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Elena Radionova interview
Text: Miho Noguchi (sports writer)

A 17-year old who is growing and developing maturity
"Once again I feel the wonderfulness of Mao."

Elena Radionova--last season and this season, she medaled in all 10 of her competitions and confirmed her status as a top skater. Even in Russia, where young skaters keep coming to power, she is increasing her presence. I asked her about her thoughts for this season, when she turns 17.

From 3rd at Cup of China to a win at Rostelecom Cup
The confidence she gained at the Grand Prix Final

--At the Cup of China, your first event of the season, you had several jump mistakes and were 3rd. For you, was it an unsatisfying result?
At that competition, I was in terribly bad shape; my coach was in the hospital, and it couldn't be helped. However, it was a good experience [because I learned] how to be strong and control my feelings even when my physical condition is not good. In the short, I couldn't be strong and was 6th, but in the free I was able to do my best. I think this bronze medal that I won with my desperate fight [literally "as if my life depended on it"] was an experience that will help me in future competitions.

--Since you were 3rd at the Cup of China, your goal was to win at Rostelecom Cup in order to advance to the Grand Prix Final. You brilliantly won the competition where there were many top skaters like Adelina Sotnikova and Evgenia Medvedeva.
There are many Russian skaters who say they can't skate well at competitions at home and prefer to skate abroad, but I'm the opposite. At competitions at home in Russia, and I can relax; it's home ground, and I like it. In many ways and psychologically it's comfortable. Of course, I also like going abroad; I like to travel, but even so, I definitely feel most comfortable at competitions in Moscow, and I was able to demonstrate my power there. Now, the Russian ladies are all wonderful, splendid skaters, so I was very happy I was able to win against them.

--At the Grand Prix Final, it looked like you regained your form.
In the short, I did the triple-triple combination in the second half of my program, which is more difficult than what I have done in the past, and I was very nervous. I landed the jump, but in practice I had been doing it more cleanly, so I want to work on it more. However, aside from the quality of the jumps, I think it's very meaningful that I was able to do the triple-triple in the second half of my short program. For ladies, it's difficult to do in the second half, so it's a sign of a top skater. That's why it's a result that gave me confidence.

--After the free, you won the bronze medal.
In the free program I made several mistakes, so I'm not satisfied. However, I think it was a competition that will translate into results later. For some reason, I was more nervous about the free program. My condition was good, but somewhere in the back of my head I was thinking "after this there is Russian Nationals," and maybe that's why I wasn't able to bring my 100% best. Russian Nationals is a very important competition that determines which skaters go to Worlds. So my mistakes were not because of technique or stamina, but from a psychological influence. I'm not satisfied with my skating at the Grand Prix Final, but I was able to skate well at Rostelecom Cup, so I won't worry about it as I head to the competitions in the second half of the season.

Over the past 2 years, her height has increased 14cm
"I've gotten quite used to my body."

--All of a sudden you got taller and look more mature. How much have you grown?
Over the past two years I have been growing. From last season, 7cm, and over the past 2 years, I've grown more than 14cm. Some people say that it's easier to skate and jump when your body is small, but truthfully, I don't feel that way. This season, I've spent time getting used to my new body, and I think it's not a negative thing but a positive thing. In the future, I am working on showing more mature, feminine skating. Truthfully, after the first half of the season, I feel like I've gotten used to controlling my body.

--Is it impacting you in any particular way?
From here on, I think it will be a period where the pluses (positives) increase. I think it's important to pay attention to the things that will improve as you grow older--expression, a performance that shows off my long arms and legs, and dynamic skating.

--The condition of your jumps has improved a lot, so is there any chance that you'll change your jumps as we head to the second half of the season? Are you practicing a triple axel or a quad?
Right now I'm not planning to make any changes. And I am not practicing a triple axel or a quad. Of course, later this may change, but during the season, my priority is to skate my programs well.

--In Russia, there are skaters like Sotnikova or Yulia Lipnitskaya who went to the Sochi Olympics but now are struggling with puberty.
When you are smaller and younger, it is easier to jump, and it's probably easier to get good scores. For me as well, this year I've grown a lot, and the way I jump and the feeling of the jump has changed a bit, and there were many days when it was difficult trying to get used to that. However, both Adelina and Yulia are very talented and tough skaters, so I'm sure they'll be able to return to a high level. There are many examples of elite skaters coming back even stronger.

--Mao Asada, who returned this sesason, also was able to give more beautiful performances after she grew.
Exactly. As you get used to your body, your jumps come back. And your expression becomes more mature. That's why I really respect Mao, who has been able to compete for a long time. This season I really feel that skaters like Mao, who skate beautifully, should be respected and loved. Once again, I feel like I want to be a skater like Mao.

--When you saw Asada's triple axel live, did it excite you?
Mao's triple axel is very pretty and beautiful. I think it's wonderful that she is pushing ladies skating toward including those high-difficulty jumps. She's a skater I respect from my heart.

Changing the choreographer, "a new flavor"
Aiming for mature expression with two love songs

--Please tell us about your choreography. This season you worked with Nikolai Morozov for the first time. Your programs use very dramatic songs and choreography, and it's quite an image change.
This season I decided to try something new. I think Nikolai was able to teach me choreography that brings out a new flavor. I think the image that he created matches me very well, and I am able to skate from my heart. I really like the choreography. Because he was an ice dancer, in the program there are very interesting ice dance elements mixed in. It's difficult, but full of attractive movements.

--What kind of theme does your short program "Je T'aime" have?
I really like this music so I chose it. It's a love song. It's a program that conveys love.

--Your free program is "Titanic."
Yes, the movie soundtrack is wonderful, so I chose it without hesitating. From last season, we were able to use music with vocals, and Celine Dion's voice is beautiful, so we chose this song. I think everyone knows the story of the movie "Titanic," and I am trying to convey that story to the audience while I'm skating.

--Specifically, which scenes are you showing?
In the movie "Titanic," in the beginning, you see the splendid lifestyle aboard the ship, and then the ship hits the iceberg, and at the end, they pledge their love and are separated. It's a very romantic and beautiful story. It's a grand program that tries to convey the entire story of the movie, so I would happy if the audience can imagine what scenes I'm portraying while I'm skating.

--It's a popular song and can draw people in.
Yes. But unexpectedly, no one has used this music in competition. It's generally a very popular movie and soundtrack, but it's new to use this theme in competition.

I like Japan and everything from Japan
An interest in Japan's worldview and culture

--Finally, I'd like to ask your thoughts about Japan. I think you have come many times to Japan to compete and skate in exhibitions.
Japan? I love Japan. When I think of Japan, I have only very warm memories. In Japan I have many fans, and they come to see me compete and cheer for me, so I'm happy. It's not flattery, it's the truth! I love the country of Japan. Japan has a unique worldview and culture, and it suits me well. I like Japanese food, and when I go to Japan, I eat sushi. But not just sushi, I like everything in Japan. If it has "Japan" on it, I like it.

--When you came to Japan, did you go sightseeing?
Yes. In Japan I went to all kinds of places. Shibuya, and the famous street in Harajuku (Takeshita-dori), and I saw the cool people wearing new fashions. I went to so many places that I can't remember them all, and I did a lot of shopping. So much so that I can't even remember what I bought. (Laughs.)

--Well then, tell us your goal for the season!
More than anything, to skate well. I still don't know which competitions I'll participate in, but no matter what competitions I appear in, my number one goal is to give a good performance, a clean performance. The support of my fans from my beloved Japan is a great encouragement to me. Please continue to cheer for me.