Here you go
Plushenko and Slutskaya will forgive us but the absolute star of Lancia Ice Gala, with the exception of the Italian team, was the current World Champion Stéphane Lambiel.
His EX to "You're beautiful" by James Blunt almost brought down the Palavela.
Amazing shape, super-fast spins, clean and steady jumps, including a 3lutz (me thinks it was a 3flip
) - 3toe and a smile which make you faint (
)
Could we possibly miss the chance to interview him? Obviously not!
ArtOnIce: first of all congratulations, you're in fab shape.
Stéphane: yes, I worked very well this summer and I feel in really good condition.
ArtOnIce: is it maybe too soon? I mean, considering the Olympics. Will you be able to keep this level till February?
(me: what a heck of a question is this?
)
Stéphane: tonight I did my best for this amazing audience (
), but I still have margins of improvement. With constant work I'll be ready in February.
ArtOnIce: the audience loves you. They appreciated your EX even more than Evgeny's. When you skate you clearly show your joy. How do you manage to do that?
Stéphane: it's not difficult for me. I love to skate, I don't need to push myself to show the audience what I feel. It comes natural. And I'm happy that ppl who watch me manage to feel my emotions. It's amazing to be able to create a feeling like this with the audience.
ArtOnIce: let's talk about the new season. Are the programs ready yet?
Stéphane: yes, coreographies are ready, music are chosen ("Vivaldi's Four Seasons" for the LP) and everything goes well. You know, at the beginning it's never easy to build a program. You need to include all the jumps, work on the technical elements. It requires a great effort.
ArtOnIce: whom did you work with for this Olympic season?
Stéphane: with the same stuff as usual (coaches Peter Grütter and Cedric Monod, coreographer Salome Brunner). There is a great feeling among us. I work very well with them and I don't feel the need to change. We're a great team.
ArtOnIce: when is your official debut gonna take place?
Stéphane: I'll be soon in New York for a show, the competitive debut will be in Pechino for Cup of China.
ArtOnIce: Cup of China. I believe you'll meet Federica Faiella & Massimo Scali there...
Stéphane: yes, they will be there. It's gonna be a great way to start!
Thanks to Stéphane, a great champion on and off the ice.
That's all!