International training and competition report By Ricky Cockerill, April 2005 1.1 Aim This report aims to enlighten all members of the NZISA of my training and competition participation at an international level in the season 2004 05. The report will cover my nine weeks training in Moscow along with my participation in both the 2005 Four Continents Championships and the 2005 World Championships. The report is simple and concise so that all members of the NZISA are able to understand without having to deal with too much ice skating jargon. If further technical questions are raised then they can be directed to me via email at . 1.2 Introduction In early 2004, I along with my coach Viatcheslav Kuznetsov, started sharing ideas on how we could help to advance the sport of Ice Figure Skating in New Zealand. The topic of conversation evolved around the idea of establishing international relationships with countries excelling in the sport. We discussed the possibility of organising a training camp in Moscow with hindsight of it becoming a regular occurrence. Being the Hub of Europe, Moscow is a perfect geographical location to train. Many international competitions occur each year near this part of Europe. Slava had established his skating career in Moscow, and in doing so had many friends that would be willing to help with training for New Zealand athletes. This was a wonderful opportunity and so planning commenced which involved athletes and families of Slava's group. 1.3 Funding In October of 2004, various members of the NZISA were approached with the idea of establishing such a training camp. Assistance was asked of the NZISA for athletes and Slava to organise and participate in the training camp. A percentage of financial assistance was granted by the NZISA and we were on our way. 1.4 Arrival in Moscow In early December, myself, Slava, Mathieu Wilson and Tristan Thode departed New Zealand for Moscow. After a very long flight, we arrived in Moscow to be greeted by friends of Slava's at the airport. We were then taken to the Hotel of the sporting complex where we were to train. The hotel was simple but had cooking facilities and all other necessities. However, the hotel proved to be expensive and a decision was made to shift to an apartment after two weeks. 1.5 Training at Moskvich Sports Club As we walked to the rink for our first training session it was obvious that this was a serious training facility and that the Moskvich club included many sports from Football to Athletics. The ice training facility had undergone some recent renovations and was a fantastic venue. When we entered, and saw the athletes training on the ice, we quickly realised that this club took their skating very seriously and was of a very high level. To get an idea, I invite all members to Google search the name Moskvich along with names like Elena Sokolova, Ilia Klimkin, and of course Victor Kudryatsev. Being a former student of Victors, Slava had a very warm relationship with the people of this club. As a result of Slava's relationship with these people, we were welcomed with great hospitality. People were there to help us. I have never in my life received such genuine help from people who truly understood what we were going through as struggling athletes. Our training was intense and it involved eleven on-ice-training sessions a week along with four choreography and ballet lessons. We had little time for anything else and for 9 weeks we lived the lives of full-time athletes. I was in my element and every session wanted to show off what a New Zealander could do. We were lifted by the atmosphere and athletes around us and by the support of the coaches. Mathieu and Tristan participated with pride in an open competition at the Moskvich arena. At the time I was dealing with boot problems so did not compete but was very proud of both Mathieu and Tristan for representing New Zealand with pride. My boot problem was later solved by my equipment sponsor Mr. Murray Cockerill, and so I could continue my training in a new pair of Graf boots. For 9 weeks, we pushed ourselves to the limits. My legs were growing and I started to feel very confident on the ice. The Choreography had given me more awareness of my body and more confidence to perform my program rather than just skate through it. Our choreographer, Alexander Rokoff, was a dancer in the world-renowned Ballet Company Ballet Messeyeve. Alex was always ready to help us. He worked us hard and I was getting fit. It felt great! 