Alexandra Zaretsky – 23/12/87, Roman Zaretsky – 04/12/83

15.05.07

Alexandra and Roman Zaretsky have been representing Israel in senior ice dance events since 2006. They debuted with a 19th place in 2001 Junior World Championships and had climbed up to the 4th position in 2005 Junior Worlds. In 2006 they were 15th in Senior European Championships and 20th in World Championships. They represented Israel in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin alongside Galit Chait and Sergei Sakhnovksy and finished in the 22nd position. They were 4th in the 2006 Cup of China and 3d in the 2006 Nebelhorn Trophy.

The brother and sister have made significant progress this year, demonstrating "more maturity and alignment than we saw from them last year", according to the EuroSport commentator Nickie Slater. It was reflected in their much higher positions in the 2007 European (11th) and World Championships (14th). The pair is coached by the two-time Olympic Champion Evgeny Platov in Montclair, USA.

I caught up with them between their busy training sessions:

-This year you were the only pair representing our country in the ice dance category. How did this extra pressure affect you? Did it feel like a burden of responsibility or was it a boosting factor?
-Sasha felt no pressure; I am always the nervous one, but we kept enjoying the competitions even more and trying to prove that we were worth it.

- How many hours a day do you train?
-Depending on the time of the season, 4-7 hours a day.

- Tell me frankly - is your coach tough on you?
- Well, he has to be, but our coach is the best of the best, so the only way to prove it to him is to be worthy of his effort and to enhance our skills all the time

- What elements would you like to improve first and foremost in your dancing routine?
- Spins are the biggest problem of dancers (that's why we left single skating...:) )

- Have you already started preparing the next season's programmes?
- Yes, we have, we are already working on the technique and the OD. 

-What is your favourite dance?
- Rhumba.

- What is the most vivid impression of a competition you have had so far?
- Definitely the Olympic Games.

- What helps you overcome the fatigue and the strenuous nature of training?
- Just the love for that sport, and the faith that one day we will get there.

- Most athletes are superstitious. Are you?
-Yes. Sasha can't go on the ice without a piece of chocolate, and I have to warm up away from everyone else and never go back to my hotel room if I forgot something....

- I know you are taking a month off the ice in June. How are you going to spend your holiday?
- Family, Israel, friends and the loved ones. That is the only time we can see everyone and have fun (though still thinking about July and the next season of competitions)

- How would you define your motto in life and your main character trait?
-Never give up!!!

-Well, with this kind of attitude beneath the blade we can only wish you a smooth skate! Get ready for the next season with all the guns blazing and with all the blades beaming!
-Thank you. We will try to do it.