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Team Berlin 1 goes home with gold: "Emotions overwhelm us"


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Team Berlin 1 won the 2022 Mozart Cup with a total score of 186.26. (Credits: TB 1 - 2022)

After almost two years of break, the senior team Team Berlin 1 from Germany received a nice present: a gold medal at the Mozart Cup on Sunday. Let's look back at this victory with team captains Aida Aleskerova and Selina Thomalla.

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Team Berlin 1, you won the Mozart Cup 2022 in Austria! How do you feel? 

This is an indescribable feeling! Emotions overwhelm us. We are glad that our work has been appreciated. First of all, we are pleased that we were able to come to the competition and show our hard work on both programs.  Secondly, we were able to win the competition, which is doubly nice. It gives us motivation to work and improve further! And of course we are happy to meet with other teams and relive the feelings of competitions!

What did you think of your performances this weekend?

After a long break, it was impossible to believe that we were back on the competitive arena.  It was interesting how the team will show itself.  We skated rather clean programs. Of course, we still have a lot of work to do and we will make small changes to the programs and improve them. But at the moment we are proud of our result!

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Skating without spectators, how was it? 

Our sport lives on the applause and support of the audience. It is a pity that our relatives and friends could not share our joy with us live in the arena. But despite the lack of spectators on the ice arena, we felt the support of other teams. Once again we want to thank everyone who was able to cheer for us live and behind the computer screens.

This competition is the first for your team in almost two years and you talked on Instagram about a "bumpy preparation". Can you tell us more about it? 

Probably, like many teams, we had difficulties in preparation. As you know, we had to cancel the competition in the Netherlands. We put our focus on Austria. Shortly before departure, one of our athletes was seriously injured, and three other girls suffered from the coronavirus. Fortunately, three days before departure, we were able to train with a full team and the girls quickly recovered from the disease.

"For nine girls, the Mozart cup was the first international competition"
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Team Berlin 1 - Short program. (Credits: Mario Huth - 2021)

This year, we have not had any changes in the coaching staff. Our head coach remains Gert Hofmann and assistant coach Marco Derpa. But the team has changed significantly over the past two years. For nine girls, the Mozart cup was the first international competition with a senior team.

Back in Germany, what will you be working on? 

Upon returning to Berlin, we immediately begin the preparations for the next competition: Neuchâtel Trophy, Switzerland. This year also, we had an incredible opportunity to consult with the choreographer of Team Tatarstan, Evgenia Antonova.  She helps us with the on ice presentation and gives us hints about the choreography.  And of course we will analyze our programs and work on the technique of the elements.

Take a look at all the scores of the Mozart Cup

Team Berlin 1 was also featured in our "Zoom" video a few months ago. Watch it here!

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Results - TOP 3

Mozart Cup 2022
Salzburg (AUT)
JAN 28, 2022 - JAN 30, 2022

Junior
TEAM Score
1Skyliners (USA)175.66
2Hockettes (USA)163.37
3Fond du Lac Blades (USA)159.13

Senior
TEAM Score
1Team Berlin 1 (GER)186.26
2Olympia (CZE)171.62
3United Angels (GER)158.48

Novice A
TEAM Score
1Kometa (CZE)55.15
2Cool Dreams (SUI)53.25
3Munich Destiny (GER)45.22