ALBENA DENKOVA & MAXIM STAVISKI : AMOUR & MAGIE...

We shall work and live in Bulgaria.

Maxim Staviiski
was born on November 16, 1977 in Rostov upon Don. He has lived in Moscow. Nine years ago she started to compete for Bulgaria, after which he received Bulgarian citizenship. Single, but he has his friend Albena.

Albena Denkova
was born in Sofia on December 3, 1974. She graduated from the University of Economics in Sofia. She has been ice skating for a long time, first as a hobby and then as a professional occupation. For the last couple of years she has been traveling around the world since she has to train abroud. She is looking forward to ending her sports career so that Maxim and she can settle down in Bulgaria.

-- When was the first time you stepped on the ice?

------ Albena: I was 7-8 years old. Before that I used to train rhythmic gymnastics. The competition there was immense. My parents very much liked ice skating as a sport and decided that it would be nice if I tried it. I also liked it since it is not only beautiful but also I believe a kind of art. That's how I first went to the training hall and decided to stay and continue to train.
------ Maxim: I started at 4 when my parents first took me to the skating rink. In those times ice skating used to be a very popular sport in Russia and there were many schools and training opportunities. That's how it all began. First I trained individually, and then I began to learn how to dance.

-- When did you start to compete as a duo and which were your first major successes?

------ Maxim: In the spring of 1996 Albena came to Moscow. Shortly before that my ice skating partner and I had separated. The trainers liked Albena very much and suggested that we try skating together. Well, it worked out. Later on we came to train in Bulgaria. In 1997 we had our first major breakthrough ranking at the European championship. Since then we've had only success. Another great success was our 7th place at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in 2002. After that we started to position among the top three places.

-- How did you find a place among the ice skating elite where winning positions are usually "reserved" for the trainees of certain ice skating schools?

------ Albena: We always try to be original and diversified in our programs. Moreover, with a Russian trainer and with certain elements from the Russian technique, our ice skating is definitely influenced by the Russian school. At the same time we stand out with our originality and with the fact that we always try to provoke the jury and the audience. We choose non-standard choreography, music and elements. When you are coming from a country like Bulgaria you have to do something with which to impress the jury, to attract their attention and that of the audience. Otherwise you will remain unnoticed and hardly appreciated.

-- Lately you have been spending less and less time in Bulgaria. Tell us where you live and work now?

------ Maxim: With us it is of utmost importance to have a good trainer. We first trained with a Russian specialist who lived in Sofia. Then he moved to Russia and we left with him to Odinzovo - a very small town near Moscow where we trained four years. Now we have a new trainer who lives and works in America. That's why we too live in America. We keep trying to come back to Bulgaria more often and for longer periods, but somehow we never manage to.
------ Albena: It works only in the summertime when we take a break before or after important competitions. We have to train hard, especialy now.

-- At the beginning of 2006 you have some serious test - the European and World Championships, Olympic Games. Which are your aims?

------ Albena: We train on ice 6-7 hours every day and spend quite some time in the training hall, too. We shall go to the Olympic Games with great ambitions and expectations. We truly hope that our work shall be rewarded in the forthcoming sport events.

-- In your sport physical appearances matter a lot. Who takes care of the design and make of your ice skating costumes?

------ Albena: Depending on what we present different designers are in charge of our costumes, of course taking into consideration our opinion, too. Usually we have them made in Russia since they are considerably more expensive in the US. We take care of our looks alone, sometimes with the help of a visage specialist, but in America we live in a small town and there are no such opportunities there. We also have no time to travel to bigger sities and receive such services there.

-- Where exactly do you live in America?

------ Albena: In New Arch, State of Delaware. The University of Delaware is very popular. They have a renowned ice skating sports centre there with two ice rinks - one standard and one Canadian size. We also used to train in a small town in Russia before, in such small places one can focus better and work in peace. In short, New Arch is the town where we live and train with pleasure.

-- How do you spend your free time when you are in Bulgaria?

------ Maxim: Unfortunately we don't have much free time. Normally when we have such we spend it in Bulgaria relaxing before the start of a new training period. We don't go to discos or night clubs though we would very much like to. After training we go back home, have something to eat and relax since in the evening we have yet another training. Sometimes we see friends or take a walk, but unfortunately this happens less and less often. In the summertime we spend our spare time in Sozopol.
------ Albena: In Sozopol or Tzarevo since we have a house there, but in all cases at the sea side. We get some sun and warmth since almost all year round we are on the ice.

-- At the end of December last year you presented to the bulgarian audience your new routines. Where is the focus this time?

------ Maxim: These is a change of rules in figure ice skating. Now the focus is more on the technical elements. Albena and I try to combine them into an initial scenario wit a theatric flavor. Unlike others, we try to match choreography with technical mastership.
------ Albena: I think that in our new routines our trainers focused on the breadth of skating, the freedom and impressiveness of movements and of course on the technical complexity. Everything is very complex and at the same time original in terms of movements. We were looking for elements that would be of high technical complexity and meeting new international requirements in this sport. All this does not go without injuries but it was worth the efforts - both judges and audience like our routines. I hope that we will perform them successfully at the Olympics.

-- Do you plan to come back and settle down in Bulgaria?

------ Maxim: This is what we dream of. However, I believe this shall be possible only after the World Championship and is case we receive no subsequent invitation to take part in gala performances. For sure we shall return to Sofia. We want to make here a serious ice skating school, as well as gala concerts and show programs with which to increase the popularity of this sport.

-- What does Bulgaria mean to you?

------ Albena: This is my home country. A place I not only like and love, but also where my family and friends are, where I feel loved and respected. I hope to return to Bulgaria and live here. My wis is so strong that I an sure I will make it come true.
------ Maxim: I am from Moscow, my parents live there and I cannot say I have forgotten this city and my family. I would very much like to back to Moscow, but I would equally like my parents to come and live in Sofia since I love Bulgaria very much. It became my second home; I would even say my first home since I feel fine here. I would like to live and work in Bulgaria.

Marianna Mayer.