we really want to go, but everything depends on Maxim and our preparations," Domnina said. It will be an interesting pre-Olympic season in ice dance with veterans and reigning World Champions Delobel and Schoenfelder staying in, shooting stars Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir hoping to continue their ascent, Belbin and Agosto looking to rebound from their disappointing fourth-place finish at Worlds, and Domnina and Shabalin ready to mix up everything when they return to competition. They will also have to watch out for their teammates Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski, who claimed the bronze at Worlds last year.
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Post by maximaddict on May 23, 2009 11:33:23 GMT 1
TV5 Reportage www.5-tv.ru/news/19781/Evgeni Plushenko is in the list of candidates for the Olympic national team of Russia. How serious is his return we'll see in the fall. The seriousness of Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin though, is not something to be questioned!
What is the best ice dancer in the world up to — Ekaterina Kulinicheva reporting Oksana Domnina: for me life in America is simply a long training camp. One year in the States has apparently not changed her at all. The same smile, energy and affability. And even her former look. After appearing in Los Angeles as a hot brunette, Oksana came back home with her usual hair colour. Oksana Domnina: about my change of look, I wanted something new for the ice and so I changed . But in real life I feel more comfortable with my old look. This comfortable look will last until the start of the new season. And then going back to the US and begin preparation for the Olympic programs will probably require new transformations. And the most difficult of all. Oksana Domnina: If it's required by the programs I can change make-up and look without problems. Of course, it is only speculation as, after all, she doesn't even have the music yet. Or a partner, for that matter! In fact Maxim is spending his vacation in Germany, under the care of his doctors. But even without him, Oksana comes regularly to the skating rink in Odintsovo. Oksana Domnina: It can be good to spend our holidays separately. But on the other hand it would be good if we could already be training. These past two years we had to skip two months of training because of health problems. It's hard to hear that in the middle of holiday, even from an athlete. But the big goal of the couple Domnina-Shabalin is still ahead of them. So one doesn't even dare to ask about the desire of lying down on a sofa, blissfully doing nothing. Approximate Translation made with the help of onlinetranslator.com
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Post by Renee V on Jan 20, 2010 23:06:45 GMT 1
www.universalsports.com/news/article/newsid=397174.html?__source=rss&cid='Dog'ged approvalMen's best friend approved music for Russian dancers Domnina, Shabalin Posted: Jan 20, 8:14a ET | Updated: Jan 20, 8:07a ET The Russian world champions, preparing for February's Vancouver Olympics by competing at the European championships in Tallinn this week, had Domnina's terrier Topi with them when they were choosing music that might take them to a gold medal. "Although there were lots of pieces of music, my dog for some reason only reacted to two melodies - as it happens to the ones that our coach suggested we use for the Olympic season," she said. Having built a good lead in Tuesday's compulsory dance - with music selected by the International Skating Union rather than the dog - the Russians will show their creative side in Thursday's original dance and Friday's free dance. The 25-year-old Oksana Domninaand her 27-year-old partner, who missed the grand prix season because Maksim Shabalinhad a knee injury, prompted plenty of Internet discussion with their eye-catching outfits at their national championships last month when they showcased their Aboriginal-themed original dance. Dressed in costumes designed to look like they are wearing just body paint with a few green leaves stuck on, they won those Russian championships albeit with a few technical glitches that they hope to have ironed out in Tallinn. "Of course it's a risky choice. But we chose it on purpose because we wanted to do something unusual, something new. We really like the result," said Shabalin. "After the Russian championships we consulted some specialists and made some changes which spectators will be able to see at the Europeans. Preparations are going according to plan, we plan to be in peak form for the Olympics in Vancouver. "Of course no one can be certain of getting a gold medal at a competition, we have a lot of strong opponents. But of course we will fight," added Domnina. Domnina said costumes were an important part of the overall performance in ice dance. "A successful costume helps the interpretation of the dance, both for the spectators as well as the judges," she said. "Apart from that you have to be comfortable in it ... and all the detailing needs to be firmly attached!"
