Dear fans and figure skating fans, we would like to offer you this exclusive interview with Oksana and Maxim for the official website. Despite the heavy training schedule, the skaters managed to find some time to answer our questions. We hope you will be interested in learning more about their preparation for the Olympic season.


Editorial Staff.  Guys, how are you doing, and how is your preparation for the competitions going?

Oksana.  Everything is fine. After Maxim's return, we went back to our usual training schedule, and we are currently getting ready for the Russian Nationals. We cannot wait to  perform  our Olympic programs in front the public and the judges, to show everyone the result of our creative development.

S.  And we can't wait to see them, but does this mean that that you were forced to sit out the fourth stage of the Russian Cup in Moscow?

O. Unfortunately, yes:  we just resumed regular training, and we simply wouldn't have the time to get ready for the competition. We really like our new dances, both the Original and the Free dance, and we would really like to properly introduce them at their best.

S.  Your names appear in the advertising ad for the "Crystal Ice" Awards ceremony show, taking place in Luzhniki on December 12. Are you really planning to take part in the show?

O.  This was the initial plan, but then we were forced to give it up. We would really like to participate, but at the moment we just can't afford to travel to Russia for just one show.


S.  We are sure you are aware of the fact that Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte, and Natalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat are also using the soundtrack from "Requiem for a dream" for their dances. Were you ever tempted to change the music, before it gets too late?

O.  No, absolutely not, for no reason in the world!  We really like this music, and the fact that it's also been a choice for other couples doesn't worry us in the least. Plus, that is not the main theme for our free dance.

S.  And that is still a well-kept secret... Can you at least anticipate something about the costumes?

O.  The costumes are ready. We had them tailored in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and we are very happy with the result. We won't say anything more though. Just wait a little longer and you will be able to see them at the Russian Nationals.

S.  Your free dance is once again about love. Sure enough that is an ever-lasting theme, but we feel it might get hard to come up with different nuances of the theme, year after year. Barbarian dances of a warrior and his concubine, a cynical seducer and his victim, the tragedy of a woman who sends her loved one off to war...What next? And why again a relationship between a man and a woman?
 
Maxim.  What next?  You ask such a wonderful question, it makes me feel like answering in an equally elevated style. When one admires earthly beauty, remembering at the same time true beauty, he grows wings and tries to fly; but still strengthless, he looks up, like a little bird, paying no attention to what goes on below. And this is the reason for this ecstatic state. Of all the forms of ecstasy this is the best, by its very origin, for him who experiences it and for the one who shares it with him. The one who loves beauty, participating in this ecstasy, is called the lover. Unfortunately I cannot speak as beautifully as Plato, but I feel very close to what he says.

«The world is tragically beautiful in its fragmentedness. Its harmony is in its disharmony; its unity is in its discord». This is what I feel our dance is about.

S.  Let's talk about your original dance. We are sure we won't say anything new by admitting that yours was a very unexpected choice. It is more or less clear how to choreograph a well known-dance, but how do you plan to hold true to the feel and authenticity of this particular dance, and what are your resources?

O.  Our choreographer is Natalia Vladimirovna Linichuk, and we rely on her vision of this dance. Of course we also use the Internet as a source of information.

O.  We always try to dictate fashion, not follow it! About the question I can say that we won't have that kind of lifts in our dances.

S.  Last season you performed some spectacular lifts which emphasised the gorgeous lines of  your couple. Do you feel like telling us how you came up with them, and how you put them into practise?

O.  To tell you the truth each year we go through the same painful process! We always try to create something new, effective and original, in line with the existing rules. The process starts with a variety of attempts, rehearsals and failures, but in the end we can come out with some brilliant lifts, like the "firemen ladder" lift (editor's note - that's how the guys jokingly refer to the first "Spartacus" lift).

S.  Your path to Vancouver is not an easy one: it goes through pain, separation, resentment, harsh criticism, at times cruel and not very objective....and why not, even the difficulty to find your kefir! From the outside one gets the impression that the obstacles spread  on your way only make you stronger. Honestly, did you ever wish to give it all up to  follow an easier path? What gives you strength to go on, and  what helps you to keep fighting against your rivals and destiny?

O.  Oh, but really, who gets it easy in life? In sports, as in life, sooner or later we all go through hard times. Some will experience more than others, someone will get seriously scarred in life and, unfortunately, not everyone will make it through.  In sports you can survive only by overcoming difficulties, and we believe that the harder the path, the sweeter the ending. We have one goal, one dream and, despite all adversities, we will try to reach it with all our strength, and let's hope for the best!

S.  At the Grand Prix competition in Moscow, Russian fans presented you with a gift which consisted in home-made magnets sent to you to show support from different parts of Russia. Were you impressed with the geography? Also, judging by the statistics of the website hits, your fans are scattered all over the world. Can you feel the support from all your fans? Does this help you, or does it put pressure on you, making it hard to fully concentrate on the sport?

O.  It is a great pleasure to us to know that we are loved in many places and countries. It gives us confidence in what we do. People's support does not bother us at all, how could it! On the contrary: it gives us strength and makes us fly! Thank you, dear fans!!!

O.  Yes, and we were delighted with it, the matryoshka dolls are wonderful. A huge thank to the organisers, to the creator of the prices and to all those who voted for us.

S.  Oksana, you recently stated in an interview that you want to carry on skating after the Olympic Games...

O.  I didn't state that, I only mentioned that it's theoretically possible, nothing more than that. Actually, at the moment there are no plans, and I'm not even going to think about it. Vancouver is our goal, and everything depends on that.