Revisiting Italy's Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali

[gsk8]

Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali were among the teams that helped elevate Italian ice dance on the international stage. Known for their speed, strong skating skills, and memorable programs, they capped off their career with silver at the 2010 European Championships and bronze at the 2010 World Championships. They also placed fifth at the 2010 Olympics.

What are your favorite memories of Faiella & Scali?

• Which of their programs do you remember best?
• What do you think was their greatest strength as a team?
• Were they underrated during their competitive career?
• What impact do you think they had on the success of later Italian teams?

Share your photos, videos, memories, and favorite performances!

 

[dorispulaski]

The program I most remember of theirs was their "The Immigrants" FD at the Olympics set to music from The Godfather by Nino Rota.



Massimo has affected skaters around the world due to producing memorable choreography for them.

E.g. He is solely responsible for the choreo of Alysa Liu's programs.

https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00103196.htm

 

[ladyjane]

My favourite memory of Massimo is when they skated a Free Dance that afterwards he was so emotional that he cried. Very, very moving, and I don't even remember when that happened. Early in their career. My favourite programme of them together was the OD with the Italian Folk Dance in 2010. Here's the EC one:



This was the time props were allowed, and they were quite fitting here. I don't know if they were underrated, I just liked to watch them.

 

[dorispulaski]

Faiella & Scali moved to Detroit where they were coached by Camerlengo and Krylova. When they retired, Massimo stayed and coached in the Detroit area, first with the Krylova team..

He briefly was a coach of Capellini & Lanotte, but was not particularly an influence on them, other than to inspire C&L to improve to win the Italian championships. (F&S were the Italian #1 team when C&L were the #2 for about 4 seasons). His biggest effect has been in the US.

Federica became an Italian police officer when she retired, and I have not heard she was involved in skating in a visible way afterwards.

 

[4everchan]

I seem to remember more Scali as a choreo rather than when he was skating. Perhaps because their moment came in between two more successful Italian teams FP/M and C/LN

 

[labgoat]

I loved their skating to the music of Yentl portraying a butterfly.
This is probably my favorite Italian couples - they were so creative, had so much energy and never shied away from trying new things. Loved most everything they did. My heart broke for them when they had some memorable mishaps.

 

[labgoat]

Also loved Massimo in the sailor suit that I think Evan Bates may have borrowed later when skating with Emily Samuelson. Federica was so gorgeous and had so many interesting looks.

 

[Mathman]

Faiella & Scali moved to Detroit where they were coached by Camerlengo and Krylova.

I saw them many times in local shows and exhibitions. They were so charming. My all-time fave was one time they volunteered to headline (with Yuka Sato) a local club benefit show to raise money for medical costs for a very ill child, a member of the club.