After European Championship gold and World Cup silver, Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin dream of Olympic gold. The German medal hopes in figure skating rest exclusively on the top pair. They have already overcome a big hurdle on the way to Italy, but the start to the new season has been bumpy so far.
Volodin, who was born in Saint Petersburg, has had a German passport since August 21st – and can now aim for a medal in pair skating alongside Minerva-Fabienne Hase at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. “I’m very, very happy. I have two birthdays now”said Volodin shortly after his naturalization.
Volodin: “Germany is giving me a second chance”
They are already European champions, and the best pair in the German Ice Skating Union (DEU) has been able to call themselves vice world champions since March. Unlike the international championships, German citizenship is a prerequisite for a joint Olympic start. The 26-year-old spent countless hours cramming the German language and, in addition to training, prepared for the necessary tests – and passed them with flying colors. “DGermany gives me a great opportunity,” said the figure skater.
Rabbit: “Show more emotions”
After Volodin’s naturalization, he and Hase dream of Olympic gold. The Berliners have rehearsed two new programs. In the short program, both will present a newly composed tango, while the free program will feature modern-classical dancing to the music of Max Richter.
“We worked a lot on speed“, said Hase. They also want to get more out of the choreography,”We want to show more emotions and take certain elements a level higher.”said Rabbit.
Bumpy start to the season
But the start of the season was bumpy. The figure skating couple was able to win the prestigious Nebelhorn Trophy, leaving the Japanese world champions Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara behind them, but not everything worked out in Oberstdorf.
At the next part of the Challenger series in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, the European champions and runner-up world champions took second place behind Anastasija Metelkina/Luka Berulawa from the host country – clearly. The Grand Prix in the Olympic season didn’t go according to plan either: After the short program in Saskatoon, Canada, Hase/Volodin were still in the lead, but after an unusually incorrect free skate they missed out on victory.
Katharina Witt thinks highly of Hase/Volodin
So far, the German figure skating couple has often managed to achieve their best performance at the peak of the season. That gives hope for the Olympics. Two-time Olympic figure skating champion Katharina Witt also believes they can win a medal at the Winter Games. “They are among the favorites. I think they make a great couple. Above all, they both have big hearts as people and they also have a big fighting heart. A medal is a must,” said Witt at a “Bild” event in Berlin.
Witt can take something positive from mistakes like the one he made recently in the free skate at the Grand Prix in Canada. “I think it’s important that you go through a little roller coaster during your preparation, that sometimes things go very well, but sometimes you make a mistake.”she said: “You have to learn from that.”
Next up, Hase and Volodin will be competing in Helsinki (November 21st to 23rd), the duo will be skipping the previous Grand Prix series events in Osaka/Japan and Lake Placid/USA.