#JacksonFamily Interviews Ft Andrew Torgashev
The #JacksonFamily is a large family of skaters wearing Jackson product. Whether it be Matrix Blades, Ultima Blades, Jackson Skates or GAM Skates, skaters are encouraged to tag #JacksonFamily in their social posts and be a part of the largest skating family, from recreational to elite! Innovation, Development and most importantly FUN are the core fundamentals of #JacksonFamily.
In our interview series, we wanted to go behind the scenes and talk with some of our international competitors to get to know them a little bit better!
Today’s interview features Andrew Torgashev, from Coral Springs, FL. He moved up to Senior Men, placing 11th in his first SR US National Championship. He most recently competed in Taipei, Taiwan 2017 at the World Junior Figure Skating Championship.
Andrew, tell us a bit about yourself, where you came from, how long you’ve been skating, training grounds, coach etc.
Well, I really got into skating in 2006. That was the year of Hurricane Wilma. When the Hurricane struck, it took the roof of my rink off and I wasn’t able to skate there until they fixed it. During that time we went to another rink and my parents first taught me because my other coach wasn’t available. That’s actually how my parents (Ilona Melnichenko and Artem Torgashev) became my coaches! I was born and raised in Coral Springs, FL and am of Russian and Ukrainian descent. Skating for Team USA
With the first year of senior under your belt, what do you take away from it? Lessons learned? Things to work on? Is there more pressure from previous seasons?
I learned that anything is possible, that gives me a lot more faith for the olympic season. After Junior Worlds, I am going to go home, get completely healthy and learn all my quads.
This is your second time on the World team, congrats! What can we look forward to in Taipei? Is there anything you have been doing different in your preparation?
I did a bit of training in Colorado Springs before this competition. My main goal is to go out there and put out solid 2 programs to the best of my ability. That’s all I can ask of myself.
You are coached by both your parents, is it harder because you see them at home all the time? Or are they very good about keeping it at the rink?
Of course there are going to be some complications between splitting home and training, but I think that we all do a great job of setting boundaries for each other.
What are some of your hobbies outside of skating?
Ping pong, Boxing and Video Games
⚡️Lightning Round ⚡️
Window or Aisle Seat? Aisle
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
Favorite Restaurant? Chipotle
Favorite Place You’ve Competed? JGP Cup of Mordovia in Saransk, Russia
Figure Skating’s Class Clown? LOL. I’ll let you guess…
What does #JacksonFamily mean to you?
I am just really happy and honored to be a part of the Jackson Family. It’s in the name, but I really feel that I am a part of a second family and its great having that support whenever you need it. The help that I get with my equipment from Mark is one of a kind. I cannot imagine anybody that would put up with my problems and fix them as much as he has! Thank you!
Andrew’s Equipment: Matrix Supreme Blades
