Figure skaters Antropov and Sorokina believe their partner’s illness before the Junior Grand Prix final did not affect their performance

Figure skaters Maria Sorokina and Arseny Antropov, practicing ice dancing, told that preparation for the final of the Russian Grand Prix among juniors, disrupted due to the athlete’s cold, did not interfere their performance.

Sorokina and Antropov in the final of the Russian Grand Prix among juniors took eighth place in the dancers’ tournament, scoring 147.81 points. The competition, which will take place in Sochi, will end on March 15.

Arsene: There was no fatigue because it was a very high level start. You can’t relax, you have to show your best skating. We are happy to have come here. The last four weeks were difficult – Masha was constantly sick, but for some reason this made skating even easier.

Married : Yes, I missed a lot and had little time to prepare. But they still tried to show their best skating. I had a cold, but the illness didn’t really affect me.

— You were both previously in single skating. What is the hardest thing about transitioning to a duo?

Arsene: I turned to dancing when I was already done with singles – after two months. Why not?

Married : And the coach told me that I had good gliding, but that it doesn’t work with jumping and that it would be better to try dancing. I had seen many dancing couples before, I decided to try and Arseny turned out to be my first partner.

— I have often heard that dancing is a backup plan for singles athletes. What do you think of this stereotype?

Married : Yes, we have also heard such opinions. But I myself wanted to get into dancing, I loved this discipline.

— Maria, you studied at the Plushenko Academy of Angels. How did you part with it?

Married : Honestly, I don’t remember. They told me: go ahead, practice, it will suit you, good luck with the dance, we will follow.

— Do you set a goal for next season?

Arsene: Skate cleanly, preferably so as not to fall (laughs). I’ve had enough falls this season, I don’t want any more. The goal is to improve skating, sliding and results.

Married : Well, and improve your stability.