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Kristoffer – Kungen av Kungsan
2011-03-06 19:01

Mitt bland alla söndagsflanerande stockholmare dök han upp på isen för att göra reklam för konståkningsshowen Stockholm Ice: Kristoffer Berntsson, numera också Kungen av Kungsan!


Kungsträdgården i centrala Stockholm vid lunchtid, söndag: Ett par minus, strålande sol och nyspolad is. Filip Stiller, före detta landslagsåkare och numera journalist och reporter på SVT:s VästNytt, glider fram och fattar mikrofonen.
Han hälsar de cirka 150 åskådarna välkomna, berättar om Stockholm Ice på Ericsson Globe den 2 april och introducerar därefter Kristoffer Berntsson.

Berntsson kör ett program till Kings of Leons Sex On Fire och visar därefter hur han gör en dubbel Axel och en trippel Lutz. Publiken får därefter gissa vilket hopp Berntsson gör, med t-shirts som priser, varpå uppvisningen avslutas med yngre åkare från Stockholms Konståkningsklubb.

- Kul att få kom hit och uppvisningsåka. Den här typen av uppvisning är bra både för konståkningen i stort och för Stockholm Ice. Jag ser verkligen fram emot att få komma tillbaka och åka i Stockholm Ice, sade Kristoffer Berntsson innan det var dags för intervju för ABC tillsammans med Stockholms lovande åkare Mikael Nordebäck, och därefter tåget tillbaka till Göteborg.

Den 2 april kan du njuta av Kristoffer Berntsson igen, på Ericsson Globe, och då tillsammans med bland andra Adrian Schultheiss, Viktoria Helgesson, Evgeny Plushenko, Stephane Lambiel, Sara Maier, Laura Lepistö, Shizuka Arakawa och Team Surprise.

För att läsa mer om, och beställa biljetter till, Stockholm Ice, klicka på länken.


http://iof2.idrottonline.se/SvenskaKonstakningsforbundet/Media/Nyhetsarkiv/KristofferKungenavKungsan/

http://www.stockholmice.se/

Very good interview with Kris

Kristoffer Berntsson: "I will continue to skate!"


March 12, 2011
By Eva Maria Jangbro (EMJO)
Photo © Eva Maria Jangbro (EMJO)
Kristoffer Berntsson on this season's results, why he chose to retire from the big events and what his future skating life will look like…

Kristoffer is often considered the best figure skater in Swedish history and rightfully so. He won his 10th Swedish Championship in December, his best placement at Euros is 7th place and his best placement at Worlds was 9th place in Japan in 2007. He still remembers the standing ovations after his free program there and was hoping to return to Japan for Worlds in Tokyo. Nordics were the tryout for Worlds and Sweden had three candidates. Kristoffer Berntsson is the best known of these candidates - not only in Sweden, and many fans all over the world had hoped for his success at Nordics. Unfortunately it was not to be. Right after Nordics in Copenhagen where Kristoffer ended up in disappointing 3 rd place, I had a small chat with him. Due to time shortage between the competition and the medal ceremony we talked during dinner. This was Kristoffer’s suggestion since he always keeps a promise and that was a short talk with me.


READ MORE http://www.absoluteskating.com/index.php?cat=interviews&id=2011berntsson

Koffe's blog http://www.landvetterkk.com/Kristoffer/My_thoughts/Entries/2011/3/8_Europeans%2C_the_Nordics_and_the_Future.html

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Europeans, the Nordics and the Future

This season didn’t play out they way I wanted. I was on a good path when I won nationals. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to improve my skating between Nationals and Europeans, so Europeans wasn’t the success I was looking forward to. After Europeans I had a week and a half to prepare for the Nordics, but a week before the competition I got sick, spoiling pretty much all of my preparations. At the competition I still didn’t feel very well, but I knew I had to skate, and skate good, in order to get a spot at the World championships. I didn’t. I ended up in third place and I knew it was over...

But even though I don’t get to go to Tokyo again to compete, I’m not devastated. Last year, when I decided to fight for another year, I made up my mind that I was doing this because I loved to skate! So, I still got to skate for another year and do what I love. Sure, I didn’t skate as well as I wanted, but I tried! And I don’t regret anything, it would have been much worse to not have tried at all...

But now, I unfortunately have to say that I don’t intend to start another big journey towards a new big championship. A lot has happened in my life this year and I’m looking forward to new challenges, wherever they may be...

But first I will finish this season! You know, I still love this sport! Next weekend I will compete here in Gothenburg (Mölndal to be more precise) and on the 2nd of April we have the big show Stockholm Ice, which last year was an exciting experience. Lots of people and good skaters made for a great show, I hope it will be just as good this year! Ending it all is Elitseriefinalen (Premier League Final), were I want to end this season on top of the podium, with the younger kids on my sides ;-)

Sverige Radio interview http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=179&artikel=4390787

Kristoffer Berntsson satsar ett år till http://www.harrydaposten.se/nyhet_visa.asp?id=421

Kristoffer's forum http://kristofferberntsson.forumotion.com/

skandinavianskating.net http://www.scandinavianskating.net/

Jeremy Abbott Interview – Your Favorite Improv-Ice Performer! March 18, 2011

It was way back in November when we first announced Cold-EEZE Improv-Ice. It’s now March and we have been able to check out the show on NBC and Hallmark Channel, and watch a lot of other incredible skating shows as well. But one of the most exciting times in these last few months was counting the nationwide votes for favorite Improv-Ice performance.

It was a close one, but your votes revealed that the very talented Jeremy Abbott is the favorite Improv-Ice performer! His rendition of Jukebox hero obviously electrified the stadium and thrilled us, too. It makes us want to get up and dance – or skate. If only we could skate like Jeremy!

If you missed the performance, see for yourself right here!
Luckily, we were able to get even more of off-the-cuff Jeremy—he agreed to answer a few Cold-EEZE questions just for you. So, for those fans out there who voted for him, we’re sure you’ll love this little one-on-one. And for those who aren’t yet Jeremy converts, you might just become one after checking out what he is all about.


