1tv channel released an interview with Anna Shcherbakova, where she describes the decision making process of her questionable participation in the Russian Figure Skating Championship.
Anna got the new virus in November 2020, shortly before the Rostelekom cup tournament. As she said about this before, she hadn't known about being sick. She was attending the trainings as usually without feeling any changes in her physical condition. However, she suddenly felt not good right one day before the competition. The team figured out that the reason was the new virus, after running the tests. Moreover, Anna had been sick for quite some time, which could seriously harm her health.
Anya could not train full power before the national Championship, given the long time one needs to get back to healthy after corona. The coaches forbade to skate the full programs, since it could lead to worsening of lungs. So Anna trained both short and free programs part by part and under the strict control of her doctor.
Shortly before the final figure skating event of the year, the Russian Championship, she was told multiple times, that her conditions is not good enough to skate the free program on the appropriate level. Her parents and her coaches were insisting on withdrawal. However Anna showed her strong personality and decided to compete whatever it takes. She said in the interview, that she could feel the power to concentrate at the right moment and then strategically rest when she could.
The risk was worth it! Both short and free programs of Shcherbakova were triumph! Anya looked really tired after the short program, she could barely stand. However the program was done just fine. She jumped 2 Axel, combination 3Lz+3Lo and 3Fp. The spins and steps received the 4 level and high GOE. So Anna was the leader of the competition after the first day.
The free program is longer and therefore requires more strength which Anna was lacking after the sickness. Two quad jumps in the free program gave Anna more power, as she shared in the interview. Actually there is no difference between jumping 3-jumps and 4-jumps, it takes the same effort, however the successful 4-jumps inspire more and give more power for the rest of the program.
Anna could outperform her closes rivals Kamila Valieva and Aleksandra Trusova and she became the Russian Champion of 2021. Also, the young figure skater from Russia received the right to compete on the World Figure Skating Championship with is scheduled in March 2021. Let's wish Anna good luck!