- Joined
- Dec 7, 2019
This post is about meeting the skaters before the event.
2 hours Before the show, the athletes joined some of the fans for an aperitif.
I had the chance to talk and take pics with some of them.
Here’s a recap.
Aliona Kostornaia:
She entered the bar with her usual Guess black dress and a pair of snickers while all the other women where in high heel so she looked even smaller in the group but she was the most requested by the fans.
At first I just took a pic with her and exchanged some courtesy words (congratulation, how exceptional is your skating, etc...).
Her English is not fluent, but she understands and reply.
She smiles, looks directly into your eyes and does not seem shy like in some press interview.
Her eyes are made of Caribbean Sea water or some other magic fluid (they really attract you attention), she’s incredibly cute and her smile is contagious and warm.
When you’re close to her she looks tiny and delicate, yet we all saw those powerful trixels: never underestimate a girl with skates ��.
Later, after she received a lot of gifts, I asked Liza (Tuktamysheva) for a pic, none of my friends was there so I asked Aliona to take it and she agreed with a smile (she took 3 shots).
When she gave my phone back, we talked another bit and joked about the big unicorns farm she should have by now.
She had a smile for everybody, not a diva at all and seemed very happy like she genuinely like the attention.
Many other skaters seem to like her a lot and searched her to talk, take pics or joke.
I also had the impression that if you’re lucky to know her more you will discover a wild and funny side of her personality.
I bumped into her again at breakfast.
She literally sat the table next to me with her mother (I suppose did not asked)
I just turned to my left and saw her unmistakable profile.
I just wanted to congratulate her for the show, but the moment I got her attention she immediately stood up smiling to take a photo, and we exchanged dome words about her trip home.
Other fans approached later and she took pics with everyone.
She really is the sweetest thing.
She’s been my favourite since I saw her skating so effortlessly like there was a magic wind pushing her, now I literally adore her on and off the ice.
Liza Tuktamysheva:
Liza come in a glamourous dress with an artic fox pelt around her neck like a stole.
Well: they won’t call you Ice Empress for nothing.
She looked confident in any situation, like the grown-up young woman she is.
When leaving the bar to take seats in the arena she come running into a stair the stewards just closed: she looked lost for a moment and when I asked if she needed help she burst into laughs and shook her head, like she was ashamed to admit being lost in a place she trained the last pair of days.
You know: there are people you immediately like, may be the way they look at people, how they talk, how they move or behave. I instantly liked Liza.
Javier Fernandez:
A gentleman and an artist.
Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres
Vanessa was really a surprise.
Dressed in perfect Gatsby style (there was a group skate on it as show opening), wonderful smile, fluent English, chatty and cheerful.
Physically she’s not the classical skater: she seems really athletic and powerful but with an innate grace, like a jaguar.
Did I say that Aliona is the sweetest thing?
Daniel Grassl:
The local hero (born 30 Km from the arena)
Some talking almost at the end of the meeting.
Very positive, gentle, happy to be part of a show so close to home and involved.
I whish him all the best for the European and his future career.
Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise
Matteo is a very warm person, really talkative.
He talked highly about the sound, the lights and the organization in general while explaining why some other venues do not work so well for ice shows.
Asked Nicole about her injury: the shoulder is ok and they’re training hard.
I also met Matteo at the hotel the day after: there will be no more show until the EU championship, just training.
Did I say that Aliona is the sweetest thing?
Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte
The pic I will really miss is with Anna.
While my friends were talking with Luca (very nice guy) I talked with Anna.
They are working in Russia actually, because it offers a lot more opportunities for skaters.
She said in Moscow there are multiple show running at the same time, so we talk about popularity and importance of figure skating in Russia vs Italy and starting from the show Zagitova is starring in about the difference in traditions and tales between west and east Europe.
During the conversation some kids come and took photos with Anna, until the television arrived to interview her and I realized I was so engaged in the conversation I totally forgot about the pic I wanted with her.
I will not forget Anna with her big beautiful eyes and the gift of talking about skating with a world champion.
Her dress was pure elegance and perfect for her btw: I really liked it.
Alexandra Stefanova and Ivan Bukin
Ivan is very nice, we even talked a bit about his father (former Olympic gold)
Alexandra was polite (we took a pic and exchanged few words) but she looked distant from everything.
Lost on her phone chatting most of the time, not even talking with Ivan even the next day at the hotel.
I hope everything is ok at home and she was just missing her lover and chatting with him.
But boys: she is so beautiful and sensual.
One of those women who can silence a room just stepping in.
Her presence is terrific and she does not need to dress up, act up or pose to be admired: she just is.
The next day she boarded the same lift I was in and I wanted to write “God do exist and I now have proofs” on the mirror.
I already admitted to have a crush for her: being so close did not help at all.
She is so incredibly gorgeous!
Did I say that Aliona is the sweetest thing?
To end this wall text, I just want to say:
If you’re going to a show and there is a chance to meet your favourite skaters take it.
You may have to pay something extra, show up earlier, voluntarily work for the organization or something else but don’t miss it.
If you approach them with courtesy and respect you will be rewarded and you’ll take home some really good memories and emotions.
Oh… Did I say that Aliona is the sweetest thing?