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Post by maximaddict on Jun 15, 2010 14:34:47 GMT 1
New Interview with Maxim after Russian Federation conference presidential election. Maxim Shabalin: the results of the elections were a surprise to me
"Our figure skating is now at a low level if we compare it to the tradition we used to have.” This is the opinion stated by 2010 Olympic bronze-medalist, ice dancer Maxim Shabalin, when he commented on the results of the election of the conference of the Russian Figure Skating Federation. The athlete stresses that the current situation of domestic figure skating has an explanation: "It’s because of the general condition our country was in during the 1990’s, and this is the result, it is all absolutely logical". "The conference made many optimistic statements, which is good, but I do not see any dramatic break-troughs happening in the next three or four years" - he said, adding that the election of Alexander Gorshkov as president of the Federation came as a surprise to him. "For me it was unexpected, as I did not know about Alexandr Georgievicìs nomination. I had heard that Anton Siharulidze and Oksana Grishchuk were the candidates. To be honest, I did not make any predictions at all, since it is pointless before the elections, as it turned out. I agree that some changes are needed in the Federation, but it should be an evolution and not a revolution. Now we have a very strong Federation" - ITAR-TASS quoted Shabalin. Maxim also noted that recently there have been many changes in figure skating. "For example, in financial terms, over the last four years there were many improvements made, and those were considerable ones. In recent years, and during the preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games we did not have any financial problems, all our needs concerning costumes, training expenses and so on were taken care of, so this is definitely not the main issue now. After all, in general things have gotten better in our country; the authorities are paying more attention to the sport – For the last four years the government has carried on politics for its development. It became clear how important it is to educate youth, it is necessary to teach them values. Sport in this sense is number one" - he explained. According to the skater, now figure skating development is taking place in regions where many new rinks are being opened, although "they open in cities with no skating tradition". "They don’t build ice rinks in places with figure skating traditions, where there’s already a working contingent, where there are coaches who have already raised champions - Shabalin observes. – "For example, in Samara, which has a population of 2,000,000, there is only one ice rink, and its roof was already leaking back when I was leaving, I cannot imagine the state it must be now. As it turns out, the regions do have the coaches, but they don’t have places where to work. From centres like Samara, Kirov, Perm, Ekaterinburg young athletes have always moved to Moscow and St.Petersburg. It seems to me, that to achieve some results as quickly as possible, it is necessary to build schools and ice rinks in those cities. In general the ideal would be to create boarding schools so that children can live there, and their work can be organized in order to obtain the maximum concentration on the sport, because when you live in a city you have more temptations, more distracting factors"- Shabalin said. "To become a successful athlete - he continues – there are many factors to be taken into consideration. First of all, it is necessary to have a person that has some purposefulness, some inner desire of succeeding - if there is no will to achieve something, there’s no great coach or good working conditions that can help. Second, resources are needed: ice rinks where to skate, competent coaches willing to follow the student. Many factors must come together so that a champion can be raised. And, of course, luck is needed – you cannot go anywhere without it. Of course professional sport has nothing to do with recreational sport. It’s your whole life devoted only to the sport, you must give up all other chances, isolate from so many fields of activity. Out of your 24 hours ,16 should be devoted to the sport, and I don’t mean only training. Ultimately, you must give up everything else to focus on the result" - concluded the figure skater. Let's remember that due to a recurring knee injury, at the end of the season Shabalin announced he would be taking one year break from the sport with - as he said himself - 98% chance of having to retire after that. "Should a miracle happen, I will return. Everything was clear even before consulting with the experts: I shouldn’t have skated in the conditions I was all this season. Anyway, I talked to the leaders of our federation before the elections, and told them that if they are interested I would like to work for the federation. I am open to offers, but so far there hasn’t been any concrete discussion " - the figure skater said. He also added that he does not see himself working as a coach yet. "I am not ready train children and train if there is a consulting position open for me. Also, I do not have any plans of taking part in politics, though I am now finishing my degree in State and Municipal Management ". The athlete also remarked that in any case he will remain in Russia: "I would like to live in Russia and nowhere else. I do not associate my life with living abroad at all because I already had that experience. I lived in Bulgaria for one year and a half, and two years in the USA. I think that to arouse patriotic feelings in someone you must send them somewhere very far away, and you can be sure that those feelings will be awaken soon, literally after two or three months" - he said.
