Ilya Averbukh: “I feel more comfortable behind the director’s desk than on the ice. I think on my birthday I shook out my remaining curls for the last time.

Famous choreographer Ilya Averbukh admitted that he now feels more comfortable at the director’s desk rather than on the ice as a figure skater, and suggested that during the show in honor of his 50th birthday he participated in the event for the last time as an athlete.

Averbukh is a 2002 Olympic silver medalist in ice dancing with Irina Lobacheva. Their duo also won the World Championship (2002) and the European Championship (2003).

— Is it more pleasant to be on the ice or to talk about those who are on the ice?

— Of course, I am mainly associated with figure skating, but in general I have been doing something outside of figure skating for a long time. I was the director of the opening of the World Football Championship, the World Hockey Championship, the Universiade… Ice stories have also become an important part of my life. But in general, I can say that now I am more comfortable in the director’s office than on the ice.

I gave up ice skating a long time ago. On the ice, during the show, you will always pull the blanket over yourself, willy-nilly. So let me be in my place and let the guys show their talent. It was only on the birthday that I allowed myself some relief. At the age of 50, I shook out my remaining curls and went for a run. But I think it was the last time, ”reports the correspondent of , according to Averbukh’s words.