Our comment:
no deductions for the two-time Olympic and 4-time World Champion who works 11 months a year on the ice and off the ice to bring his trainees to the podium
I spoke with Evgeny on the phone and was hardly able to remember my task of writing down the answers behind the sparkling flow of the conversation. Champions have this special energy that makes everything and everyone come alive.
Q: You have been coaching for a few years now. How is this experience different from skating for you?
A: When I was skating myself, I remember the agitation and the anxiety of the last minutes before the performance. But they would disappear once I got on the ice concentrating on the performance itself and forgetting about all fears. When I first had to watch my trainees performing, I was so anxious I thought I would faint. As a coach, I have to watch the performance behind the board, unable to change something. But it is getting better, and I feel more composed.
Q: What do you think is the best coaching policy – just carrots or sticks or both? Are you tough on your skaters?
A: I am not very tough on my skaters. In my first years of training I had tough coaches, and learnt not to be tough on my trainees. Every athlete is a personality that has to be respected and fostered. But discipline is a must.
Q: You have coached our most celebrated ice dance duo – Galit and Sergey, now you are coaching the Zaretsky siblings and the Kerr siblings. Do you coach them individually or in groups?
A: I coach them in groups. I was coached in groups myself, and I think it can only be helpful because it creates competition and the desire to catch up with the stronger.
Q: What is the next goal you set before the Zaretsky siblings?
A: They have done very well this season. However, the next task is going to be very tough – to get close to the top 10 in the Worlds. This year we have seen many promising young pairs hitting the ice - so, competition will be running high next year.
Q: What are you impressions of the last skating season?
A: I am quite impressed with it. Many thought it would not be so competitive because it was supposed to be the first year after the Olympic season, but we have seen a high level of competition and difficulty.
Q: What do you think about the new judging system?
A: It's a double-edged sword. On the one hand, finally the ice dance discipline has some criteria for judging the technical content and the level of difficulty. Therefore, ice dance cannot be eliminated from the Olympic program. Under the old system this talk was rife all the time. On the other, it means that under this system a dance like Torvill and Dean's "Bolero" would have never appeared had the system been used in their time.
Q: You work long hours as a coach. Does this mean that your hobby and your work are the same?
A: Not necessarily. I have hobbies outside figure skating as well. I like golf. I was introduced to golf a few years ago, and instantly got to like it. Five or six hours on the golf lawn help me relax and take the pressure of the working week off.
Q: You chose quite a posh sport as a pastime!
A: I don't really think that was the main reason. It is just relaxing, and that's the main thing.
Q: the American version of the popular Russian fishing as a pastime?
A: Something like that. I also like motor racing. I always watch Formula 1 Championships and I am going to attend the next one.
Q: Do you need the surge of adrenalin after you have been on the podium so many times yourself?
A: Maybe. But I think I just like cars and everything associated with them.
Q: Evgeny, thank you so much for your time and for your answers. We hope to see you in Israel for the National Championships and to speak with you again! Good luck in everything!
A: Thank you. Lehitraot in Israel!
(He says it with a perfect Hebrew accent that only confirms that a talented person is talented in everything)
http://iisf.org.il/html/coaches/coaches_Evgeny_Platov.html
