"It was a little scary on the first day of training"

Two weeks after taking bronze in Magnitogorsk at the first stage of the Russian Grand Prix, 16-year-old Dina Khusnutdinova scored a spectacular victory in Kazan, scoring 218.01 points and updating her personal best by 14 points. For the young figure skater, who recently moved to Moscow from the Strela Kazan school, this is her first triumph at the adult level — confident, clean, with two triple axels in the free skate. Immediately after the rental, Dina admitted that she was already preparing a four-piece sheepskin coat for the Russian Championship. Dina told Izvestia and Sport—Express in an interview about what it's like to perform at home, how Tutberidze's team is working, and why the audience is her main source of energy.

Performing in Kazan is magical!

— What was it like to perform at home?

— I am very glad that it was in Kazan that my second stage of the Grand Prix took place. It was very cool, magical. I am glad that so many viewers have come, my family, friends, and friends. I was supported by the stands, and the impressions, of course, are only positive.

— How much did it add to the excitement?

— Probably, there was some kind of burden of responsibility for the fact that there are a lot of my friends here, but at the same time there was stronger support from the stands. I think it was really cool that so many people came. And, of course, I felt a lot of support for me.

— Is there a favorite arena where you like to perform the most?

— I really like the Metallurg Arena in Magnitogorsk, it's very cool. Magnitogorsk has very kind people who come to support us, and the atmosphere is wonderful. The stands there can accommodate more people than in Kazan. Magnitogorsk has probably become one of my favorite cities where I've been to competitions.

And, of course, I really enjoy performing in Kazan, at the Sports Palace. There is a bright, warm arena here, and there are quite a lot of spectators. I was at Eteri Georgievna Tutberidze's show in the spring of 2024 at Tatneft Arena, it's also big, and I also like performing there.

— Would you be able to perform without an audience?

— I think so, because last season I competed at the junior stages, there were much fewer spectators there. Of course, it's always easier with the audience, they cheer you on, clap, and you keep riding even more confidently.

Force emissions: results of the second stage of the Russian Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The battle for leadership is escalating in all forms

Eteria Georgievna has everything on schedule

— You recently joined Eteri Tutberidze. How did you get used to the coaching staff?

— Everything was going quite well, I think. The first day was a little scary, I thought I'd be more worried on the ice. The training session was calm, and I'm glad that I was able to join the team. The training sessions are productive and positive, and we have a very friendly atmosphere.

— And which of the coaches was the fastest to contact?

— It seems to me, with everyone. There is a special mood around each coach. And there is no such thing that I feel better with someone, worse with someone, no, all the coaches are on equal terms with me. And I am glad that now I have the opportunity to train at Eteri Georgievna's headquarters.

— Is there an individual approach to each athlete, or is everyone trained the same way?

— Of course, we are given the same tasks, but I think that with time comes some kind of more special attitude towards the athlete. But there is no such thing as working with someone more, with someone less. The coaches work with everyone the same way, and, of course, we all get equal attention. I have only positive emotions from training at the Eteri Georgievna center.

— So there are no disadvantages at all?

- no.

— Maybe something was annoying or unusual at first?

— The unusual thing is that the schedule is the same here. I didn't have this before, I had a different schedule for all the days. And here we train every day according to a certain schedule. We have choreography, ice, break, warm-up and ice. And everything happens at the same time every day.

— Did you get used to Moscow quickly?

— In general, yes. At first, it was difficult in terms of the training process. I was more tired than in Kazan, because there was a more intense training regime.

Drama on the Volga: now Russian greenhouses are doing four

The epic battle of Boykova/Kozlovsky and Mishina/Gallyamova at the Russian Grand Prix in Kazan

— Do you have any rituals before performances? How do you set yourself up?

— Of course, there are some peculiarities, but I don't like to talk about how I tune in. I'm just trying to let go of all the bad thoughts, go out on the ice with a cool head and do my job, which I have to show.

— Eteria Georgievna was not present at these competitions. Is it harder to go out without her?

— I would not say that it is harder, but, probably, her presence cheers up even more. But I am glad that Daniil Markovich (Gleichengauz. — Izvestia): He was always supportive, finding words for every moment that happened. Thanks a lot to him for being able to set me up for two good clean rentals.

I want to enter the international arena

— Aren't you sad that you don't have the opportunity to show yourself on the international stage?

— I've never been to such starts before. But, of course, I will be happy if all sanctions stop soon, because I already want Russian figure skaters to enter the international arena and show a decent level. We have a lot of competition in Russia now. I think that as soon as we are released for major starts, we will also show a very good level of skating and results.

— And who are you following at international competitions now?

— I'm following Amber Glenn: I really like her triple axel. She is already over 20 years old, and few can withstand such elements of ultra-si — they take up a lot of strength and energy. And she's doing a great job that she jumps the triple axel not only in training, but also in competitions cleanly and consistently. I also keep an eye on... yes, I keep an eye on all the tournaments. The Grand Prix stage in Japan has ended. Sofya Samodelkina performed there, and she did a great job too. I would like to wish all the girls only success so that they can develop further.

— Do you plan to perform in the show?

— I haven't received any offers, I'm probably going to focus on preparing for the Russian Championship now. Of course, if they take me to Eteri Georgievna's spring tour show, I will be very happy. There are no plans for the show yet.