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Translation: Mirai NAGASU: A season of self improvement with a challenging program. Using this experience as a strength, she is aiming to go to the Olympics again.

(February 2017, at 4CC)

Mirai NAGASU (US) grew up with her Japanese parents in the US. She won a bronze medal at 4CC, where the next Olympics will be held, and she was able to clear up the regret from US Nationals. We asked her about her thoughts about going to the Olympics again.

Winning a medal at 4CC twice in a row: "It was a good way to end the season"

- How do you feel now that 4CC has ended? We think it was good results.

My results at this competition was good last season (2nd place) and it is true that I had a lot of expectations for myself. I went into the FS while being 5th from the SP, but I think it was fine, since I didn't feel any pressure. It was also good that I was first to skate (in the last group) like last year. I'm really satisfied because it was my personal best for the FS, it was a good way to end the season.

- That was your last competition for this season.

Yes, unfortunately. I wasn't able to skate well at Nationals, and I missed my chance to go to Worlds. I think these results are ideal going into next season, and I'm satisfied generally. I need to do well at Nationals next season to go to 4CC again, and if I can Olympics and Worlds. - How did you feel skating at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics venue?

It became a big experience for me. I thought a lot about wanting to come back here, and it made me realize things internally. The ice condition was amazing, and the venue served well as a test event. I think it's the result of the efforts of the local organization committee, the Olympics committee and the Korea skating union. Seeing the way it is well organized already, I'm excited to see how things will go even more smoothly next year. - Why do you think you were able to skate your personal best this competition?

I think it's because I knew this was my last competition this season. I wasn't able to leave an impression this season at Nationals, and I was starting to lose myself. At this competition, I had of course some anxiety, but I didn't have the pressure that the other skaters had. With that in mind, I was able to skate freely throughout the competition. Since most of the season was done for me, I thought this could be a "start" for the next season and I chose to do my first step here.

Next year, 10 years since she won the Nationals title at 14: "Next season, if I can, I also want to try out a triple axel"

-When you won the 2008 Nationals, you were only 14. When you look back, what were you thinking about back then?

I really liked figure skating back then too, but I didn't understand its other negative aspects, like the long road and the pressure. Then, all of a sudden when I won Nationals, all those things started becoming important. The following 2 years, I wasn't able to control those things and I couldn't skate the way I wanted too. I was buried in pressure. Last few seasons, I'm starting to improve myself. My programs are harder and more challenging, and it's definitely fulfilling. I'm also satisfied on FS score of 132 points. I want to keep improving my programs, and next season, if I can, I also want to try out a triple axel. -You're very positive. You used to be a talented and bright young skater, but now you have become a mature adult skater.

Yes... (she breathes while adjusting her breath) In this sport, you have to keep fighting with the younger skaters. I want to continue competitively skating, so that aspect is somehow pushing me up. But at the same time, those experiences give me strength. Even if I get hurt emotionally, when I think back about it, I'm thankful. (laughs) Because they gave other possibilities to my skating. I want to keep skating just like a few years ago.

- This season, Carolina Kostner from Italy came back to competitive skating. What do you think about skaters with a lot of experience?

Carolina Kostner is going into her thirties soon. Even so, she keeps becoming better. I can see how much feelings she has in her skating. When I see skaters like her, it makes me want to aim being like them. Also, Aliona Savchenko, who used to skate with Robin Szolkowy, she's in pairs and she's already in her thirties but she found a new partner and she is still jumping quads and triple axels. Age is just age and I realized that if you are strong mentally and you give enough effort, you might just be able to do it. Probably the 14 year old me wouldn't have thought I would skate until now, but I think I can still become better and those feelings are strong so I want to keep going. - How did you start thinking that way?

I don't think it's just me, sometimes at practice I just feel like giving up and quitting. I fall everyday and the feeling of "I can't" is very strong. But I look forwards to competitions like this one and I get up again and I skate my program everyday. I like that kind of training. At competition, I feel very nervous and stressed but I want to skate the way I did here. Life is short. Around my forties, I won't be able to skate anymore so I want to continue right now so I don't regret it. I strongly think I can keep going.

