Alina was beyond my expectations!
Let me tell you what happened yesterday. 29th September, this is a date to remember.
So, I live in Munich and was surprised when Alina was assigned for the Nebelhorn Trophy. I must be crazy not to go when it's only 2,5 hours by train. Unfortunately I had time only for the gala concert but I had planned everything in advance. I chose a beautiful picture of Alina, it was a tough choice but you will all agree that her Ina Bauer in Don Quixote is one of the highlights. I took my notebook for autographs just in case and I bought a bouquet of flowers. I went on my journey to Oberstdorf and I was pleasantly surprised how picturesque the region and the village are. The air is fresh and energizing.
I was at the ice rink about 1,5 hours before the gala. I didn't know if it was possible to find Alina but I was optimistic. When I spotted Tatjana Flade, I went to her and explained that I am looking for Alina. She was really nice and said that she will be here soon. I waited patiently. And guess what, the Russian discipline has no match - Alina and Eteri were the first to arrive and 'build' their small camp in the corner. Alina was about to start stretching. I was in shock... They were a few meters away! I quickly took the notebook, the photo, a marker, a pen, my phone and the flowers (I felt like Alina at the medal ceremony yesterday...) and went to them.
My plan was to try speaking Russian because I worried that Alina won't understand me in English or that Eteri will have to translate which would make the contact more unpersonal so I did my quick lesson in the train with Google translate and prepared a few sentences. I had never spoken Russian in my life, I am Bulgarian and my native language is from the Slavic language group but there are some important differences in grammar and vocabulary and when you haven't studied the language, such an improvisation won't be the best speaking attempt, I guess, but I just wanted to try speaking Russian to her.
So I approached her and said her name, she saw the flowers and stood up. I suddenly felt extremely nervous, I forgot everything I wanted to say, in each language. Eteri was also there and she was slightly smiling. Maybe I got so nervous because of Eteri, I don't know. It was like a blackout in an exam.
I gave Alina the flowers and said that I love her skating. I tried remembering how to say 'I think you are the most beautiful skater' but I just couldn't get the words right. Then I said that I am from Bulgaria and that I don't know Russian but I do my best. When Alina heard this, she smiled and she hugged me! And this hug was so warm and friendly, like we knew each other for a longer time. I couldn't believe what was happening!
I asked for an autograph and gave her the picture and the marker but the other stuff fell on the floor because I was carrying too many things. Eteri picked up my phone and I was so embarassed... I tried to find a free surface on the small table beside them to leave my things for a second and I was feeling like an idiot because, I don't know how to explain it, I am speaking an unknown language to the best figure skater and the best coach in the world and my belongings slip through my fingers because my limbs and brain don't receive enough oxygen at this moment.
So, Eteri was really nice and gave me an autograph. I said that POTO and Carmen are really good programs and she smiled. Then she suggested that Alina and I have a photo together. You can imagine my shock - Eteri being super nice!
Alina and I had the first picture and then I suggested to do the Masaru pose. She smiled and she did it, we even laughed. I was feeling much more better now, everything was fine!
Then I asked for a picture with Eteri and Alina took it. I was too scared to touch Eteri, she wasn't cuddly either... You could see that only our arms briefly touched at the picture. I just didn't dare putting a hand on her back, we all know she is into the Dark Arts.
After that I wished Alina good luck for the new season, she thanked me and I went away. I couldn't believe what just happened. I met Alina Zagitova, Olympic champion 2018, and I spoke to her in Russian and Eteri took pictures of us and I got an autograph!!! I was beyong happy, I was also embarassed because of the language barrier and my stupid nervousness. I hope that Alina found it sweet and did not think that I am a total idiot, I just really wanted to say something in her language and she listened to every word patiently.
I went in the far corner of the room and took a few minutes to normalize my heart rate. I cried because I was overwhelmed. Then I decided to stay and watch the warm-up of the skaters till the beginning of the concert. Alina was getting in the zone while stretching and Eteri was nearby, reading something. Some skaters came, I met Loena and Mai and they were nice and gave me autographs but they were a bit reserved, like normally reserved because we don't know each other, of course. Just in contrast to Alina. The other skaters warming up was interesting, the pair skaters were the most spectacular to watch and the other skaters even applauded them sometimes after a difficult lift.
Then the concert started and everything was wonderful, the skaters presented really nice programs. Keegan and Alexander Majorov were highlights, definitely. And then there was Alina. Not Alina from the warm-up room, sweet and innocent, but a badass, provocative, survivor Alina. If it was a shock to you to see her skate like this, to me it was an even bigger one because 2 hours ago I spoke to the sweetest girl ever and now in the show she had this amazing transformation. She is a real artist!
After Alina's performance I had to go, ran through Oberstdorf to catch my last train to Munich (I managed to arrive there 1 minute before the departure time!). On the way back I was recalling the moments with Alina and Eteri and sometimes I was cringing but overall I was happy that I had the courage to go to her. I hope she understood that she has a fan from Bulgaria who loves her and will support her no matter what. I am happy that I met her at this event because it will surely bring back some very positive memories, like overcoming herself and breaking all three records in the new scoring system. And being the perfect Christine, Carmen, Lara Croft.
Sorry for the long post, I am thankful that there is a place like this where I can share what I feel at this moment and where I can be best understood. Thank you!
Имелось ввиду, что Этери - ведьма. Кажется, так ее называют многие иностранные "наблюдатели".