1.6 Four Continents Championship 2005 I left for Four Continents knowing that I could not have done a better job anywhere else in the world to prepare for such an event. When I got there I knew it was going to be a very challenging and that if I wanted to go to worlds then I must perform well and place in the top 15. This would be a real challenge as all athletes looked well prepared. It was also my first international event in two years and I was very nervous as I wanted to perform well for myself, my coach and my country. The official practices were intense and every practice was like a performance with hundreds of officials and spectators watching. I found it very stressful but it was great to have a team there and a great team leader in Barbara Lindsey-Taylor. I was very nervous for my short program. This would be a very important program for me to get a good start. I started a little shaky and had a fall on triple flip but managed strong footwork and new spins to challenge myself against the new judging system. I placed 14th and felt that it was an ok start. The night before my long program I was very nervous. I only had 2 hours sleep and had a fairly average official practice the next morning. I told myself over and over again that I must do this. I must do it for my coach and my country. When I arrived to the rink for my long program I was shaking with nerves and excitement. Slava was able to calm me down a bit so I could regain my focus. My warm-up was not good but Slava remained positive. When I took my starting position my legs were shaky. My first element was a popped triple loop. Bad start. But I tried again and nailed it. After that I do not remember. The training and preparation took over and I skated and performed the best I have in my life. It was wonderful. My score was just under 88 points for my freeskate which was great and pulled me up from 14th place to 12th overall. All the training had paid off. I had made my coach and New Zealand proud of me as I had achieved the best result a New Zealander had ever achieved in this competition. It was one of the best days of my skating career. 1.7 Lead up to worlds I arrived back in New Zealand to a great response. I wish to thank all the people who congratulated me. It was so nice. Unfortunately my stay in New Zealand was not the best for my preparation for worlds as I was unable to train properly due to a combination of financial and motivational reasons. When I was able to get on the ice I spent most of my time looking out for many younger children. Subsequently my fitness and confidence slipped. I quickly realised that there was no plan in place before Four Continents for a New Zealand athlete to participate in worlds. This upset me. It took a long time for Visas to come and the NZISA council to make a decision to allocate funding to get me back to Moscow. The result was 2 weeks of training and preparation lost. 1.8 Worlds 2005 We finally managed to get back to Moscow four days before the start of the competition practices. Both Slava and I felt drained mentally and physically and were very jetlagged. Slava fell ill with the flu but thankfully my choreography Alexander was able to get me some Russian flu prevention medicine. My performance in my qualifying group was very flat and I did not jump well at all. I managed to only score 69 points, almost 20 points lower than my freeskate at four continents, and of course I did not qualify. It was a huge disappointment for Slava and I. However disappointed I was, I hope that it is a learning lesson for all involved in this sport. Positive planning and preparation is key if New Zealand is ever to have success internationally. Slava and I stayed on at the competition to observe and analyze the other skaters and coaches. This was a wonderful experience and gave us both a greater understanding of the new judging system. I hope to use this experience to help develop the sport in New Zealand. 1.9 Success Overall the training trip in Moscow was a huge success. Along the way I met and befriended some wonderful people. Slava was able to catch up with old friends and discuss with them the future of the sport in New Zealand. These relationships will continue to benefit New Zealand Ice skating because these people will be very happy to once again help our athletes. I feel that this is the very first step in a wonderful long-term relationship with Europe that will help develop our athletes. 1.9.1 Thank you I wish to thank those people who supported me. My skating career has been a hard slog all the way but I have had some wonderful support. I wish to thank Anna-Marie Frost and Warwick Johnson for showing such wonderful understanding and moral support. Scott Thode for his huge amount of sacrifice and hard work. Thank you to NZISA for supporting me financially for the international season. 74% of my costs were met by the NZISA which is a huge effort as we all know how expensive travel is from New Zealand to Europe. Thank you to my coach Viatcheslav Michaelavich Kuznetsov, for his hard work and optimism through some very tough times. I learned a great deal from Slava and his passion for sport is something that many New Zealanders can learn from. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him over the past 3 years and hope to continue our strong relationship to help advance ice figure skating in New Zealand. Mum and dad my sponsors and number one fans! And to everyone else who supported me along the way. I know who you all are and thank you. Thank you!!!!!!!! .