World Championships 2025 in Boston - Interview with Kevin Aymoz, right after his SP.

He has just finished his short program and has just come out of the Kiss and Cry, looking fresh, with a score of 93.63 and his Season Best under his belt. Barely a small quarter is showing on his detailed record, for his quadruple toe loop combined to a triple. Several of his competitors have yet to take the ice, he does not know that he will be 4th at the end of the afternoon.

Patinage Magazine: How do you feel, a few minutes after your SP?

Kevin Aymoz: I feel great, I'm super happy. The work done over the past month has paid off. I didn't think too much, I felt "easy" (he mimes quotation marks with his fingers). Well, it's never easy, but I had that feeling of my body managing on its own. I got into my private bubble during the off ice warm-up and I haven't left it since. I didn't have any particular pressure, no stress, or just what I needed. By the way, people are surprised that Silvia [Fontana] wasn't present at the boards. But the poor thing is back to the hotel because she is sick!

P.M.: Can you explain why you came back to your short program of last year?

K.A.: There are several reasons. The first is that I needed a quieter music than Martin Solveig's "Everybody", something more conducive to secure technical difficulties. With my coaches we wondered for a while. Create a completely new program? Materially it was possible. But probably a little risky. But possible. And risky (laughs). Taking over an old program? Last year, I didn't finish the season and that's how the idea of reviving Antony and the Johnsons' "Bird Gehrl" came about. I couldn't see myself skating in black latex pants on a super fun theme anyway, when yesterday we paid tribute to the victims of the Washington crash. This tragedy has hit the skating community hard. It is a question of respect for their families, their friends and the whole audience. I was no longer in the mood for festive music, it was a matter of feelings and emotions. Then, it's also to pay tribute to two of my friends who have made their transition. It takes a lot of courage. Even if sport is, in fact, political, I don't get involved in politics. But it seemed very important to me to make a testimony by taking up this program again. The World Championships are taking place here in Boston, in a country where cersome tain rights are in danger. I want to take advantage of my popularity to make my voice heard. It's very important to me. Life doesn't come down only to figure skating, it's a whole set of things, it’s of everybody’s concern.

P.M.: It's very brave of you.

K.A.: Thank you. But it seems natural to me. It's good to convey emotions, it's not bad to convey a message.

P.M.: How will you approach the free program?

K.A.: As serenely as possible!

Interview by Kate Royan