The children train with our famous and successful ice dance specialists Irina Zhuk and Alexander Svinin. Among their students were European champions Yana Khokhlova – Sergei Novitsky, European Championship medalists Alexandra Stepanova – Ivan Bukin. Irina Vladimirovna told RG about the work with the current first duo of her group, Leontyeva – Gorelkin, as well as about cooperation with world champions in pair skating Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov.
Sonya said that successful box office performances are an impetus for further development. Were you also satisfied?
Irina Zhuk: They have made a big step since the season when they just qualified for the Masters. First of all, they hit the mark right away, which rarely happens with young players. We were very pleased with last season, but this year they have already grown a lot. Because they work hard on themselves, fix mistakes and accept our feedback. They generally have a good head on their shoulders. Many athletes have passed through us, and we can say that this does not happen so often. It is clear that athletes do what the coaches say. But Sonya and Danya always analyze both the program and the music. And we, despite their young age, consult with them. They are very mature in their thinking: they read a lot, study well and are interested in many things. This is very important for the process and for the result, it really gives them an impetus for development. And it is a great pleasure for us to work with them, we love them very much. And we hope that our story will last a long time, even forever.
Last season Leontyeva and Gorelkin were very close to the podium. What goals do you currently have for the pair?
Irina Zhuk: We don’t think about places. We just want them to improve their skating. If you work hard and approach everything correctly, you will definitely achieve it. Sooner or later this will happen. They will break the wall. Now we want to make them skate cleanly and please the public and the specialists. And everything will be there. And places too.
The dance is not a disaster. It’s just that the leaders have left and the youth need time to get back on their feet.
Tell us about the duo’s style, about the programs…
Irina Zhuk: We tried to develop them in different directions. For example, last year we took a risk. They did a free dance “Snow White and the Huntsman”, but only towards the end of the season did they roll it up as they needed. At first it was difficult. We understood that this would happen, but we immediately raised the bar for them to move on. This year we chose 50 Shades of Grey. Of course, we went through the film in detail and emphasis. But they also added other music. It was important that the show did not seem corny, that the guys were young, beautiful and in love. They took care of it. They themselves like it very much. As for the rhythm dance, it is Elvis Presley. We were aware that many would take up this topic. But Danya is so similar to Elvis that there could be no other choice. They enjoy skating and we enjoy them.
Another amazing image: Michael Jackson, world champion in pair skating Mishina: Is Gallyamov also your idea?
Irina Zhuk: Yes, we have been cooperating with Nastya and Sasha for three years. We also did a program for Elvis Presley. That year there was “Dreams of Love”. And for the show tournament “Russian Challenge” we presented a number about Ostap Bender and Ellochka the Ogress. Now – free dance to Michael Jackson’s hits. Of course, the program still needs to be implemented. But in St. Petersburg it was presented with dignity. We watched, cheered, applauded. We are also interested in them. This is not dancing, but skating in pairs.
How can such different aspects be brought to a common denominator?
Irina Zhuk: There is also Tamara Nikolaevna Moskvina. She guides us, corrects something. She is a boss, a guru, a master of her craft. But the guys are also great. They have the most complex elements: jumps, turns, lifts. And we show dance elements. But they try, they meet halfway.
Mishina – Gallyamov managed to perform on the international stage. How do Leontyeva and Gorelkin see the situation with the lack of foreign opportunities?
Irina Zhuk: We don’t think about it at all. They like to work, including routine work. We devote a lot of time to technique, skating and sliding. We have a great team. There are many choreographers, many assistants and a wonderful psychologist Zhanna Simak. Sonya and Danya are bold in experimenting, open to everything and trust us.
But do you still keep an eye on your foreign rivals? Do you compare our Russian dances with those of the rest of the world?
Irina Zhuk: Of course, we watch the tournaments. Although it is one thing to watch the program live and another thing to watch it on video. Our dances are now in the development stage. There is the first pair and everyone else is following it. Everyone says that the dance is in ruins. But Sasha and I do not believe it. The leaders are gone, it is difficult to immediately educate the younger generation. It takes time. There are many couples. There will be an interesting fight in the season. I don’t think that the dance is in a bad state. Everyone is looking for and creating new elements. It is obvious. We just need a little time and we will definitely rise.
