SynchroNice / Third Edition / 2018

That’s one more reason why I loved to skate at the Shanghai Trophy 2016, people were so easily im- pressed by little things like for instance, 16 skaters coming to a stop together after a warm up block. It was just wonderful to show them something com- pletely new, something they never saw before. Are there any teams that you like to watch yourself? Certainly, my all-time favorite team, since my introduction to synchro is Marigold Ice Unity. I was really impressed by their appearance and their short program on “Radio Gaga” at Worlds in Zagreb 2009. They seemed so professional in everything they did, that I liked them ever since. In the past few years Team Paradise impressed me a lot as well. Their development and progress deserve international appreciation and I’m happy for them for their two World titles. I strongly believe they lifted synchro on a new level, their skating and movements are far ahead of any other team and it will be seriously difficult to beat them for years to come- if nothing unexpected happens. That is boring, if there is no fight for the podium? All in all, I think it will be indeed the same 3-5 countries who will split up the medals for the next few years. Teams like France, Japan and us of cour- se, made great progress over the past years, but it will be difficult to enter the top 5 in the world one day. It’s a simple matter of facts that the top five countries have a much bigger pool of skaters in the novice and junior categories to select from, compared to us anyway. So, for the moment they have a much better chance to find better and more talented skaters. Could inclusion in the Olympics change that? Can’t say that it would, but it is about time we got included. I firmly believe that Synchro will be an Olympic sport one day and I would love every skater to have a chance to compete in at least one Olympic Games. It would also be the ideal platform; many people would be introduced to our sport for the very first time and therefor alone it deserves to be an Olympic discipline. How about the discussion “Men should be excluded”? I remember this big discussion in Go- thenburg 2012 were the coaches wanted to decide how a team at the Olympics should be build up: one man, two men or no man at all in a team? But they didn’t find a compromise for that problem, because every country had its own pro’s or con’s. And I belie- ve this discussion will go on for a while. So, for me the solution would be to take a first step and make sure to get included in the first place, into this Olympic program, by starting with female teams. Yes, very sad for all male skaters, but they are few, but then again, once you’re in…Rules are made to be broken ;) Furthermore I do hope team sizes will stay up at 16 and not cut down again to 12 or less this time. However, I do respect the difficulties that will rise to arrange accommodation in any Olym- pic village and to organize them a competition. I believe the synchro community around the world, should find a good compromise first to arrange teams with only female athletes. What music will you use for your first Olympic performance? My favorite type of music to use for synchro is music, where we pull the audience into our program by maybe making them feel like clap- ping their hands or stomping their feet… as a team we like the audience to participate in our program. Therefore, I personally prefer faster and more modern music over classical music. A program that sticks to someone’s mind is often combined with some great music. Love to hear your personal goals to finish the Interview Patrick. That’s not to difficult, my goals and dreams, if you like, for now and the future are that I’m able to skate as long as `I like and it’s possible for me and that again will mean that I stay healthy and don’t get stopped by an injury or so and that I’m able to do what I love besides my work. It’s been a pleasure talking to you Patrick. Of course, we like to wish you many years of happy skating and a wonderful life with your lovely girlfriend Aida. Thanks for the talk!  HE UNDERSTANDS THAT ANY GOOD RESULT COMES BYHARDWORK ‘‘ SYNCHRO NICE 139