Piazzatorre - July 28th, 2002

Barbara & Maurizio
working with
Susanna Rahkamo & Petri Kokko

It was almost the end of July and we hadn't seen ur frends for a while.. so we were all happy when we arranged with Babi and Mauri to go and visit them in Piazzatorre, where they were creating a new exhibition program, on Lara Fabian's sung version of "Adagio", with the help of Susanna Rahkamo and Petri Kokko.

We arrived there quite early, not wanting to waste anything of the day, and we were amazed to find Lydia waiting for us on the steps of the hotel very little past 8 am.... Of course Barbara came to welcome us happily, smiled and commented on how crazy we were, to come till the middle of nowhere just to see them, but adding that she was glad we were like this!

They first went to the small building used as dance studio to practice the beginning pose and lifts off-ice, studying them with Susanna and Petri. We crowded around the entrance to watch (and take some pictures) without getting in the way. The only distraction came from the absolutely adorable son of Susanna and Petri, little Max, who at some point escaped Barbara's parents' custody (practicing for the future?!) and decided he wanted his parents with him... so Susanna and Petri took turns playing with him!

Back on the ice, they started working on some intricate positions... with Babi's father recording everything on his camera, but commenting loudly several times "nooo Barbara, I'm not looking.. that is dangerous, don't do that.." and Mauri (out of Babi'ds earshot) adding "she's enjoying too much the great ice cream they have here, for this lift..." LOL

  reflections in the mirror...

photo by Lidia Barbieri

After a leisurely lunch all together we enjoed the sun on the terrace, chatted a lot with everyone, and were back to the rink to see them practice again.
I didn't take any more photos because as Babi and Mauri had decided to practice the new 1492 exhibition to test the costumes, Mauri had asked me to make a video of it with his video camera... which I am sorry to say must not have turned too well, because I had some troubles getting used to the controls (I had never used one!). All I can say is that when I asked Mauri how did that turn out (couldn't replay it on the spot because we ran out of batteries) was... "I got seasick".... ooops.

After the practices we spent more time chatting, and we gave each other an appointment for the Stars on Ice tour in Courmayeur, in August... then it was time to go home!