Post by Nadin on Jan 29, 2009 0:08:43 GMT 1
bazonline.ch/leben/gesellschaft/Ich-stehe-immer-noch-taeglich-auf-dem-Eis/story/17667354
“I still skate on a daily basis”
23 year-old Stéphane Lambiel from Western Switzerland will skate at ‘Art on Ice’ in Zurich, Lausanne and St. Moritz. Ahead of his performance, he commented on where he’s currently at in his life.
Stéphane Lambiel, what can the audience expect tonight at ‘Art on Ice’?
In the first part I’m going to present a program with high tempo and tango music. It contains several jumps and difficult steps. The second part will feature my performance with the Sugababes in which I’ll be playing with them as if they were puppets. On top of that I’d like to show the quad toeloop, to show the audience that I can still do it.
This sounds as if you’re regretting your retirement?
Of course I miss competitions. But I had a wonderful career, in which I more or less achieved what I wanted. Now I can present myself as a showman. I like to still show what I can do, that’s in my blood and my biggest passion.
Will you still be connected to competitions in any way, for example as a coach?
With 23, I think I’m too young for that. As I still perform in shows, I travel quite a lot. As a coach you must be able to dedicate your time to your student and I don’t have this time.
What does it take to come as far as you?
Firstly talent, and then willing to work hard. Also a bit of luck to be at the right place at the right time.
How has your life changed since your retirement four months ago?
I still skate on a daily basis. I also look after my adductor injury with therapy and exercises with elastic bands. I can often feel my injury when I train for longer than an hour. Apart from that I give interviews and because of the shows, I live in hotels most of the time. In that sense not that much has changed.
You have already publicly thought about your future. Are you scared of falling into a hole after being in professional sports?
No, the lucky thing about being a figure skater is, that you continue with performances at shows after your competitive career has come to an end. I’m very happy about that because the ice is my world, in which I’d like to spend some more time.
Don’t you ever have to really persuade yourself to train?
Yes, of course. There are days when I leave it because I don’t feel like it. Nevertheless, figure skating is my biggest passion and I know that I will also need the stage in my future.
Is that why you’re interested in acting?
Yes. But it could also be theatre, musical or singing. I’m a person who needs to present myself and needs to be in the spotlight.
What about your singing?
Well, I wouldn’t take on Whitney Houston, but I can sing (laughs)
Don’t you ever long for rebellion, since you hardly had time for that in your youth?
No. My parents were always cool about my upbringing and let me be a teenager. I could go out as much as I wanted. They left the responsibility with me to decide whether or not I was fit enough to train after a night out.
What’s your next goal?
After ‘Art on Ice’ I’m going to go on holidays for ten days. I’ll be spending the first half in the North of Spain with a friend and the second part with my grandmother in Lisbon. I’m going to take it easy there, cook with her and ideally stay in my pyjamas all day long.
Where are you going to live in the future?
Certainly in Switzerland. Quality of life is at its highest here. Zurich or Geneva would be ideal because of their airports, and I also need a city which can offer a lot culturally.
Do you feel at home in hotels?
Yes, if I have my computer, DVDs, mobile and perfumes with me, I can feel at home anywhere. In hotel rooms, the gowns are really important, too. I’m content watching TV in them.
What are your dream destinations?
I’m attracted to South America. And the Maldives, I’d like to spend ten days there, doing nothing.
Could you really achieve that?
I think so, although I’ve never tried it. I am extreme – there’s only black and white for me, in all matters.
Isn’t it hard work to live in extremes?
Not for me, but for people around me. However, I’m so close to people in my inner circle that they don’t even need words to make me understand when enough is enough.
You recently said in an interview that you would like to start a family. Don’t you feel too young for that with 23?
I already had that wish when I was 18. I grew up in such a stable environment, that I’d like to pass that on. And anyway, I have to start early because I would like to have seven children (laughs).
So you are quite conservative, dreaming of a beautiful wife, cute children and your own home?
Yes. I already know what I would wear to my wedding: a tuxedo by Tom Ford, my favourite designer.
