“It wasn’t “Russification” of Hungarian figure skating but systematic development.” Interview with Hungarian pair Maria Pavlova / Alexei Sviatchenko and their coach Dmitri Savin
Interview with Hungarian pair Maria Pavlova / Alexei Sviatchenko and their coach Dmitri Savin.
source: RSport dd. 2nd Setember 2023 by Andrei Simonenko
RIA Novosti Sport correspondent met with the skaters and their coach Dmitri Savin, talking about the path from the first skate in Sochi to the World Championships in Saitama, about the force majeure that they had to face on the way to Japan, and the attitude in Hungary to Russian figure skaters.
Tell us how your partnership came about?
Alexei Sviatchenko: It happened in March of last year. Before that, I had split up with my previous partner, Nadezhda Labazina, and was looking for a new partner. I was exploring various options and tried skating with three or four different girls. I started thinking about who to skate with. Then Dmitri Nikolaevich Savin called me and told me about Maria – a good girl, a strong skater. He suggested coming to Sochi for a try out. I came, tried it, and liked it.
Maria, how did you end up on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus?
Maria Pavlova: I’ve been living in Sochi for a long time. I used to train as a single skater here with Alexei Urmanov. Then I decided to switch to pairs. People always told me that I would be a good fit for pair skating because of my shorter stature. So, I decided to give it a try. I trained in Moscow for a while, then returned to Sochi.
When you first teamed up, did you feel it was the perfect match right away?
Maria Pavlova: I wouldn’t say I felt it was a perfect match right away. It was clear that there would be many nuances to work on. But personally, I enjoyed skating with Alexei.
Alexei Sviatchenko: When you form a pair, it’s not just about how well you complement each other in terms of elements. Psychological compatibility is also very important — how easy it is to communicate and how quickly you can find common ground.
And how did that go?
Alexei Sviatchenko: Marusya and I got along well in that regard right from the start.
It’s noticeable, given that you quickly reached such a high level.
Alexei Sviatchenko: Relatively quickly. We collected the elements, started working on programs, and then there were injuries and some setbacks. We lost time because of this. We didn’t participate in a couple of the events we had planned. But then everything was fine.
Did you have options for which country to represent?
Maria Pavlova: I already had Hungarian citizenship at that time. I competed for Hungary and skated with Balazs Nagy, but after a successful European Championships, he decided to take a break and joined an ice show. So, they started looking for a new partner for me.
Alexei Sviatchenko: So there were no options; it was Hungary. I was primarily looking for a partner with whom I could continue my career.
Both of you used to compete in single skating. Do you have any feelings of unfinished business from those times?
Maria Pavlova: I have no regrets. I did everything I could in single skating.
Alexei Sviatchenko: I switched from singles to pairs when I was 12 years old. At that time, I couldn’t even land a triple toe loop properly. Or, did it as a double axel. So, I learned everything I know already doing pairs.
Did it take some time to adapt to the new discipline?
Maria Pavlova: I was never afraid of lifts and throws. The only thing that made me nervous was twists. I’m not sure why. First, my partner throw me up, and then he catches me…
And the elbow is somewhere nearby?
Maria Pavlova: Yes, that too. I was dropped a few times during twists.
The past season was a breakthrough for you with excellent performances at the European and World Championships. Did you expect such success?
Alexei Sviatchenko: We planned for it and worked hard. We are very pleased that it all worked out.
Maria Pavlova: I was nervous at first, especially during our first couple of competitions. But then I calmed down. If everything works out in practice, then it should go well in competition.
Dmitri Savin: Clearly, this season was planned to be a breakthrough for these athletes. The entire process was set up so that they could perform at any time, whether it be during the day or night. We understood that Maria and Alexei had the potential, and we needed to make them believe that it’s foolish to be afraid of what you are capable of. They didn’t come for just one day. However, they didn’t skate at their full potential, the content could have been more difficult but we started by focusing on technically clean performances. Starting from the first competition in Zagreb, where they needed to secure the technical minimum. On the one hand, I’m dissatisfied that not everything worked out perfectly there. On the other hand, I’m happy because it was crucial to face that to maintain an understanding of the need to keep working. The feeling of ease and inspiration could have misled us.
You mean in terms of scores?
Dmitri Savin: They got the scores they deserved. But what happened afterward, when they skated clean but received low scores… It’s understandable that Maria and Alexei are a new, relatively unknown pair, perceived as upstarts from a country without much authority in figure skating. But that’s our path, and we’re walking it. We understand that only with clean performances and audacity can we make our mark.
However, the scores at the European Championships were not what everyone expected after seeing your performances. You finished fifth, but your coach, Fedor Klimov, said you were champions in his eyes. Were you very disappointed?
Alexei Sviatchenko: Somewhere deep down, a little bit. For us, it was important that we showed ourselves, coped with our nerves, and achieved personal growth. We understand that it was our first season, and no one knew us or had high expectations. So, we were just happy that we were there and could perform. The rest is beyond our control.
At the World Championships, you finished seventh. Do you think people’s attitude towards your pair has changed?
Maria Pavlova: It got better, and the scores were already good. Personally, I’m satisfied.
Alexei Sviatchenko: There’s always room for improvement, but after the nerve-wracking journey we experienced, skating in a different time zone early in the morning with a short break, we can say it was a quality performance. And most importantly, they started to appreciate us there. They started to pay attention. They realized that a pair had come not just to skate but to show results.
What was the nerve-wracking journey related to?