What is a typical day in the life of Jeremy Abbott?
A typical day in my life is really pretty boring. I wake up at the same time every morning. I make breakfast, pack a lunch, and head to the rink to skate for the day and have some form of off ice work. Either dance class or strength training. Then it’s home to watch a bit of television and eat dinner. Rinse and repeat!

What was your favorite part about participating in Cold-EEZE Improv-Ice?
I really enjoyed the spontaneity and creativity of it. It was incredibly challenging having to create credible programs on the spot.

As an athlete who works in freezing temperature all the time, what are some ways you stay healthy and cold-free?
I try to get lots of rest, and make sure to be hydrated. I wash my hands and use hand sanitizer. Of course if I do happen to catch a cold I make sure to use Cold-EEZE

Who are the young skater “raising stars” you are most excited about?
There is lots of young talent emerging all over the world and it’s very exciting to watch these kids grow and develop. My favorites are always the ones who are mindful that our sport is an art form as well. Jumps are exciting, but everyone has to do them. The kids that can skate and have great sense of movement and interesting choreography are the ones I get most excited about.

Jeremy is not only an accomplishment skater, he is also involved in his community – an example we find totally inspiring. He once remarked before winning the Junior National title “Stranger things could happen; pigs could fly!” This slogan became the face of his Pigs Can Fly charity, an organization that gives back to young male skaters who are struggling to pay coaching fees, ice time and competition fees. So we had to ask him about this unique symbol and what it means to him.

It means that anything is possible. It’s a message that I want to convey to any child that is beginning in skating. Things are always difficult but if you believe in your dreams and you work hard enough you can make incredible things happen.

What are a few things your fans may not know about you?
I don’t know. I think social networking has sort of taken away any bit of mystery that I may have had.

What inspires you?
I try to draw inspiration from everywhere. Art, fashion, literature, pop culture, other athletes, and even my own competitors. I’ve found some of the most amazing quotes from some of the silliest of people. Just keep your eyes and ears open.

And we certainly will, especially if it means we’ll be the first to hear about Jeremy’s upcoming events. We’re hoping to see some more of his improv moves in the very near future. It may be a long shot, but hey—stranger things could happen. Pigs could fly!

Tell us, why are you all Jeremy Abbott fans? What did you like most about the interview?


SOURCE: http://coldeeze.com/blog/cold-eeze-news/jeremy-abbott-interview-%E2%80%93-your-favorite-improv-ice-performer

Yuka Sato's plans on hold while Japan recovers
Tokyo native worried about family, friends

The message was forwarded by one of her friends, and it told Yuka Sato all she needed to know about the conditions in the northern Japanese city of Hachinohe, near Masawa, in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Sato was searching for information about the whereabouts of a family -- close friends of her parents -- when the e-mail arrived.

"We're safe," Sato said the message read, "but most likely our house is under the water. But all four of us -- the family -- is alive. We have to use candles at night. There's no electricity. Very scary. We're just trying to get through each moment."

Sato was supposed to be on a flight later today for Tokyo, host city of the World Figure Skating Championships. She had prepared to leave a day ahead of her husband, Jason Dungjen, who was due to depart Monday with U.S. ladies champion Alissa Czisny, whom Sato and Dungjen both coach at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills.

Sato, 38, was planning to stay in Japan for three extra days following the competition to spend time visiting her brother in Tokyo and her parents, Nobuo and Kumiko Sato, who live near Yokohama. During the championships, Nobuo Sato -- who coached Yuka to the 1994 world title and is the current coach of reigning ladies world champion Mao Asada and men's Japanese champion Takahiko Kozuka -- was to be formally inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

But all plans regarding the event -- which had been slated for this week -- have been put on hold as the International Skating Union tries to determine what will become of the season-ending competition, which can't be held in Tokyo anytime soon because of the earthquake and radiation fears from a damaged nuclear plant.

So Czisny and her coaches -- as well as more than a dozen other area skaters and their coaches -- will remain at their training clubs in Bloomfield Hills and Canton as they await the fate of the competition.

"I try not to read so many things because it's so confusing, and I'm just waiting for U.S. Figure Skating to tell us what is going to happen," Yuka Sato said Thursday. "I'm quite affected by this whole thing because I'm really worried about my family and my close friends. So the skating is kind of, it's going, but I'm a little bit detached. I'm so thankful for Jason."

Sato is sitting in a booth at a Coney Island restaurant near the skating club. She sips coffee and barely touches the English muffin she has ordered for breakfast.

Sleeping is difficult, she says. In the week since the tragedy, the first thing Sato does after waking up is check her e-mail for messages from her family and friends in her homeland. Then she turns on the television to watch for breaking news.

When Sato was a child growing up in Tokyo, she said earthquake preparedness drills were part of the weekly regimen at school.

"I grew up with earthquakes around, and we actually practice for situations when this happens," she said. "You do not talk. You open the windows. Open the doors. And then you jump underneath the table.

"But when an earthquake that big hits, there's nothing you can do."

The calmness and stoicism that Japanese citizens have showed the world in the aftermath of the tragedy doesn't surprise Sato. She said the Japanese word " gaman" -- which means to be patient -- is part of her culture.

"We hear it all the time in life," Sato said. "It's one of the major words we learn and live by."

In 1994, with her parents and Ottawa's Peter Dunfield as her coaches, Sato won the world championships in Chiba, Japan. Although she was the second Japanese woman behind Midori Ito (1989) to win the world gold medal, Sato was the first to do it on Japanese soil.

It was the proudest moment of her career.

"The last minute or so of my program -- from the second triple loop until the end -- I enjoyed it very much," Sato said. "It was the last event for me as a competitive skater and I squeezed everything I had in my body. By the time I finished, the whole building -- I couldn't believe it -- they were all on their feet."

Czisny can believe it.

"She's a role model to me," Czisny said, "and a hero."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meet Yuka Sato

Age: 38.
Born: Tokyo.
Residence: Waterford; married to Jason Dungjen, former U.S. pairs champion.
Profession: Figure skating coach and choreographer at the Detroit Skating Club. Currently coaches with Dungjen the reigning U.S. ladies champion, Alissa Czisny, and former two-time U.S. men's gold medalist Jeremy Abbott.

