Talking to the Hungarian Team
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| Hungary is having quite a team of skaters these last years. Most of them still train in their own country and not abroad. As a special project, Adastra, Helga, & Kati went to the Jégcsarnok icerink in Budapest, to talk to several of them for Absolute Skating, as well as for Pixieworld. Not only skaters will get the mike, but also some coaches. Some interviews were in-depth, others were mostly focused on fun. All interviewees filled out the same 'fluff' questions and choices at the end. Join us for the first part of this marvelous series! |
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1.1 Viktória Pavuk
by Adastra & Helga
Dobor & Judit
Photos © Adastra
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Viktória Pavuk is a great young Hungarian
skating talent. She was in the junior top ten in the world,
until the 2003/ 2004 season when she, as a senior, finished
4th at the European Championships held in Budapest. She became
the new sensation and headed in to the next season with the
same enthusiasm. |
A year ago Viki won the Ondrej Nepela Memorial, her first competition
that season. She was assigned a Grand prix competition when suddenly
everything changed – she got injured. It came at the worst
possible time, as usual, as injuries can stop an athlete for a long
time. This one did and to her own disappointment, and that of her
fans, she had to sit out most of the season.
"Well, it was really hard, because I wasn't able to participate
in anything. But thanks to God (and Dr György Béres,
surgeon; Éva Bánfalvi, physiotherapist; and Dr Márta
Vura, psychologist) and all the hard work we put in, my recovery
was successful. My leg healed quite fast and it didn’t leave
any permanent damage."
But Viki didn’t recover in time for the 2005 Europeans, and
Diana Poth, Hungary’s second lady skater, took her place.
Before the World Championships she felt better, but had to test
skate against Diana Poth for the spot and the chance to travel to
Moscow. Comebacks are always very hard…
"Before Worlds, I had just a short time to prepare. And
on top of that I had to face another problem too, somebody has stolen
my wonderful car in the morning of the test skate. But the fact
that I missed competing so much and that I had already won two competitions
that season helped me a lot to get the spot for Moscow."
With only two competitions in a season, it’s hard to show
what you’re really made of at the biggest competition, the
Worlds. Viki placed 18th in Moscow, but skaters usually aren't satisfied
with their results after a comeback.
"I managed well, although the judges didn't give me a real
good placement. Because of my injury, they hadn’t seen me
skate all season, and I had to break into the field again."
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The full effect of the new judging system made
the Worlds even more difficult. It was Viki's first competition
under the new rules, and it was hard to prepare. |
The season pretty much ends after World, and summer is off-season
in the sense that there are no competitions. But with the Olympics
coming up, summer allowed little time to rest as new programs needed
to be prepared. The pressure is on; all the skaters want to be the
best they can in Torino.
"In June and July I spent three weeks in Canada, and then
I continued my training at home. From mid August I spent two weeks
with my choreographer, Igor Tchinaev. Of course, Szabi (Szabolcs
Vidrai) was with me as well."
To come up with a new and fantastic program is a high priority before
the Olympics, and many skaters prefer to keep the music secret until
their first competitions.
"I haven't told anyone, but now I will, only to you ;)
My short program is to Swan Lake and my long program is a classical
mix with parts from Vivaldi’s 4 seasons."
We’re anxiously waiting to see those! And Viki has high goals
for the coming season.
"My main idea is to work hard during the summer and throughout
the year. I got invitations to the Grand Prix in China and Japan.
I am happy to know the competitions in advance, when I know where
and when I will go, I can prepare better! Plus there will be the
Olympics. My biggest dream is to go to all those major competitions:
Europeans, Worlds and of course to Torino! "
Viki family is a very supportive, and it’s not unusual to
see her mother and sister in the stands at competitions in neighboring
countries. Her mother plays an important part in her life.
"She supports my skating, and she really does everything
she can to make me a better skater, that’s why she works night
and day and even sews my costumes."
Viki is not the only skater in the family.
Her older sister, Patricia was a skater and represented Hungary
a few years ago. She now works as a coach. The two blondes
leave no doubt they are sisters, they are almost like twins! |
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Two great skaters in the same family. Perhaps there were more
skaters, too?
"Nobody else in my family skates, just my sister and me.
My mom was in ballet as a child, but it’s not quite skating…"
Viki is still very young, only 20 years old. At this age most people
study at Universities, but for an athlete it’s hard to find
the time, and it takes a lot of careful planning and determination
to make it work.
"I’m enrolled at the University of Physics in a 4
year program."
Szabolcs Vidrai, Viki’s coach, is the best ever Hungarian
male skater. (You can
read more about him here) He is only a few years older than
Viki, and they appear to have an ideal working relationship. Szabolcs
recently received his diploma.
"He finished his 4 year training course. Usually he’s
cheerful, but he trains me hard at the same time, we work very well
together. We’ve skated together since I was a child and we
both trained at the school of Simon István. We know each
other’s personality, and he is fully aware of my abilities.
He knows a lot about the championships, because he represented our
country many times as the Hungarian champion. He is very open, and
appreciates that I learn from other coaches too. The choreography
for my new programs was made in Canada. It’s my style, and
everything I have learnt from Tchiniaev is enriched by our common
work with Szabi."
After all that information followed some lighter questions: What is the biggest treasure in your life? |
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Without music?
" I couldn't, and it is needed for skating too. When I
was a child I even sang in a choir."
Without credit card?
" I wouldn’t be able to pay for my training camp
without it. However, I am not a big shopper."
Without a computer?
"I use it for getting information about competitions and
music. And to check the sites of other skaters! And of course I’m
checking my e-mails, but I can’t surf for more than 30 minutes
per day."
Without friends?
"Well, that would be really hard, because I couldn't relax
with anybody. I have friendships since childhood, but it’s
not easy to catch up with me, because I have no time for anything."
Without dreams?
"Dreams are really important, because they will show you
the way through your life. Dreams know no limits. If you dream about
something long enough, you will make it come true!"
Which of the above would be the worst?
"Now I like skating first, so I feel the worst thing would
be if it disappeared from my life. But I couldn’t live without
dreams, friends, music or skating!"
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What comes to mind:
Figure skating is :
Everything. It’s a nice sport, every season has its beauty.
Spring: you choose your music, Summer: choreographing your programs,
Autumn: you choose your costumes, Winter: the competitions!
Family is:
Togetherness, living in love.
Friends are:
Understanding. It’s important that I can speak to them,
and that they can respect that my lifestyle is very busy.
Money is:
Money isn’t everything, but it makes life easier. Unfortunately,
figure skating costs money. But luckily I have other sources of
joy which don't need any money.
Sport
Is really important for everybody! You should to do a sport,
like swimming or jogging, but you don’t have to be an athlete.
It is a wonderful feeling.
Love ...
Cannot live without it.
Peace ...
I like living in peace, I really hate quarrelling. If I sense
somebody is in a bad mood, I back off, but everyone has bad days.
And the World could sure use some peace too!
Faith:
It’s very important to have faith in yourself to make
your dreams come true. I am religious, a catholic.
Please choose between: |
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Do not miss the second interview in this series, with Viki's coach Szabolcs Vidrai. Now on AS! Click here to read!