Skater’s Climb to the Top at Nebelhorn

October 9, 2007
Article © Robin Ritoss

The 39th Nebelhorn Trophy took place September 27-29, 2007, in the quaint German town of Oberstdorf. This sleepy little town sits at the bottom of a mountain, called Nebelhorn, giving rise to the name of the yearly competition. From the restaurant in the ice complex, you can view the cable car soar to the top of Nebelhorn. The snow-tinged mountains provided the perfect background for this cozy oak-trimmed arena. Oberstdorf’s tiny streets are full of restaurants, wonderful little guest houses and stores selling woodcarvings. It is one of the main training centers in Germany and receives financial support from the German government.

Nebelhorn Trophy has often served as a testing ground for changes made by the International Skating Union. In 1997, 2002, and 2003 the competition was the testing ground for the new judging system. This year it will be used to tryout a possible change in the compulsory dance event. During the 2007 event, a trial was conducted. Each skater executed one of three different dances (rather than the same one), the Argentine Tango, the Yankee Polka, or the Austrian Waltz. The skater’s were assigned a dance based on skate order. This experiment met with mixed reviews some feeling it was unfair (as not all dances had the same difficulty level), and others felt it made the event more interesting. A final decision on a permanent change has not been reached yet.

Men
Many expected a Czech skater to win the men’s event but most were shocked that the Czech was seventeen-year-old Michal Brezina of Brno. Brezina, the 2007 Junior National Champion, frequently trains in Oberstdorf, and certainly had many fans here this week. Michal leapt into first place with a strong free skate eclipsing compatriot Tomas Verner for the gold medal. Brezina, who entered the free skate in third place, delivered six triple jumps including two huge triple Axels, a triple Lutz, triple toe (step out), and two triple flips. He flew down the ice executing an outstanding level two straight-line step sequence. A musical skater in his own right, Brezna is a big fan of World Silver Medallist Jeffrey Buttle of Canada. Reportedly, Michal has touched up his hair to match his idol. While close up there is little physical resemblance between the two, his skating style is similar to that of Buttle’s. He earned a segment score of 124.35 points with an event total of 185.55 points edging out second place finisher Shaun Rogers, of the United States by 0.53 points and captured the gold medal.

A hair’s breath behind, Shaun Rogers jumped his way into the silver medal spot. Executing a clean quad toe/triple toe (to a standstill) in the short program followed by a triple Axel and a triple flip. Shaun had an uncharacteristic fall entering the camel spin earning 0 points for that element.

"I don’t know what happened. I am not sure if I lost my edge or my boot touched the ice but I felt something catch and the next thing I knew I was flat on the Ice.…I was very careful entering the camel spin in the free program, though," Rogers said.

Falling short on his quad attempt in the free skate Rogers also struggled with some of his landings and had a slight slip on his footwork. His jumps included a quad toe (fall), triple Axel/triple toe (hop out), triple Lutz, triple loop, triple flip/double toe, triple Axel (no flow) triple toe and a triple Salchow/double toe. Shaun who trains in Newark, Delaware under the guidance of Ron Ludington and Pam Gregory is currently ranked eighth in the USA. Shaun originally planned to include a quad Salchow but decided to take it out "because it’s been a bit inconsistent lately," he reported. He hopes to include it in his program later this season.

"My long program was choreographed to the Grin Soundtrack by USFSA Choreographer of the Year, and my long time friend, Braden Overett. Braden is amazing; he even designed my free skate costume," shared Shaun.

His goals for the season are to medal at his international event, (accomplished here), and to make the United States World Team.

When asked about his performance here, he laughed and said, "I am really happy with the way I skated. I was kicking myself for not doing my triple/triple, though. Pam (Gregory his coach) is going to give me a hard time about it when I get home."

Event favorite Tomas Verner of Borovany, Czechoslovakia, who trains part time here in Oberstdorf, started out the competition on a high note. His entertaining and humorous short program earned him almost a twelve-point lead entering Friday’s free skate. He landed four triple jumps, including a triple flip/triple toe, followed by a powerful triple Axel and triple Lutz. His straight-line footwork was amazing. Each step was neatly choreographed to the beats of the music by Canadian Choreographer Lori Nichol.

