Presentation of the
Italian National Team

Milan - October 20th, 2005
 
all photos (c) P.Occhipinti
  
       

.On October 20th, 2005, a demo practice session plus press conference was held in Milan's Agorà Ice Rink: a good number of our topathletes took part in this showcase, which thus became a lovely opportunity to sneak a preview of several competitive programs. Apart from Carolina Kostner and Silvia Fontana (in Canada for a show on those very same days) our other top athletes were all there. I took a couple of hours off from work to be there... it was worth it!
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Anna Cappellini & Luca La Notte: showed their original dance (or part of it? I can't remember)... they are a lovely couple whom I like quite a lot... I actually like this pairing a lot more than bothe their previous partnerships, as there's more balance.. thei both were the absolute stars of their couples, and it was a bit boring to me.. Now they are equally strong, talented and artistically gifted.. it's a great match of personalities... much more interesting!
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Bubbly Valentina Marchei skated her SP, jump-less. She reminded of the difference of attitude between dance and singles when she came up to her coach (who was chatting with us) with an extremely worried expression... "They're all elegant! I was not expcting this! They're all made up and well dressed.. what do I do? I have my black leotard but..." was her lament to her coach, upon discovering that while she had planned a normal practice attire, all the dancers looked like ready fora competition... " Thankfully the black sparkly leotard was there...
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Alessia Aureli & Andrea Vaturi, a few days before their first international competition of the season, choose to skate their OD as well. Their musics are quite unconventional, and though I still have to accept the fact that they're using a song from Moulin Rouge I skated myself (and so I am extremely sick of it) they definitely stand out from the crowd.

Barbara Fusar Poli & Maurizio Margaglio did the OD too... I think they skipped some parts of it, probably the rhumba, but I don't remebre in detail. I probably didn't pay too much attention because I know the program pretty well, so I was not really focused on something new. It was nice to finally see them skate it in costume (though not the competition ones.. they're not ready. These were just lent by the dressmaker to wear for this occasion), it felt much more real....
I wonder how it will feel for me to see them skate in competition again...

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I was changing my batteries while Paolo Bacchini skated, but I was ready again when it came Karel Zelenka's turn: he did his R+J SP, jumpless just like Valentina. I was a bit distracted by the horrid pants.. thankfully I discovered that in competition he has a lovely blue costume!
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Last but not least: Federica Faiella & Massimo Scali were the most original dance couple, as they chose to skate their FD instead of the OD. Unfortunately they had the costumes from last year (I forgot to ask why). I just adore their FD, is sooooo beautiful and poetic. They're improving so much every year, and I think that the coach change did them every good thing possible... now that they're working together for the second year, the partneship is really giving good results. My plause to Paola and Roberto for their work! I am sooo happy of having te chance to befriend to adorable persons as Fede and Massi, there's no way I can be objective about them: I love you guys!
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After the performances a short press conference was held by several Federation's officials, and then a happy hour buffet had been set up for skaters and journalist, with the possibility of all the athletes to be interviewd by the media... I put together some quotes as well, for the Torino 2006 article Melly and I were supposed to write very soon, but then it was simply chatting and gossiping away with our skating friends!