These comments stand in crass contrast to persistent rumours about your sexuality?
I won’t comment on that.
“I still skate on a daily basis”
23 year-old Stéphane Lambiel from Western Switzerland will skate at ‘Art on Ice’ in Zurich, Lausanne and St. Moritz. Ahead of his performance, he commented on where he’s currently at in his life.
Stéphane Lambiel, what can the audience expect tonight at ‘Art on Ice’?
In the first part I’m going to present a program with high tempo and tango music. It contains several jumps and difficult steps. The second part will feature my performance with the Sugababes in which I’ll be playing with them as if they were puppets. On top of that I’d like to show the quad toeloop, to show the audience that I can still do it.
This sounds as if you’re regretting your retirement?
Of course I miss competitions. But I had a wonderful career, in which I more or less achieved what I wanted. Now I can present myself as a showman. I like to still show what I can do, that’s in my blood and my biggest passion.
Will you still be connected to competitions in any way, for example as a coach?
With 23, I think I’m too young for that. As I still perform in shows, I travel quite a lot. As a coach you must be able to dedicate your time to your student and I don’t have this time.
What does it take to come as far as you?
Firstly talent, and then willing to work hard. Also a bit of luck to be at the right place at the right time.
How has your life changed since your retirement four months ago?
I still skate on a daily basis. I also look after my adductor injury with therapy and exercises with elastic bands. I can often feel my injury when I train for longer than an hour. Apart from that I give interviews and because of the shows, I live in hotels most of the time. In that sense not that much has changed.
You have already publicly thought about your future. Are you scared of falling into a hole after being in professional sports?
No, the lucky thing about being a figure skater is, that you continue with performances at shows after your competitive career has come to an end. I’m very happy about that because the ice is my world, in which I’d like to spend some more time.
Don’t you ever have to really persuade yourself to train?
Yes, of course. There are days when I leave it because I don’t feel like it. Nevertheless, figure skating is my biggest passion and I know that I will also need the stage in my future.
Is that why you’re interested in acting?
Yes. But it could also be theatre, musical or singing. I’m a person who needs to present myself and needs to be in the spotlight.
What about your singing?
Well, I wouldn’t take on Whitney Houston, but I can sing (laughs)
Don’t you ever long for rebellion, since you hardly had time for that in your youth?
No. My parents were always cool about my upbringing and let me be a teenager. I could go out as much as I wanted. They left the responsibility with me to decide whether or not I was fit enough to train after a night out.
What’s your next goal?
After ‘Art on Ice’ I’m going to go on holidays for ten days. I’ll be spending the first half in the North of Spain with a friend and the second part with my grandmother in Lisbon. I’m going to take it easy there, cook with her and ideally stay in my pyjamas all day long.
Where are you going to live in the future?
Certainly in Switzerland. Quality of life is at its highest here. Zurich or Geneva would be ideal because of their airports, and I also need a city which can offer a lot culturally.
Do you feel at home in hotels?
Yes, if I have my computer, DVDs, mobile and perfumes with me, I can feel at home anywhere. In hotel rooms, the gowns are really important, too. I’m content watching TV in them.
What are your dream destinations?
I’m attracted to South America. And the Maldives, I’d like to spend ten days there, doing nothing.
Could you really achieve that?
I think so, although I’ve never tried it. I am extreme – there’s only black and white for me, in all matters.
Isn’t it hard work to live in extremes?
Not for me, but for people around me. However, I’m so close to people in my inner circle that they don’t even need words to make me understand when enough is enough.
You recently said in an interview that you would like to start a family. Don’t you feel too young for that with 23?
I already had that wish when I was 18. I grew up in such a stable environment, that I’d like to pass that on. And anyway, I have to start early because I would like to have seven children (laughs).
So you are quite conservative, dreaming of a beautiful wife, cute children and your own home?
Yes. I already know what I would wear to my wedding: a tuxedo by Tom Ford, my favourite designer.
These comments stand in crass contrast to persistent rumours about your sexuality?
I won’t comment on that.