Gleb Lutfullin, a figure skater training within the group led by Alexei Mishin, spoke in a conversation with socialbites.ca about exploring a variety of performance formats in ice shows. Yet he admitted a hesitation when it comes to performing in pairs.
He explained that he is drawn to all formats and sees this as a fresh challenge worth trying. Lutfullin has skated solo for years, but he has not yet attempted pairs or ice shows that are built around storytelling or themed presentations. He joked about the possibility of a pairing and asked who could be a suitable partner, noting his smaller stature and playing with the idea of a lighthearted, joint routine perhaps resembling a running herringbone position on the ice. His comment was delivered with a smile during the discussion.
When recalling his early influences, Lutfullin mentioned Alexei Nikolaevich Mishin briefly, noting that Mishin once pursued a shorter path that included pair skating. He described a time when Mishin was studying to become a greenhouse worker and highlighted the rigorous preparations involved. Lutfullin added that his own back would not tolerate the demands of paired disciplines, emphasizing the physical limits that shape his choices on the ice.
The skater also shared why the shows do not stir much excitement for him, even though those performances often attract larger crowds than official competitions. He described the competition atmosphere as focused on the jumps rather than the pressure of the program as a whole. If a mistake is made during a program, there is no lower scoring penalty in that moment, which some might find easier to handle. In contrast, performing quad elements requires a higher level of concentration and precision throughout the routine.
Earlier in the conversation, Lutfullin reflected on a moment that surprised him at a Plushenko event, underscoring that even established arenas can present unexpected experiences beyond the standard competition circuit.