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Post by tisha on Apr 5, 2015 22:59:25 GMT 1
Thank you for the picture and the explanation, reut and gaja!! It's so interesting to learn of the traditions of other lands, one of the benefits of following Stephane!!
I hope you manage to stay dry tomorrow, Gaja - I would dread that day every year, too!
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Post by reut on May 12, 2015 7:38:03 GMT 1
Copying here wonderful article from Sarah Meier.
Stéphane Lambiel takes new directions
Visit to the 'Skating School of Switzerland'
Stéphane Lambiel is a World Champion, entertainer and a demanded show-skater all over the world. Last year he added a new job: He opened the Skating School of Switzerland and works as coach, together with the same team that had brought himself to the top.
February 2014. Stéphane Lambiel is present at the Olympic Games in Sotchi as spectator and as a TV-expert. While following the figure skating competitions without swiss participation he realizes: "I do not have another ten years to do something for figure-skating in Switzerland, I have to do it now." An idea for the future becomes a concrete plan. Just under half a year later he launches the 'Skating School of Switzerland'. It's typical for Stéphane, as his choreographer Salomé Brunner puts it: "If he wants something, it has to happen quickly."
More time it takes to reach Champéry, a Lower-Valais resort at 1500 meters of altitude, where the training-center of the Skating School is situated in-between wooden chalets and chairlifts. But when a training with the world champion is waiting ahead, this long journey does not matter so much. Outdoors the last snow is glittering in the sun. Inside, at the ice rink it's cold, but the atmosphere is friendly - thanks to the natural light that enters through the large windows. Five girls and two boys aged nine to eighteen are on the ice this Wednesday afternoon.
Bootcamps are on Wednesday because there is no school then. The program of the day: One on-ice unit with focus on steps and edges, then an hour and a half off-ice-training, followed by a second hour on-ice for the technical elements. "Actually, for a skater who wants to make it to the top, every day should be like this", the 30-years old says. He speaks from experience. A lot he has seen during his career, he has trained in different countries and has got to know various training methods: "In Russia or Japan small children already train on the ice twice a day. This is not possible here because the education is important, too." That's why the Skating School focuses on Wednesday and the weekend. But the ice is at disposal every day.
"Push, push", Stéphane shouts to the nine years old Maxim. One step exercise follows the next, the skaters soon start to sweat. There's hardly any breaks, except to briefly take off jackets. Coach Lambiel demonstrates each exercise and makes corrections, assisted by his two coaching colleagues, Anna Bernauer from Luxemburg and the American Robb Dierking, former international skaters both of them. The pair lives in Champéry and takes care of the skating school also when Stéphane is off, around the world for shows. "He called a year ago, on the very day we wanted to sign a contract with 'Disney on ice", Anna tells. "We didn't have to think about it twice. With this job we can connect our passion for figure skating with the knowledge we have from our sports management degree." Robb and Anna are the only two new members in Stéphane's coaching team. He relies on the ones who brought himself to the top: Ice specialist Peter Grütter, choreographer Salomé Brunner and fitness coach Majda Scharl. They teach in Champéry about once a months, and every day during the summer camp. But even when they are not present, their philosophy and training-programs are implemented. "Peters influence on my work on ice is huge. It's from him I learned that steps and edges are at the basis of everything. If you stand correctly on your skates, you succeed the jumps", Lambiel explains.
The first training hour is over. But Stéphane does not think of a break yet. "Pull your arms tightly to the body", he shouts to young Maxim. "Stéphane never watches the time, he continues until the problem is solved", Anna says. But finally there's some time for a short pause. There are snacks in the wardrobe where the students and coaches sit together: Bananas, nuts, rice-wafers, apples. "We try to teach the skaters early about the importance of healthy food. You have to be light of weight in figure skating but still have power", Stéphane says.
Power and perseverance the skaters need for the following condition program. The gym is located in the same building-complex. Workout starts with balance exercises on balls. Followed by a circle-training that combines jumping exercises on trampoline, rotations on the rings, half-squats and sprints. The latest after the second round all the jackets are taken off and the students out of breath. "Go, go, go" or "Push, push, push", Stéphane and Robb shout alternately while checking the execution of the exercises at each station. Then follows a short stretching unit, which at the same time serves as preparation for the second on-ice training. The skaters are tired, but there's no mercy from coach Lambiel. "I demand full concentration when we are working." Still he makes his students laugh, sometimes even unconsciously. For example with exaggerated imitations of their mistakes. Or by lifting up his students "to make them feel the axis in the air."
Stéphane Lambiel exerts his coaching activity with the same passion, the same perfectionism and the same dedication that characterize him as skater. "I want to create an environment for ambitious skaters where they find best conditions." So that there will be swiss skaters on Olympic ice again in the future, maybe even with the world champion at the boards.
Huge thanks to jomeku for translating.
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Post by tisha on May 24, 2015 19:00:24 GMT 1
Thank you for the translation, jomeku! I like that Stephane insists the children learn about proper nutrition as well as skating and exercise (he sounds like quite a taskmaster!). He's so thin himself but good to know he's concerned on this issue since there have been scary instances of eating disorders in the sport.
Judging by the translation, Sarah writes well. I wish her success in her new career!
OT: children in Switzerland don't have school on Wednesdays??? They go to class only four days a week? Or they go on Saturday instead?
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Post by kallianna on May 24, 2015 19:27:51 GMT 1
They usually have school only in the morning on Wednesday, and no school on Saturday.
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Post by reut on Jun 9, 2015 11:08:35 GMT 1
Stéphane is back to Champéry whenever he can.
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Post by Gaja on Jun 9, 2015 18:46:20 GMT 1
His students are extremely lucky to have him as a role model and dedicated teacher. I hope he will be able to find a little bit of time to rest before the upcoming shows.
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Post by reut on Jun 10, 2015 15:39:04 GMT 1
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Post by reut on Jun 15, 2015 17:16:55 GMT 1
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Post by tisha on Jun 15, 2015 20:21:39 GMT 1
Champery is indeed beautiful, as are the ice rink and other facilities we've seen in the pictures that the school has posted since it opened. Very impressive. I see that Shae-Lynn likes it! Maybe she will take Stephane up on his offer - it must be fun for his students to see other well-known skaters & choreographers they've seen or heard about visiting the school. (Wonder if Champery has any nightclubs for Shae-Lynn & Stephane to dance away the evening as in days of yore!!!)
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Post by reut on Jun 17, 2015 14:00:39 GMT 1
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Post by reut on Jul 27, 2015 15:34:41 GMT 1
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Post by jomeku on Jul 29, 2015 9:07:25 GMT 1
That's good news (that they promise news every day ). I wish them luck, fun and success!
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Post by reut on Aug 3, 2015 12:05:38 GMT 1
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Post by Gaja on Aug 4, 2015 22:49:20 GMT 1
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Post by jomeku on Aug 5, 2015 2:20:32 GMT 1
Thank you, reut and Gaja! Wow, seams to be the complete package. All what Stéphane would have liked to have during his competitive career.
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