Competitive career: 1994 ladies world champion; fifth in 1994 Olympics; seventh in 1992 Olympics; 1993-94 Japanese national champion; 1990 junior world gold medalist. Turned pro in 1994; toured in shows and skated professionally in singles and pairs (with Dungjen).


SOURCE: http://www.freep.com/article/20110320/SPORTS17/103200491/Yuka-Sato-s-plans-hold-while-Japan-recovers

Plans to train with Briand moving forward
(04/01/2011) - Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Adam Rippon, a two-time world junior champion and the gold medalist at the 2010 International Skating Union (ISU) Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, announced Friday that he has ended his two-year professional relationship with coach Brian Orser and will train with Ghislain Briand, who has served as a member of his coaching staff for the past two years.

"At this time I need a change in the way I've been training," Rippon said. "I've been working with Ghislain for more than two years, so the transition is natural and makes sense."

Briand coached for more than 10 years in Montreal before relocating to Barrie, Ontario, to work with Doug Leigh at the Mariposa School of Skating. A member of three-time world champion Elvis Stojko's coaching staff from 1996-2002, Briand has also worked as an IJS technical specialist.

"I am excited to work with Adam," Briand said. "I anticipate a lot of good things from him in the near future. He is a strong skater with good work habits."


Rippon enjoyed his finest season in 2007-08, when he took the gold at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final and the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships, sandwiching the U.S. junior title between those two wins. The following season, he again captured the world junior title, making him the only man to claim that prize in back-to-back seasons.

This season, Rippon won bronze at 2010 Skate Canada followed by a fourth-place finish at Skate America. He wrapped up the campaign by coming in fifth at the 2011 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the 2011 Four Continents Championships.

"I don't think this season was my best, but I don't think it was a throwaway either." Rippon said. "I learned a lot about myself, and I believe this coaching change is necessary."

Prior to his time with Orser, Rippon was coached by Yelena Sergeeva (2000-07) and Nikoli Morozov (2007-09).

"I want to thank Brian for our time together," Rippon said. "He's very much responsible for making me the competitor and athlete I am today, and I'm grateful for that."

SOURCE: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110401&content_id=17247826&vkey=ice_pressrelease

Bradley wants to 'bring home some hardware'
With the World Figure Skating Championships delayed and relocated to Moscow after the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, we caught up with U.S. champ Ryan Bradley to talk about how the extra time might help him achieve his goals.
By Alexa Ainsworth | Posted: Apr 6, 8:33a ET | Updated: Apr 6, 8:38a ET
At 27, Ryan Bradley won his first U.S. title in his eleventh trip to senior Nationals. Now, he leads the American men at Worlds in Moscow, where he has his sights set on the podium.

With Worlds delayed and relocated to Moscow after the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, UniversalSports.com caught up with the champ to talk about how the extra time might help him achieve his goals.

Talk about the ups and downs of Worlds being delayed and if it has helped you at all.

I started training in November, so this is still a short season for me even with the extra five weeks. I'm definitely feeling fresh. I don't feel burnt out. Some of these other kids, I can see that they are and I can understand why, but I think that's something that can definitely work to my benefit.

Has the hurry-up-and-wait aspect to Worlds allowed it to finally sink in that you're the national champion?

It's still kind of unreal. My mom made me a scrapbook and it's sitting in my room. Randomly I'll walk past it like oh my god I still can't believe that really happened. It's been nice to have a little bit of time and relax and not have to be pedal to the metal training. It's made it easier to work and take a step back and look at everything that's happened in such a short time.

How is your body holding up? Any injuries?
This whole year has been really listening to my body. I really learned this year that less reps really helps. I would be doing hundreds of quads a week. That's an absurd amount.

I would get to a point where I would hit five out of five and instead of saying five out of five is awesome, I would go for 10 out of 10 and if I missed one, alright let's make it 14 out of 15. I would just put up these crazy numbers and my shins would hurt and I would be hobbling out of the rink. With my age, I'm injury prone anyway, so I don't want to push it and I just want to be able to extend my career as long as I can.

Are you still being coached primarily by your sister?

I'm working with my sister more than I was before Nationals. Before Nationals I was just kind of doing my own thing, going with the breeze. I've been take more lessons with her, more lessons with Tom, just trying to organize things a bit better...trying to get my levels and details - all those little things I got away with at Nationals, but on the world stage I need to polish.

What is it like to train with [two-time world silver medalist] Patrick Chan?

It's awesome to train with him. I was very content when I first decided to skate [this season] - I'll probably do one quad, maybe I'll do two [triple] Axels. Almost watering things down just because I was like, I have eight weeks to get ready. Then I look up and Patrick starts hitting both quads and I'm like, nope I'm definitely going to do two quads. Training with him has definitely pushed me to be a better skater.

What kind of placement goals have you set for Worlds?

I definitely want to be on the podium. I know that there are a lot of good guys out there. I also understand the circumstances with how long their season's been. I'm pretty sure I have the most difficult program planned because I do two triple Axels and two quads. Going with the highest technical score, you're always relevant. I feel so confident. I can do these programs very cleanly and I'm just anxious to get there and go do it. I want to bring home some hardware.
Happiness equals success for Bradley
With the World Figure Skating Championships delayed and relocated to Moscow after the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, we caught up with U.S. champ Ryan Bradley to talk about how the extra time might help him achieve his goals.
By Alexa Ainsworth | Posted: Apr 6, 8:32a ET | Updated: Apr 6, 8:33a ET

At 27, Ryan Bradley won his first U.S. title in his eleventh trip to senior Nationals. Now, he leads the American men at Worlds in Moscow, where he has his sights set on the podium.

With Worlds delayed and relocated to Moscow after the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, UniversalSports.com caught up with the champ to talk about how the extra time might help him achieve his goals.

Are you more nervous going into Worlds as the U.S. champion?

Not so nervous actually. I'm skating better than ever. To know that it's in my hands whereas last year it was more, God I hope I can get through this - at this point, getting through it, that's nothing. It's about doing my best and putting on a show.

You have never competed in Russia. Anything you're hoping to see outside the rink?

