Harley Windsor: “After Alexandrovskaya’s death, I was broken. On social media, people wished and continue to wish death upon me and write many terrible things.”
Interview with Harley Windsor. About injury, staying to train in Russia and documentary film “Harley & Katya.”
source: sport-express dd. by 31st July 2023 by Dmitri Kuznetsov and Lina Fedorova
Lina Fedorova spoke with an Australian skater in Sochi before his departure to Toronto. Furthermore, it was announced on Saturday that Windsor found a new partner — Cho Hye-jin, and together they will represent South Korea. As Harley mentioned to Sport-Express, they are currently training in Canada, but it is not excluded that they might also come to Sochi (Russia).
How long have you been in Sochi, and what are you doing here?
Harley Windsor: I have been in Sochi since the beginning of May. I’m training in the group of Dmitri Savin and Fedor Klimov, trying to get into optimal physical shape. By the way, my journey here was quite challenging (laughs). From Sydney to Tokyo, then to Helsinki, followed by a transfer in Budapest, from there to Dubai, then to Moscow, and finally, to Sochi. You might ask, what’s the reason for all these flights? The reason was obtaining a visa. I wouldn’t have been able to get it in Australia, and moreover, the relations between our figure skating federation and yours are quite strained; no one would have helped me. In total, I spent about 6,000 dollars on flights.
When and for what reason did you decide to train in Russia, especially considering the tense situation in the world?
Harley Windsor: I returned to Russia because, firstly, the relationship and work with my previous partner Maria Chernysheva didn’t work out properly, and overall, I was going through tough times. It’s very difficult to continue skating when you have no motivation, and in my country, figure skating isn’t taken as seriously as it is in Russia… I made the decision to change my location in one day. I feel very comfortable in Sochi and fully agree with the training program that Dima and Fedya give us. I understand very well that the political situation between Russia and Ukraine is currently tense, but I decided to do what I did despite everything. So, I have no regrets about coming here.
You had an injury that still troubles you. Tell me more about it. How did it happen?
Harley Windsor: Currently, I’m recovering from an ankle fracture. I got injured during the practice of my program and had a freak fall from a jump… I had to undergo surgery, and now I have a metal plate in my ankle. Honestly, coming back to sports was challenging not only physically but also mentally. When you achieve high results and represent your national team as the top pair, you don’t have the right to make mistakes. The pressure was and continues to be quite high. Nevertheless, I understand that this is another step in my career that I had to take to become stronger.
What kind of help were you able to receive from the doctors?
Harley Windsor: On the day I got injured, as I remember, it was 8:30 in the morning. At that time, I didn’t know how serious it was… I asked the people who were at the arena to take me to the doctor because I couldn’t walk, let alone drive a car. Unfortunately, no one extended a helping hand, and I had to drive with a broken ankle, just imagine! And yes, I could only see the doctor around 5 o’clock in the evening. Even if you are dying, they won’t take you without an appointment. When I finally reached the hospital, it was already evening, and I was well aware that I had a fracture. A few days later, I underwent surgery.
To be honest, I’ve had problems with this leg for a long time, but my previous coach, Monica MacDonald, never really cared about my health issues. For her, the only thing that mattered was what happened on the ice, and outside of it, everyone lived their own life.
Tell me about the documentary film “Harley & Katya” that was made about you and your partner, Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya.
Harley Windsor: Over the course of a year, a documentary film was made about Katya and me, and it was released last December. It told the story of our journey as a pair: our achievements, victories, disappointments… I believe this film was a great idea because people don’t always understand what athletes, especially in pair skating, have to go through to achieve high results…
You mentioned that you receive negative comments every day on social media, comments that are based on the death of your former partner. When and why did all this start?
Harley Windsor: Yes, I think the main reason for the wave of negativity towards me was that after Katya’s death, people didn’t bother to investigate how and why it happened. As usual, people tend to see what they want, and in this case, especially considering how close Katya and I were, many are convinced that I had something to do with what happened, but that’s not true, of course. When it happened, I was broken.
I hoped that the documentary film would somehow improve my image in the media, but the situation only worsened. On social media, people wished and continue to wish death upon me and write many terrible things.
How would you respond to all these “armchair critics” if given the opportunity?
Harley Windsor: When I first started receiving these comments, I felt depressed and didn’t understand why I deserved such treatment, but now I know that all these “armchair critics” are broken people who are dealing with their own depression. I feel sorry for them. Now I’m solely focused on myself and my progress in sports; the rest doesn’t concern me.
Currently, you’re training with the coaching staff of Dmitri Savin and Fedor Klimov. What led to this choice of coaching team?
Harley Windsor: I have known Dima Savin for a very long time, and we have always been in touch. Even during my time in Australia, we had a conversation in which he offered me the opportunity to continue my career in his group. I immediately accepted his offer, and thanks to Savin, I had the chance to try out with various girls from Russia and beyond.
Right now, the tryouts are in Toronto, but I’m still part of Dmitri Savin’s group. Everything looks very promising, and I really hope it all works out.
How does an Australian view the city of Sochi?
Harley Windsor: Sochi is a very large city, which is undoubtedly different from Moscow, the capital where I spent a considerable amount of time. Honestly, I feel more comfortable here. The beaches, the warmth — it all reminds me of home. Plus, I believe it’s a very favorable place for training: everyone is relaxed, but at the same time, focused on achieving results. In Moscow, people are different, always rushing somewhere, chasing after something… That’s not something I connect with.
