2003 World Figure Skating Championships

29 March

Ladies Free

Sarah Meier (SUI), 2000 World Junior bronze medalist
It wasn’t very good, but I’m pleased. It was a good ending of the season. (On popping the Lutz) My blades were too close when I picked into the ice, and they clashed. I was really shocked, I even cried out. I always do the second Lutz in the program, and it was a stupid mistake. I’m glad about having done the loop and the flip, because they aren’t my best jumps right now. Being here, I learned how to go into the competition. Instead of studying my elements too hard, I just should go with my feeling.
Ludmila Nelidina (RUS), 4th at 2003 National Championships
I consider my debut at Worlds successful. I did well in all three programs. My triple Axel wasn’t clean today, but I hope that I will have the opportunity to compete in many more World Championships to come and to do it then. I gathered a lot of experience by competing here with the great champions.

Coach Vladimir Kotin: If the girls are not rewarded for pushing the envelope by doing a triple Axel – even if it wasn’t completely clean today – or by doing triple-triple combinations, they will ask themselves why they should do it. Then Ladies’ skating will not develop technically.

Joannie Rochette (CAN), 2003 National silver medalist
It was very hard.  It was not what I planned to do.  I was trying to do way better than that.  I’m really mad now and I want to go back home and try harder to not have this happen again.  I learned a lot of things skating with Michelle Kwan and all those other stars that really helped me.  I will help my motivation when I get back home. I know what I need to work on and what I need to improve for next year.

Julia Sebestyen (HUN), 2003 European bronze medalist
I could have done better tonight.  After winning the bronze at Europeans I wanted to do three good programs here.  The competition here is tough.  Skating at night, instead of during the afternoon as in many other competitions, did not bother me.

Yoshie Onda (JPN), 2001 & 2002 Four Continents bronze medalist
I learned a lot from this competition.  Now I am already focusing on the next season.  When I landed the first Axel combination, I felt that everything would be all right. However, when I jumped the Lutz, I lost my focus.  I was a little confused.  Last year, my focus was on my presentation.  For next year, my focus for practice will be “mind setting.”  Technically, my jumps are all OK, but I could not do them in such a big competition.  I think this is my problem.  I will work very hard on this for next season.

Shizuka Arakawa (JPN), 2002 & 2003 Four Continents silver medalist
I was very nervous before my performance but I got more confident after the first combination jump.  I had a long competition season this year so I got tired in the last half of program.  I am happy with my jumps tonight especially since I made the triple-triple-double combination(Lutz-toe loop-loop) for the first time at this competition.  I had a very good practice this morning so I decided to do it.  I am glad that I made it (to Worlds) this year and I could skate in the third warm up group.  I will work hard to get to another level for next season.

Sarah Hughes (USA), 2002 Olympic Champion
It’s not easy being an Olympic Champion.  I’m glad that’s over, just that flip.  (On the fall)  It didn’t go up straight but sometimes I can save it, the fall hurt.  It’s been an incredibly difficult year.  I have a lot to look forward to, a lot of choices.  I wanted to see how it was to come back and compete.

Elena Liashenko (UKR), 1995 European bronze medalist
I don’t think it was my best program, I liked my qualifying better. It was difficult to motivate myself, because the season is almost over. Mistakes are not excused, you have to do each element, and you have to focus on each element. I didn’t try the loop, because it’s not my favorite jump. (On her future plans) I just want to rest now, I’m tired. I don’t know yet if I will continue to compete.

Jennifer Robinson (CAN), 2003 National Champion
I was in complete control all week. I was very relaxed; I had no nerves.  I had good energy for the qualifying.  I felt comfortable and strong.  There’s a sold-out crowd out there. It’s fantastic. It’s a great way to end up. (On her future) I’m looking forward to my honeymoon and Stars on Ice in Canada. It’s the first time I’ve been asked to do it.  Then I will sit down and make a decision.  A really well informed, think through everything kind of decision. 

Carolina Kostner (ITA), 2003 World Junior bronze medalist
Competing in front of such a large audience was a little too much.  I was nervous and a bit scared.  I really enjoyed skating here.  The people are so nice.  Every skater dreams of coming to Worlds.  It is so amazing to be here as the youngest skater.  I felt so good yesterday.  Skating in the last group with Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen made me more nervous.  I did not feel comfortable.  They are the best skaters in the world.

Michelle Kwan (USA), Four-time World Champion
I’m done!  I heard them (the audience) but I had to take one thing at a time.  I was in my body tonight, not like sometimes when I just let it go.  (If it was her best performannce)  I like that question.  I can’t even put it into words.  It just felt so amazing, I just let it go.  At the very end in the footwork, it was just yeah! (fist pump)  I worked hard and I want to thank Scott (Williams), my parents, my trainers, without them it wouldn’t be possible.  (Five time world champion, where did this performance stack up)  What a moment, the audience was amazing.  It’s been a long week; it was tough going out there to skate qualifying, short and long.  I guess being consistent, staying focused and taking one thing at a time did it.  (Came to her first world championships at 13 years of age) Ten years at worlds, I don’t know what to say, my voice is shaking I have goose bumps.  It’s been amazing, my family has been here this week and they are all cheering for me.  It’s unbelievable, a wonderful, wonderful time.  I feel very fortunate with my career and I have a lot of people to thank. 

Viktoria Volchkova (RUS), 2003 Grand Prix Final bronze medalist
It is funny that it is the third time to skate after Michelle Kwan so it did not bother me much.  Actually it is good.  I did not get nervous about her skating good because I know she is good.  That did not affect me tonight at all.  (On attempted triple-triple combination) I had nothing to lose so I just went for it.  Tonight’s performance was the best performance in this season so I am very happy about it.

Elena Sokolova (RUS), 2003 European silver medalist
I know that there are quite a few Russians in the audience that supported me. I thought that the audience was welcoming and warm, but of course, they are rooting for their own. One and a half month ago I had a serious meniscus injury, and I almost had surgery. Fortunaly, things turned out well. But I couldn’t skate for a while. I didn’t skate until three weeks before this Championship. Worlds was in question in a certain way, but more because of psychological reasons as it is hard to compete right after an injury. (On the performance) I wanted to do two triple-triple combinations, but overall it was not bad. Coming here, I didn’t expect to leave with a medal, but I had hoped for it. Right now, I don’t yet understand what happened!

Sasha Cohen (USA), 2003 Grand Prix Final Champion
I had some mistakes on a spin and a jump. I was actually happy that I did a triple/triple for the first time (triple Lutz/triple toe loop).  It felt like a drill team went through the middle of the ice, I’m surprised they didn’t do it (resurface).

Fumie Suguri (JPN), 2001 & 2003 Four Continents Champion
I made one mistake. I wondered about my placement until the last minute. I didn’t think about a medal that much. I thought about doing my best, just like in practice. In this season, I learned a lot and experienced a lot. Next season I will improve myself and my skating from this experience.