"Carolina (training mate Kostner) and I had so much fun working with Lori. Lori just laughed and laughed when she worked with us. She worked us so hard I finally had to tell her to stop. After working for two straight hours I could not feel my legs anymore, "Verner stated.

The reigning European silver medallist and fourth place finisher at the 2007 World Championships was able to hang on to a podium (bronze) finish despite a disastrous ninth place free skate where he had major jump problems including a fall on a triple Lutz, singling both Axel attempts, and stumbling on a triple loop. His total event score was 178.50 points.

Igor Macypura of Slovakia was unable to reach the podium despite executing the third best free skate of the night. Macypura, who moved to Los Angeles, California in June, to train with American coach Angela Nikodinov and Bulgarian coach Ivan Dinev, landed three gorgeous triple Axels during the two-day event. He started his free program with a gorgeous triple Axel/triple toe followed by a triple flip and a second triple Axel. His main problems seemed to arise about the mid-point of his free skate where he put his hands down on a triple loop, under-rotated a triple Lutz (fall), and placed one hand on the ice during a triple toe. He was able to regroup and complete his program with a strong triple Salchow/double toe/double loop and a gorgeous double Axel. His total competition score was 177.13 points.

"Since June we have put together two new programs and I really like working with Angela and Ivan," said the twenty-one year old. "I have learned alot, especially to be consistent and fight till the end. I want to make a few changes in the program and move the elements around so my points could be better next time."

After placing ninth in the short program, American Derrick Delmore, 28, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, was able to rally to a fifth place finish overall, with the fourth best free skate of the day earning an event total of 165.31. Derrick was set to retire after last season but reconsidered after placing sixth at the 2007 U.S. Championships. Canadians Vaughn Chipeur, 22, of Edmonton, and Joey Russell, 19, of Labrador City, finished sixth and eleventh, respectively.

Pairs
World Bronze Medallists Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, of Germany, proved they were the class of the field here. They skated a stunning short program to the music Bolywood. Their costumes were exquisite and the colors magnificent. Their superior ice coverage, great speed, and wonderful highlight moves left little room to surpass them. The German pair has skated together since 2003, under the guidance of controversial coach Ingo Steuer. Despite Steuer’s entanglements with the German Federation over his Stasi connection, Aliona and Robin have never considered changing coaches. The program opened with a spectacular throw triple flip, followed with a nice triple twist and strong side-by-side triple toes.

When told by the media that the program was fantastic, an elated Szolkowy stated, "not fantastic, just almost fantastic.’ They earned 69.33 points in the short, establishing a margin of almost thirteen points.

Things began to go awry in the free skate when they two footed the opening throw triple flip, popped a planned triple toe and collided on the triple twist. The Americans Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig surpassed their technical score, but the Germans held onto the gold medal due to the strength of their component scores and the lead they had coming into the free skate. The Germans received a total of 175.15 points.

The newly formed pair’s team of Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin also proved they were a force to be reckoned with. Duhamel, 21, of Lively, Ontario and Buntin, 27, of Kelowna, BC teamed up in June after a two-hour try-out. Like the Germans, both have pairs experience with other partners. They currently train in Quebec under coaches Richard Gauthier, Manon Perron, and Bruno Marcotte. The powerful duo skated to Tango music and executed a huge double twist; side-by-side triple Salchows and a throw triple Lutz. They skated with great speed and amazing unison for the short time they have been together. The couples free program skated to "Tosca" was jam packed with difficult elements including side-by-side triple Salchows, lasso into platter lift, double twist, lasso into a helicopter lift, triple toe/single toe, huge throw triple Salchow, spiral step sequence, throw triple Lutz, a pull through his legs into lasso lift, pair combination spin, a flying change foot combination spin, straight line steps, and a catch foot backward inside death spiral. They placed third in the free skate but were able to hang onto a silver medal by a thread, earning an event total of 147.86 points.