I'm a very stressed competitor. I don't really leave my hotel room. I'll probably go out and do some of the touristy stuff after I'm done competing. For me it's about the rink. The hotel. Getting back and forth. Getting myself into my rituals so that I feel confident to perform.

What do you mean by "stressed competitor?"

The moment I step off the plane I'm going to feel sick to my stomach until the moment I skate my best and if I don't skate my best that moment will carry on for a lot longer. The skating part is fun, it's the waiting, trying to sleep, trying to rest while all these things are going on - it's a lot. It's really overwhelming. I don't get negative. I don't get freaked out. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I want to be the best that I can be.

You seemed to have sorted through those emotions at Nationals though. What did you learn from that?

So much of what I learned happened at home. Last year I was so strict with everything. I was in bed at nine at the latest. My life was completely Olympic-oriented and obviously that didn't work out. This year I wanted to be happy. As great as it was to train and be skating so well the year prior, I was miserable. This year I'm having fun. I'm taking caring of my psyche. If I'm happy, I skate well and that's been the case since I was a little boy. That's the biggest thing I learned from Nationals that I have used in my training for Moscow.
Source: http://www.universalsports.com/news/article/newsid=528344.html

Vows to come back strong next season
By Lynn Rutherford, special to icenetwork.com
(04/11/2011) - Jeremy Abbott isn't on the U.S. world team slated to compete in Moscow this month, but he's keeping busy.

The two-time U.S. champion is taking full advantage of his time, keeping up his training while performing in benefit shows.

Last week alone the Detroit-based skater performed in a show for Japanese earthquake victims in California, grabbed a red-eye flight to New York to hit the ice for Figure Skating in Harlem's annual gala at Central Park's Wollman Rink and capped the trifecta with Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov's "Proud Nation 2011" show in Simsbury, Conn.

Abbott made a cosmetic change along the way, dying his light reddish-brown hair a near-platinum blonde.

"His new look was fun and bold," Gregory said. "We all had a great time playing with makeup for the show."

"It's just an experiment," he told fans in Simsbury. "I'll keep it for a while, see how it goes. Probably not long term."

The 25-year-old, who placed fourth at the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships after falling on a triple Lutz in his free skate, ended his competitive season on a bright note, skating two solid programs at the 2011 ISU Four Continents Championships in Taipei and winning the bronze medal.

"I would have loved to have finished the year at worlds but I was happy with what I did at Four Continents," Abbott said. "I thought it was good redemption for me after the disappointing nationals. Now I'm getting down to work, planning for next season."

Next up: Yu-Na Kim's "All that Skate" in Seoul in May.

"I have a brand-new exhibition program to Adele's "Home Town Glory" I will do for Yu-Na's shows," he said. "My coach Yuka Sato, Massimo Scali, and myself worked on it in cooperation. It's a beautiful program, it's very difficult and I'm excited to put it out in Korea."

Icenetwork.com caught up with Abbott last week.

What's your take on the past season?

It was a really rough season for me all around with the skate issues and other problems here and there, but everything happens for a reason. I was done early this season, and now I can focus on getting my boots solved and settled, and I can give it everything I have next season and come back stronger than I have ever been. I'm really excited for next season and for the potential I have.

What can you do to prevent boot issues next season?

We've started the process already. I've been in close contact with Riedell [boot manufacturer] and just making sure that everything is done well. They're sending me a couple of pairs [of boots] and we're trying a couple of different things. We want to make sure everything is settled for the summer and next season, taking care of it now so I don't have to go through all of this next season.

What do you most hope to accomplish 2011-12?

A stronger start and to actually feel comfortable on the ice. Honestly there was not one point this season where I felt good on the ice, over my feet in my skates. So in training, and then in competition, I tried to do as much as I could. Considering how I felt and everything that happened, I think I had a successful season. I medaled at every international I competed in and I was that close [.19 points out of third place] to the world team. With all the problems, I can only think of the potential when my equipment is right and when everything is settled and good.

Do you think you will be getting new competitive programs?

We're starting to plan for next season, nothing concrete or solid yet. I've definitely decided as much as I love my long program [choreographed by David Wilson to the Life is Beautiful soundtrack] -- and I don't think it ever reached the potential it had -- I am definitely going to get a new one, just because this season was emotionally hard, and I want to put it behind me and start fresh with a whole new outlook.

You didn't try the quad toe this season, although you have done it successfully in the past.

It was hard because I didn't have the support, my boots would give out on me, it was hard to train jumps and train quads. Next year the quad will be there and will be solid. Everything will be good.

SOURCE: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110411&content_id=17645364&vkey=ice_news

Salomé Brunner and Stéphane Lambiel:
"We follow the music"

April 12, 2011
By Reut Golinsky
Photo © Silvia Ulenberg, Caroline Paré, Reut Golinsky
It was a quiet afternoon at an empty Vaillant Arena in Davos. Only Salomé Brunner and Stéphane Lambiel were on the ice. They were working on a new program to Kim Wilde's cover of "I'll stand by you" that Stéphane was going to perform in a week's time in St. Moritz. Same movements repeated over and over again, slight changes, different tries, lots of smiles and laughter; you could see how much they enjoyed this process of creation and their work together.
After this practice Salomé and Stéphane found some time for our talk. I have done interviews with both of them before. Of course with Salomé we have also talked about Stéphane and Stéphane has mentioned Salomé very often as well. But this time I had an opportunity to talk to both of them and ask them more questions about each other. We discussed programs they have created, their attitude towards choreography in figure skating in general, their rules and principles as choreographers, etc.
The conversation was interesting and lively, warm and informal, all this thanks to the love and respect these two people have towards each other. I'm really glad they continue to work together even after Stéphane has finished his competitive career. I wish them many years of fruitful collaboration and I'm looking forward to seeing new programs created by them as a team or as independent choreographers.

Salomé, we talked a year and a half ago and I asked you whether you think Stéphane will make a good choreographer. Do you remember what you answered?
Salomé: Yes, I said: "I'm sure!" (Stéphane laughs)

You also said it will take time, you thought he would start with this much later. Were you surprised...
Salomé: ...that he was so quick? Yes. I didn't reflect on it much, but I though maybe right now he needs to skate himself and then become a choreographer later. But he actually proved that he can do choreography and skate himself as well.

