“Mom suggested going dancing, Dad suggested couples. I have understanding parents. ” Interview with the daughter of figure skaters Tikhonov and Petrova

World and European champions Alexey Tikhonov and Maria Petrova returned to family life after ending their careers. In 2010, the couple had Polina, who now successfully competes at the junior level among single skaters. The father regularly trains his daughter at the Eteri Tutberidze school, and the mother comes only to work with Polina.

The 2023/24 season was the start at a serious level for the young figure skater; she participated in the Moscow Championship (5th place), the Russian Championship (10th place), and performed on the stages and in the final of the Russian Championship. Grand Prix (7th place). After the final of the Junior Grand Prix in Sochi, which became the last start of the season, journalist Maxim Khorenkov spoke with Polina Tikhonova.

— How do you evaluate the past season?

— The season went well, it became the first all-Russian one for me, I reached the stages of the Grand Prix, the Russian championship. It needs to be added to the free program, but overall everything is in order.

— The competition among juniors is solid.

– Unreal! Junior girls can now compete with older girls, even just with triple elements.

— What do you plan to learn from the elements this offseason?

— Now I practically have a triple axel, I even tried to achieve it at the Moscow championship, but it didn’t work. I would like to learn some sort of quadruple jump, I am fully considering it. Nowadays you can’t get to the top without quad elements, only if all the other competitors fall (laughs). I would like to start mastering the quadruple lutz. It’s easier for me to jump now, but then you get a little different shapes – and it will be more difficult.

— You’re not going to be afraid to try a quadruple?

— I tried to do quadruples, but I still can’t do it. This is the main goal of the offseason. The scariest thing is trying to do an axel, because you’re facing forward.

– Do you follow the older guys?

– Yes of course. My favorite figure skater is Alena Kostornaya, but everyone has their own strong point. For example, no one will jump like Sasha Trusova, she uniquely achieved, ideally, something unreal. Kamila Valieva is unique, she has everything: stretching, sliding, transmitting emotions.

—And international affairs?

— Nastya Gubanova skated better at the last European Championships than at the last ones. A very interesting short program. Well, I like Kaori Sakamoto.

— Do you agree that Gubanova’s points were reduced at the European Championships?

— Probably, they lower them a little, yes.

— Which adults do you have relationships with?

— During the show, I mainly interact with the guys. Everyone is nice, it’s nice.

I especially remember my communication with Mark Kondratyuk – he has an excellent attitude towards people. I went to the “Russian Challenge” with my parents, we had a general race, he ran and congratulated me on March 8. I was very surprised.

— Which adult do you dream of taking a photo with?

— With Alena Kostornaya.

– Well, it’s very simple.

– Well, yes, well, and I would also like to take a photo with Ilya Malinin and Adam Xiao Him Fa.

— You are the daughter of figure skaters who have had great success in the past, with a big name and great achievements. Doesn’t this impose additional obligations? After all, everyone always looks at you through the prism of family.

– No, my parents don’t tell me: “You should skate better than us and so on.” Everything is fine. I don’t feel any extra pressure because of this. Now the main thing is to reach adult debut.

— Have you watched your parents’ programs as figure skaters?

— Of course, I remember the moment: they were skating and touching their hands in perfect synchronization on the triple sheepskin coat. This caused pleasure. What I love most about their skating is the speed and the connection between them. They gave a very moving performance at the “Russian Challenge”, we discussed it.

– Why didn’t your parents send you away as a couple?

“Mom suggested doing dance and Dad suggested doing pairs skating, but I said I wanted to compete in singles skating. Everyone dreams of being a singles skater, and then how is that going to happen? My parents said the main thing was to have fun while skating, to enjoy it.

– Do you believe in genetics? That a certain talent is passed on.

– I do not believe. But maybe there’s something there.

— We know Maria Igorevna and Alexei Vladimirovich as great figure skaters. What kind of parents are they?

– Sincere, kind. They always taught me politeness, it’s very important. They themselves will never become arrogant, as if they had never been famous athletes. There was even a moment: I didn’t say thank you to the waiter for the dish I had brought. Dad explained that this had to be done because a person is doing their job and should be thanked. I understand how important this is.

– Are they strict?

– Yes, when I start to whine. Sometimes you are too lazy to do something. Or when I start to freak out during training because of a few little hiccups, fatigue, I start to get carried away. My mother is like a psychologist, we can always talk, she can calm me down during training. I used to be a lot upset, but now I’m less upset. On the ice, they are stricter than at home. Dad is calmer than mom (laughs).

—Are you and your mother like friends?

– Not exactly girlfriends. Rather people who trust each other. There are no secrets from mom.

— During your tournaments, dad worries unrealistically, a lot of emotions come from him.

– Yes, it’s always like that. This doesn’t happen in training, only in competition.

— What main coaching qualities would you highlight in your parents?

– They are understanding. At good times they are strict and kind, they know where everything is needed. They are probably more loyal to me than to others. Less rigor towards your daughter.

— Isn’t it difficult to live in a family where everyone focuses on figure skating?

— No, at home we hardly talk about figurines.

— Did you have any other options besides figure skating? Looking at the family, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

“My parents didn’t want me to play this sport. Probably because it’s a difficult path. The grandmothers insisted (laughs). Then, somehow, it all dragged on – and I liked it.

— Do your grandparents actively follow your performances?

– Yes, my mother’s father knows figure skating well, he calls after the performances and asks: “Polya, how did this happen, why didn’t you finish it ?!”

— If there was no figure skating, what would you do?

— Horse riding is my hobby. I do show jumping, I really like it, I love horses. It is very important to feel the animal, I usually take the same horse. The main thing in driving is calm and patience. You must understand that the horse smells you, senses your fear and begins to attack.

– What other animals do you like?

– I have a dog – it’s my only animal. I would like another dog. And when I grow up and am done with the sport, I dream of my own horse.

— How often do you meet with the school’s main office?

— I ride, but it’s mostly my parents who train. Sergei Viktorovich [Дудаков] help, suggest how to correct errors, Georgy Vladimirovich [Похилюк] works a lot on his sliding. I was going to dance with Alexei Valentinovich [Железнякову]. I enjoyed working with him and, probably because of that, I felt more relaxed during my performances.

— What do you think of Eteri Tutberidze’s new center in Yasenevo? In comparison with “Crystal” – heaven and earth.

— “Khrustalny” is already such a home ice rink, the new center is larger. The first day in Yasenevo – simply wow! Now I’m used to it. It didn’t take long to get used to the new place, there are signs.

— Is there a memorable moment with Eteri Georgievna?

“She helped me a lot, thanks to her I learned the double axel. I was scared for a long time, but she made me speed up. Eteri Georgievna came and said: “Well, what is it?!” Great energy emanates from her, she knows how to force you to do more to show what you can really do. At first it was even difficult to communicate. She also jokes often.

BLITZ:

– What are you reading at the moment?

— “Hercule Poirot” by Agatha Christie. “Harry Potter” in English. My English is average, I won’t get lost.

— Which country do you want to visit?

— In Italy, I want to go to Venice.

— What would you like for next year?

– In figure skating – ultra-si master. In life – to be happy.

– Dream?

— Get a driver’s license and buy a horse. How much does a horse cost? Expensive, from one hundred thousand to five million rubles. Like that.