“There wasn’t any specific moment when the idea came to me; it had been in the air for more than a year, and it was obvious that it needed to be brought to life. This music is the essence of incredible joy and celebration, and judging by how people reacted, I think it really was a celebration.

Not everyone can handle that kind of tempo, probably, but it’s within my ability — I showed that in last year’s short program. The fact that the combination didn’t work out was an annoying, serious mistake.

It’s surprising, but over the past few days I’ve been living in stress, thinking that I’d have to skate, even though I’ve gone through so many competitions… In half a year you get out of the habit. I couldn’t fall asleep the last few nights.”