Did you see his programs?
Salomé: Not all of them. I saw his work with Daisuke.
Stéphane: She was at the rink when we were working.
Salomé: But I didn't see his other work, with the Russian boy...
Stéphane: ... with the Kazakh boy.
Denis Ten won Asian Games. Stéphane, did you see his performance there?
Stéphane: Yes, I saw his short.

How different is it from what you initially created?
Stéphane: It's very different. I recognized the beginning and some other parts of the program but most of it... I think he had to change a lot of things because of the system since we did the choreography before the rules came out. And I think it's normal to make changes in the program during the season. It was the same way when Salomé and I worked together and I made some changes, or her other students. It's usual for skaters to adjust programs to the system and to what is more comfortable [for them]. So I'm happy he found a good way to perform that program.

So we can't call it your program now or...
Stéphane: Yes, of course, it's my program. My choreography adjusted by Mr. Ten.

Salomé also told me back then that she is not sure whether you have enough patience to do choreography. What do you think?
Stéphane: Well, I was lucky because my first two students were amazing skaters, so I didn't need to be patient. Every time they tried something it was already what I had expected from them. But if I work with more skaters, I will probably need to be more patient.

Each choreographer has their own style and their own touch. Stéphane, how would you define Salomé's choreography? Not only for you, but for other skaters as well.
Stéphane: First of all, Salomé has very good sensitivity to music. She is very musical. And that's already a very important point for me in skating because that's one of the basic things. I mean, if you don't follow music, it is not possible to create choreography and to put emotions into what you do. And secondly, she wants to understand each skater she is working with. And for me that's also important. I was trying to do the same thing when I was working with Daisuke and Denis – to understand and to find the energy they are willing to put into the program. She always listened to what I wanted in my program, what type of energy I wanted to give. And with her experience and my vision and her vision as well we found a way... It's very important to have good ideas but it's also important to listen to the skater, because at the end of the day it's the skater who performs. So I think that's one of her best qualities; she's always there for you and listens to you...

What about her styles as a choreographer? Does she prefer any style? Maybe she is more classical or, on the contrary, more modern?
Stéphane: I think she has experience in all; she can do all the types of programs. I did almost all my programs with her and I never did two programs [that were the same]... Well, for example, right now we have the show in St.Moritz coming up and we have to put together a program very quickly, so we need to use some parts of [other] programs. But every time we have used a new style, we have been able to create so many different kinds of programs. I think she always wants to stay true to the music, that's her style...
Salomé: Also, I think that the style of the choreographer depends on his or her ability to use all the different experiences and (various) ways of interpreting movements. They are very personal and if you feel this in your own body then I think you have unlimited possibilities.

Salomé, you were an ice dancer, but you choreograph mostly for single skaters. Is it because in Switzerland...
Salomé: Exactly! In shows I started to choreograph for pairs because I preferred it and thought it was much more interesting to work with two bodies. And then I started to work in clubs and there were not many ice dancers, so...

Stéphane, would you consider working with a pair or an ice dance couple? Would it be hard for you?
Stéphane: I think if I had to choreograph a competition program for pairs and ice dancers, it would be very difficult for me. Because I don't know about levels of the lifts, I don't know the technique. I can say: "Oh, that's nice" or "That's not nice", "I don't like this leg", "I think that would look nicer". But since I don't know how to get into these positions, it would be hard for me to find the technical ways of doing all those lifts. I would love to work for a pair or for an ice dance team, for sure, but then I need a technical assistant to work with me.
Salomé: Or maybe [to choreograph to] somebody who has already some experience [and can help with technical side].

When choreographing competitive programs, how much do you think about the points? Do you try to make it more "expensive" (to have more points)? Or maybe there are situations where you say: "We prefer to use the lower technical level of the element because it will look more beautiful"?
Stéphane: We always worked in the following way: we knew what technical elements we wanted to have in the program and after we had the timing of the elements, we just followed the music in between. We didn't think: we need more transitions here because there have to be transitions [in the program], it was more that music...
Salomé: ... asked for these transitions.

For example, they say that level four step sequences usually look ugly. You need to add so many different things to the steps to get level four that it's difficult to make it look beautiful.
Stéphane: We always tried to be aesthetic, that's for sure, because figure skating needs to be aesthetic. And secondly, we have rules – for level four we need to do that, that, that and we want it with musicality. If it's aesthetic and musical and you have all the things you need to get that level, then it becomes "expensive" like you said, we get an "expensive" footwork. But I think we didn't focus on points, we focused on elements that we needed to do in harmony with the music.
Salomé: But I also remember we were thinking really hard at times because we were not satisfied if it was not level four. We always tried to find something that is level four and still as beautiful as the original idea.
Stéphane: It's true. But, for example, in "La Traviata" we also took time to do three-turns. Three-turns are not very difficult and they don't really give you points, but we needed a part [in the choreography] where we had three-turns. We followed the music and it's what the music asked for. So we just went for it.

Salomé has mentioned a few times that she prefers not to work with direct rivals.
Salomé: Yes, it's a difficult situation.

And you, Stéphane, choreographed two short programs for direct rivals. Didn't it bother you?
Stéphane: No, I didn't see it like this. If you see like that, you can ask me why I choreographed for someone who was my rival.

Well, you are not competing anymore. Salomé said she didn't like these types of situations and I think that's why she choreographed less than she could have.
Salomé: I didn't want to be in this kind of situation in the dressing room during a competition. But Stéphane knew he was not going to be in the dressing room with these people. For example, I did a choreography for another lady while Sarah was still competing, but with this lady I knew that I was not going to be in the dressing room with her during the competition, because I don't think it would be right [to do that]. But if you just do the choreography and then just give your work to this person, it's different.

Because you're always more than just a choreographer, you are also a kind of a psychologist...
Salomé: In the situation with Stéphane - yes...
Stéphane: (laughs) It was a long relationship and we shared more than just our work on choreography together, yeah...