Amanda Evora, 22, of Sugarland, Texas, and Mark Ladwig, 27, of Fargo, North Dakota, demonstrated they are a team that cannot be counted out of the mix. The reigning American pewter medallists struggled in the short program putting a hand down in the throw triple Lutz, and suffered a fall on the side-by-side triple Salchows placing them fourth. It was the opposite in the free program where they seemed to pull it all together, executing huge elements interwoven with sophisticated and intricate choreography. They were rewarded with the highest technical score of the event. They placed second in the free skate narrowly missing the silver medal with an event total of 146.89 points.

Young Canadians Rachel Kirkland, 14, and Eric Radford, 22, of Toronto, Ontario, made Canada proud with their senior international debut. Olympic gold medallist Brian Orser and World Champion Ingo Steuer coach the young duo. The couple’s programs are choreographed by David Wilson. They skated an entertaining program but slid to fourth after falling on a triple Salchow and a throw triple Salchow. The couple has been skating together since 2005 and has developed an elegant presence on the ice. They received a total event score of 137.07.

Americans Tiffany Vise and Derek Trent finished the competition in fifth place after multiple jump problems and having to abort their final lift. They ended the event with a total of 121.02 points.

Italians Laura Magitteri and Ondrej Hotarek of Italy and Dominka Piatkowska and Dmitri Khromin of Poland withdrew after a severe collision between the two during practice. Both couples report their injuries are temporary.

Ladies
2005 World Bronze Medallist and reigning European Champion, Carolina Kostner, set an early standard in her short program with a huge triple flip/triple toe, but then only managed to execute a double Lutz, followed by a gorgeous double Axel. The twenty-year-old demonstrated superior ice coverage, amazing speed and wonderful flow as she whizzed across her home rink to the music "Raiders of the Storm. " Coached by Michael Huth the Italian Champion has been training in Oberstdorf since 2001. She received level four on all spins with the exception of the layback, which was a level two. Carolina delivered each step of her level three straight-line steps with power and passion. The choreography highlighted each step which was carefully designed to match each nuance of the music.

Entering the free skate with a huge 8.31 point lead, she again executed an outstanding triple flip/triple toe but then struggled with the Lutz (under-rotated) and doubled a planned triple flip. She was able to regain her form and execute a gorgeous double Axel/triple toe followed by a triple Salchow and a double Axel. Her long line and sophisticated choreography by Lori Nichol clearly placed her in the top spot earning her a gold medal with 193.53 points.

Megan-Williams Stewart had a lot to think about this week. Weighing heavy on her mind was the death of Thereon Williams, her grandfather and biggest fan less than one month ago (see separate article Megan Williams Stewart’s Private Tribute below). Skating to "It Ain’t Necessarily So" by George Gershwin, "Caravan" by Duke Ellington, and "The Thrill is Gone" by B.B. King she opened her short program with a nice triple loop/double toe but fell on the triple Lutz. This costly error set her in fourth place after the short program with 48.97 points. Something changed for Megan in the free program and she executed a solid free skate to the music The Stone" by Andreas Vollenweider, "Beauty and the East" and "The Berber of Seville" by Bombay Dub Orchestra; and "Tribal" by Benise. Landing four triple jumps (Lutz, loop, flip, and Salchow), she snatched the silver medal with 141.60 points.

"My grandfather was my biggest fan. Today, I skated for him and I could feel he was watching over me."

Megan who trains in Newark, Delaware under the tutelage of Jeff DiGregorio, Jeff Merica, and Jere Michael has been skating since age three, when her mother who was a National Bronze Medallist in speed skating, took her to an ice rink. Megan and her mom design her skating costumes.

Laura Lepisto, 19, of Espoo, Finland started out with a clean lyrical short program executing a triple toe/double toe, triple loop and a nice soft double Axel. Her speed and gorgeous flow earned her second place standing after the short. Her jumps unraveled in the free skate when she doubled most of her jumps. Her elements included a double Axel, double toe/double toe, triple loop/double toe, triple loop, single Salchow, and a double Salchow/double/toe/single toe. With the exception of a level two on her layback spin, she received level four on her spiral step sequence and her spins, which were fast, low and well- centered. Her strong basic skating skills were enough to capture the bronze medal with 141.07 points.

