In an interview with ERR, Niina Petrõkina, a figure skater set to perform her free program at the Olympics for the first time, discusses her longstanding collaboration with choreographer Alina Boyko. Together, they have been training for eight seasons, focusing on the integration of ballet into figure skating. Boyko highlights the importance of ballet for skaters, explaining that many skills in figure skating, such as hand movements and foot positioning, are derived from classical ballet techniques.

Petrõkina describes the challenges faced in their recent training sessions, noting a lack of practice in classical ballet over the past weeks. Despite these hurdles, she expresses confidence in her ability to retain the lessons learned and continue to improve. This reflects the dedication required at such a high level of competition and the rigorous training regimen that includes not only on-ice practice but also off-ice training in ballet.

The relationship between Petrõkina and Boyko exemplifies the intersection of artistic disciplines, as figure skating increasingly draws on ballet to enhance grace and technical skills. As the Olympics approach, their training becomes even more critical, with Petrõkina aiming to showcase both her skating and ballet prowess on the world stage, which could have implications for her performance and future in the sport.