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[clairdelalune]

[cekoni]

http://www.universalsports.com/blogs/bl ... 15742.html
By Michelle Ellis, Special to Universal Sports | Posted: Feb 6, 12:41p ET | Updated: Feb 6, 12:41p ET

Top 10 moments from Europeans

In 2011 Europeans came to Bern, Switzerland, and lots of great skating ensued... three first-time Champions were crowned, veteran skaters bounced back, and the Swiss made some memories of their own.

The European Championships always make for a boisterous and entertaining event, with fans around Europe traveling to a wintry locale to watch a deep field of the continent's best skaters. In 2011 Europeans came to Bern, Switzerland, and lots of great skating ensued... three first-time Champions were crowned, veteran skaters bounced back, and the Swiss made some memories of their own.

1. Sarah Meier's Triumph
Returning from injury, eight-time Swiss Champion Sarah Meier claimed the European title in a triumphant, emotional victory before a home crowd. Meier broke down in tears after a clean free skate, screamed when she saw her marks, and gasped in disbelief at the results. She is the first Swiss lady to win a European title in three decades.

2. Frozen Fans
The PostFinance Arena proclaimed "heating an ice-rink to a comfortable temperature is practically impossible." Really? Skaters, coaches, and spectators shivered, and the extremely cold venue made for some funny scenes. Tamara Moskvina threw a fur over Yuko Kavaguti as she left the ice, Robin Szolkowy warmed his hands in his armpits during practice, and skaters rehearsed for the exhibition wrapped in blankets.

3. Pechalat and Bourzat Ascend the Podium
After two seasons in 4th place, Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat finally won a European medal... and the best one: gold. The French dancers kept their cool skating last, and took the title with their Charlie Chaplin free dance that scored well ahead of the field.

4. The Return of Joubert
After a rough short program, Brian Joubert did what he does best - returned to form. The Frenchman delivered a stellar free skate that included a quad toe and vaulted him from 7th place to 2nd, snatching his 10th consecutive European medal.

5. Cow Bells
There's no mistaking Swiss skating fans. The din of cowbells rang throughout the week in Bern, for jumps, spins, and footwork alike, bolstering the applause of an already cheerful crowd.

6. Korpi's Rainbow
Kiira Korpi took the ice in Bern with confidence and poise, skating a seamless short program to "Somewhere over the Rainbow" that showcased her flowing style. Her performance was a glimpse at the exquisite skating the often-erring Finnish Champion is capable of.

7. A Jubilant Lambiel
Beloved Swiss skater Stéphane Lambiel didn't compete, but he took some time out of his busy touring schedule to put in an appearance in Bern... and he was everywhere. Lambiel interviewed winners, encouraged the crowd, supported Swiss skaters, and cheered on just about everyone.

8. The Frenchmen Embrace
Overjoyed with a win in his European debut, 20-year-old Florent Amodio leapt into the arms of countryman Brian Joubert backstage, and the pair shared an excited hug at their gold and silver medals. Joubert and Amodio roomed together in Bern, and charmed the cameras with their display of team spirit.

9. Germany Regains its Crown
Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy narrowly lost their European title with tentative skates last season, but came back fighting. Savchenko landed soaring throw triple flips in both programs, and the team stood their ground with pizzazz in bright costumes, knowing smiles and flirtatious Pink Panther choreography.

10. Rising Stars Preview Sochi
Florent Amodio. Michal Brezina. Ksenia Makarova. Yelena Ilinykh & Nikita Katsalapov. Vera Bazarova & Yuri Lariyonov. Remember their names... these up-and-comers took advantage of the post-Olympic stage and made a splash in each of their respective disciplines.

[dominique]

I'd like to drop a line about Kevin Van Der Perren...I'm happy for Joubert and his silver, and I have nothing against Verner, but I'm very sorry for the fourth place of Kevin: he deserved much more than this! As for me, he won silver at par with Joubert!

