The Seniorrnteams Phoenix, Illumination and Ice Fire. The Junior teams, TeamrnIlluminettes 1 and Ice Fire and Junior B team Team Illuminettes 2, were supposedrnto compete in Brno (CZE) at the Santa Claus Cup. Sadly, this competition got cancelled.
Their coaches Angelique, Mireille and Agnes came up with the idea of organizing a simulationrncompetition on Saturday, December 18th. Their skaters were reallyrnlooking forward to feeling the competition atmosphere again.
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rnFor the Dutch teams, the last competition was the Steel City Trophy 2020 inrnMarch. For the Polish teams, the previous competition was a few weeks ago at the nationals. And TeamrnPhoenix from Belgium had the chance to compete in Berlin in October.
Their coaches Angelique, Mireille and Agnes came up with the idea of organizing a simulationrncompetition on Saturday, December 18th. Their skaters were reallyrnlooking forward to feeling the competition atmosphere again.
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rnFor the Dutch teams, the last competition was the Steel City Trophy 2020 inrnMarch. For the Polish teams, the previous competition was a few weeks ago at the nationals. And TeamrnPhoenix from Belgium had the chance to compete in Berlin in October.
A simple concept with a great outcome
Thernconcept was relatively easy. The idea was to give the skaters the feeling of realrncompetition. The teams got to skate both their short and free program. Thernsimulation competition included two practice sessions, competitionrndresses and make-up.
A technical specialist and a judge were present to provide the teamsrnwith the necessary feedback. No scores were published.
On Saturday morning, the teams skated their free programs in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Due to the lack of ice time, the teams then travelled to Antwerp for the short program that also included a practice session.
A technical specialist and a judge were present to provide the teamsrnwith the necessary feedback. No scores were published.
On Saturday morning, the teams skated their free programs in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Due to the lack of ice time, the teams then travelled to Antwerp for the short program that also included a practice session.
Team Phoenix (Sen), Team Illuminettes 1 (Jun), Ice Fire (Sen), Ice Fire (Jun), Team Illumination (Sen) and Team Illuminettes 2 (Jun B) in Eindhoven after their Free Programs. (Credits: Skate Synchro Photo - 2021)
In The Netherlands and Belgium, there are still a lot of Covid-19 restrictions. In Eindhoven, the teams had to skate without spectators in the stands. In Antwerp, the teams were lucky enough to skate in front of a small number of spectators, who were allowed to watch them from the restaurant of the ice rink. This was a very nice side effect.
Thernbreak between the free skate in Eindhoven and the short programs in Antwerp was long enough to gornsightseeing in Antwerp.
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rnAll the teams received an evaluation of their practice sessions and their programs.rnAgnes Filipowicz coach from Ice Fire: "The feedback from the panel is reallyrnhelpful to be ready for our next competition."
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rnAll the teams received an evaluation of their practice sessions and their programs.rnAgnes Filipowicz coach from Ice Fire: "The feedback from the panel is reallyrnhelpful to be ready for our next competition."
"It was a moment full of motivation which we needed so badly"
Thernexperience was amazing, said Angelique Visser from Kids on Ice Eindhoven.
"Itrnalmost felt like a real competition. The feeling of being together with otherrnteams gave the skaters a lot of positive energy. The skaters really needed thisrnday. Their last competition was the Steel City Trophy in March 2020. It wasrna moment full of motivation which we needed so badly."
"Itrnalmost felt like a real competition. The feeling of being together with otherrnteams gave the skaters a lot of positive energy. The skaters really needed thisrnday. Their last competition was the Steel City Trophy in March 2020. It wasrna moment full of motivation which we needed so badly."
Team Illumination after their Sp in AntwerpÂ
As skaters from three different countries skating were competing in front of a judgernand a technical specialist, this day had the feeling of a real international eventrnwhich motivated the skaters even more to show the best of themselves.
"It’s fantastic to see that not only we, but all the teams keep improving evenrnin the difficult times we are facing now," explained Mireille from Team Phoenix.
"It’s fantastic to see that not only we, but all the teams keep improving evenrnin the difficult times we are facing now," explained Mireille from Team Phoenix.
Team Phoenix after their Sp in Antwerp
This initiative shows a beautiful friendship between these three coaches. Mireille: "We may berncompetitors, but we wholeheartedly give it to each other to progress andrndevelop."
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rnThe day was very successful and could undoubtedly be repeated in the coming seasons.
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rnThe day was very successful and could undoubtedly be repeated in the coming seasons.