http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/article-item/346505September 10, 2009, № 137 (18027) Alexeev O.- download page with article - pdf:
http://www.sovsport.ru/s/issue_page/pdf/75...df?t=1252532923Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko: With such a program, not should be ashamed at the Olympics
ST. PETERSBURG'S CUP
Yesterday's wednesday, Russian's supporters noted on calendar with bright red felt-tip pen. It was September 9, 2009, in Saint-Petersburg's Cup of Figure Skating, occured long-awaited return to the amateur ice Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko.In the "Ice Palace" of "Ice Skating Academy" - pandemonium. Future wife of Plushenko, Yana Rudkovskaya here too. At «comeback» of Evgeni received hundreds of fans, but shoot photos and video is prohibited.
- I have asked the media today not to engage in photography, not to make of this performance "shows" - says me Plushenko's coach Alexei Mishin.
"St. Petersburg's Cup" has collected a very serious structure. Opponents of Evgeni's: The best country single skater Andrei Lutai, Konstantin Menchov (both now skate at the level of the top five, on Championship European) and the first issue of the national team of Belarus, Alexander Kazakov.
... Plushenko arrived at the Academy beforehand. Collected, concentrated ... Exchanged a few words with Alexander Smirnov, who along with Yuko Kavaguti had to act after the singles, and went to the gym, on warm-up ...
Such he went out and on warm-up on ice, in the same group with Menshov and Kazakov. It's no secret, that's Plushenko for his competitors - the strongest stimulus. And Menchov tried to show himself in the best release. Here Plushenko easily and naturally makes the triple Loop jump - the answer of Menshov's immaculate. Next followed «exchange» of triple toe loops ...
With triple in the warmup's was not completed. Evgeni gives viewers a quadruple toe loop, with a little blot. But Menshov attempt failed. Then came the turn of «second round» - short programs.
Menchov skated with dignity - with a beautiful triple axel, well-twisted quadruple toe loop (albeit with a small error at the exit) ... The program looked bright, interesting - in Europe seem not ashamed. The audience is not spared the hands ... But, then on the ice went Plushenko, sounded the first notes of «Aranjuez» Joaquin Rodrigo (in the arrangments by Edvin Marton) and ... started «Cosmos».
When Evgeni made entrance on unscheduled a quadruple toe loop, the crowd tensed. But after the quadruple jump followed the purest exit, and immediately another perfect jump, a triple, and the stands howled. Such cascades «4+3», in today's skating's elite, can not afford almost anyone! A similar reaction of the audience raised and brilliantly executed axel and lutz.
Plushenko - in perfect order!
After the performance, joyful Evgeni several times butted air with his fist, bowed to the audience, and went to give autographs, even on skates ... At this point, the judge announced score for Plushenko: 95,05! Above the world record in the short program (90.66), set by Evgeni at the Games in Turin. It is clear, that the domestic competitions judges are loyal to their athletes, but still ...
managed to talk with Evgeni's, when he drank coffee with Yana Rudkovskaya in a small cafe at the service entrance of the Academy.
- It should be only two-three of "roughness" removed - and at the Olympics, with such a program is not ashamed to appear. Even with such a set of elements - confide in me Plushenko.
- And before, you configured for «4+3»?
- Still in Novogorsk, on "test skaitng", was an attempt to quadruple's - cascade «4+2», here is God himself, commanded me to make «4+3». Especially yesterday and today, had a good training. The only thing I worried, that I could not skate at full strength. I caught a cold, front of these competitions I have the temperature, and Yana («... healed me and cured!» - entering into the conversation of Yana).
- Tomorrow, one or two quad going to jump?
- Look. I'll make adjustments directly in the course of the program. I need to look after the first quadruple - on muscles, on breathing. The main thing - to work quietly, and do not fall into euphoria.
EXPRESS COMMENT
Alexei Mishin, coach of Evgeni Plushenko- Puts you in front of Zhenya challenge today, to show the maximum of
what he is now capable of??
- I'm afraid to overlook, but it seems that Evgeni has not lost the feeling for sports struggle. And he from the first day coped. Shown in short program - this is that, which he currently actually owns.
- What can we expect from Zhenya tomorrow?
- You know, I did not expect. My task, that he passes through this tournament. Then passes tournament in Perm. Behind him - the next ... We need to train, not expected.