TOTALLY TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ALYSON!!!!!!!
Kevin was 100% worth a medal!!! That is for sure!
His SP was sensational, he is dynamic, athletic, he did quads...he should got bronze.
Nothing against Verner but, personally I was not thrilled at all. This is apersonal opinion.
Plus as I wrote before two other skaters delivered a truly exciting performance: Konstantin Menshov in his FP and..................... JAVIER FERNANDEZ
Javi was technically lacking a little, but he has....a star quality.
We agree on Kevin, what do you think of Javier?
love
dominique

[dominique]

http://worldskating.blogspot.com/2011/02/elena-tchaikovskaia-i-like.html

Elena Tchaikovskaia: “I like Kavaguti/Smirnov but they should not skate their programs in so gloomy style”

Russian coach Elena Tchaikovskaia admitted that she remained upset for the second place of Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov at the European Championships in Bern and expressed the opinion that the young Russian pairs should find their unique face.

“I am disappointed that with such a failure of Savchenko/Szolkowy we still stayed in second place. Nevertheless, even with such errors they are the winners. Because they have a fantastic programs, unusual images, great elements, an amazing attitude. Aliona’s smile, her movements, inspiration - all this are just wonderful.

I like Kavaguti/Smirnov but they should not skate their programs in so gloomy style. Simple, nice skating should not pretend for the Olympic medals. You can teach technique, but we must not forget that need to create the unique face of a pair“- quoted Tchaikovskaia the "Moskovsky Komsomolets".

Thanks for the quote Cekoni!!
Everyone knows I am a big fan of Sasha and Yuko BUT...
although they skated faultessly and dynamically, the SP was a bit too much. Too grand, too classical. Yuko was in a very good mood and skated accurately but Sasha was a little stiff this once. I don't know, something was lacking and that was mainly in the artistic content of the programs.
In contrast Greboldt's-Enberts' programs (same trainers) were more graceful and somewhat....lighter, more gullible.
I also expected them to get gold after Aliona's mistake but I think that the problem lies mainly in the "acting" part.
The excellent _but retired_ Maxim Shabalin was really strong in :living" his roles on ice and I think Sasha should spend time with him.
that's all folks from a Sasha-Yuko fan
all my love
dominique

P.S. Sasha is married, I hear...... As the song says:"All the good men are married....."

[alysonshade]

as I wrote before two other skaters delivered a truly exciting performance: Konstantin Menshov in his FP and..................... JAVIER FERNANDEZ
Javi was technically lacking a little, but he has....a star quality.
We agree on Kevin, what do you think of Javier?

Unfortunately, he wasn't lucky .. too many falls .. He passed from the "scotch" of the Pirates of the Caribbean to the "scotch" tape to hold together the ice skates, alas! But he has a good charisma, maybe in the future he will pull it out with more thoroughness.

[dominique]

You have the eye of an eagle alyson!!!!
It was a sec on TV but you captured it!!
He does have a long way to go but he communicates well with the public and also has the mediterannean charisma of "la passione".
Did you hear that Van der Perren was thinking of quitting the ice before this recent European Championship??
Fortunately for us he did not!!
love
dominique

[Holly]

I liked Kevin's and Javi's performances, too and I was simply enthusiastic for Brian's silver! what a pity his 7th place after the SP...but I've heard that Brian has taken part in 10 editions of the EC, and this is his 10th medal! is it true? I couldn't believe it, he's great!

[simona]

I agree with both of you on Javi! Very talented but also very
inconsistant! Simply adore his ' drunk men step sequence! '

[dominique]

I agree with both of you on Javi! Very talented but also very
inconsistant! Simply adore his ' drunk men step sequence! '

You liked that one too !!! It was soo theatrical. I personally appreciate alittle acting into skating, especially when it's humorous. it's a sign of quality and intelligence. A real artist is to a certain degree, AUTOSARCASTIC and that is aalso a sign of sentimental maturity and artistic potential.
Simona mille, mlle bacci
dominique

[Dark Star]

I join your "pirates fan club"
I like that performance. It is something that will be rembered for a long time.
I also like if a little acting is included in the skating. I really admire them for doing this besides all the jumps, spins and footwork.

And because I appreciate this I still try to decipher Gachinski´s LP. I listened to the whole ballet several times and I still love the music. I also watched Brian Orser´s LP 1988 in Calgary where he used the same music. But he didn´t act much and I did not like it. In the meantime I have some ideas. If I find time I write them down.