“Ukrainian skaters talked with Sport.ua correspondent”, – WRITE: Sport.ua
The sports couple from the Dnieper scored 164.05 points, giving way to only a few tenths of Kate Macbeth and Daniel Parkman from the United States, who took second place with the result of 165.76. The victory in the steam skating was won by the Italians Rebecca Gilardi and Filippo Ambrozini with the result of 171.02.
The next important start for Sofia and Artem will be the Juniors World Cup, which will take place from February 25 to March 2 in Debretsen (Hungary). They will also take part in the World Cup in Boston (USA), which will take place from March 25 to March 30, where they will fight for the Olympic license for Ukraine.
We talked with athletes after their arbitrary program in Milan. Sofia and Artem spoke about the performances at the European Championships, the difficulties that the skaters face during training in the Dnieper, as well as their attitude to the possible participation of Russians in the 2026 Olympics.
– Share your emotions and impressions of your performance in these competitions.
Sofia: – I would like to say that the performance was quite good if it was not my Salkhov. I got on the trail left by previous athletes, and because of this I could not fulfill the element. But in general, everything went well.
Artem: – As for an arbitrary program, we tried to make it test in these competitions to improve the technical components. For example, a triple flip, and in general sought to perform triple jumps cleaner. In general, you just need to roll these elements more.
Sofia: After the European Championship, we have never rolled the “adult” versions of our programs, only junior. In addition, after returning from Tallin, my luggage did not arrive on time, and we had to wait a little. Therefore, the preparation was shortened, and only a week remained.
Sofia: Of course, this is our goal – to obtain an Olympic license at the World Cup in Boston. We go to this and hope that we will be able to achieve this goal without the need to go to Beijing to qualify, where the Russians will be.
Sofia: – This solution evokes my negative emotions. At first I thought it was a fake, but when the news confirmed official sources, it became clear that it was true. It is unpleasant, especially given what is happening in our country every day.
-If it still happens and the Russians will allow the Olympiad, what do you think will be the right behavior strategy for Ukrainian athletes?
Artem: – By 2022 we tried to avoid conflicts, but now the situation has changed. Previously, only we had problems with them, now other countries also have this pressure. We will not initiate conflicts, but if there are provocations, we will answer. They may try to behave delicately to give the impression that all is well and they are not enemies, but we will not be guided to this game. Now the war is going on, my father fought, and I cannot treat them friendly, even if some of them are in favor of other countries.
For example, these competitions are an American couple, he himself from the St. Peter (we are talking about a couple of Kate Macbeth – Daniel Parkman, – ed. Ed). I already had a conflict with him in 2021, when there was no full -scale invasion. He was then ride for Georgia and he is a person who simply cannot behave adequately as other athletes. Even today in training – he goes and does not look at the sides at all, the main thing where he goes, and this is all that attitude.
– You train in the Dnieper. What are the most common challenges and difficulties?
Sofia: – These are constant explosions and anxieties.
– Do you stop training during anxiety?
Sofia: – No, we do not stop. Only if you hear air defense or explosions, then we stop.
Sofia: – There is a concrete stop where you can hide, but if there is a direct hit, it will not help. There is another shelter, but it is far, it must be gone, and during this time there may be something unforeseen. Therefore, we usually stay on the skating rink. Since we are adults, we have the right to decide, stay or go to shelters, and they always try to bring children.
Artem: – I live next to the place where the air defense stands, and I hear explosions and working air defense every day. This is our daily life. Recently, when we were at the European Championships, my friend made a video as Shahaned flew just over my house, and it was in broad daylight.
– Tell us about your impressions of the European Championship. Are you satisfied with your performance?
Sofia: – Yes, we are satisfied. They could show the best result, but the main goal was to roll cleaner and improve emissions, as we had difficulty with them this season. We managed to cope with this, and the program has succeeded quite well, although, of course, there are moments we need to work on. We put a triple flip and try to roll it now, it is not perfect, and we jump it from different events, because it is so convenient for both of us and it turns out more stable.
Artem: – I discuss with the Federation the opportunity not to participate, because we will be the only couple there. You also need to restore health, so I do not see the point in participating. There are some health problems, now we solve how best to recover.
Photo: Wilma ALBERTI, MARYNA NASTEVYCH