Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: “If we hadn’t choreographed this free program, it would have been harder to find the motivation to compete this season. But prize money also played a role.”
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva about her victory at the Russian Grand Prix in Moscow, motivation, quads, her free program and international competitions.
About the short program
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I skated for myself. It was important for me to skate clean with a good 3-3 combination, so I trained it well and wanted to show it. At the beginning of the season, my left leg ached, because of this I could not jump toe loop in a combination. Now it’s better. I immediately made a quad. It is something! It also bothered me.
Therefore, I was pleased to skate today, calmly. Good audience, support. I tried to do all the elements with the maximum quality, as much as it was in my power.
Is the atmosphere comparable to the international Grand Prix?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: No (laughs). I feel different here than at the Grand Prix.
More relaxed?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Differently. At the Grand Prix, I liked this… I think I was more inspired by the change of scenery. The Grand Prix is an important competition, the World Series. This is also, of course, an important competition, but the emotions are different.
How did you manage to restore the quadruple toe loop?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: We worked on it gradually, so as not to injure the leg. One day, apparently, courage appeared, because for me this is the key to the execution of the quadruple toe loop, and not my condition. The condition was about the same – not the best, and not the worst, working one. But the fact that I came to this and became ready for it is an important moment. I’ve come to the point where I’m ready. We immediately began to train it more often and it worked out in a few days.
About the free program
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: If we had not choreographed this free program, it would have been harder to find the motivation to compete this season. It’s interesting for me to skate it. This is a new image for me. There is always room to grow in order to show and convey it better. The motivation for this season is to show new programs. I do not exclude that the prize fund also played a role. It’s nice. What can you buy for 500 thousand rubles? There are a lot of things you can buy. A few cool bags or a used car. Everyone has their own priorities. Usually my conscience does not allow me to spend such an amount of money. I will stretch the pleasure.
We decided to change the dress to the free program. The previous one was beautiful, but without an idea. We wanted to make it more in line with our program. This dress is more suitable. We decided to make it burgundy so that it would not be black as in a short program, less mourning. Burgundy is one of my favorite colors.
The organizers chose a photo of Tuktamysheva to illustrate the accreditation for this event.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: Fan love? It’s part of life in figure skating. You get used to it. The attention and love of the public is always a pleasant feeling. Especially when it’s sincere. I always enjoy taking pictures and signing autographs. Unexpectedly, I was printed on the accreditation for this event. It may have happened once in the past. Maybe it’s a tribute to me. Do I like my photos? I like the way I look in ID photos. But for accreditation, I would choose a different photo.
About international competitions
Now the ISU Grand Prix goes in parallel and Japanese girls are competing there. If you watch, which athletes do you like and how do you rate their performance?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I really liked the girl, but not at the senior Grand Prix, but at the junior one, who won two stages – Mao Shimada. She has a quadruple toe loop and a triple axel. I really liked her. I will keep my fingers crossed for her because I think she is the future of Japan.
She is very good in technique, gliding, artistry and spins. In all other respects, I also wish her good luck. Now Mai Mihara, my friend competes at the Grand Prix. I wish her good luck.
Related topics: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva
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