I really wanted to say it.
2 hours Before the show, the athletes joined some of the fans for an aperitif.
I had the chance to talk and take pics with some of them.
Here’s a recap.
Aliona Kostornaia:
She entered the bar with her usual Guess black dress and a pair of snickers while all the other women where in high heel so she looked even smaller in the group but she was the most requested by the fans.
At first I just took a pic with her and exchanged some courtesy words (congratulation, how exceptional is your skating, etc...).
Her English is not fluent, but she understands and reply.
She smiles, looks directly into your eyes and does not seem shy like in some press interview.
Her eyes are made of Caribbean Sea water or some other magic fluid (they really attract you attention), she’s incredibly cute and her smile is contagious and warm.
When you’re close to her she looks tiny and delicate, yet we all saw those powerful trixels: never underestimate a girl with skates ��.
Later, after she received a lot of gifts, I asked Liza (Tuktamysheva) for a pic, none of my friends was there so I asked Aliona to take it and she agreed with a smile (she took 3 shots).
When she gave my phone back, we talked another bit and joked about the big unicorns farm she should have by now.
She had a smile for everybody, not a diva at all and seemed very happy like she genuinely like the attention.
Many other skaters seem to like her a lot and searched her to talk, take pics or joke.
I also had the impression that if you’re lucky to know her more you will discover a wild and funny side of her personality.
I bumped into her again at breakfast.
She literally sat the table next to me with her mother (I suppose did not asked)
I just turned to my left and saw her unmistakable profile.
I just wanted to congratulate her for the show, but the moment I got her attention she immediately stood up smiling to take a photo, and we exchanged dome words about her trip home.
Other fans approached later and she took pics with everyone.
She really is the sweetest thing.
She’s been my favourite since I saw her skating so effortlessly like there was a magic wind pushing her, now I literally adore her on and off the ice.
Liza Tuktamysheva:
Liza come in a glamourous dress with an artic fox pelt around her neck like a stole.
Well: they won’t call you Ice Empress for nothing.
She looked confident in any situation, like the grown-up young woman she is.
When leaving the bar to take seats in the arena she come running into a stair the stewards just closed: she looked lost for a moment and when I asked if she needed help she burst into laughs and shook her head, like she was ashamed to admit being lost in a place she trained the last pair of days.
You know: there are people you immediately like, may be the way they look at people, how they talk, how they move or behave. I instantly liked Liza.
Javier Fernandez:
A gentleman and an artist.
Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres
Vanessa was really a surprise.
Dressed in perfect Gatsby style (there was a group skate on it as show opening), wonderful smile, fluent English, chatty and cheerful.
Physically she’s not the classical skater: she seems really athletic and powerful but with an innate grace, like a jaguar.
Did I say that Aliona is the sweetest thing?
Daniel Grassl:
The local hero (born 30 Km from the arena)
Some talking almost at the end of the meeting.
Very positive, gentle, happy to be part of a show so close to home and involved.
I whish him all the best for the European and his future career.
Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise
Matteo is a very warm person, really talkative.
He talked highly about the sound, the lights and the organization in general while explaining why some other venues do not work so well for ice shows.
Asked Nicole about her injury: the shoulder is ok and they’re training hard.
I also met Matteo at the hotel the day after: there will be no more show until the EU championship, just training.
Did I say that Aliona is the sweetest thing?
Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte
The pic I will really miss is with Anna.
While my friends were talking with Luca (very nice guy) I talked with Anna.
They are working in Russia actually, because it offers a lot more opportunities for skaters.
She said in Moscow there are multiple show running at the same time, so we talk about popularity and importance of figure skating in Russia vs Italy and starting from the show Zagitova is starring in about the difference in traditions and tales between west and east Europe.
During the conversation some kids come and took photos with Anna, until the television arrived to interview her and I realized I was so engaged in the conversation I totally forgot about the pic I wanted with her.
I will not forget Anna with her big beautiful eyes and the gift of talking about skating with a world champion.
Her dress was pure elegance and perfect for her btw: I really liked it.
Alexandra Stefanova and Ivan Bukin
Ivan is very nice, we even talked a bit about his father (former Olympic gold)
Alexandra was polite (we took a pic and exchanged few words) but she looked distant from everything.
Lost on her phone chatting most of the time, not even talking with Ivan even the next day at the hotel.
I hope everything is ok at home and she was just missing her lover and chatting with him.
But boys: she is so beautiful and sensual.
One of those women who can silence a room just stepping in.
Her presence is terrific and she does not need to dress up, act up or pose to be admired: she just is.
The next day she boarded the same lift I was in and I wanted to write “God do exist and I now have proofs” on the mirror.
I already admitted to have a crush for her: being so close did not help at all.
She is so incredibly gorgeous!
Did I say that Aliona is the sweetest thing?
To end this wall text, I just want to say:
If you’re going to a show and there is a chance to meet your favourite skaters take it.
You may have to pay something extra, show up earlier, voluntarily work for the organization or something else but don’t miss it.
If you approach them with courtesy and respect you will be rewarded and you’ll take home some really good memories and emotions.
Oh… Did I say that Aliona is the sweetest thing?
I really wanted to say it.