Alexei Sviatchenko: A fog descended on Sochi, and the airport was closed. We changed our tickets three times, finally flew to Istanbul on the last flight, spent the night there, and visited Mongolia on our way. So, it’s hard to complain.
Everyone understands that you are Russian athletes competing under the Hungarian flag. Did you feel any special treatment at the European and World Championships?
Alexei Sviatchenko: Personally, I didn’t notice anything. I think it depends on your mindset. If you expect special treatment, you’ll start looking for it everywhere. We get along great with all the athletes, in different languages – Russian and English.
How are your relationships within the Hungarian team?
Maria Pavlova: Very good. At competitions, we always support each other, and if there’s an opportunity, we go to the stands and cheer when someone from our nationl team is skating.
Do you visit Hungary often?
Maria Pavlova: We go for test skates in August. At other times, we attend competitions.
Is there a national championship in pairs skating in Hungary?
Alexei Sviatchenko: Hungarian figure skaters compete in the Four Nationals Championship, which includes Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. We won it last season.
In the spring, Gurgen Vardanjan, the sports director of the Hungarian Figure Skating Federation, left his post. Some accused him of “Russification” of Hungarian figure skating. Did anything change for you after his departure?
Alexei Sviatchenko: Nothing changed for Maria and me.
Maria Pavlova: We just continue to work, prepare for the new season, and aim to achieve good results.
Dmitri Savin: I’d like to note that Gurgen is a fan of figure skating, and he did everything to develop this sport in Hungary. So, it wasn’t “Russification” but systematic development.
Has the Hungarian federation raised any questions about why you train in Russia instead of Hungary?
Maria Pavlova: We’ve never had any questions.
Dmitri Savin: It should be understood that Hungary doesn’t have the same conditions as here. In all of Budapest, there are only two rinks, and preference for ice time is given to hockey and short track. If there were different conditions, there might be different decisions. Right now, the only opportunity for Maria and Alexei to train is in Sochi.
Do you like it here?
Maria Pavlova: We’re satisfied with everything. Sometimes, of course, I envy when I go to practice at the rink and see people going to the beach in their swimsuits. But I don’t turn in the other direction (laughs).
How is figure skating funded in Hungary compared to Russia?
Dmitri Savin: There is support. Figure skating in Hungary is associated with short track, and this sport is well funded. Like in many countries, in Hungary, they start financing figure skaters when they start to show results. Yes, at first, we had to save, but only until the first competition. Now, everything for Maria and Alexei comes from the federation and the state, including competitions, relocations, training camps, program choreography — everything is covered. And now, the athletes have reached a level where they will receive scholarships.
Do you feel interest towards your pair? For example, in terms of the number of followers on social media?
Alexei Sviatchenko: I was inactive on social media for a long time, and I lost a lot because of that. But now I’m coming back. And I’m aiming to reach the level of advertising contracts by the end of the season (laughs). But, of course, we feel the interest. People write words of support and wish us luck.
Do you know anything in Hungarian?
Maria Pavlova: We know a little. But the language is very difficult. We want to learn it – it’s necessary to know the language of the country you represent.
Dmitri Savin: The guys are originally from Russia, but part of their performance for Hungary is also about popularizing figure skating in this country. That’s the main message, the main idea.
Have you outgrown the age when figure skaters have idols, or can we still ask you who you look up to?
Alexei Sviatchenko: I’m very inspired by Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov’s Olympic short program. I always watch it before competitions. And also, Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot’s free skate at the 2018 Olympics. Their performances charge me up before going out on the ice. But as for a specific idol I strive to be like, I don’t have one. Except maybe Fedor Klimov (smiles). I’ve heard a lot about how patient he was during his competitive career. I always tried to learn from his example.
Maria Pavlova: I have figure skaters I really like, but not in pair skating. It’s Javier Fernandez and, of course, Yuzuru Hanyu. I trained on the same ice with them.
In Toronto?
Maria Pavlova: Yes, at Brian Orser’s group. I was 10-11 years old, and I was still a single skater at the time. My older sister went to study at a Canadian university, and I went with her and my mom. We arranged a tryout with Orser, and he took me into his group. I trained with him for two years.
Do you still keep in touch with anyone from his group?
Maria Pavlova: Yes, I exchange messages with one boy. And I saw Brian and Tracy Wilson at the World Championships this year. I was very surprised that they recognized me. They came up, said hello, and wished me luck before the free skate.
What do you dream of achieving in figure skating?
Maria Pavlova: Olympic medals.
On the way to those, you’ll have to make your programs more difficult.
Maria Pavlova: I really want to try a quad throw. But the coaches don’t allow it yet.
Dmitri Savin: This process requires painstaking preparation, and I know this from the times when I was coaching the pair of Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov. The ISU didn’t lower the value of quad elements for nothing because it’s very dangerous. Before this decision was made, several skaters got injured right away. Ksenia Stolbova had foot problems for half a year, and Natasha Zabijako hit her head. For pairs that skate with a lot of amplitude, it’s very difficult to hit the rotation axis and landing in a throw, and it requires a huge amount of preliminary work. Performing a quad twist is easier because there’s not as much amplitude in the movements, but there’s no room for error in the throw.
If you were to study quad elements with Maria and Alexei, would it be just the twist or the throw too?
Dmitri Savin: No, both the twist and the throw. But – only when the athletes are ready for it. We are taking it step by step.
Related topics: Maria Pavlova Alexei Sviatchenko
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