Preparation, Presence, Precision: The Fuel for Ice Dancing Duo Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko
The saying “practice makes perfect” is anything but the truth. Practice makes you better. Though ice dancers strive for perfection, it is ultimately an unattainable goal.
Instead, practice makes you prepared. And that’s where Olympic ice dance duo, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko draws their confidence from.
“I actually struggle with confidence,” Carreira acknowledges. “But usually, I try to go back to my preparation, because we train extremely hard, and when we get to competition, typically we're one of the most prepared, so usually I can rely on that, and that's kind of where I find my confidence.”
There’s something to be said about the consistency Olympic hopefuls must train with. Each day is devoted to the possibility of representing your country. And every day matters, because every moment builds on itself.
“We train every single day, Monday through Friday, and we put in so many hours of work that when I show up to competition, I know that at least my physical well-being, I'm fully prepared,” Ponomarenko says. “That brings a lot of confidence into my product that I put out on the ice.”
Enjoying the Work
It isn’t always easy to remain confident, even when you feel prepared. When the duo performed at the Grand Prix in November, the physical component was there, but the mental preparation became just as important.
“After the Grand Prix, we knew we had to reset, and we had to shift our mindset because it wasn't really working. We had a long talk with our coach, Scott, where he told us to do it for our younger self,” says Carreira. “Little 10-year-old, Christina would be so proud of where I am today, and to find the fun in what we're doing and enjoying the process.”
There’s moments for laughter and child-like joy, but there’s also moments for seriousness and a competitive fire. You can compete with both.
“There is a really good balance of fun and work,” says Ponomarenko. “You also have to enjoy the work.”
Staying Present
Ice dancing is particularly unique because a deep reliance and trust on your partner is a must. If any moment of doubt creeps in, it doesn’t only affect you. It affects your partner too.
Carreira doesn’t let this intimidate her. She takes it as inspiration and uses it as a reminder to perform for Ponomarenko too. “I absolutely would not want to go out there by myself,” she says. “We really have to trust each other and to rely on each other, and sometimes doing it for the other person is easier.”
Each step together has importance, so you being present is key to success. “Every step, you're aware of it, and you're able to push yourself beyond what you've done in practice,” Ponomarenko says. “I repeat, I can do this hundreds of times during my performance over and over again. That brings me into the present moment.”
Together, Carreira and Ponomarenko build a dynamic duo on the ice. In Milan, they’re looking to remain present and find joy in the competition, while trusting in the preparation that got them there.
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