Stéphane, can you name some programs that you love that Salomé has created for someone else, not for you?
Stéphane: (takes some time to think) I love the pictures I've seen of Salomé when she performed... It upsets me that the only performances I've seen by her are the ones where she was on the ice with me. If I could turn back time, I would love to see Salomé's performances.
Salomé: And the stronger Stéphane got in skating, the more he grew artistically, the less I skated (Stéphane: Oh, no!). I wanted him to find his own steps.
Stéphane: But I still believe one day I will see Salomé on stage.

You can invite her to your show and choreograph for her.
Salomé: But it has to be very slow! (everybody laughs)

Salomé, Stéphane mentioned that at the end of his career he wants to do a tour with his favourite programs. Which programs would you advise him to take?
Salomé: To this tour? Actually, I have to think more about which programs I would not like him to take (Stéphane laughs), because I would really love him to include most of these in that tour.

Except for which ones?
Salomé: It's hard to even remember. I think the ones he didn't care for so much. They were not in his repertoire for long, they were there for just a few months. And sometimes I still liked them but he already didn't. For example, the one that everybody now skates to – "Once upon a time in Mexico".
Stéphane: It was not very long [in the repertoire]...

I really loved the "Geissel Drama" program, the one that was performed at Skate Canada 2006.
Stéphane: Ah, "Geissel Drama"... (reminding to Salomé the name of the composer) Lauterburg...
Salomé: Lauterburg, yes, this was quite short.
Stéphane: Two... maybe two times.
Salomé: I was just thinking about this program some time ago and I was wondering what happened to it because it was such an original idea.

Yes, and the music was very interesting. Unfortunately, it wasn't one of Stéphane's best skates...
Stéphane: I didn't feel comfortable [with it]...
Salomé: Maybe it was the music that didn't make you feel at home somehow.

If a skater chooses a piece of music that you don't like, what do you do? By the way, Salomé, did it ever happen with Stéphane?
Salomé: That he brought music I didn't like? No, it was never that I didn't like it; it was maybe that at first I couldn't understand why somebody would choose such a piece of music. (laughs)

Was it that awful?
Salomé: Not awful, but I just didn't get it. I think it's because of difference in tastes. People have different tastes, but when I started working with that music I learned to see its beauty.

So you won't say: "This music?! No!"
Salomé: It has happened to me a few times, actually many times. Not many times with Stéphane, but with other skaters. But I still always try to work with that because, like Stéphane said, it's important that the skater would feel the music and want to skate to it.

And what would you do, Stéphane? It didn't happen now, right? You chose their music?
Stéphane: Well, I tried to convince Denis not to take the tango. He wanted that piece. I told him: "Maybe... we can do something different?" (laughs) I was probably not very convincing. I didn't find good words, I don't know...

So then you choreographed for the music that...
Stéphane: ...that he chose and it was great because he really wanted to skate to it and I could see it when I was putting on the music and he was on the ice. He showed me a lot of things and convinced me to take it. If I didn't like the music and I had to push him to skate to it, then I would have said: "Maybe we should try something else". But I could see that he was into it.
My last question is about choreography in general. What are the basic rules of choreography? How do you decide which moves look good and which don't?
Stéphane: Well, it's not very difficult to learn. Salomé can teach you very quickly.

If it's that easy, I would be glad to learn!
Stéphane: I have Salomé in my mind every time I see pictures. I'm like: "Oh my God, Salomé would hate that picture" or "Salomé would say that arm is not nice". For example, very often when I do "La Traviata" I hear her voice in my mind, reminding about the arms because I know that my elbow is "broken" (Stéphane bends his arm so that it has an acute angle) and I know that it doesn't look nice. And I can see that afterwards on pictures: "Oh, my arm doesn't look like Salomé wanted".

Yeah, but why does Salomé want this? I mean, why is it not nice this way, but it is nice the other way?
Stéphane: It's not hard to understand. It's because of the energy: if your arm is here (bends his arm again), your energy doesn't go further. And if your arm is here (stretches his arm), it's deeper, it's longer, it's more powerful. And that's what I've learned from Salomé.
Salomé: It is about energy and about style and also feelings. It's about whether the movement feels right to the music or not. And this is perhaps more difficult to explain.

It's something you need to learn and feel yourself... If I want to choreograph a program, what should I do?
Salomé: Probably just try it...
Stéphane: But maybe if you like a "broken elbow"...

... sometimes in modern dance...
Stéphane: Yes!
Salomé: ... you can use it, of course, yes, yes...

So anything is possible, but you should...
Salomé: I think anything is possible; it's just how you put it together and what feeling it gives you. You're free.
Stéphane: You can be a choreographer, we give you a permit!

Thank you! But I'm afraid not many skaters would come to me...
(everybody laughs)

SOURCE: http://www.absoluteskating.com/index.php?cat=interviews&id=2011brunnerlambiel

INTERVIEW WITH HIKOLAI MOROZOV

In figure skating world everyone is already accustomed to the fact that during competitions Nikolai Morozov shows up at the boards far more often than most of his colleagues. World Championships in Moscow will be no exception: he is coaching 2007 World Champion Miki Ando from Japan, ​​2011 European champion Florent Amodio from France, Spanish National Champion Javier Fernandez and Italian ice dancers Anna Capellini / Luca Lanotte. Plus, he also works with single skaters Elene Gedevanishvili from Georgia and Elena Glebova from Estonia, whom he helped a lot this season. Morozov is also the Russian pairs champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov's choreograper.
Morozov and his skaters arrived in Novogorsk before the others - to make sure that the athletes will be completely acclimated for the Worlds. That was where we met. Nikolai, as usual, was on the ice, showing different steps to some very young boys, and the patriarch of the Russian figure skating Viktor Kudryavtsev was watching them from the boards.

The famous coach's eyes were full of admiration, and I couldn't help it and sat down beside him.

-It's unique, - Kudryavtsev said aloud. - It's just unique what Kolya is doing on the ice. His edges were always very good, even when he was a single skater. I think, he didn't achieve much just because when he was young, he was very unorganized. But as a coach he's absolutely brilliant.

He told me that when he lived in New York, he attended almost all existing Manhattan dance schools," continued Kudryavtsev. "He's got a lot of acquaintances in the dancing world. But most importantly, he managed to translate on ice everything that is new, unusual and uncharacteristic for the classical figure skating."

