Figure skater Knyazhuk: “When Averbukh begins to create an image on the ice, you freeze, because a genius creates”

Figure skater Ilya Kniajouk playing in tandem with Natalia Khabibullina in an interview with , he said that the work of choreographer Ilya Averbukh in creating the image on ice can be called genius.

Averbukh is the author and director of the short and free programs of Khabibullina and Knyazhuk this season.

— Both programs this season were directed by Ilya Averbukh, one of the most influential directors in the world. How comfortable were you working with him? Was his authority not pressing?

— Natalya Khabibullina (NH): When we met and started working, I was very shy. But at the end of the first practice, it was all over.

— Ilya Kniazhuk (IR): Ilya Averbukh is his own man.

— NH: He is simple, kind and very positive. He is very interesting and easy to work with. Literally, with a single word, what he explains is clear.

— Can you say that thanks to your work with him you have enriched yourself choreographically?

-IR: Undoubtedly! We are very happy that Ilya Izyaslavich agreed to work with us and paid attention to us.

— NH: We are happy that fate turned out this way and that we had the chance to work with him. I hope I can collaborate with him again.

— People like Averbukh are said to have the ability to motivate, start and inspire with just one sentence.

— NH: Yes, he knows how to speak as briefly and clearly as possible. You always listen carefully and try to follow advice. Everything is clear in one sentence.

-IR: When you see how Ilya Izyaslavich in headphones on ice begins to create a picture, you freeze, because a genius creates. It looks like he’s painting a picture. This is great art.

— NH: He seems to be just standing on the ice… But he does it so expressively! – said the skaters to .

Khabibullina and Knyazhuk took second place among couples at the stage of the Russian Grand Prix in Omsk.