SynchroNice / Fourth Edition / 2019

What is great about skating at this level? Well, this is just one big and amazing adventure we’re on. I’ve seen so many different countries and cities because of all the travelling we do to the competitions, places that I probably wouldn’t have visited if it wasn’t for Synchro and what about meeting so many new people all over the world, just wonderful. But, to be honest the greatest thing is probably just to have ‘my team’. Some countries practice on a daily basis, how is that in your club? We practice 3 times a week on ice and off ice as a team. I really believe this is the very minimum needed to improve. On the other hand, the better you get, the more practice you need in my opinion. If you want everything perfect, down to the last details, you need far more time on Ice together. We keep on growing and improving as a team and for now I feel, the 3 times a week is sort of sufficient. At the start of any new season, where you find yourself with one or two new programs, an extra day a week for practice couldn’t hurt, but that decision lies with our coach of course and there’s always the matter of costs naturally. Besides the team practices, I work out at home to improve my general flexibility and stamina. Isn’t it annoying, once you’re really used to the pro- gram and you’re totally in control… a new season starts? No, in fact I’m always looking forward to new skating programs. This season we have a new short and free and during summer break we all search for new music to skate to, however in the end it’s our coach who makes the final decision. Having for every new program a different genre of music is to me very important. I also believe it’s far more entertaining for any audience. I love the programs where you can totally get lost in it and where you’re able to put in all your heart and soul. If you complete it with the proper dresses or costumes, the right make-up and also the facial expressions, the audience will love it. Can you imagine a life without Synchro Skating or skating at all? Not really but I would probably be doing some other sport. But then again, I have no idea what other sport I’d be doing. Most likely something with dancing because I used to attend ballet classes when I was 4 years old. Drawing, reading and painting are also things I’d like to do in my spare time. I think I would be doing more of that if I weren’t skating. But honestly, I couldn’t imagine a life without skating. Do you have a job or are you still studying? I am now studying to become an architect, this is my first year now. I’m also working 2 part-time jobs, one as a medical secretary and one as sales employee in a construction market, but just a few days a week. What competition is your favorite and why? My favorite competition is definitely the World Championships no matter where they are held. It contains just everything, the whole vibe, the competition itself, the teams from all over the world and the audience of course. It’s by far THE competition of the season, the one you have been working for so hard through the entire season. That special moment where you can show the world what you and your team have accomplished. Whenever we’re travelling to competitions, that is if they’re in Europe, we usually travel by bus which is always fun because we never get bored with each other. Do you have a favorite team or maybe a favorite skater somewhere in the world that is a role model to you or your team? Everyone on our team is fan of Team Paradise from Russia, their skating is just beautiful. My personal favorites however are the Helsinki Rockettes. They always come up with new and surprising elements in their programs, which I find really inspiring. What is your own contribution to the team, why should they be happy with you? My own strength lies within my skating skills but also in perseverance and a constant will to improve. I firmly believe one can always do better. Of course, we’d like to hear your opinion on the progress Synchro Skating is making, but still wasn’t admitted to the Olympics . The world of Synchro Skating is already doing great. We are ready but the rest of the world obviously has its doubts, but I believe that if we keep doing what we’re good at, skating that is, we’re entertaining more and more audiences and eventually enough people will see the sheer beauty of it. There’s progress because we’re already doing so much, I think it just needs some time to get through. What more would you like to tell the Synchro World? There’s this quote which I can really relate to: “As indi­ viduals we are strong, but together, we are unstoppable”. In April 2012, we stopped doing only shows. No one would ever have thought that we would be where we are right now. We have worked so hard, learned so much and shared so much with each other. We’re not just a team anymore, we’re like family. To me, that quote relates to this quote: “The bond we have together is so much deeper than the sport we call synchro”. We’ve been skating together for a really long time now. Some of us even started skating here when they were only two years old, the others at another very young age, therefore most of us have known each other for almost our whole lives. My message would therefore be: Cherish your team, because they’re the ones that will have your back.  SYNCHRO NICE 23