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Post by maximaddict on Jul 1, 2010 13:49:25 GMT 1
New interview with Maxim from Sport ExpressMaxim Shabalin: I would bring back to Russia all the coaches who work abroadFIGURE SKATING
When I met Olympic Bronze medalist Maxim Shabalin during the RFSF conference, I asked him what he is doing these days: "Resting” - he answered with a shrug. But the following day, when we met for an interview, Shabalin’s status had drastically changed – by then he had become member of the executive committee of the Russian Figure Skating Federation. We started our conversation with that.Maxim SHABALIN :"I WOULD BRING BACK TO RUSSIA ALL THE COACHES WHO WORK ABROAD"
MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT VANCOUVER- Мaxim, at the conference you had the chance to observe the very essence of what takes place behind the scenes of the figure skating world. Would you like to be a part of that environment?- In order to answer to your question, I’d have to have been a part of that for a while. I attended the conference merely as the spectator. It was exciting, especially since it was all new to me: before the elections I did not even know who had applied for the position of president, and how things would develop from there. - Don’t you find it strange that there are no young, or even remotely young people among the leaders of the Russian Federation?- Not anymore. Oksana and I are now members of the executive committee. I didn’t even know in advance that I would be nominated for that position, but during the conference when I was asked if I would be interested in that kind of work I gave a positive answer. - Have you come to terms with the reality that your days as a professional athlete are now over?- Yes, and quite easily. I can even say that I’m enjoying that: finally I have a lot of spare time to do the things that I never had the time to do before, like going to the theatre a lot, for example. It would make sense to hang on to the sport if there was even the slightest chance, but given the state of my knees even talking about such a possibility is absurd. - Were you ever worried at the thought of your partner continuing her career with someone else?- If I was, it was only for a moment. - Do you still dream of the Olympic Games?- No, not anymore. It was quite hard right after the games: you don’t know what’s going to happen. Nobody calls you anymore, you don’t have to rush anywhere. You have to get used to that too. - As you had to get used to the Olympic games result. To tell you the truth, I still find it hard to put into words my feelings in regards to your medals with Oksana . I realize that with the state of your legs, the bronze was the best you could have achieved . On the other hand, it was not for the bronze that you went to Vancouver?- No, it was not for the bronze. That’s why I have mixed feelings about this medal. It was really hard to get it. From that perspective, our performance at the Games was definitely a victory. But we went there for the gold. We were fighting for the gold. Really?- Yes, we were. It was after the Original Dance that it became clear that we could have not achieved that. - It’s probably hard to estimate your realistic possibilities from the inside, as opposed to what people perceive from the outside. But let me say that: even before arriving in Vancouver, it was obvious to those outside that the first two spots would go to the Canadians Virtue-Moir and the Americans Davis-White.- I have to disagree on that. I agree about the Canadians: yes, they are brilliant and everyone can see that, although personally I was not impressed with their programs. If Oksana and I hadn’t been forced to make changes to our programs to adjust to my knee’s condition, I don't think Virtue/Moir would have had the chance to win . As far as the Americans, what they do doesn't look like ice dance to me. I just see two kids who run across the ice very fast, and perform great acrobatic lifts. Had I been a judge for the Compulsory Dances, I would have definitely placed them outside the top three. - Am I right to say that in Vancouver the tactics decided with your partner and coaches were the same as during the Europeans in Tallinn, that is to build up the widest possible margin between you and your rivals in the Compulsory Dance, and then try to maintain that?- To a certain extent, yes. EUROPEAN MEDICINE IS MORE PROGRESSIVE THAN THE AMERICAN ONE
- During all this time that you’ve been suffering from injuries, have you ever thought that participating in the Europeans 2008 in Zagreb, only a few days after your knee surgery, was a terrible mistake on your part?- Yes, a thousand times, and I was terribly sorry I did. But at that point it didn't make sense to talk about it. - In all your interviews you have always stressed that it was your decision to skate and compete. I still can't believe you made such a decision without the involvement of the people around you, without any outside pressure.- У It wasn’t my first surgery. The first one was performed on my other knee one year before. That operation was successful, but since I didn't have any previous experience, I was clueless about the great importance of the meniscus . It was way too late when I realized that I didn’t work on my knee properly following the operation. But then again I didn't even quite know how to do it. That’s why I recovered only six months after the surgery – during the fall, when the season had already begun. I also had no idea that when one knee gets injured, the pressure on the other knee increases dramatically. But I was soon going to have to face the consequences: during the Grand Prix Final that Oksana and I won, I injured my other meniscus. I was hospitalized, and after the surgery I had the impression that things were going far better than the first time: a week after the operation I was already able to walk and put the weight on the leg. This is actually why I resumed skating so soon. - And nobody tried to stop you?