Nikita Volodin: “This season is more interesting. The pairs level has risen, the competition is at another level. This Grand Prix Final was more exciting to watch; it was quite unpredictable.”
Interview with Nikita Volodin.
original source: MatchTV dd. 7th December 2024 by Veronika Gabadieva
Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin have won the pairs competition at the Grand Prix Final for the second time. In the interview with MatchTV, Nikita spoke about his daily life in Germany, the process of obtaining citizenship, and, of course, the level of competition in pairs skating. Here’s a translation of his comments.
“Q: Nikita, do you feel the pre-Olympic season already? Is there more talk about pressure and tension in the mixed zone?
Nikita Volodin: I have a good trait — I can disconnect from all that. I don’t read the news, I stay off social media, and I try to focus on our work and not look at our competitors or anyone else. I know we can skate well, perform elements at a high level with good quality. The goal is to prepare for the Olympics and so far, everything is going according to plan.
Q: Was there a particularly nerve-racking moment at the start of the season? Maybe a particular competition that caused some worry?
Nikita Volodin: There was such a moment. We decided to try a new style in the short program; previously, we skated to lyric pieces. It’s easier in terms of breathing, and you flow with the music… My partner’s style was also like that — she has always skated to such music. After Art on Ice, where we performed a blues piece, our choreographer said that this style suited us very well.
We presented this version at the test skates. People said it was a good idea, but we couldn’t yet show the full depth of such a relationship on the ice. After that, the federation helped us: we found a dance coach who specifically worked with us on the short program for two months. At our first competition, we were better prepared and the judges immediately appreciated it. Now we work with a dance coach every Saturday for five hours on choreography — on the floor, on the ice, and plus at the ballet barre. This is bearing fruit, and we are very happy with the result, but in Grenoble, there were still 40% efforts left for the free program.
Q: Is it mentally challenging to switch to a different style?
Nikita Volodin: In the short program, yes, it’s not easy. But at the previous competition in China, if not for my mistake, it was one of the best skates, plus the one at the Finals. But there’s still much to work on, plenty of room for growth, and this is far from the limit of our capabilities.
Q: Minerva sweetly said before your interview, “Interview in Russian, I’m happy for him.” Can you explain why?
Nikita Volodin: She feels things more deeply, so she often speaks at press conferences, and my task is to support her. Of course, in Russian, it’s much easier for me to give interviews, I can express my thoughts more precisely. My English is basic. I can also call my German basic now. I’ll soon be taking the B1 level test, then a language test for citizenship. It’s not easy, but we are managing everything so far. I spend about four hours a week with tutors.
Q: Five hours for choreography, four hours for language courses, plus training. Do you manage to live a life outside of this?
Nikita Volodin: That will be after the Olympics (laughs).
Q: Is this season more intense?
Nikita Volodin: This season is more interesting. The pairs level has risen, the competition is at another level. You can even tell by the total scores. There are many strong teams — Georgia, Japan, Italy. It’s much more interesting to participate at this level of competition. I think this Grand Prix Final was more exciting to watch; it was quite unpredictable.
Q: Does the process of obtaining citizenship before the Games make you nervous?
Nikita Volodin: Everything has been planned in advance. I’ve been studying German since May so that I can sit my test in the upcoming May. Everything related to obtaining the passport is planned with a huge margin. I have good tutors, I feel the results, I feel the work, and I am confident that everything will work out both on the ice and with the citizenship. I try to do everything to the maximum.
Q: Where do you train?
Nikita Volodin: In Berlin. At the Sport Forum base. It’s a mini Olympic village similar to Novogorsk. It has everything — masseuses, physiotherapists. I live there too. A large room, a big communal kitchen with everything needed. Even with a mixer, blenders, an oven. You can even grill outdoors! I feel comfortable and live three minutes from the rink.
Q: Is living outside the base in the city a waste of time?
Nikita Volodin: Yes, it would consume a lot of energy traveling. Initially, for the first three months, it took me one and a half hours to travel to the rink. I couldn’t rest properly or recover. We are now preparing for the Olympics, so there should be nothing extra, no time to waste.
Q: While we’re talking about Berlin, I have to ask about something important — do you eat kebabs?
Nikita Volodin: They are very high-quality and tasty in Berlin!
Q: Does Minerva eat kebab too?
Nikita Volodin: Of course, she watches her diet, but she can also afford to indulge.
Q: There is a lot of attention on figure skating in Russia, less so in Germany. Do you miss that or do you find it more peaceful?
Nikita Volodin: Understandably, figure skating is not as popular in Germany as it is in Russia, but nevertheless, there is attention to the sport — last year the stadium was full at the Nationals. There is huge support, people come, they cheer. We want to make figure skating more popular in Germany. We hope our victories will help with this and that parents will bring their children to the rink more often. Germany has had legendary athletes in figure skating. Aliona Savchenko is a good example for us of how you can pursue your dream and fight to the end.”
Related topics: Minerva Fabienne Hase, Nikita Volodin
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