In the locker room with Stéphane Lambiel
When 2-time World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist Stéphane Lambiel announced his comeback to competition this summer after early retirement due to an injury last season, his first task was to qualify his country for the Olympic Games at the Nebelhorn Trophy which was held in Oberdstorf last week.
Stéphane started his campaign on Thursday when he stunned the audience with an incredible new short program to Rossini's William Tell Ouverture: A very powerful program, with exquisite step sequences and choreography, quite clearly aimed towards Vancouver - what better way to represent Switzerland at the upcoming Olympic Games?
A spellbinding free skate followed on Friday and Stéphane won the competition, 26 points clear. He also won many new fans who had watched him here live for the first time.
So the first goal of the season has been achieved. But not only had Stéphane gained the desired spot for Switzerland, he had also clearly set the tone: he was back, full-heartedly.
My interview with Stéphane was scheduled after the men's gala practice on Saturday and during the ladies free skate. We met in the press conference area in the entrance hall of the rink and started off there as it was fairly quiet. However, as the ladies event finished, the hall got more and more crowded and we had to move. The closest place we could find was a locker room nearby, so we just went in there. Stéphane was quick to point out that it wasn't the most glamorous of interview locations: "Sorry, it's not very sexy in here."
Stéphane started his campaign on Thursday when he stunned the audience with an incredible new short program to Rossini's William Tell Ouverture: A very powerful program, with exquisite step sequences and choreography, quite clearly aimed towards Vancouver - what better way to represent Switzerland at the upcoming Olympic Games?
A spellbinding free skate followed on Friday and Stéphane won the competition, 26 points clear. He also won many new fans who had watched him here live for the first time.
So the first goal of the season has been achieved. But not only had Stéphane gained the desired spot for Switzerland, he had also clearly set the tone: he was back, full-heartedly.
My interview with Stéphane was scheduled after the men's gala practice on Saturday and during the ladies free skate. We met in the press conference area in the entrance hall of the rink and started off there as it was fairly quiet. However, as the ladies event finished, the hall got more and more crowded and we had to move. The closest place we could find was a locker room nearby, so we just went in there. Stéphane was quick to point out that it wasn't the most glamorous of interview locations: "Sorry, it's not very sexy in here."
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Posted on 07 Oct 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 0 Comments
Lambiel is not kidding around
This was exactly the start to the season that Stéphane Lambiel hoped for. Without the luxury of competing in the Grand Prix series, it was necessary for him to impress the judges early on to establish himself in the mix for the Olympic medals. And that he did. He started out last week at Nebelhorn Trophy with two solid programs and improved on his free skate effort this week.
But for Lambiel, not skating in the Grand Prix may end up being a big plus. It gives him from now until Europeans in January to train and not have to deal with the Grand Prix travel schedule. He may end up being the freshest one out there come February. He hasn't peaked yet, and obviously, it's not the time to do so. If he finds that triple axel sometime in the next five months, he will be a surefire threat for the gold, contrary to some predictions.
But for Lambiel, not skating in the Grand Prix may end up being a big plus. It gives him from now until Europeans in January to train and not have to deal with the Grand Prix travel schedule. He may end up being the freshest one out there come February. He hasn't peaked yet, and obviously, it's not the time to do so. If he finds that triple axel sometime in the next five months, he will be a surefire threat for the gold, contrary to some predictions.
Source: examiner.com
Posted on 07 Oct 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 1 Comments
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Posted on 05 Oct 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 0 Comments
Ex-champ Lambiel shines on comeback in Japan Open
Two-time World Champion Stéphane Lambiel underlined his comeback to competition by powering Europe to victory in the Japan Open invitational team event here Saturday.
The 24-year-old Swiss touched the ice after nailing a quadruple toeloop and missed a triple in his opening combination. But he went to collect 150.52 points to top the men's table.
The annual free-skating contest - featuring two men and two women each from Europe, North America and hosts Japan - provided a ground for skaters to test their new programmes at the start of the Olympic Season.
"I'm very satisfied with my performance. It was not perfect and I still have to work hard for the Olympics," Lambiel said after his second competition of this season.
The 2005 and 2006 world champion and Turin Olympic silver medalist retired last year because of a lingering adductor muscle injury. But he has come back to go for the old at the Vancouver Olympics in February.
The 24-year-old Swiss touched the ice after nailing a quadruple toeloop and missed a triple in his opening combination. But he went to collect 150.52 points to top the men's table.
The annual free-skating contest - featuring two men and two women each from Europe, North America and hosts Japan - provided a ground for skaters to test their new programmes at the start of the Olympic Season.
"I'm very satisfied with my performance. It was not perfect and I still have to work hard for the Olympics," Lambiel said after his second competition of this season.
The 2005 and 2006 world champion and Turin Olympic silver medalist retired last year because of a lingering adductor muscle injury. But he has come back to go for the old at the Vancouver Olympics in February.
Posted on 05 Oct 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 1 Comments
A second shot for Switzerland's Stephane Lambiel
A year ago the two-time world champion Stéphane Lambiel suddenly announced his retirement from competitive skating. Lambiel, who won a silver medal at the 2006 Games, cited a very painful and persistent adductor muscle injury as the reason behind his decision.
"I have not been in the position to train at 100 percent," he said at the time. "You can only win when you are fully fit, but my body does not allow that anymore."
Fast forward twelve months, and Lambiel is singing a new tune. Perhaps motivated by Plushenko's return, refreshed after months away from the pressure of international competition and time spent healing his injured hip, Lambiel announced his decision last July to return to competitive arena for this intense Olympic season.
Lambiel kicked off his comeback last weekend at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany, by winning the gold medal in the men's event and capturing a slot in Vancouver for Switzerland. While there were moments in his performances - namely his quadruple toe loop combination at the beginning of his long program - that showed promise and excellence, he stumbled over a few jumps and failed to land a triple axel in either phase of the competition.
Lambiel kicked off his comeback last weekend at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany, by winning the gold medal in the men's event and capturing a slot in Vancouver for Switzerland. While there were moments in his performances - namely his quadruple toe loop combination at the beginning of his long program - that showed promise and excellence, he stumbled over a few jumps and failed to land a triple axel in either phase of the competition.
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Posted on 01 Oct 2009 by RaChEl_R86 | 0 Comments
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