- You probably imagine someone holding me back while I was fighting and willing to train? It wasn’t really like that. The only one who told me I should put the load on my leg gradually was the doctor who operated on me. But somehow I didn't take his words seriously. At first it seemed to me that everything was fine, but when the leg started hurting badly from all the pressure, I didn't want to see all my hard work go down the drain. Besides, I was sure I could handle the pain and that nothing terrible would happen to my joint. - For some reason, it seemed to me that you were pushed to compete in those Europeans by your then coach Alexei Gorshkov, which caused the disagreement with him that eventually led you and Oksana to make the decision to move to America and train with Natalia Linichuk . I also got the impression that you were not eager to leave...- Oksana and I came to that decision together. It was a tough one. I knew very well how Gorshkov would take the news. I knew how much he would be offended, and how he wouldn’t listen to any of our reasons and would cut us off completely. Despite all that, I also clearly realized that I did not want to remain in Russia. I instinctively felt that we needed some changes, some fresh ideas. After the third surgery, when I went back to the ice in Odintsovo, all of a sudden I felt like I couldn’t stand that ice, those walls anymore. I associated all that with constant pain, problems, troubles. So we just left. - Counting on what? The ever powerful American medicine?- There were such hopes, but they soon disappeared. I realized pretty fast that European medicine is more progressive. In the USA doctors are so afraid of being sued, that they wouldn’t even dare trying anything innovative . They wait for the others to acquire enough positive experience, and only after that they would start to experiment. At least that's my impression. - The doctors in the Russian team were not pleased with the change in your lifestyle that happened a couple of years before Vancouver. As far as I know they even related all your injuries with your becoming a vegetarian: according to them your bones and ligaments became weaker.- I think that's an exaggeration. I became interested in yoga and consequently became a vegetarian after the first surgery. I spent that summer in Elbrus, attending a yoga seminar that I heard about on the Internet. Anyway, I was a vegetarian only for three months. Then I ended up in hospital with appendicitis, and after I was discharged, I felt like my body was "craving" for meat. That, and I also listened to the doctor’s advice. SOMETIMES YOU MAY GET TIRED OF YOUR PARTNER AND COACH
- What did you gain from the two years you spent in the USA?First of all the impression of the country in general. My English improved a lot, and I realized that I don’t ever want to live there again. Why?- It’s a difficult question. Let's put it that way: I would send my child to study in the USA. It's a useful experience. Moreover, I would never try to convince him that living in the USA is a bad thing. I would let him get his own impression of the country. But I was feeling uncomfortable there. For example: the lack of sidewalks. You get out of the house and realize there is nothing to walk on. It was hard to get used to all the people wearing slippers and shapeless garments in the streets. I was annoyed with the way they communicate: it seems like they are talking to you, but they are just hiding behind polite smiles and common phrases. And God forbid you should ever answer in a negative way to the question "How are you?' They would get confused, even scared: "How come…"bad?" - On the other hand it must have not been easy to remain within the same small Russian speaking group?- Oksana and I were often asked what is the secret of our good relationship. I answered that the secret is that we go separate ways after training, and we get the chance to take a break from each other. - So you are familiar with that feeling of getting enough of your partner at times?- Of course. And the same can happen with your coaches. As soon as we moved to the USA we even met with Natalia Linichuk and her husband Gennady Karponosov to discuss the terms of our relationship. Gennady warned us not to expect to become friends. Skaters and coaches should keep a certain degree of distance. This is necessary because the coach will often have to push the athlete to force himself to do things he does not want to do. When your coach is also your friend, you tend to expect some sort of support and understanding, and you get disappointed when you don’t get it. - Was your relationship with Gorshkov any different?It was definitely more friendly. - Were there ever any moments when you were discouraged to the point of wanting to leave the sport?- All the times. Especially during our first year in the USA. I was in constant pain. That’s how we arrived to the Europeans in Helsinki, and then I fell in the Compulsory Dance. Everybody thought we were finished at that point. The press, everyone…It was a very hard period. And what was Linichuk saying to you back then?- She was supporting us. She was trying to convince us that it was all nonsense, that we were the best. - And that’s with that attitude that you went to the worlds in Los Angeles?It was more like anger, and the desire to prove that it was too early to consider us dead and buried. - Who is more fierce: you or Oksanа?- I would say Oksana is more determined. In everything. The sport was more important for her. Anyway, there has always been a great understanding between us. During our career we only had one fight when we first started skating together. It wasn’t even a real fight, it was more like the beginning of a fight: because just when things were about to turn ugly and it was clear that we would have started screaming at each other, one of us – I can’t remember who now - turned around and walked away. We haven’t had a fight since. - Not even when one of you would make a serious mistake on the ice?- Especially then. Though I must confess that when you are the one to make the mistake, it feels terrible. I fell twice during main competitions, and it was enough for me to understand what a nightmare that is. I DON'T EXPECT MAJOR CHANGES IN ICE DANCE