-What is it that Morozov can do and other coaches can't?

-First of all, it's the style. Very modern. All Morozov's athletes have better skating technique and accurately calculated biomechanical movements. It allows them to keep very high speed on ice even when they do very difficult steps and step sequences. Audience doesn't think why some athletes skate faster than others. It's all technique. Feet, knees, ankles, foot position toward the ice surface, the pressure...Judging by the exercises that Nicholai gives to his students, I see that he works on all these details, rather than just the edges.

Another thing, I would say, that Morozov's programs are not academic. His athletes' skating is free and even relaxed. It is far more important than it seems. If a sportsman is all tensed when entering a jump, as the majority of the skaters are, it takes so much energy. As a consequence, it becomes difficult not to "die" until the end of a program. Look at Sergei Voronov, whom Morozov is coaching just one year - with the new coach he became a completely different skater.

-What do you think about Florent Amodio's free program, that's being widely criticized and with which he became the European champion?

-As I said already, it isn't generic, and that's what I like about this program. There is a brilliantly portrayed image. Now I pay special attention to such things. With the existing rules to show something new, out of the general trends, is incredibly difficult. And not everyone can do it, by the way. To find the athlete's individuality and to develop it is the most difficult thing a coach can do...

Meanwhile, Voronov and Fernandez where finishing their ice practice, and Miki Ando has already shown up from the locker room.

-We can talk while Miki is warming up, - suggested Morozov, who had skated up to the board. - Later, I'm afraid, I won't have time.

-One extra month, which you got due to moving the World Championships to Moscow - is it a problem or a profit?

-For my athletes it isn't very important. They used to work in such way that there is no big difference in their physical condition, whether they are skating at the World championships or training in the offseason. So they can skate well even in summer.

-Do you deliberately work in such a way?

-Yes. To be always ready to show a result is necessary both for my athletes' confidence and for mine as a coach.

-So it's a sort of Special Forces training? You can wake them up at night and they'll go and skate?

-Well, it's better not to disturb a night's sleep, but I know that each of my athletes is capable to peak in 3 - 4 days. Therefore I didn't think it would be a problem even if the Worlds were moved to August. A later date, of course, would be a nonsense, because it would mess up the whole season.

I think all the rumors about moving the championships to autumn were mostly because Japanese federation didn't want to lose the World Championships, so they were ready to do anything. Although for me such approach doesn't seem right. If such a disaster happened, one must think about other things and not about the world championships. Because Japan is not just figure skating.

-You and your group where in Japan during that first disastrous earthquake. It is true that French and Spanish Federation immediately demanded that their athletes come back home?

-Well, it were not so much the federations, but the parents who were worried. Even my mother could find no peace. At first no one knew where we were, what happened to us ... And TV coverage was better not to see.

-Admit it, you were scared?

-The first three days - no. We just didn't realize, being in Fukuoka, nine hundred kilometers away from the epicenter, what was really going on. But after that, when the problems with nuclear power plants had begun, I realized that we had to leave as soon as possible. I sent part of a group ahead, and flew with the rest a day later. I also realized early enough that World Championship in Japan was not happening this time around. And I gave free reins to the athletes right away - gave them an opportunity to work freely.

I'm really glad that [because of that] I had one month to work with Sergei Voronov. I'm glad, in general, that he didn't get on the team in this season and we were able to work peacefully. Had he got to compete at Europeans and Worlds he would perhaps still believe that everything was alright. This way, he realized that something had gone wrong. Sergei started to pay attention to many things he never thought about before.

-For example?

-It's very difficult to explain to an athlete that you have to be an individual and not to copy anyone. The problem with the most of the Russian boys is that each of them tries to copy someone. And all you need to do is to be yourself. It is important that a person understands it. I keep a free group atmosphere, I don't pressure anybody, don't lecture them. If someone don't understand something, I'd better put them in such conditions that they finally realize it, rather than yell at a student a hundred times a day. It's pointless to try to get results from someone who does not understand why they need it.

-Last summer you moved to Russia to have a permanent residence here, but this year, as far as I know, you once again take the whole group, including new students, to the United States for two summer months. Why?

-Summer is the time when we get most of the choreographing done, I'm usually in hundred different places in between practices to look for and listen to music, meet people, do other things. Hackensack, where we train when we are in the U.S., is very quiet place, everything is close, New York is nearby. And in Moscow, to get in the city centre from Novogorsk each time is a huge stress and waste of time. I cannot function in such mode. So why to cause yourself unnecessary problems?
SOURCE: http://www.sport-express.ru/newspaper/2011-04-20/7_2/

Yankowskas, Coughlin decide to end partnership

U.S. pairs champions will go their separate ways
(05/04/2011) - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin, the 2011 U.S. pairs champions, announced today they have ended their nearly four-year on-ice partnership.

Beginning their career together in 2008, Yankowskas and Coughlin enjoyed their most successful season in 2010-11. Their campaign began with a fourth-place finish at the NHK Trophy, followed by a bronze-medal showing at the Cup of China, marking their first podium finish in the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. They went on to capture their first U.S. title in January before finishing fourth at the 2011 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in February.

Most recently, Yankowskas and Coughlin placed sixth at the 2011 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow. Their finish at the World Championships was the highest by an American pairs team since Rena Inoue and John Baldwin placed fourth in 2006.

"Emotionally, this has been a roller-coaster year for us," Coughlin said. "Our finishes on the Grand Prix circuit and at the U.S. Championships and Worlds are something we are very proud of together and will cherish always."

Coughlin lost his mother, Stacy, to a chronic respiratory illness in February, 2010. The team dedicated the 2010-11 season to her memory, most notably performing their free skate to "Ave Maria," a program they rode to several career-best finishes.

"I will forever cherish the memories and successes that John and I had together," Yankowskas said. "I respect and support John unconditionally with his future endeavors."

Yankowskas will search for a new partner, while Coughlin will evaluate his options before making future plans. He plans to stay involved in skating.

