Silver Medallists talk Trust

GRANADA – Russia’s figure skaters mean business.

Kristina Astakhova and Alexei Rogonov are in Granada for all the right reasons.

“Before you compete, you can’t have fun,” said Alexei Rogonov, the student at Moscow State Academy of Physical Education. “You must concentrate and train [before your competition].”

And the duo’s rules paid off when they won a silver medal in the Figure Skating Pairs competition in the Universiade Igloo on 6 February.

“[Now], we will visit other venues together and watch other Russian athletes and cheer for Russia,” said the 27-year-old.

Many partners skate together for years before qualifying for the Winter Universiade, but these two have only been skating together for about eight months.

“She’s very confident and patient,” he said. “She says she is nervous but I never see it.”

And as she’s being tossed and twisted in the air in her red and black sparkling outfit, Astakhova has gained a huge respect for her new partner.

“It is most important to trust him,” said the 18-year-old RSUPEST student. “When he has me up there, it is very important for him to be very powerful.”

Not only is Rogonov powerful enough to throw his partner high in the air, but he has powerful feelings about representing his country.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I am proud of all the Russians at the Games. It is a great feeling to be part of such a big team.”

The gold medal of the Figure Skating Pairs event was picked up by Chinese duo Xiaoyu Yu and Yang Jin. And the bronze medal was won by France’s Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres.

Kelcey Wright, U-Media Reporter