On top of the world

New Girl

Summer 2012

Lyubov POV

Whoosh! I launched myself into the air, landing my double Axel with a slight underrotation.

"Good try! хорошая попытка" my coach, Stanni, told me. Stanislava Kurakova competed as an ice dancer in Russia, but now she coaches singles and ice dancing here in Boston, Mass. "Try to get more snap so you can complete the rotation."

I dipped my head in obedience and went for it again, this time landing it clean.

"Ok! Time for your run through." Stanni slipped my CD into the player, and I began to skate.

I had two double Axels planned in this program. I was also working on some triple jumps, namely the Salchow and toe loop, but I couldn't land them clean consistently yet. I jumped a double Salchow shortly after the start of the program, essentially marking where my future triple Salchow would be. After landing the next jump, a double Axel + double toe loop combination, I did some transition moves and crossovers into a double Lutz + double toe loop + double loop combination. Then a layback spin. Double flip with arms over the head. Flying combination spin. Straight line step sequence.

After arriving at the second half of my program, I jumped a solo double Axel from a spread eagle. I started feeling a burning sensation in my legs, but I kept pushing. Double flip + double loop combo. Double Lutz. Flying camel. Finishing pose.

I was breathing heavily and stroking a couple laps around the rink to prevent my legs from cramping up. My best friend and teammate from figure skating, Katya, was clapping for me, as was Stanni and my other coach Spence. "Well done on skating clean Lyuba!" Katya congratulated me.

I gave her a hug. "Thanks Kat. Hopefully I can skate like this for the next club competition."

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During my break time, I usually sat down to do some homework. But it was still summer, so I could afford to actually take a break. I continued going to public school at my parents' insistence, since education was important to them. It was important to me too, but I have been begging my mom to enroll me into online school so I could spend more time training. At the moment, my goal was to advance to sectionals, and then nationals.

Katya was taking her break at the same time as me. She is two years older than I am and competes internationally for Ukraine. She has even stood on the podium in some ISU challenger series.

"Hey, check out this guy!" Katya waved me over, wanting to show me something on her tablet. "I love this guy; he just started competing in the senior circuit about a year ago! Look at his moves, ah!, I think I'm in love." She swooned a little.

I peeked over her shoulder. I had to admit the boy's skating style was very suave and his jumps were impeccable. But Kat was making it quite clear that us audience members were supposed to be enthralled by his every move.

"That's cool," I said nonchalantly. "But I think I like Javi more."

Katya audibly gasped, as if she was about to tell me off. But instead, she told me, "This guy, Yuzuru Hanyu, just teamed up with Javi's coach not long ago!"

I frowned and tilted my head. "What? Why am I just hearing all of this now? I'm usually up to date with skating news."

Hmm...maybe I'll have to check out more on this Yuzuru guy later.