[Photos] - Off Ice at Swiss Nationals

 

Posted on 16 Dec 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 1 Comments

“I’m strong.”

Stéphane Lambiel regained his title as Swiss Champion at the Nationals in Lugano last weekend.
While the final result wasn't all that surprising, it was evident that these weren't 'just Nationals' for the Olympic silver medalist and that being able to attend and do well at this competition, represented an important step on Team Lambiel's journey to Vancouver.
I had a chance to catch up with Stéphane on Saturday straight after his free skate, to find out about his training schedule as well as his approach to a new situation which requires so much patience.

Congratulations on your 9th title, Stéphane. You must be very happy.
I'm happy, yes. It was good today. I've only really been training for the last three weeks and I wasn't sure if I could come to this competition. But I came and I achieved my goals and am happy with both programmes. I know there are things I need to work on but I've got some time before Tallinn to build up that confidence again, and that will happen by spending more time on the ice.
It was a great atmosphere here with a really good crowd. We're here to show our sport and to entertain, and I had a lot of fun out there, it felt really good. It's been a long day for the audience but I hope that they also enjoyed themselves.

I'd like to talk to you a bit about your training, because obviously you have to approach things very differently now, not being able to train 100%.
Have you found a rhythm for yourself where you come on the ice every day and know 'this is what I can do, this is what I can't do'?
I know the first 20 minutes of my skating are hard because I'm not warm enough. And to be on the ice is different than to warm up off ice. Especially in the morning, when the ice rink is cold and my body is not ready to jump. So the first jumps are always very hard.
My injury is under control right now. I had one month break and I could do 3 hours of physio every day. And when that month was up, we continued with a lot of physio.
We just had to set some new habits before and after practice. So before, we warm up the leg and after have treatment with ice (throughout our interview Stéphane had an ice pack on his groin), to relax the back and to let it go, so my hip can relax and doesn't stay so tight.
So it's kind of a new way of practice and it's not easy, but it's very interesting and it's a lot about learning how to fight and how to find your way to the Olympics.
My heart is there and I do everything possible to get there.

Posted on 16 Dec 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 0 Comments

[Photos] - Swiss Nationals 2009

Posted on 16 Dec 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 0 Comments

[Photos] - Swiss Nationals 2009

 

Posted on 15 Dec 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 0 Comments

Lambiel convincing, despite the pain

  

Posted on 15 Dec 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 0 Comments

[Video] - Swiss Nationals - Ending spin of SP

Thanks: freefall 

Posted on 15 Dec 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 1 Comments