2003 World Figure Skating Championships

26 March

Ladies Qualifying

Elena Liashenko (UKR), 1995 European bronze medalist
It was not easy, but I fought for it. I tried my best, because this is a very hard qualifying group. I have to see how the others will skate, but this group is extremely difficult. I made some changes in my program. I replaced the triple loop with a flip. I did the second Lutz in combination, because it was better to do a toe at the end than to step out! But so I had extra combination, which was good.

Joannie Rochette (CAN), 2003 National silver medalist
I was very nervous for the first time here (at World Championships), but this is a great experience. I was very excited about skating on the same ice with Michelle Kwan because she has been my idol since I was very young.  Even at the practice, I was impressed by her.  My performance is not so great, but it is OK because this is my first time here.

Michelle Kwan (USA), Four-time World Champion (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001)
Last night I went to bed early, it’s odd to skate so early, compete so early, but all the  skaters are in the same boat.  (On her mistake on the combination)  It was just a lazy thing, it’s qualifying. (On the world situation) War is never fun but it is good that so any athletes from so many countries can come here together in a sense of peace. It was nice to have a two month break between Nationals and Worlds; I was able to come down from my wonderful week in Dallas.  I had a great Nationals.   I gave myself the down time to let myself build up again.

Sarah Hughes (USA), 2002 Olympic Champion
I have two more programs, hopefully. I’m looking forward to feeling better, just warm up. It’s hard. I haven’t had the practice competing much this year, but I won’t blame that for everything. The Olympics changed my life a lot off the ice. It’s an adjustment year. I’m just looking forward to get my feet back on the ice, competing. Hopefully it will go better the next two programs. I felt a little tight. My body is a little tired right now. I had a strong opening combination. It’s ok, it’s one program.

Shizuka Arakawa (JPN), 2003 Four Continents silver medalist
This is the second time competing at the world championships for me. Coach (Richard Callaghan) told me “smile, smile!!” hundred of times, so I cared about “smiling” more than the jumps.  I was pretty relaxed. I had a hard time adjusting to the boots I had with me in the U.S., so just a week ago, I had my old boots sent from Japan.  That is the reason the blade colors are different. Since I have a new coach, I was not emotionally ready for competition, but people around me have helped me a lot.  My jumps were unexpectedly good today.  The placement made me more surprised.   I want to do my best for the short program.

Sasha Cohen (USA), 2003 Grand Prix Final Champion
(On her planned triple-triple combination)  It was just a triple-double; Tatiana (Tarasova, coach) just wanted me to do triple-double for my first long, but I did three combinations.  I have a new coach this year who has really helped me a lot.  I learned a lot from the Olympic year, having my first Olympics and first worlds.  I feel that with every  competition I’m really gaining composure this year. I’m feeling pretty good, it’s great to have Worlds here in Washington, D.C. My goal is to skate my best.

Elena Sokolova (RUS), 2003 European silver medalist
I just should go out and show what I am able to do. My coach and my choreographer don’t ask for more. It wasn’t too bad! Well, I’m very, very happy with it! I did two triple-triple combinations for the first time in competition, and now I won’t be afraid doing them again. Or maybe even a third combination… It’s possible. (On the strong competition in this group) The competition starts right away, it’s like being thrown into the deep end.

Julia Sebestyen (HUN), 2003 European bronze medalist
I was a little nervous, but I did not feel too much pressure after my success at the European Championships.  I don’t know what happened to my triple Lutz.  It just happened. I will try my best for the short program.

Viktoria Volchkova (RUS), 2003 Four-time European bronze medalist
It is very positive that I tried the triple-triple (Lutz-toeloop) for the first time. I fell, but I think it will be easier for me to go for it next time. I have to make some adjustments technically, and I think I’ll land it in the free program. It was good that I was able to do everything after the fall. When I was only 8th at the European Championships, people said “Viktoria is going down”, so when I skated well at the Grand Prix Final, it helped me. I was very nervous at first, but it was ok when I went out. The level in ladies’ has been rising, and each girl can be first or fifth or sixth now.

Fumie Suguri (JPN), 2001 & 2003 Four Continents Champion
I was not satisfied with my performance today, but the skating itself was good and the triple Lutz and double toe combination was good. I will learn from the mistakes I made today and try harder for the short and free programs. I will try harder to make the audience enjoy my performance more, and if possible, I would like to receive a standing ovation.

Ludmila Nelidina (RUS), 4th at 2003 National Championships
(On two-footing the triple Axel) I didn’t do everything yet as I wanted, but I have another free skating yet to come. I think this program wasn’t bad at all considering that I’m debuting in this event. I really like it here, the people are warm and welcoming. I’m not really nervous. It is a great honor for me to skate on the same ice with such famous skaters like Michelle Kwan.

Yoshie Onda (JPN), 2001 & 2002 Four Continents bronze medalist
I don’t know why I made that mistake (fell on Lutz). I was very nervous. I didn’t feel anything on the ice. I did pretty well during the six minute warm up, but I got worried instead of gaining confidence from it. I will learn from this experience. I think it happened because I didn’t compete for a while due to my injury. But the injury is ok now. I will prepare for the short program with determination. I decided beforehand not to go for the triple Axel in Qualifying. I just wanted to do a clean program.

Carolina Kostner (ITA), 2003 World Junior bronze medalist
I didn’t really expect much more today. I was very nervous. It is a different feeling to compete with the best skaters of the world. It is hard to focus anew each time. But I enjoy being here so much. To come here (to Worlds) is the dream of all athletes, and therefore I was drawn to this event. When I got the chance to come here I didn’t want to walk in and sweep everything. Of course, I want to show my best, and it is a great feeling out there on the ice and to be part of the event.

Jennifer Robinson (RUS), 2003 National Champion
That one was awesome, so awesome, it ranked right up there.  I had really good energy and confidence coming into this program.  I trained really hard.  I still had a little bit of what we call energy; we don’t like to call it nerves.  I had a little bit of energy out there and got the job done.  A little mishap on the triple Salchow- triple loop (combination), I think that was a personal best performance for me overall.  (On the mistake) I thought I had it, when I landed the Salchow and was going back up for the triple loop; I kind of went off the middle of my blade instead of the toe which would help the rotation obviously.  I tried it which was good and the rest was clean.  (Placing second)  This is great; I’ll skate in the last group in the short program.

Anne-Sophie Calvez (FRA), 2003 National silver medalist
I am pleased with myself today, in spite of some errors. I fought until the very end. This qualifying was better than at Europeans. The warm up was psychologically difficult for me, but when I went backstage I prepared mentally and when it was time to skate, I was quite confident. Skating at Worlds doesn’t make me nervous, as I have met the other girls before in competition. But the word “qualifying” makes me a bit afraid because I was eliminated last year in the qualifying round. The placement is good, I couldn’t expect more. I don’t yet have a name in the sport.