Tag Archive for: 2016 Nebelhorn Trophy

Behind the Blades with Paul Poirier: Nebelhorn Trophy 2016

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My dearest Oberstdorf, where to begin?

It was my first week back to the charming alpine town in nearly 10 years (last time was for Junior Worlds in 2007); I was not disappointed. After many hours on the plane, a few in a van, there she was, as quaint as I remembered. We were lodged at the Hotel Mohren, across from the church. Oberstdorf can easily be navigated via landmarks: “turn right at the ice cream shop,” or perhaps “walk towards the ski jump and eventually you’ll end up at the rink.”

poirier-pic1In all we were a Canadian team of six ready to trek up the cow-dung-laden streets to the Eissportzentrum where we began our international season. Everyone was provided with two practices on Wednesday, and an ample time to get oriented. Our coach Carol, Piper and I completed our day by meeting the ISU committee to clarify details on our pattern dance (which is slowly coming along, name still TBD).

Competition days are rather boring. Besides the odd bit of skating we spend most of our time couped up in a room being nervous, napping, or going for a walk to avoid cabin fever.

The competition was a success for both Piper and I, and the Canadian team as a whole; we brought home the Nebelhorn Trophy for best overall team. Luckily, as we were the first to finish, Piper and I had the opportunity to enjoy the performances of our teammates stress-free.

poirier-pic2In way of celebration on Friday night, Carol and our dear friend Ingeborg brought us to a restaurant above the rink for some Bavarian käsespätzle (egg noodles with sharp cheese and fried onions). Piper and I also managed to hike the Nebelhorn (foghorn) mountain via cable car on Saturday to enjoy the view before hustling back down to skate in the gala.

After a full week of rich memories, it was already time to go home. To end I’ll share with you a few things I learned about Oberstdorf during my stay:

  1. There are approximately 19 cows in Oberstdorf. On Wednesday there was a big celebration as the cows were brought back into town from the mountains – alas, I was sleeping in!
  2. The cable car crosses into Austria and then crosses back into Germany.
  3. Oberstdorf continues its reign for having the #1 breakfast (because I must write about food).
  4. Oberstdorf is the only place I’ve been to where I can wear lederhosen in public and not get stared at – yes, I tried!

More to come!

Paul

Behind the Blades with Lubov Ilyushechkina: Nebelhorn Trophy 2016

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Hi everyone!

I’m excited to announce my first blog. Here I’d like to share with you some inside information about being a figure skater, sharing moments from our routine, memorable events and so forth.

Germany was the only country left, on the places I wanted to visit. Either a big city or a small town I was looking forward to complete my wish-to-visit-countries list.

Dylan and I stayed in a sophisticated european style hotel in the centre of Obersdorf. The impression of the town was positive, from the old-fashioned architectural buildings, friendly windows sprinkled by flowers to the winding streets paved by massive rocks. Men of all ages dressed up as cowboys as they followed the herd of cows from the mountain across the town. The enviroment was breathing by a charm and an antiquity brought through the time.

The weather was very nice. You know that feeling when you wake up, open the window, slowly breath in the fresh morning air, raise your hands up and your lips start stretching in the joyful smile? That’s how four of my mornings had started except the last one, when we left before the sunrise. That definitely set the mood to enjoy every single day.

I’m already missing you, Obersdorf! @NebelhornTrophy2016 @lindamoscovitch thanks for the picture!

A photo posted by Lubov Ilyushechkina (@lubov_ilyushechkina) on

With all of this positive and relaxing enviroment, I did not feel nervous or worried. The practices went well – we were consistent with our elements, trusted our training and all our hard work. Our coach Lee Barkell, said: “Nothing more, nothing less. You dont need an extra effort.” Isn’t that great advice?

We went to do the run through with the feeling of lightness and enjoyment from the beginning to the end of each program. The goal was to make all the elements look like one action with the choreography, transitions and emotions. Training does not compare to the experience you’ll get from competition, considering the adrenaline rush and unexpected change of plans.  So we wanted to see how all the patterns, tricks and skating worked under the pressure. Here is a good thing, it didn’t change much. Each program felt like one motion with it’s own character. We were happy about our performance and received a lot of positive feedback about the elements, programs and outfits. Of course there is always more to improve. But this is the beginning of the season, and I’m sure that the next time you will see a better version of ourselves.

One more thing I want to mention that is very important to me is our award. We had our award ceremony after the long program and then we had a team award. In total with the overall score, #TeamCanada came first in this competition. I’m so proud to know I was  part of this great success! The country I love, won!

I was honored to go to the team award ceremony and to hold the Trophy. I was glowing of triumph while listening to “O, Canada.” And this is only the beginning.

I hope my little story lasted some tender emotions in your hearts like Obersdorf left in mine. Wish you only the best and positive emotions, just like Germany gave me.

Take care!
Always yours,

Lubov Ilyushechkina

Silver for Lubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch at Nebelhorn Trophy

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OBERSTDORF, GERMANY: Lubov Ilyushechkina, 24, Moscow, Russia, and Dylan Moscovitch, 31, Toronto, Ont., won the silver medal in pair at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany. The team scored 118.42 in the free for an overall score of 184.40.

“We felt pretty good about our program. We are very happy with how it went. It went from the beginning to the end with one smooth motion and we kept the chemistry and togetherness throughout the whole performance,” said Ilyushechkina.

Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany won gold with 203.04 points and their teammates Mari Vartmann and Ruben Blommaert won the bronze with 162.38 points.

In women’s, Gabrielle Daleman, 18, Newmarket, Ont., won the bronze medal after scoring 60.15 in the short and 115.25 in the free for a total of 175.40.

