thanks to: TEAM SURPRISE for splendid photos
by AIKO SHIMAZU 島津愛子
posted on October 27, 2013
2013-14 Team Surprise (SWEDEN)
Last Synchronized Figure Skating Championships(April in Boston, USA) - defending champion Swedish Team "Surprise" was placed 7th, as they had mistakes on the difficult elements and moves that no other team showed there. Even though Surprise skaters hit other teammate's bodies, and scores were not enough for the champion ladies, they were still electric for the crowds, who know how the Team Surprise shows their pride, the exceptional performance with speed and power and lavishness. The crowds seemed to be honored to share the team culture of Surprise.
☞ watch "Team Surprise" 2012-13FS @ Spring Cup | Spring Cup official channel
Single/Synchronized skater Chisako(KIUCHI), all the way from Japan, she had her 3rd Sync season in Sweden, had performed in a setting-up-like position of such a thrilling Team Surprise at Worlds.
Team Surprise @ 2013 Spring Cup
She went back to Japan in June, to make her Single programs SP"Carmen" FS"Instinct Rhapsody/Red Violin" with her longtime mentor, acclaimed Japanese female choreographer Nanami ABE(former Yuzuru[HANYU]'s coach).
Now she has striven for handling Single-and-Synchronized trainings in Sweden, she's going to be hardly able to make her way for Single practice, but has been trying to compete at Swedish Single Nationals in December(11-15).
"She has its potential," cheered Chisako, a Swedish Champion Kristoffer BERNTSSON, her rink mate of Landvetter Skating Club, on our latest interview with him.
☞ Kristoffer BERNTSSON [Koffe's still doing something special] (in August 2013)
Team Surprise @ 2013 Spring Cup
2013-14 Synchronized Figure Skating World Championships will be held in Courmayeur, ITALY in next April(4-5).
http://www.2014synchroworlds.com/
Chisako's (Steve)Jobs-like demonstrations will take you to the Synchronized skating world:
((from Chisako's quotes in July 2012 interview on Japan Skates))
(Synchronized skating's) Features for crowds - Synchronized skating requires: skating on a deeper edge, quality footworks, such "Ice Dance" skills; such as dynamic lifts - "Pairs" skills; and "Single" skills, solo dancing and performing. That's "all-in-one Figure Skating", to be synchronized by 16 skaters. Such "dynamism" it has as well.
in competition, a girl rotates a girl!
Plus, changing formation to create shapes, such "sculpting" is Synchronized-exclusive, and its my favorite feature.
@ 2013 Leon Lurje Trophy
Moreover, you can see that clearly when you watch Sync-Worlds, there are characters, each team has its own persona, like, has its "theme color". As I see it, "pastel color" I sense - of the gentle team, as if it came from fantasy, and "dark color" - of the dynamic team to rock you, and "transparent color" - of the graceful, magnificent team to show its definition. Such "characters" appeals to me.
@ 2013 Leon Lurje Trophy
☞ Chisako KIUCHI [Japan's Depth #5 To Any Destination with her skating and the arts] (on Japan Skates)
…Her commentary appealed to me, made me watch Worlds on live streaming, then Synchronized skating did strike the one's chord who had never watched its competition.
Those "characters" and the supportive crowds, they all expected what the characters had done.
The confident ladies' performances "what we are", the terrific crowds' supports "how proud of you" - everything was going to the handsome moment!
…hope this notes will appeal to you, as well.
Swedish Synchronized Nationals is scheduled on next February 22-23.
@ 2013 Leon Lurje Trophy
Summer of 2013 in Barcelona, SPAIN
☞ From Sweden #2 February 1, 2014
☞ Team Surprise Instagram
☞ Team Surprise Facebook