"We would like to thank our coach, Dalilah Sappenfield, and her support team for their tireless effort," Yankowskas and Coughlin said. "Without our friends, families and fans, we would not have enjoyed such a successful career."

"I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Caitlin and John," Sappenfield said. "I respect their decision and look forward to supporting them both in any way possible as they move forward."
SOURCE: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110504&content_id=18618826&vkey=ice_pressrelease

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Takahashi not done yet
By Alexa Ainsworth, Universal Sports
Daisuke Takahashi of Japan has confirmed he intends to compete next season.

The 25-year-old was the defending champion entering Worlds in Moscow, but after a third-place short program, disaster struck in the free skate.
Takahashi lost screws in his skate on the first jump of his program, a quad toe attempt (he singled), and was forced to stop his performance to have the boot fixed. Knowing the performance would not be perfect as he took the ice to continue, Takahashi missed a few jumps and dropped to fifth.

Here's the irony. He does in fact need a screw removed, but from his knee, not his skate during the middle of the world championships.

This season Takahashi postponed surgery to remove a screw from his October 2008 knee surgery in order to compete - Worlds were supposed to be at home in Tokyo and he was the reigning champion.

Then Japan was hit by the devastating earthquake and tsunami and Worlds were postponed and moved to Russia.

Apparently the screw was not meant to hold up another month, not even just four-and-a-half minutes longer.

The skating world certainly did not want to see one of its biggest talents end his career like that, so when Takahashi said Saturday that he would compete next season, the question turned to Sochi.

Takahashi will take it year by year, but first, he must finally have the surgery to remove the screw from his knee (likely in May). Depending on his recovery, Takahashi cannot say for which events he will be back - but he will be back.

Knowing Takahashi, he not only plans to compete, but also intends to take back the world title.


SOURCE: http://www.universalsports.com/news-blogs/blogs/blog=gofigure/postid=531667.html

Official ISU events for 2011-2012

August
11-14 Summer Skate 2011 (Canada)--Ladies, Men and Pairs
23-25 Asian Figure Skating Trophy (China)--Ladies, Men and Pairs
31-Sept 4 Junior Grand Prix (Latvia)--All events (Junior Only)

September
7-11 Junior Grand Prix (Australia)--Ladies, Men and Dance (Junior Only)
14-18 Junior Grand Prix (Poland)--All events (Junior Only)
21-24 Nebelhorn Trophy (Germany)--All events (Senior Only)
21-25 Junior Grand Prix (Romania)--Ladies, Men and Dance (Junior Only)
28-Oct 2 Junior Grand Prix (Austria)--All events (Senior Only)
29-Oct 2 Ondrej Nepala Trophy (Slovakia)--All events (Senior Only)

October
2 Japan Open (Japan)--Ladies and Men (Senior Only)
5-9 Junior Grand Prix (Italy)--Ladies, Men and Dance (Junior Only)
6-9 Finlandia Trophy (Finland)--Ladies, Men and Dance (Senior Only)
12-16 Junior Grand Prix (Estonia)--All events (Junior Only)
21-23 Skate America (USA)--All events (Senior Only)
26-30 Cup of Nice (France)--All events
27-30 Skate Canada (Canada)--All events (Senior Only)
27-29 Tirnavia Ice Cup (Slovakia)--Ladies and Men (Junior Only)

November
1-6 Icechallenge (Austria)--All events
4-6 Cup of China (China)--All events (Senior Only)
4-6 NRW Ice Dance Trophy (Germany)--Dance
10-13 Skate Celje (Slovenia)--Ladies and Men (Junior Only)
11 International Competition (France)--Dance
11-13 NHK Trophy (Japan)--All events (Senior Only)
13-16 Crystal Skate (Romania)--All events (Pairs and Dance Junior Only)
17-20 Warsaw Cup (Poland)--Ladies, Men and Pairs (Ladies and Men Junior Only)
18-20 Trophee Eric Bompard (France)--All events (Senior Only)
18-20 Merano Cup (Italy)--Ladies and Men
18-20 Pavel Roman Memorial (Romania)--Dance
24-27 Golden Bear (Croatia)--Ladies, Men and Pairs (Junior Only)
24-26 Grand Prix SNP (Slovakia)--Ladies, Men and Dance (Junior Only)
25-27 Cup of Russia (Russia)--All events (Senior Only)
29-Dec 4 NRW Trophy (Germany)--Ladies, Men and Pairs

December
1-4 Santa Claus Cup (Hungary)--Ladies, Men and Dance (Junior Only)
8-11 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final (Canada)--All events
8-11 Golden Spin of Zagreb (Croatia)--All events (Senior Only)
13-18 Istanbul Cup (Turkey)--Ladies, Men and Dance

January
5-8 Nestle Kangus Cup (Poland)--Ladies, Men and Dance (Junior Only)
11-15 Skate Helena (Serbia)--Ladies and Men (Junior Only)
13-22 Winter Youth Olympic Games (Austria)
23-29 European Figure Skating Championships (Great Britain)--All events (Senior Only)


February
2-5 Bavarian Open (Germany)--All events
2-5 Dragon Trophy (Slovenia)--Ladies and Men (Junior Only)
7-12 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships (USA)--All events (Senior Only)
9-12 Hellmut Siebt Memorial (Austria)--Ladies and Men (Senior Only)
9-12 The Nordics (Finland)--Ladies and Men (Senior Only)
27-Mar 4 World Junior Figure Skating Championships (Belarus)--All events (Junior Only)


March
6-10 International Challenge Cup (Netherlands)--Ladies, Men and Pairs
13-17 Mont Blanc Trophy (Italy)--Ladies, Men and Pairs
16-18 Coupe de Printemps (Luxembourg)--Ladies and Men
26-Apr 1 World Figure Skating Championships (France)--All events (Senior Only)

April
4-8 Triglav Trophy (Slovenia)--Ladies and Men
5-8 Gardena Spring Trophy (Italy)--Ladies and Men
19-22 World Team Trophy (Japan)--All events (Senior Only)
27-29 Rooster Cup (France)--Ladies and Men (Senior Only)

SOURCE: http://icemusings.blogspot.com/2011/05/2011-2012-figure-skating-schedule.html