“I am very happy with how it went. No matter what happened it was my third full long I’ve done since I have been back, due to injuries this summer. I didn’t give up the program one bit, I kept the story and the skating going. It went much better than I could have imaged and I am happy to start off my season like this,” said Daleman.

Mai Mihara of Japan won gold with 189.03 points and Russia’s Elizaveta Tuktamysheva claimed the silver with 185.93 points.

On Friday, Piper Gilles, 24, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 24, Unionville, Ont., won the bronze medal in ice dance and Liam Firus, 24, North Vancouver, B.C., placed fifth in men’s.

Team Canada won the Fritz Geiger Memorial Trophy, which is presented to the country with the highest placements across all disciplines. The US was second and Russia third.

Full results: http://www.deu-event.de/results/Nebelhorn_2016/index.html

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier win Bronze at Nebelhorn Trophy

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OBERSTDORF, GERMANY: Ice dancers Piper Gilles, 24, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 24, Unionville, Ont., started off the 2016-2017 season with a bronze medal win at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany. The team skated two strong programs, scoring 70.32 points in the short dance and 106.52 points in the free dance for a total of 176.84 points.

“We can look back on this competition and really say mission accomplished. Our goal for this season is to close the gap between us and the teams that are getting on the world podium. To be within two points of two past world medalists is a really big step up for us. We are already matching, if not beating our scores from the end of last season and it’s only September,” said Poirier.

Italians Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte took the gold with 180.50 points and Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates scored 179.18 for the silver medal.

In men’s, Liam Firus, 24, North Vancouver, B.C., finished in fifth place. He scored 74.57 points in the short and 135.52 points in the free for a total of 210.09.

Alexander Petrov of Russia won the gold with 232.21 points, the silver went to Jorik Hendrickx of Belgium with 223.04 points and American Grant Hochstein took bronze with 217.25 points.

In the women’s discipline, Gabrielle Daleman, 18, Newmarket, Ont., sits in third with 60.15 points after the short program.

“I’m very happy with how it went. It was not only my fist competition of the season but my first international of the season and my goal was to get the Lutz toe, which I did. I was really happy with that,” said Daleman.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia is in first after the short with 65.20 points and Mai Mihara of Japan is in second with 63.11 points.

In pair, Lubov Ilyushechkina, 24, Moscow, Russia, and Dylan Moscovitch, 31, Toronto, Ont., competed their short program on Thursday and are in second place going into the free with 65.98 points.

“Very happy for our first time out for the season. It’s a new program, a challenging one, it’s been a lot of work just to get it to this point. We are very pleased on how we came out the first time around,” said Moscovitch.

The German team of Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot are in first with 74.24 points and Mari Vartmann and Ruben Blommaert, also of Germany, are in third with 57.74 points.

The pair and women’s competitions will conclude tomorrow with the free programs.

Full results: http://www.deu-event.de/results/Nebelhorn_2016/index.html.

 

Canadian skaters in Germany for Nebelhorn Trophy

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OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada will send four entries, for a total of six skaters to Oberstdorf, Germany, for the Nebelhorn Trophy, the third stop on the 2016-2017 ISU Challenger Series. Canada will have one entry in each discipline (men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance) at the event which takes place September 22-24, 2016.

Canadian silver medallist Liam Firus, 24, North Vancouver, B.C., is the Canadian entry in men’s. In 2014, he placed ninth at this event. Last season, the representative of Vancouver SC won the Triglav Trophy, placed seventh at the Finlandia Trophy, eighth at the Golden Spin of Zagreb, and 13th at the ISU Four Continents Championships. Firus is coached by Bruno Marcotte in Sainte-Julie, Que.

Gabrielle Daleman, 18, Newmarket, Ont., will be the Canadian entry in ladies and will be competing at this event for the first time. Last season, she placed fifth at Skate Canada International, sixth at Trophée Éric Bompard, ninth at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships and won silver at the 2016 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships. Daleman is coached by Lee Barkell and Brian Orser at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.

Lubov Ilyushechkina, 24, Moscow, Russia, and Dylan Moscovitch, 31, Toronto, Ont., are the Canadian pair entry, and will also be competing at this event for the first time. Last season, they placed seventh at the Cup of China, fifth at the NHK Trophy, fifth at the ISU Four Continents Championships and seventh at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The two-time Canadian medallists are coached by Lee Barkell, Bryce Davison and Tracy Wilson at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.

Canadian silver medallists Piper Gilles, 24, Toronto, Ont., and Paul Poirier, 24, Unionville, Ont., will be the Canadian entry in ice dance. This will be their first time competing at this event. Last season, they won bronze at Skate America, silver at Trophée Éric Bompard, placed fifth at the ISU Four Continents Championships and eighth at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. The representatives of Scarboro FSC are coached by Carol Lane and Juris Razgulajevs.

Skate Canada High Performance Director Mike Slipchuk will be travelling with the Canadian team as team leader and Shirley Kushner of Westmount, Que., will be the Canadian medical staff onsite. Reaghan Fawcett-Fortin of Aurora, Ont., and Leslie Keen of Vancouver, B.C., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries please visit 2016 Nebelhorn Trophy.

CANADIAN ENTRIES AT 2016 NEBELHORN TROPHY

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Mens Liam Firus 24 North Vancouver, B.C. Vancouver SC Bruno Marcotte
Ladies Gabrielle Daleman 18 Newmarket, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Lee Barkell / Brian Orser
Pair Lubov Ilyushechkina / Dylan Moscovitch 24/31 Moscow, Russia / Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club / Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Lee Barkell / Bryce Davison / Tracy Wilson
Ice Dance Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier 24/24 Toronto, Ont. / Unionville, Ont. Scarboro FSC / Scarboro FSC Carol Lane / Juris Razgulajevs