It was a slippery day for Annette Dytrt of Munich, Germany. The twenty-four-year old, who formerly skated for the Czech Republic and returned to Germany in 2000, and currently trains in Munich. The 2006 German Champion had a strong short program landing a triple flip/double toe, triple Salchow, and a double Axel. During her long program, things did not go well. Skating to "Sheherezade", she seemed to lose focus under-rotating her opening triple Lutz and landing on two feet, doubling a planned triple flip, and putting a hand down on her triple toe and second triple Salchow. Her program lacked energy and she tumbled from second to fourth place.

Danielle Kahle, 18, from Simi Valley, California had a rough outing in Germany, finishing thirteenth.

Ice Dance
American Jennifer Wester, 22, and Russian Danil Barantsev, 25, are competing internationally together for the USA for the first time. This husband-and-wife team began skating together in 2003, however they could not skate internationally until Danil was released by the Russian Federation. While this is the first international event for Wester, Danil won his world junior title for Russia, here in Oberstdorf, back in 2000 with Natalia Romaniuta. Skating to the Argentine Tango in the Compulsory Dance they set the pattern and took an early lead. During their high energy original dance they skated to Fiddle Music and Country Waltz executing smooth edges and well timed steps. Their superior level four twizzle sequences and spread eagle curve lift were rewarded and they remained in first place after the original dance. They received positive GOE’s on all elements. The duo currently trains in Detroit under Angelika Krylova and Pasquale Cameriengo who serve as coaches and choreographers. Skating to "Singing in the Rain" amongst other Broadway tunes, their sparkling free dance was delivered with speed, flow and impeccable unison.

Brother-and-sister team Christina Beier, 23, and William Beier, 25, of Germany, return to the ice after a season of injury. Born in the Phillipines, the German champions moved to Germany in 1990 and started skating for fun because they had relatives who owned a rink in Chemnitz. Both soldiers in the German army, they currently train in Munich, however, they trained here in Oberstdorf for years under Coach Martin Skotnicky. Skating to Bavarian folk music for the original dance William had a slip on the circular step sequence but they rallied quickly displaying a nice curve lift and a fast rotational dance spin. During their free dance they received a one-point deduction for an extra element after they included two rotational lifts in their program. They received level four on all elements with the exception of the level three step sequence. Despite the deduction they were able to dance themselves to second place and a silver medal with 149.91 points.

Slipping to fourth in the free dance were Alla Bekinazarova and Vladimir Zuev of the Ukraine. The couple was able to complete the event in the third spot with 146.16 points, winning the bronze medal. Placing second in their compulsory Argentine Tango they displayed fluid movements and deep edges. Their Gypsy original dance displayed great speed and dynamic level four lifts. Their techno version of "Four Seasons" by Vivaldi free dance seemed to have some rough edges which cost them the silver medal.

Allie Hann-McCurdy, 20, of Nanaimo, British Columbia and Michael Coreno, 23, of Delhi, Ontario returned to Oberstdorf after placing eighth at the 2006 Junior World Championships. The 2006 Canadian Junior Champions coached by Victor Kratz and Maiki Utolia Kratz were third after skating their Argentine Tango compulsory dance. Their vivacious and animated presentation during the Newfoundland jig original dance combined with their complex choreography earned them a fourth place after this phase of the event. As they jigged across the ice, the program was complemented by their wonderful highlight moves which included a one-arm rotational lift and a well matched twizzle sequence with their hands behind their back. During the free dance, Allie and Michael were able to portray the character and phrasing of the music. They skated with energy and speed. They received positive GOE’s on all elements. Despite executing the third best free dance they were unable to grasp a podium finish and completed the event in fourth place with 143.82 points.

Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt of the USA finished in eighth place with 130.33 points and Canadians Mylene Girard and Liam Dougherty finished tenth with 127.41 points.