News
A competition simulation took place on the same day in two neighbouring countries
News
A competition simulation took place on the same day in two neighbouring countries
The Senior Team Illumination
After the cancellation of the Santa Claus Cup 2021 in Brno, Czech Republic, three coaches teamed up to find a new idea for their teams. Instead of giving up, Angelique Visser, Mireille Mostaert and Agnes Filipowicz let their creativity run wild by creating a simulation competition.
The Senior
teams Phoenix, Illumination and Ice Fire. The Junior teams, Team
Illuminettes 1 and Ice Fire and Junior B team Team Illuminettes 2, were supposed
to 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 simulation competition on Saturday, December 18th. Their skaters were really looking forward to feeling the competition atmosphere again.
For the Dutch teams, the last competition was the Steel City Trophy 2020 in March. For the Polish teams, the previous competition was a few weeks ago at the nationals. And Team Phoenix from Belgium had the chance to compete in Berlin in October.
A simple concept with a great outcomeTheir coaches Angelique, Mireille and Agnes came up with the idea of organizing a simulation competition on Saturday, December 18th. Their skaters were really looking forward to feeling the competition atmosphere again.
For the Dutch teams, the last competition was the Steel City Trophy 2020 in March. For the Polish teams, the previous competition was a few weeks ago at the nationals. And Team Phoenix from Belgium had the chance to compete in Berlin in October.
The
concept was relatively easy. The idea was to give the skaters the feeling of real
competition. The teams got to skate both their short and free program. The
simulation competition included two practice sessions, competition
dresses and make-up.
A technical specialist and a judge were present to provide the teams with 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 teams with 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.
The
break between the free skate in Eindhoven and the short programs in Antwerp was long enough to go
sightseeing in Antwerp.
All the teams received an evaluation of their practice sessions and their programs. Agnes Filipowicz coach from Ice Fire: "The feedback from the panel is really helpful to be ready for our next competition."
All the teams received an evaluation of their practice sessions and their programs. Agnes Filipowicz coach from Ice Fire: "The feedback from the panel is really helpful to be ready for our next competition."
"It was a moment full of motivation which we needed so badly"
The
experience was amazing, said Angelique Visser from Kids on Ice Eindhoven.
"It almost felt like a real competition. The feeling of being together with other teams gave the skaters a lot of positive energy. The skaters really needed this day. Their last competition was the Steel City Trophy in March 2020. It was a moment full of motivation which we needed so badly."
"It almost felt like a real competition. The feeling of being together with other teams gave the skaters a lot of positive energy. The skaters really needed this day. Their last competition was the Steel City Trophy in March 2020. It was a moment full of motivation which we needed so badly."
Team Illumination after their Sp in Antwerp
As skaters from three different countries skating were competing in front of a judge
and a technical specialist, this day had the feeling of a real international event
which 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 even in 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 even in 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 be
competitors, but we wholeheartedly give it to each other to progress and
develop."
The day was very successful and could undoubtedly be repeated in the coming seasons.
The day was very successful and could undoubtedly be repeated in the coming seasons.