David Wilson and Jeffrey Buttle, 2 programs that made her grow

- This time, your performance of the FS "The Winner Takes It All" was amazing. Is it your first time having David Wilson to choreograph a program?

Yes. This year, I had David Wilson to choreograph for the first time. Until last year, I wasn't confident enough and I had the choreograph coach at my rink to choreograph my programs. But if I want to go the top, I thought I needed to ask the same choreographers as the top skaters. Last season, going to Worlds made more confident and I wanted to get my programs done in Canada. When I was asked "How is this music?", I was like "It needs to be this!!" Working with David was surprising. He was of course very creative. He made such an amazing program with such an ease. It made me realize how much it's great to work with a world class choreographer. Having no trouble with creation, it brought fun to my skating and it was a good experience. Such experiences are a good step and moreover, makes the process of choreography fun. - What about Jeffrey Buttle? Your SP "Nocturne No. 20" from Chopin is his work.

I really like him! I really like working with Jeff. As a person, but his skating too. Working with someone I looked up to while growing up is just simply fun! With Jeff, it's more like we make the program together. It hasn't been too long since he retired and he does the step for me to see. He understands skating from different aspects. When he shows me his talented moves, I just tell myself "I need to improve my skating skills" Really, I like working with Jeff. I also like reworking on a program with him too. He is very honest with what is bad and he is also very sincere with what's good. I think we make a good combination and the result is this beautiful program. I really enjoy choreographing with Jeff. - What about your programs next season?

I think I will use the same programs. I wasn't able to show these two strong programs at Worlds. They are a bit hard for me, and I don't think I able to give the best of these programs. I don't think I can let go of these programs without giving them its full potential. My long [program] was good this time, but I can do better. When I feel that way, I don't want to let them go. Of course the final decision will be with my coach, but so far I enjoy these programs and wish to keep them.

"A instant of magic that I will never forget", aiming for Pyeongchang

-You've met a lot of different coaches. Right now, what are you learning from Tom Zakrajsek in Colorado Springs?

I'm learning the constitution and the systematization of skating from Tom. With Tom, training is a bit like going to school. When I go to the rink, Tom has a practice schedule for me, and I follow that plan. I skate according to the plan, and that style of training seems to fit me. I know what I have to do, and what I need for it at one glance. If I finish earlier I can leave earlier too (laughs) I know what I have to do and I do it according to a schedule. I enjoy it. It's like doing small steps towards a bigger package. So it's like a school where we study t become smarter. Training with Tom is going very well.

- You're going to university right now. Do you teach at the rink?

Only sometimes. I'm a full time student, and going to school and skating already takes up most of my time. I like teaching too though. I don't like only doing skating. I will go out of control if I spent all my time on it, so it's good to keep a distance because it helps me have a life and mental balance. Having other goals also helps me relax, and I never stress because I concentrate too much on skating.

- What are you majoring in?

International economics. Right now I have my accounting and statistics courses right now. It's almost all numbers but numbers are fun. It's very educational and I think I'll keep the same courses.

- Please tell us your dream.

No doubts, my only dream is to go to the Olympics once again. I worked for this dream since I was 5, and this time is probably my last chance to be on the Olympics team. I think my training will change a little by little from now to then. I want to concentrate on skating, so I might cut down some school time. I want to become a girl who realizes her dream. A girl who of course believes that she can make it happen, and goes back to the team again.

-In your first Olympics at Vancouver 2010, you were 4th what do you remember from it?

My first Olympics and the excitement, the stimulation, the nervosity were all too big for me. Skating well while being the last one to skate and finish the competition well was all a challenge for me. Now, I want to challenge myself again, to recreate an even better instant of magic. An instant that I will never forget.

Source: http://web.canon.jp/event/skating/interview/2016_2017/nagasu.html

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