WITH ROY AND H.G.

OUR SPECIAL GUEST THIS EVENING IS NONE OTHER THAN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST ALEXEI YAGUDIN

THANKS FOR COMING IN ALEXEI!

R/H: Now Alexei how long does it take to work up a routine like that Gold Medal performance that you put on the other night?

A: Actually it has been pretty fun. We have been searching for the music for months. I even tried Swan Lake and other stuff, and fast music like that. Finally we chose that music because I just felt it like that and I could perform to it and express myself.

R/H: Now you are given certain elements to do, perform, like certain fixed requirements and is it a matter of finding a piece of music that fits the pattern of Choreography you have worked out or do they have to fit together?

A: Actually we just put on the music at our practices and just let it go for hours, then we just create something as we go like new moves. And thats how we created the program.

R/H: Now in the routine you did something I haven't seen before. You flicked up the ice and threw it in the air like snow. Now is that something you thought of yourself or did you nick that from somebody else?      (Alexei and Audience laugh)

A: Actually it was fun because it came into my mind at that moment to do that. This trick was fun how we found it! One girl fell during practice and hurt her knee, so I flicked up the ice and took it to her to put on her injured knee and then Tatiana screamed out "lets do that". This is how that trick ended up in my short program.

R/H: Do you think that's something you could do though on the ice, that you might take this further in other programs you prepare?

A: Actually I felt like a Snowgirl, skating this program. (Audience laughs) But I will find something else. Maybe I will pick something out of the audience to use. (as in a prop)

R/H: Now you use gloves. Are you the only one to use gloves Alexei?

A: Well the name of that program is Winter. And its Winter in Salt Lake. So I was really happy it was snowing right now. R/H: Sure sure nice to have gloves to wear.

R/H: Ok you have done MITIM, Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. So where to from now? Any thoughts on the Boris Yeltsan Story?  (Everyone laughs)

A: I have no idea whats going to happen the next year. But I was really happy that when I skated the Gladiator last year I got a present for my birthday. Russell Crowe he signed a picture of himself for me. So I am just really happy that MAYBEEEEE he watched me skate. R/H: Oh he would have done

R/H: And you performed an Ice Dance to the Gladiator?

A: Yes well the Ice Dance is pretty although you know I have no idea what Ice Dancers are doing! I mean even though I am a figure skater. They hardly jump, they don't spin and all they do is smile. (ALEXEI SMILES RIGHT INTO THE CAMERA TO SHOW AND AUDIENCE IS IN HYSTERICS)The more they smile the better marks they get. R/H: Thats right Alexei, you know we think thats rubbish. (sarcastically)

R/H: Do you think the computer can come to the age where the judges(obviously with the big skate scandal) could see you perform through a more technical side on a computer. So that they could compare one performance to another and they would be able to see the technical side in a much clearer fashion, rather than relying on the eye to determine it

A: I knew you were going to mention the Pairs scandal. Everybody does it's huge talk. I don't really care what happened with the judging I just have to skate and do my job. R/H: So if you are the best you will win basically with the current judging system. I mean thats how we felt. The Russians were the best and the Canadians were pretty ordinary. (Alexei grins)

R/H: Your now living in America, in Connecticut?

A: Yeah I do

R/H: Now would you ever consider coming and living in Australia? We could get you in and you would go straight to the top of the cue and skate for Australia at the next Winter Olympics. Now there would be government subsidies, and we would offer you a car and a place to live with beaches galore all of that, a total package.

A: Can I get Business Class for that flight? (AUDIENCE IN HYSTERICS) I mean you guys are so far from the rest of the world. It was so tiring for me to fly here to your great, civil country. I mean I am pretty comfortable in the US. But if you would fly me Business Class I might think about that offer.

R/H: Is Skating a big sport in Russia, I mean your kind of Skating? And can you earn a living at it?

A: The sport is great. I am really happy in my job. And I really like what I am doing, I thank my mum for first delivering me then putting me in the sport.

R/H: What are you going to do when Ice Skating finishes up? What do you want to do, choreograph, media or take on something else?

A: Well I would be really pleased if you would ask me to enjoy your show again. Maybe I will just do something with you guys. (laughs) R/H:comments back-What a good idea! A trio on Televison. That's  a great idea Alexei! And Alexei can teach us both how to skate (everyone laughs)

R/H: Now the internet is a big thing, and you say it is a hobby of yours. On the internet people put up music that they would like to see you skate to. Do you ever take their advice?

A: I have a laptop with me, I'm just carrying it around all the time, and it's pretty fun reading what people online discuss about me. The internet is great because you can get a lot of information off there. I have my Official Fan Club and Site, where I go twice a week or once and I put what I experienced in previous weeks before into my Journal.

R/H: Are you embarrassed about the public poems that are written to you by young women?

Alexei Comments-Oh I guess you heard about that? (cheeky smirk)

R/H:Comment- Oh yes we heard about that! How do you find it Alexei?

A: Well its great! You know today I did this interview, then this one girl called me and said "Alexei I am definetely the girl you need" and I said "Oh really!" (cheeky grin) She said "I don't have any questions to ask you but here is my phone number, call me!".

R/H: And are you going to call her?

A: (sarcastically) Oh definately! (audience bursts out laughing)

R/H: CAN I ASK THE AUDIENCE TO PLEASE THANK ALEXEI YAGUDIN!

(Everyone Claps and Cheers for Alexei)