Interview in "Coopzeitung":
Stephane Lambiel skates better than ever
"I am still practicing every day"
The two times world champion Stéphane Lambiel about his role as show skater and circus director, his 'non-comeback' for the olympics and his plan to open a skating school.
By Martin Zimmerli
Question: Have you been practicing today?
Stephane: Today not. But this is a big exeption. Usually I am practicing on the ice every day. But I'd just been skating for "Opera on Ice" in Verona, came back, had several rehearsals and shows with "Rock Circus" in "Das Zelt" and practiced the day after - now I just need a day off.
Q: If you compare your today's performance with the one you had in 2010 when you retired - what are you still capable of today?
S: Everything!
Q: All the jumps, all spins…
S: … Yes, sure. I did not degrade. In contrary: I refined artistically.
Q: Why, then, you're not competing anymore?
S: There is a time, when you're young, when you want to know what you are capable of, to compete with others. I needed this challenge too, and I enjoyed it a lot. At that time you create your programs in a logical way to get the highest levels possible. In the last few years the competition rules have changed in a way that everything is about techniques. It's about showing all the elements requested. The artistic side fades into the background. It's not good in my opinion. In galas I show most of the elements too, but I integrate them into a choreography which pleases the audience. People liked my flamenco routine (Poeta) not - or not only - because of the technique elements, but because of the atmosphere, the emotions that were transported through it - this is what touched the hearts.
Q: But the artistic expression is judged too.
S: But there are exact rules too, which elements have to be inserted between the technical elements. And then: done is done. It does not really matter whether the transitions fit and the whole program builds a unit. In shows you are free. You can show and create emotions. That's what I love. Why there are so many reality-shows?
Q: That's what I ask myself too.
S: Because there are many emotions.
Q: Your long term adversary Evgeni Plushenko once again dares a comeback for the olympic games. Is this also a topic for you?
S: No, I did not think of it a second.
Q: Looking at your agenda, there are few skating events, but many, many dates as circus director for "Das Zelt"
S: This is misleading. For example from june to august I was skating in galas or trained young japanese skaters in Asia. Your are right, though: during this last year I had many shows with "Rock Circus". It has been a good experience. I have taken singing- and acting lessons for this. All things which I like to do and which help me in my career.
Q: When you talk about your career, do you always mean 'figure skating'?
S: Always, yes.
Q: Everyhing else is supplement, so to say?
S: I look at my career as a whole. Today I see myself as an entertainer - including on the ice. But I just like to stand on a stage, as a dancer or singer or in a musical or theatre on the ice. The doors are wide open, I just have to decide for the suitable projects.
Q: And what project do you want to achieve in next times?
S: I will build a school for figure skating. To start with kind of summer-school, later, when I will not skate in shows any longer, all-season-school.
Q: Good topic: You'll be 30 soon…
S: … thank you for reminding me ...
Q: …How long will you continue to skate in shows?
S: I'll skate as long as I can.
Q: You will likely continue skating when you're 70.
S: I will continue skating as long as I am capable to do everything. If my body does not allow me any longer, I will quit.
Q: Everything you do ends by presenting yourself, expose yourself. Are you an exhibitionist?
S: (laughs). Of course, since I'm doing exhibitions.
Q: This means you have to be good looking all the time. Isn't this tiring?
S: Not good looking, presentable. You have to represent. You can't just lay back and hide yourself, you have to be present and catch the audience's attention.
Q: You put on your make up yourself?
S: Yes, it's part of my job. In the beginning of my career, I would never have thought of doing something like that. Then I thought it was enough to ware a blue shirt and black pants. It's ok. But if the show on the ice shall build a unit with the music and choreography, a fitting costume, the appearance and also make up are an integral part of it. It's the same in TV.