“I had never met a more coordinated athlete in my coaching career. I was amazed how quickly Kostornaia learns new elements.” pair’s coach Sergei Roslyakov
Sergei Roslyakov who now coaches Alena Kostornaia and her partner Georgi Kunitsa tell about the trainings of this new pair.
source: RT dd. 19th July 2023 by Elena Vaitsekhovskaya
Alena Kostornaia and Gosha Kunytsa. Was there a moment of hesitation before you agreed to work together?
Sergei Roslyakov: It’s all started as a project for the show and make it interesting to watch. Georgi skated in our group for about six months, then Alena offered Gosha to skate with her in the show. I had no objections to them working together in our group for some time. But then things took an unexpected turn. When I realized that this could be a serious project, I immediately contacted Elena Germanovna Buyanova, who was Alena’s coach when she skated as a singles skater. We discussed everything and found mutual understanding on all matters. From then on, we actively started working with the skaters, not just for the show, but directly for sports. These are different tasks and completely different demands.
I have often noticed that such talented people as Alena, who instantly grasp everything, often have problems focusing on the daily monotonous work. Are you making an effort to keep Kostornaia from losing interest, or is this not required at this stage?
Sergei Roslyakov: You are absolutely right about Alena. Before we started working together, to be honest, I had never met a more coordinated athlete in my coaching career. She learns new elements and movements so quickly that at first I was amazed at how it was possible. It’s an amazing quality.
As for motivating athletes, that’s part of my job, and not only in relation to Alena, but absolutely to everyone. Coaches always feel that their students are not working hard enough. It is normal to be a little dissatisfied all the time. That’s what we get paid for.
That makes sense. But athletes are all different. Some have a clear goal, and they go for it, no matter how hard it is, while others lose interest and leave.
Sergei Roslyakov: Fortunately, in our group, there’s healthy competition, and everyone is somehow vying for my attention as a coach. It pushes them forward and leads to them wanting to work harder. Alena is no exception in this regard.
Plus the desire to prove that she was written off too soon?
Sergei Roslyakov: You know, she is an endless fan of figure skating and strives to use any opportunity to skate and compete.
Related topics: Alena Kostornaia, Sergei Roslyakov
Well, she was an elite single skater until recently. Ofc her rudimentary skating skill is above average. Maybe because he used to coach “reject” single-early-teen girls switching to pairs?
Alena is special and memorable. Really hoping it works out for her!