Now IFS magazine April issue is available!
You can download the pdf file (only page 20-21) via this link:
http://www.lovplush.com/resources/IFS-April-p20-p21.pdf
Nerves of Steel
Plushenko Nails It in Sheffield
By Susan D. Russell and James Cowling * Photos by Elina Paasonen
When Evgeni Plushenko announced last year that he was returning to competition, many discounted his ability to compete with the current generation. But at the 2012 European Championships, the Russian superstar proved to the world once again that he is a force to be reckoned with and should never be counted out.
After an easy win in the qualifying round, Plushenko, who did not attempt a quad in the short due to a lingering injury, was outskated by his training mate Artur Gachinski and landed in second place.
Alexei Mishin, who coaches both skaters, spoke to the press following the short program. “Mne’s skating without a quad is like hammer soup. You can boil the hammer, put salt and pepper in, but it’s never tasty. If somebody likes to skate without a quad, they should organize a separate league – men’s single dancing,” Mishin said. “Today I’m happy about Artur, but especially happy about Evgeni’s skating. He came and showed that he’s able to be a winner on one leg.
“No, the competition is not finished yet. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow. But Evgeni showed that he’s alive, strong and dangerous.”
Plushenko added, “I came here to present myself, to skate for my fans, to show my programs and, like my coach said, to show that I am still alive.”
The 29-year-old veteran was on fire in the free skate. He put down a performance that was unbeatable at this competition, executing a quad toe and seven triple jumps, some of which earned high grade of execution scores. His final tally of 261.23 was almost 15 points higher than that of Gachinski who ended up in second place.
“I’m so happy with my performance because I did the whole program clean,” the 2006 Olympic champion said. “I skated with big emotions. Like the real Plushenko! It is my seventh title and I wrote a little bit of history. Thank you to the judges. I am so proud of myself.”
Plushenko addressed the audience in Sheffield following his landslide victory. “Thank you so much for supporting me and believing in me,” he said to wild applause. “I am so happy. Everything was perfect. Next year I will compete all season, at the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Final maybe, nationals, Europeans and Worlds.
“Of course, my goal is my Olympics in 2014. There I would like to stand on the podium and wave to you.”
He also advised that he was scheduled to undergo meniscus surgery in Munich, Germany in mid-February.
Gachinski put down a solid performance in the long program and a combined score of 246327 ensured him the silver medal. “I did everything I wanted. I landed two quads in the free skate for the first time,” the 18-year-old said. “To come second at my second Europeans is a big step forward for me.”
France’s Florent Amodio, fourth after the short, rallied with a strong free skate to “memories of Sobral” and captured the bronze with 234.18 points overall. “It was a difficult start to the season, but I am proud of myself now,” said the 21-year-old, who captured gold at the event in 2011.
Michal Brezina from the Czech Republic landed in fourth (229.30). TeammateTomas Verner, third after the short, fell to fifth (225.36) and Javier Fernandez from Spain finished sixth (222.26).