- Have you ever tried choreographing your own programs?- No, but I would like to try. - What do you think will be the most interesting thing in store for ice dance next season?- I don't expect any major changes. Based on the judging of the first two couples at the Worlds in Torino, it seems like no one will be able to get anywhere close to them. So the first two worlds placements have practically already been decided. I’d like to see what happens with Yana Khokhlova/Fedor Andreev, especially since I have never seen her partner on the ice. I have no idea about the young Russian couples: when you skate yourself, you simply don't have the time to pay attention to the others. But you must have paid attention to something when you happened to take part in the same competitions?- Of course, when it comes to your rivals you try to determine their skating skills, evaluate their programs and how well they are executed from an emotional point of view . The most experienced couples can "kill” their rivals even during practice. - Did you and Oksana learn to do that as well?- Sure. Everything gets carefully planned in advance: what to show in practice and how. For example, we always prevailed in confidence, even though I couldn't do much with my leg. - How could you train in such a state?- Ironically, in America we trained more than in Russia, and harder. Plus we were in constant competition with the Americans Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, and then with the Italians Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali. Working alongside the likes of them was of course hard, but nevertheless much better for the result. - Two-time Olympic champion, ice dancer Oxana Grischuk stated in her speech at the RFSF conference, that all the coaches who work abroad should be brought back to Russia. How do you feel about that?- If I had the chance to get those coaches back to Russia, I would definitely try to do that. Everyone around good coaches learns a lot from them. It’s a pity that Nataliya Linichuk, Igor Shpilband, Marina Zueva work abroad. - How come you don’t want to coach yourself?- Maybe one day I will. Right now, I really just want to forget everything about training. I don’t want go to the ice rink. I do not want to put my skates on. It was too painful the last two years. Elena Vaitsekovskaya
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Post by maximaddict on Aug 3, 2010 17:10:10 GMT 1
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Post by maximaddict on Sept 24, 2010 14:03:21 GMT 1
New Interview with Maxim Shabalin We love Olympic mascot Misha the bear, but we must move forward
20/09/2010 Мaxim Shabalin creates a mascot for Sochi-2014 and stars in TV show "Ice and Fire."
Yesterday, Channel One aired the premier of ice show "Ice and Fire." One of the contenders on Ilya Averbukh’s new television project is World champion and Olympic medallist in ice dancing, resident of the city of Odintsovo, Maxim Shabalin. His partner on the new TV show "Ice and Fire" is actress Ekaterina Vilkova. After an expressive dance, albeit not on the ice, Maxim Shabalin gave a brief interview to Channel One. The day before, Maxim Shabalin could be seen at the ice rink in Odintsovo, where the candidates for the Russian national team were skating. Previous to that, when the city of Odintsovo celebrated its day, Maxim Shabalin answered some questions for the Radio Broadcasting Service in Odintsovo. Back then, the famous figure skater only hinted at the possibility of his participation in such television projects as "Ice and Fire". - Мaxim, how do you feel, are the old injuries bothering you? - I feel great, nothing hurts. - Tell us, what do you dedicate yourself to now, what are you engaged in? - I am working for the Federation of figure skating as an ice dance supervisor. I help our skaters to prepare successfully for this season and for the Olympics in Sochi. In addition, I'm involved in the campaign for the choice of the mascot for Sochi 2014, and I am drawing a mascot myself to submit for the contest. - If it’s not a secret, how does Maxim Shabalin’s mascot for Sochi 2014 look like? - It's hard to describe my mascot for Sochi 2014, it's an original work. - How do you feel about the proposals to bring back the mascot of the 1980 Olympics, Misha the Bear? - We shouldn’t repeat ourselves, we have enough creative ideas to come up with something new. Although we all love Olympic Misha, we must move forward. - When will we be able to see Maxim Shabalin with Oksana Domnina on the ice again? - I hope that we will be able to present figure skating fans with such gift during the celebrations for the next Odintsovo Day. Also, we will probably continue to perform in different shows. - Is there any desire to return to professional sport? - For the moment the topic is closed. Ask me again in one year, and I will answer.
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