Who Said Teenagers Do Not Like Classical Music?
Meet Sofia Bardakova, a 14-year old new immigrant from Ekaterinburg, Russia, who will be representing Israel in junior ladies, and she will roll out a whole scroll of names of world-renowned classical composers that she likes

 The interview was taken on the first day of Israel's 2007 Nationals in Metula

-Sofia, our traditional question: how old were you when you started skating?
-Like most children, I started skating at the age of 5.
-Was it in Ekaterinburg?
-Yes. I have been doing both pair skating and single skating.
-That's interesting. How many hours a day do you train, and what are your favourite elements?
-Altogether I train for about 3 hours a day. My favourite elements are jumps when I can land them. (at this point she gives off a beamy smile).
-Some skaters enjoy just on-the-ice training. And you?
-Oh, I like both on-the-ice and gym training. Especially in pair skating, when you can do lifts.
-And your coach's name?
-Julia Bystrova.
-What helps you more – when she is strict or soft-spoken?
-Well, I have to be driven out of the comfort zone if I want to perform better.
-I see. You have been skating for 9 years – two-thirds of your life. What does figure skating mean to you? Is it your hobby?
-I wouldn't say so. It is much more than that. A hobby is something you do when you want to. In figure skating if you want to achieve something, you have to work hard every day.
-So, there is little time left for anything else.
-Just school and training. But I like classical music. Tchaikovsky, Bach, or Bizet are my favourite music selections. I also like folk music.
-How unusual! No hard rock or rap for you?
-No-no. Just classical or folk music.
-What is going to be your next competition after the Nationals?
-A Junior Grand Prix series.
-Is it going to be your first international competition?
-Yes. I will be representing Israel in the junior ladies category.
-As usual, good luck in everything.