"We always look forward to tournaments in other countries." Coach Elizaveta Chernova talks about the Gracia Fair Cup competition in Budapest

Before the international Gracia Fair Cup tournament in Budapest, Academy coach Elizaveta Chernova spoke about preparation for performances according to the new FIG rules and why competitions in other countries are important for both athletes and specialists.

"We are flying as a big team: a personal program and group exercises. It is a big responsibility, but we always look forward to tournaments in other countries, so we are happy to get ready to show our programs. When we come to the international level, we have the opportunity to watch the girls-rivals. There are interesting programs, different artistry, and different elements. There is always a big growth when we go to competitions like this. And we tell the girls to watch, and we, the coaches, also watch and grow. Overall, we are ready. We will try to make sure that everything works out for us, that our programs look vibrant, complicated, interesting,” Elizaveta said.

She also described how advice from Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva helped make the Academy’s students’ exercises brighter and more artistic.

"Now we have DB, DA, and almost everyone will have a similar set, more or less. But artistry is the main thing this season. Performance, artistry. And Alina Kabaeva told the girls to write what their program was about in their diaries. And when they wrote this plot, what they would do, it became much more interesting, of course. Because they live this role in the exercise, they understand who they are, what they are doing it about. And, accordingly, they enter this role and begin to move differently. It is much more interesting for them to get up for a run-through, and for us, the coaches, to watch it differently. I hope that the judges will appreciate this too. Many thanks to Alina Kabaeva for this hint," she said.

The International Gracia Fair Cup Tournament in Budapest will be held from February 14 to 16. In the individual program, the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association will be represented by Yana Zaikina, Ksenia Savinova, Karolina Tarasova, Karolina Pakhtusova, Malika Timurshina, Veronika Solomatina and Diana Sobyanina.

The Academy team will make its debut in the group exercises for juniors, and the team from the Zhemchuzhina Rhythmic Gymnastics Center (St.Petersburg) will perform in the seniors’ program.