Ladies Free Program
By Helga Dobor,
Titanilla Bőd
Photos © Helga Dobor
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Katherine Hadford (HUN) What do you think about your free program? I switched some elements in my LP, because double axel is easier for me, and I wanted to have more energy at the end of the program. I landed four triples and two double axels. Are you satisfied? This time it was great. I haven’t done it this season yet: to skate a clean program. |
Weren’t you nervous because you had to skate last in your warm-up group?
I’m already used to this situation. I was a bit excited, but when I stepped on the ice, it disappeared. I heard the crowd shouting “Hajrá Kati!” (Go Kati –ed.)
That’s how you imagined your first Europeans?
I hadn’t hoped for such a good performance. I knew I was able to do two clean programs, because I worked hard, but now, after doing it here, I’m just very, very happy!
Elena Gedevanishvili (GEO)
You were very disappointed after the short program..
It was hard for me, but I tried my very best today. Tonight I feel I gave a good performance and I did well at the practices too, and this was the best performance I’ve done this season. I didn’t lose my triple-triple combination, but I did not try it now because I knew I was not ready to land it properly.
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Jenni Vahamaa (FIN) Are you satisfied with the competition? This competition left me wth a good feeling. I skated better than yesterday. The beginning was good where the most difficult jumps are. I got a bit tired towards the end and my technique suffered from tiredness, but the jumps were too round. Maybe there was some slight nervousness. I felt confident but I couldn’t do my absolute best. I’m satisfied with the scores, and the levels were quite high too. I will go to the Junior World’s to challenge the American girls I haven’t beaten yet this season in juniors. For next year my goal is to get to the Finnish team for the home European’s. |
Anette Dytrt (GER) What do you think of your skating? My legs felt very heavy today. I fought until the very end and I always had the tenth place at the back of the mind. I tried to pull off the salchow at the very end. It was a better performance that at National’s. |
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Jenna McCorkell (GBR) You missed the triple loop and triple flip… I don’t know what happened and I don’t mind actually. It’s my season’s best. I came here to work on myself and I’m not disappointed at all. My skating is improving, I feel it and that’s what counts… |
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Carolina Kostner (ITA)
What do you think of your long program?
I have been having problems with my Lutz so I got a little scared, but the rest of the program was good so I felt confident during the performance.
I’m happy with the scores especially with the second one.
Do you think you can defend your title?
I hope I make it, but it won’t be the end of the world if I don’t.
After the winning:
I don’t even know what to say! I’m so happy! I tried to stay calm and focused all week.
Valentina Marchei (ITA)
I’m not that satisfied, although it was my season’s best. I’m not disappointed either. I was really excited because I was skating in the last group. That never happened before, not even in the junior competition, there was no sleep for me last night. I couldn’t wait to get on the ice! At the practice it was great but today not so good.
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Sarah Meier (SUI) What did you feel before your performance? The half hour after the warm up was the worst in my life. I was so nervous. Each program seemed like it was going on for ten minutes and I didn’t feel good at all. So I’m happy with how I did and very happy to have the silver medal. I thought I have to fight until the very end, even if I’ll drop dead on to the ice at the end, but I wasn’t sure if I can do it. But I did it, and so I’m really pleased. |
Júlia Sebestyén (HUN) How do you feel after your free program? I’m glad that I managed to do a very good LP. I had already said before the competition that a good result needs many things. This time I almost got the bronze, I missed it by a hair. But I skated well, and that’s the most important thing. And you were also the most popular skater today. Yes, and I felt the love of the crowd. I was getting tired during the program, but I said to myself: “It’s okay, come on, it’s going to be better.” The Hungarian fans gave me strength. |
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What was it like to skate the very last in the competition?
It was a bit bad after the warm-up, because I had to wait for a long time, but in some ways I’m already used to this, because I have skated last many times. I tried not to care about the others’ performance, just to concentrate on what I had to do.
Did you watch any of your rivals’ performances?
No, not at all. I never do, and I didn’t this time.