Interview conducted over the phone Jan 12-14, 2003, by Vlad Popov.

When and why did you start slaloming?
I started in 1986, when my mother brought me a slalom skateboard form Riga, Latvia. I had never tried skateboarding before then and got involved in this sport mainly because I wanted to try it.

What competitions did you enter prior to racing overseas?
Leningrad, Kharkov, Baltic Republics, I raced all over the country, really.

When was your first European race and where in Europe did you race?
My first race was around 1991 or 1992, I raced in France, Switzerland, and Italy. 

Who was your most fierce competition?
Irina Alexeeva was the only one constantly pressuring me. Svetlana Zasovina from Saratov was fast, as well as some girls form the Baltic republics. There were a couple of younger girls competing with us for a while, but the skill level needed to race in our class was rather high.

How much time did you spend practicing and who were your training partners?
We practiced at least 3 times a week. As many of us were getting full-time jobs, practice times were cut short, but we still practiced on weekends together. 
The entire Saint Petersburg slalom club was involved in training. Among the regulars were Anatoly Matsukevich, Irina and Igor Alexeev, and several others. 

Did you stop skating after the great slalom demise of 1995?
I didn't quit after 1995, and we skated sometimes. We still have our boards and old wheels. 

What boards did you use in competitions and what board/wheel/track combo did use to set a 100-cone world record in 1995?
Some boards we made ourselves, some- we got as gifts, and some boards we brought from overseas. In France in 1995 I used a Swiss board, Swiss trucks, and Hyper Strada wheels.

Do you know that slalom is making a comeback and competitions are held all aver the world?
No, I had no idea. We used to get all the information from Anatoly Matsukevitch, but I guess he's busy with other things right now. I haven't heard from him in a while. This is really great news!

A couple of Slalom World Championships were held in California, USA in the past two years. Would you be interested in attending slalom competitions in the future?
Definitely! Although there is a problem with the sponsorship. Our team used to be sponsored by large corporations, but after the economic crisis in the mid 1990's there is no way we can get sponsored. The sponsors used to cover our airfare. 

The cone distances have grown since the renaissance of world slalom in the mid 1980s- mid 1990s. Are you ready to face this challenge?
It’s only a mater of practice. If modern race courses are different, then that’s what we need to be training for. It’s just a matter of training, that is all.

Where are you currently working?
I work as a physician and an administrator at the Saint Petersburg Union Clinic Center. I used to be a professional swim, aerobics, and shaping trainer in the early 1990s but have changed my career to be a doctor. 

Is your daughter of "slalom age"?
She’s 14, and she skates with her friends sometimes. Although she’s not into slalom much. 

What's the current Russian slalom scene like?
Well, we’ve all grown up now, everyone is working, but many people are still interested, and there is talk about slalom get-togethers every now and then. But so far, it has been mostly talk. Yet, I've heard some people from other towns and cities asking old-time friends what's up, and expressing an interest in skating.

This is really great news, Elena. Jani, Adam & friends have put a fine international slalom site together that hopefully will bring many more people back into slalom. It’s been a pleasure. So, see you online then?
Ok, I’ll check out the site. Many people including me have a web access, so I'll let them know soon.