Interview with Karel Zelenka
July 2008 in Oberstdorf

Q: What are your thoughts about this past season?
A: I expected a little bit more, but I was in a bad situation last year, and the season was not very good for me. But in spite of all the problems I finished in a good position at Worlds and I was happy there. I want to be stronger this season, absolutely.

Q: You battled an ankle injury last season. How is your ankle now?
A: Now it’s fine. I’m just careful with my ankle. I don’t want to injure it like I did last year in the summer, so I’m careful, and I think it’s good now.

Q: What was the exact nature of the injury?
A: I twisted it (the ankle) on a jump. I was in pain afterwards and all season long (I struggled with it). I think I lost minimum two months, because I couldn’t prepare well in the summer. I was in good shape in summer at this time and I felt very good, but after the injury I couldn’t do the Axel. I was at the same level as the year before, but I couldn’t do more. It was impossible with the injury.

Q: Now we’ll look into the future. What did you do after Worlds and what are your plans for next year?
A: I had a vacation. I went very far away, to the Caribbean, because I needed the sun and the sea to have a complete change from the ice. After that I went into rehab for my ankle.

Q: How long was your vacation?
A: About two weeks and one week I just spent in my home to start things slowly.
Q: When did you get back onto the ice?
A: About three weeks after Worlds, but I did different things, I was just skating to prepare for the summer. It was not a light practice, just different, not as during the season.

Q: What are your plans, will you change your programs?
A: Yes. I will change both programs. It’s not easy, but I need to change both programs. I had a little bit of a hard time before (coming to) Oberstdorf, because I had to find music. Now I finished the short program and I still have to do the free program.

Q: What music did you pick and how did you choose it?
A:I have a new short program "Nut Rocker" and a new free program, consisting of a medley of several pieces, "Cheek to Cheek”, “Let Yourself Go”, “Top Hat" and “White”. My new programs were chosen by Barbara Fusar Poli. She had the great idea for both of my music choices. She will build on the work and choreography that I did here with Frank Dehne. She’ll continue working with me in September in Milano to refine the programs for the competitions and she will make sure that I keep presenting them very well. She worked with me on the short program in Milano before I came to Oberstdorf. I also got help from Nicoletta for the short program. The free program was done by Frank Dehne. I’m happy, because the programs are great, absolutely  great.

Q: When do you want to start competing?
A: I don’t know exactly, but I want to compete more internationally this season. I couldn’t do that last season because of the injury, so I didn’t anything except for the Grand Prix, and this was not so good concerning the (World ranking) points, the experience. If it’s possible I will do more competitions this year, but I don’t know yet which ones, because I have to check the schedule first.

Q: What are your goals for the season?
A: I don’t like to talk about that too much beforehand, because it doesn’t bring good luck! But I’m expecting a lot (from myself), so it’s very important. As I said before, I want to do a lot better. I want to achieve very good results.

Q: What new elements do you plan?
A: I think, two or three. It depends.

Q: New jumps?
A: Yes, also jumps. That’s the most important (new element). For sure I want to do the triple Axel. I did the triple Axel, I had some problems, but now I’m fine. But it’s not only this (the Axel). The level is very high, and if I want to do well in competition, I have to be at the same level as the best skaters.

Q: What do you think about the rule changes?
A: It’s good, yes. I think it’s better that they removed one element, because it was very hard to include all elements in the programs. The time was not so long, and there were a lot of elements, so it was very hard.  And now, especially in the free program with one less spin, there is more time for skating and for showing maybe better steps. I’m happy with this change.

Q: Thank you very much for the interview and all the best for next season!