Many thanks to Cerise for the transcript of the Question & Answer session with Ekaterina at the Moscow mall on July 24, 2008.

Question: Good evening, Katia! When I read your biography in the internet, I was surprised your result in European champion’ 87 was annulled. Could you please remind us the causes of it?

Ekaterina: When we skated the free program Sergei’s foot loop suddenly was unbuckled. We performed well in the short program, probably were rated the first – I can’t quite remember. The judge signaled us to stop but we paid no attention to these signs. Our coaches always told us to finish the program whatever happened on the ice. This time the coach didn’t stop us. The judge turned off the music, but we ignored it as well. The audience applauded us and we skated well. But after finishing it we were told that the result was not adopted and suggested we skated for the second time. But we were exhausted and it was impossible to skate perfectly once again.

Question: Was it psychologically hard to admit that the gold medals were “torn out” from you?

Ekaterina: Well, it was stressful to skate without music. And it was offensive to hear that the result was annulled though we skated very well.

Question: At that time the USSR was on its way out. Didn’t you take the case as provocation?

Ekaterina: Something like this. But we knew our fault. Probably our coach should have known the rules better. He should have given us stopping signals. We always do what the coach says.

Question: Do you feel offended?

Ekaterina: Not at all.

Question: Could you tell us about some funny ice stories?

Ekaterina: Funny ice stories…Well it’s always funny when you try to do a new element…Once when we just started to skate in pair with Seryozha and were trying to do … (an element – cant’t remember how it’s called – when the partner throws a girl in the air and then catches her as she steps on the ice…). Probably it’s rather horrible then funny but still. Sergei had a long pullover and I hit it with my skate like this (shows it – Katia’s blade got into Sergei’s pullover in the groin area). I was falling but he caught me. So the clothes should be appropriate for skating practices.

Question: I would go mad at Sergei’s place… (Katia is laughing).

Question: Your children also skate, don’t they?

Ekaterina: Yes, they do. My elder daughter Daria is now nearly 16 and younger Liza is now 7. Yes, 7. Daria gave up skating as she is now in senior school and has a lot of classes, home work…And her nature is not quite sportive. But Liza enjoys skating very much.

Question: It’s not a secret that you decided to move from one coach to another. Was it difficult?

Ekaterina: Any change in life is difficult. But it’s always the beginning of something new, it gives strength and evokes new emotions. So it’s a two-sided move. In our situation it was all for good.

Question: You became Olympic champion as a soviet sportsman and as a Russian one. Two different countries… When did it feel better?

Ekaterina: It’s not so easy to say…From that point of view both Olympics’88 and Olympics’94 were similar to me. We always felt support from our team, there was always a lot of people around and each time we felt we were not just doing something for ourselves but also for our country. I didn’t see any difference between the USSR team and the RF team.

Question: How soon did you learn about the changes in the rules when they decided to allow professional skaters to take part in the Olympics?

Ekaterina: We knew that Brian Boitano wrote a letter to the ISU as he felt he was in top form and could compete…We thought it would be great if we also could try again and I was extremely happy we were able to take part in the Olympics again. In 1988 I was only 16 and could not feel to the full the atmosphere and all that. It’s really great to watch the Olympics but it’s much more greater to take part in this event!

Question: Today’s master class and conference are supported by Ilya Averbuch’s Ice Symphony. Your participation in it makes us think you would also take part in Ice Age-3…

Ekaterina: It’s highly possible. We are now discussing the conditions. But I can’t say anything for sure. I always enjoyed watching the show on TV. It’s a great project.

Question: Do professional championships differ from amateur competitions?

Ekaterina: Yes, they differ dramatically. European, world championships – everything you watch on TV- are amateur competitions. There are strict rules, a set of obligatory elements…And professional competitions give more freedom in making programs. More attention is given to emotions, artistic impression. These are quite different things.

Question: Who do you think are the strongest figure skaters for the moment? What’s your forecast for the Olympics-2010?

Ekaterina: To be pretty honest, I am so much engaged in family life that I don’t really follow the sports events. But I noticed that Chinese duets skate really well. Still it’s very difficult for me to make some forecasts…

Question: I wonder if the feelings one has at the Olympics can be to some extent compared to those at TV show like Ice Age? It should be much more easier to perform in a TV show… Or the excitement is the same?

Ekaterina: These are quite different things. You gradually learn and master all the elements for championships and Olympics. At the Ice Age you have just 5-6 days to learn a new dance. But the lack of competence may be compensated by emotions.

Question: You have been training in the USA for a long time. Are the conditions better there?

Ekaterina: I…mm…we were training for the first Olympics in the USSR. And we had everything here: perfect ice, coaches, doctors… But at the beginning of 90’s our sports system collapsed. Terrible rinks, low salaries for coaches. Now I sometimes go to CSKA and see that the conditions have really improved.

Question: Is it enough for a kid to be trained in groups? Or the individual practices with a coach are necessary?

Ekaterina: If a kid is just 4 years old, it’s normal to skate 3-4 times a week in a group. When a child is 10-12, he should skate twice per day and have off-ice practices as well. But if the coach gives a day-off it means the child needs it and he should better have some rest. Of course when a child asks for additional trainings you can arrange them, but never press on your child – it leads to worst.

Question: What do you think about coaching career ?

Ekaterina: I can’t say I have already started it but still I coach Liza and some other kids. I enjoy dealing with kids — it’s so much fun to coach the starters or those who have already been skating for 2-3 years. I also like to coach pairs and some day I will probably train some pairs.

Question: What’s the best age to begin skating?

Ekaterina: 4 y.o. is fine. It’s possible to start at 3 as well but when they are 4 they understand better. You can ask a kid to do something and he understands what is asked.

Question: Whom would you choose as a partner for Ice Age-3?

Ekaterina: Ummm….don’t know. Don’t actually have any preference.

(The host) I think the partners should “fight” for Ekaterina! Thank you so much for the interview now we start an autograph-session!