SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW…

He was born and raised in Russia, while she has spent most of her life in New Jersey where he had been training until they finally met…in California to form an ice skating pair and represent Israel in senior pair skating

The interview was taken on the first day of the 2007 Israel Nationals in Metulla, Aug. 24th, 2007

 -Vadim, how did your ice skating partnership start?
-I was still training in New Jersey looking for a new skating partner after my former partner Julia Shapiro, with whom I did two competitive seasons – 2004 and 2005- decided to quit figure skating.
-And you didn’t follow suit, did you?
-No, I didn't. I felt it was too early for me quit, so I started looking for a new partner.
(Hayley) – And I decided to do pair skating as well and put up my ad on a special website for those who seek ice skating partners. That was in May. Then we both went to California where it turned out that we were actually both living in New Jersey.
-But you decided to move to Calirfornia, didn’t you?
-Because of our coach – Andrei Bushkov, 1996 World Champion in pair skating with Marina Eltsova.
-So, you have been training together for barely 7 months.
-Exactly. Our coach took us off from nowhere to doing most difficult pair skating elements, including throw jumps.
-Speaking about throw jumps, what does it feel like when you are in the air?
(Hayley)-It's exhilarating! You feel like flying.
-Don't you feel the danger? Aren't you afraid?
-I am not. It is also important to trust your skating partner, like I trust Vadim.
-Vadim, there is a difference of 8 years between you. Hayley is 16, and you are 24. At your age it's like a different generation. Does it help or the opposite?
-To my mind, it helps. Especially in our situation, in which Hayley has just started doing pair skating. I have to transmit to her the confidence she needs and to assume responsibility if something doesn't work out.
-Hayley, isn't he bossy sometimes?
-No! We get along really well. Also with our coach. He manages to push us to the levels we need to produce the desired training effect.
-Is he your role model?
-He is. And Arthur Dmitriev, the two-time Olympic Champion in pair skating.
-He has recently become a TV star taking part in the popular show Dance on Ice, in which one of his skating partners, with whom he won the Olympic gold, is also taking part.
-We think it's great that prominent figure skaters do not disappear from the public eye and continue to inspire us. It's really great!
-Have you taken part in any competitions so far?
(Vadim) – Not yet. I did two seasons with Julia Shapiro on the senior level, as I have already said. For example, we took part in the 2005 Worlds in Moscow. But the Nationals is my first competition with Hayley.
-Really? I wouldn't feel it during the short programme. You seemed to be well-aligned. Any more competitions this season?
-It will depend on the results of the Nationals.
-How many hours a day do you train?
-We have 3 one-hour on-the-ice training sessions, and we do one hour off-ice. You have to work hard to achieve the form you need.
-And you favourite element?

(Together) –Bowing to the audience.
-Humour and you definitely run in the same channel. Let me wish you to bow to the audience and never to bow to something less pleasant than the after-performance applause.
(Together) – Thank you !