Tina Garabedian: I’m Very Proud to Skate in the Name of Armenia (EXCLUSIVE)

• 02.29.2016, 13:25
•  World,  Armenia,  Diaspora,  No-politics,  Interview

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"Armedia" IAA presents an exclusive interview with Canadian-Armenian figure skater Tina Garabedian, who together with Simon Senecal won silver at international tournament Bavarian open 2016.

-What were Your feelings, when your couple was declared the winner of silver medal in the Bavarian Open tournament?

-We were obviously very happy, but the fact that we got the minimum score in the short dance for the World Championships was very exciting as well. In fact, the night between the two programs, I got sick and I had bad fever. I did not feel good or myself at all. I didn’t even have enough energy to get out of bed to get ready in the morning. My condition was very bad especially for an athlete about to compete. Therefore, we were not sure if I was going to be able to even do the free dance. Thankfully, with the support of my coach, mother and partner, I got threw it and we got our best personal score yet! Another accomplishment to be very proud of. It was a stressful and rough week, but it was all worth it at the end. We are very pleased with the results and of our second international medal together this season.

-When You were suggested to perform under the flag of Armenia, what was Your first reaction? Has Your decision to present Armenia in international tournament changed anything in Your life and Your feelings as an Armenian? 

-I was very excited and honored to have the opportunity to represent my country. Showing off my jacket with Armenia written in the back is honestly one of my favorite things to do. I’m very proud to skate in the name of Armenia. It has only made me closer to my roots and has made me realize how lucky I am to be Armenian, to appreciate my nationality. Armenia all the way.

-As far as I know You have recently visited Armenia. What were Your impressions?

-Yes, this summer, my family and I visited Armenia during the PanArmenian games. It was really the best feeling ever to walk in Armenia seeing all of the flags, everything I learned in school, the posters and the shops written in Armenian, people speaking my language. I really felt like home. I am so happy to say that I have visited my country! It was an honor.

-How was Your couple chosen and is it easy to work with him?

 -Last year, I competed internationally with Alexandre Laliberté representing Armenia in the Junior category. We came 16th in the World and were very pleased with our accomplishments as a team. Unfortunately, we had communication and working problems and decided to split after the big event in march 2015. My coaches knew, and so did I, that Simon and I would make a perfect match. He split with his former partner as well. We trained at the same ice rink with the same coaches. We had a very good friendship before even skating together so when we did our try outs and the coaches loved the match, it was very easy to adapt to our new situation. Working with him can sometimes be hard because we are both a bit stubborn, but we always have fun and get through any obstacle together. I am very fortunate to have a partner that’s so kind, funny, hard working, understanding, caring, and of course an excellent skater. We are very happy skating together especially with our amazing results this season. And it’s also incredible considering we are a new couple and it’s my first year in senior.

-How would You assess your couples chances at World Cup in Boston? 

-We are definitely going to use the next few weeks to perfect our elements and programs. We will work as hard as we can to do our best possible at the World Championships. We know that the top teams in the world will be with us and it is very exciting. In fact, just like at the Europeans, you have to qualify in the short dance to get through to the free dance. They only take the top 20 couples. We did it at Europeans. We know that the North American couples will be added to the list along with other good couples so we are hoping to finish in the top 20. We will do our best of course and if it doesn’t happen, it is still a huge accomplishment to even be competing at the World championships. Therefore, we will be proud of our hard work this amazing season either way. 

-Do You see your future without figure skating? And if You do, in what field?

-I love ice dance. It fills a very very big part of my heart and my life. I know it will be the hardest thing ever, but at some point in my skating career, I’m going to have to do something else in my life. I am a business student in college and I plan on studying in that field in University as well.