Interview with Alexei Yagudin
Part 3
by
Magdalena Osborne
Will
you be at the Worlds in Moscow next year?
We’re trying to set up the tour so I’ll have enough
days off to go to Junior Worlds and Worlds. I’d like to do
a farewell skate in Moscow like I did at Skate Canada, if they’ll
let me. I doubt I’ll be able to go to Europeans because the
tour schedule is very dense in January. |
2.jpg)
|
The
ISU made cut backs on prize money for the skaters, how do you feel about
that?
I don’t care what the ISU does, I just do my job. These are hard
times and money is tight everywhere. But things go up and down and I hope
figure skating will grow in popularity again. It’s a pity it’s
this way but I can’t do anything about it.
What
is your opinion on the Code of Points?
I’m all for it. Whatever you do on the ice is marked and I think
it’s a step in the right direction. And I’m not just saying
that because the Russian federation is against it! Before there was so
much focus on the jumps, do two quads and you’re pretty much set,
even for skaters with poor basic skating skills. With the new system the
skaters have to be good at so much more than jumps and include harder
steps, more difficult spins, maybe harder combinations etc.
Will
you have any vacation this summer and see your family?
My mom was on the tour with us in January. It’s better for her to
come to the US than for me to go to Russia. But I was planning on going
there, I was supposed to spend May in St Petersburg, but plans always
change and now Brian is coming... I will go to Russia for a week in July
when my cousin’s getting married.
Is
there any truth to the rumors that you will skate on a cruise ship this
summer?
I wanted to and I asked my agent a few weeks ago but it won’t happen.
When I have vacation I don’t skate.
.2.jpg) |
What
about your off ice projects like the animated movie?
I will be a cartoon character, my skating and voice will be used.
I don’t know when this will start. But the company making
the movie has won a prize at the Cannes festival and they’ve
been making movies for a long time. I don’t know if this will
work but I hope.. |
And
the Russian ice opera “Infinity”?
Yes, that is another project. I get asked to do a lot of things in Russia
but then nothing happens. In this opera I will be a flame of fire but
I still don’t know much, I haven’t heard any more in a long
time. Maybe they are still looking for sponsors, I don’t know.
American Olympic champions get a lot of endorsements. Has anything been
offered to you?
Before the Olympics I made a deal with Vespa sport supplement to be their
spokesperson. That is still on and we’ve made a commercial. But
come on, I’m Russian, no one will give me a deal in America! After
the Olympics I wanted something, not for the money but because it was
interesting for me and something to do. But no Russian will get deals
in America unless they win five Olympics or so. And I’d need an
American name like “Nick Taylor” or something and then maybe
they’d give me something. But that’s life and I’m fine
with it now.
Over
two years after you won the Olympics, you are still immensely popular.
How do you explain the phenomena Alexei Yagudin?
This is not a question for me but for the people who come to watch me.
I don’t force anyone to like my skating or my programs. I’m
doing what I have trained for, what I know. When I skate I put my heart
and soul in it, I give it my all, 100% in every show and I guess people
feel that... But I’m glad they like me!
What
do your fans mean to you?
Without them I wouldn’t give interviews, I wouldn’t be touring
or doing shows, I would have quit skating! The fans are an active part
of my life. Sometimes I see familiar faces at shows and they have banners
and scream for me and it’s very supportive. I’m glad I have
fan clubs and people who like my skating.
What
would you like to say to them?
That they are doing a great job supporting me and that I’m really
thankful they are there. |
2.jpg)