Have you had a chance to skate with anyone as part of tryouts? Many believe that you have teamed up with Karina Safina.
Harley Windsor: Yes, I did have several tryouts with different girls, but as for the situation with Karina, I would prefer not to comment on that.
Does your federation provide any support?
Harley Windsor: Everything I am doing now to continue my sports career, such as trips, accommodation, and training camps, is 100% self-funded. The Australian federation has not provided me with any support in any way since I informed them of my desire to train in Russia. Absolutely nothing.
Where do you see yourself in five years and what do you want to achieve?
Harley Windsor: That’s a difficult question. It will all depend on how my career develops. I don’t look so far ahead; right now, I’m more focused on the next three years, which will lead to the Olympic Games. If my body can handle the training load, I will be very happy about that. One thing I know for sure is that I will continue to pursue my passion for figure skating.
Related topics: Harley Windsor
Harley and Katya needed more care and Katya was let down in too many ways for the stress she was living with. I agree completely. What a tragedy that had so, so many missed opportunities by everyone involved. And I mean everyone. I know not all are caretaking people but that doesn’t mean the rest of society with a myriad of personalities are blind and unaware of the needs that are so obvious with a young girl! She was surrounded by people who saw but chose to expect the next person to step in and help. It’s always easier to look away… so sad. To think that she was actually only a child barely trying to become a person…as the one person said, still only 16! We should care for others -each day! in a way that if they leave us we won’t have regrets of how cared for or about them especially if they were in our care or in our sphere of life…and especially if they are children!♥️
What a great doco about these 2 remarkable skaters yet such a sad story from when Katya left home. She was a very brave girl but something could have been done to help her settle well-even to have given her a English speaking Russian friend because she really was very isolated inside while she was finding her footing in a new & foreign land while still grieving the loss of her dad.
No one heard her desperation about needing to go home for her 18th b/day to spend New Years in her homeland & get some emotional support-she said it herself. No wonder she took the alcohol from her coach & downed it..things had come to a head. Why no alarm bells go off?? And what did she get for it? Not understanding but
‘get out’..after being groomed to be a good little star only to be yelled at when things didnt go well. One could see how visibly shaken that made her. Not conducive to positive skating..her nerves were on edge. I wondered about that coach!!
And..the Australian reporting about Harley in the early days of traveling to the Olympics..’Indigenous this, Indigenous that’ and encouraging ‘other Indigenous children’. Why not just plain & simple: Australian citizen/children?
This couple were set up to fail..this girl gave up home & family for Australian skating.
Very sad..but there were many who truely did care for her.
Such sadness watching the documentary
Heart goes out to Harley. I wish him all the best for his future
Those without support I meant.
Best to Harley. I watched documentary and am so impressed with this young man and his loving family. They are honorable people from an honorable and resilient culture. His character and his talent shine through. Poor Katya – life breaks some people – especially those with the support of their family and unimaginable pressure. May God Harley success and peace and may beautiful Katya rest in eternal peace.
Harley, thank you for sharing your & Katya’s journey with us, it is inspiring, heartbreaking, sad & amazing. No one can take away what you both achieved.
Wishing you all the very best in all you do.
Just saw the documentary, as a Canadian growing up watching skating I was shocked and disappointed by the missteps and lack of action taken by your governing body and government. Both of you were let down at such a young age.
Harley, I have just seen the documentary. I can’t believe the negative comments you have had from people. I wish you all the best and am in awe of your ability to carry on. You are an inspiration to me.
Agree completely, the ice skating world hunt that girl out to dry
Good for you do all you can to make your dreams complete people forget you where young also with this tragic event that happened it’s not your fault it’s just sometimes humans fall thru the cracks when people with expectations like govt coaches ect don’t want to express direct concerns because as adults they fear the criticism of not be perfect and lose the important prospective of doing what’s right not you Harley so I wish u luck and dreams as long as you remember the good they never leave us
Agreed completely! Such a sad situation.
Anyone sending Harley negative comments is horid and evil. He cared about her and had to go home when his visa ran out. Katarina didnt let anyone know what she was thinking. She isolated herself and Harley had no way to suspect or prevent her tragic ending. Prayers for Katarina & Harley and for her family.
I watched the documentary, which I thought was very powerful. My heart goes out to both Harley and Katya. It does not take a genius to figure out that Katya was abused by the system. When she was 16, she was expected to act like an adult, which was totally unrealistic. You take a girl at that age and pull her out of her homeland, take her away from her parents and friends, a person that does not speak English and expect her to function in a totally different and difficult environment. Plus you add the death of her father. Katya’s eventual behavior was very predictable. To quote Viktor Frankl, who wrote the famous book, Man’s Search For Meaning: “An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior.” Katya was set up for failure, because her stress was unfathomable. Many adults failed her. This was so obvious to me. I know personally a lot about abuse, I could write a book on it. This girl broke my heart, because I could relate to her. She never had a chance to mature into adulthood. In my opinion, Katya committed suicide. I think the underlying emotional torture she suffered from was profound shame. The high pressure of world skating demanded perfection from her. When she committed suicide, she was still emotionally 16.