Alina Gorbacheva: “I try to be sincere. I think it’s important for people to know everyone struggles sometimes. Maybe my words can inspire someone not to give up on what they love.”
Interview with Alina Gorbacheva.
original source: TASS
In an interview with TASS, Alina Gorbacheva spoke about this season, injury, recovery and Olympics. Here’s a translation.
“Q: Alina, the major figure skating season has come to an end, with all official competitions already behind us. Do you feel a sense of relief?
Alina Gorbacheva: The Channel One Cup is still ahead.
Q: What do you think you can improve on for the future?
Alina Gorbacheva: Everything can be improved. But personally, I’d like to focus on making my skating smoother and more feminine. And, of course, I want to master the triple axel.
Q: Your preparation for the Grand Prix Final was pretty stressful, with injuries, recovery, and questions about your participation. How did you handle it all?
Alina Gorbacheva: It was nerve-wracking. I like doing many run-throughs — I feel calm when I jump a lot. This time, I had only three days to recover, with almost no jumping during practice, and I was restricted to just two 30-minute training sessions a day. Sixty minutes of ice time per day felt catastrophic, though even that was a lot for my injured leg. I even did spins in my programs for the first time already in competitions. We knew that if I pushed positions too far, it would worsen the injury, and I wouldn’t be able to jump.
Q: Were you aware of how significant not participating in the Grand Prix Final could have been?
Alina Gorbacheva: I tried not to think about it. All I wanted was to compete in the Final. I hadn’t yet won a medal there, and this year I really wanted to get one.
Q: Everyone is now awaiting the Olympic selection announcement for Beijing. How are you and your coaches handling this moment?
Alina Gorbacheva: We’re trying not to think about it at all. We’re just discussing plans for the summer and working on ideas for new programs as usual. It’s all about preparing for the next season.
Q: You have an Olympic bracelet on your hand. What’s the story behind it?
Alina Gorbacheva: Sophia Anatolyevna (Fedchenko, the skater’s coach) has a necklace with the Olympic rings, a gift from her parents. I always admired it and never hid that. For my last birthday, my coach surprised me with this bracelet. It was such a lovely gesture.
Q: Whether or not you want to go to the Olympics is almost rhetorical. So let me ask this instead: What are you willing to do to get there?
Alina Gorbacheva: Figure skating is my life. The Olympics are a dream, but they’re not the meaning of life. I love skating and get so much joy from competitions and performances. I used to get nervous at competitions, but now I really love big arenas. It’s amazing when the crowd cheers you on. The bigger the audience and the louder the support, the easier it is to skate. At the Grand Prix Final, during the short program, I could hear how the crowd clapped loudly for almost the entire step sequence. I felt so energized by it and enjoyed the program even more.
Q: Have you learned to manage competition stress? Any advice for newcomers?
Alina Gorbacheva: I only really stress when I’m not well-prepared for a competitions. This mostly happens when injuries or illnesses disrupt training. That’s why I was so nervous during the free skate in. I really wanted to land two quads — I knew I could theoretically do it because I landed 80% of my run-throughs with two quads before the injury. But after the injury, I only managed one run-through with quads, on the day of the free skate. I understood it might not work but hoped adrenaline would help. My coaches discouraged me from attempting the second quad, but I decided to take the risk.
Q: Would you say your quad salchow is now an automatic element for you?
Alina Gorbacheva: No, quads depend a lot on your physical and emotional condition, so the entry always needs to be controlled. If you align properly into the takeoff edge, it becomes easier, and then you could say it feels automatic.
Q: How does the jump behave under competitive stress?
Alina Gorbacheva: You need a bit more control than during regular practice.
Q: Would you agree that without a quad, it’s impossible to win the Olympics?
Alina Gorbacheva: For men, that’s 100% true.
Q: Is the issue of puberty affecting you?
Alina Gorbacheva: Of course, growing up is happening — not just physically but psychologically as well. My coaches and I are mindful of this, and they know how to respond in different situations. If something seems off, we try to analyze it and make adjustments.
As for jumps, puberty doesn’t affect my triples much, but quads are more challenging. It’s possible to adapt a quad to a new weight, but that takes time, and there isn’t time during a season since clean run-throughs are expected. Weight also impacts the second half of the program because more energy is required. I’ve found my balance and try to maintain it.
Q: How do you relax?
Alina Gorbacheva: My favorite way to relax is spending time at the stables. Horses help me switch off. I started horseback riding before figure skating — I used to go a few times a week, and I loved it. But figure skating demands total commitment, so I had to make a choice. Now I’ve been able to return to it, and I’ve made some progress. My horse, Kalinka, is black with white spots — she’s beautiful. She has a personality: sometimes obedient, sometimes stubborn.
I also love walking my dog. Recently, I tried pottery for the first time and really enjoyed it. I generally love making things with my hands. I’ve been hyperactive since childhood, and that hasn’t changed.
Q: Is working with a horse similar to coaching?
Alina Gorbacheva: It’s more about mutual understanding. A horse senses the rider, and the rider senses the horse. It’s important to find a balance where your movements are clear to the horse and the horse understands what’s being asked of it, while I also understand it responses.
Q: Are you afraid of getting injured?
Alina Gorbacheva: No. If you think about injuries every second, you’d never leave the house. After all, what if an icicle falls on your head?
Q: People often say figure skaters don’t have a childhood, just training. True?
Alina Gorbacheva: Not at all. Childhood for athletes is very interesting. We travel a lot, and after competitions, we try to explore the cities we visit for the first time. I have friends all over the world, and it’s so fascinating to talk to people from different countries.
Q: How do you eat? For example, what did you allow yourself for New Year’s?
Alina Gorbacheva: I always try to eat what I want, but I watch the portions. When visiting new places, I try local dishes. Before New Year’s, I had sweets while on vacation by the sea. On the holiday itself, our table had caviar sandwiches and cake. Afterward, training resumed, and I quickly returned to shape.
Q: How many more years do you see yourself in figure skating?
Alina Gorbacheva: It’s hard to say. I try to keep growing, finding my style in skating.
Q: You’re incredibly open. Why?
Alina Gorbacheva: I try to be sincere. I think it’s important for people to know everyone struggles sometimes. Maybe my words can inspire someone not to give up on what they love.
Q: What advice would you give to an athlete struggling with a crossroads?
Alina Gorbacheva: Talk to your loved ones — they’ll support you. And always believe in yourself, even during tough times. Ask yourself: what was all the effort for? Don’t betray your dream. Trust your coaches; together, you can overcome so much.
Q: Do people recognize you in public?
Alina Gorbacheva: Yes, it happens often. People come up, take photos, share words of encouragement. It’s so heartwarming to feel such love from others.”
Related topics: Alina Gorbacheva
Leave a Reply