STARS ON ICE IN GERMANY

Nora and I flew into Schipol Airport on Friday morning, and spent the day, and Saturday morning looking around before going out to Tuggy's house in the afternoon. Once there, we all piled into the car and began the drive to Oberhausen. The fun began at the arena when myself and Nora saw one of the posters advertising just who would be there. It listed everyone in the American cast, including Paul Wylie, who I had convinced myself would not be there after reading everybody's reviews of the Portland show. I was so excited, I just about managed not to scream out loud. Unfortunately, this was achieved by gripping on to Nora's wrist so tightly that she ended up yelping in pain! (Sorry Nora!)

So we headed into the arena, and bought our programs. They were all in German, as one might expect in Germany, so I have no idea what they say. Also there was no running order in it, but the photos, especially the one of Brian Orser, make it worthwhile.

We found our seats at 7 o'clock, giving us an hour to soak in the atmosphere. We were a little worried about what the seats would be like because we got them late, and they had to look to find four seats together. I had visions of us sitting up in the gods, but no! If you can picture an ice arena, there were 3 sides with seating, (2 longs and a short) and we were in the very last section of one of the longs. There were two rows of on-ice seats, a small walkway, then the stands of seats. We were three rows back in them. We had a great view of the whole ice surface, although things could be a little dodgy for the events that went on at the other end of the rink. But, but, BUT we were right beside where the skaters were coming out!!! As if that wasn't thrilling enough, backstage and the front of the house were separated only by a thin crepe curtain and we could clearly see the shapes of people moving around backstage. And better again, when someone went through, he left the drape hanging at an angle, with the result that we could see through to backstage! I loved those seats! Sitting there we saw lots of personnel milling around, and I saw Rudi Cerne, who does the introductions for ZDF, the German tv station which is going to broadcast the show. Of course, Tuggy, Marten and Nora had no idea who he was, which left me to explain that he was the German ice skater who placed fourth at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics. (Everyone should know these useless facts) Later on, a man and woman came out from backstage, and Tuggy and I looked at her, looked at each other, and asked "Isn't that Sandra Bezic?" It was indeed Sandra, looking immaculate as always, and beside her was Michael Seibert who looks so much better in person than I've ever seen him look in photos or on tv. Michael walked up towards the lighting booth (which had a sign beside it in German, which Marten told us read "Don't talk to me, I don't speak German") but Sandra walked right across, in front of the first row of seats. She was so close we could have reached out and touched her! Cue a few more explanations about the skating credentials of Sandra and Michael, and a few more incredulous looks about my knowledge of useless skating facts!

It was right about then that we started to see the first few skaters appear backstage. Katarina looked out a couple of times to see was the arena full. (It was) We could see them all laughing with each other, but I didn't believe Paul and Brian were there until I actually saw them both. I did let out a little yelp, I must admit! We didn't see Kristi or Katia, and for good reason – neither were there! But I was in a perfect position to see backstage, and as I looked, I saw someone I never expected to see. I looked, blinked, shook my head, looked again and she was still there talking to Kurt and Brian. I turned to the others and said "That's Josee Chouinard" They were as surprised as I was, but there was no denying it was her. We figured she must be there instead of Kristi, as she'll probably do the same on Canadian SOI. I was disappointed because Kristi (and Katia) are two of my favourites, but I love Josee too, so it was a nice surprise. Now, I didn't take any notes, and I've had a couple of days to think about it, so I can't vouch for the order being right, and most of the technical elements are gone, but here are my thoughts……

When the cast came out (minus Scott), I still couldn't believe that I was actually sitting in the arena, looking at people that I'd admired for so long. The opening to Bonham (and here I'm guessing, because there was no running order in the program) was amazing. They set an atmosphere right from the beginning, and when they all broke away from each other it was so hard to know where to look! Then Scott came out and skated to Heartbreaker. I've been a fan of his since I can't remember from when, and to sit in the same place as him and watch him skate was an opportunity I never thought I'd have. Especially after last year. Looking at his footwork, and the way he looked at the audience and took them into the piece, I was blown away. Next Katarina came out, I presume to No Quarter. I've never seen any other choreography to compare it to, but she did it as a solo. A warm reception for the hometown girl. Next was Moby Dick, and I was dying to see Kurt in hockey skates having heard so much about it. I was sceptical, I must admit. I was like "How much footwork can he do in hockey skates?!" I was wrong and I admit it! He was fabulous – how does he do that? While sitting mesmerised by him, out came the big draw for me – Paul Wylie. Better and better – Paul Wylie in leather pants! In the minute or so he was out there, I swear I became an even bigger fan. The musicality, the split jumps, the spread eagles, the line….I am so glad I got the chance to see him skate. Elena and Denis were out next with Whole Lotta Love, and were unbelievable. They did all their signature moves, including the hand to hand lift into a somersault (my personal favourite) a beautiful overhead lift, and great speed. These are a couple I don't generally like, and I wasn't sure Led Zepplin would exactly suit them, but it was a good match.

I've seen this piece on tv, and it's been another one that kinda goes past me. I don't dislike it as such, but it seemed a little bland. In person, it was spellbinding. She was wearing a pink dress, and looked a little nervous at first, but she was lovely. The music is light and delicate, and the choreography is perfect for it. She was a little deep on the landing of the triple toe, but she had a nice double axel, and she nailed the triple salchow. It was as fine a one as any I've ever seen! She was smiling the whole way through her routine, and I'm so glad she did well.

When the best thing you can say about a routine is that a least the costume is better, you're in serious trouble, and that's all I can say here. I'd seen her do this in the polo neck and leopard skin pants, and was shocked that such a lovely woman, with such usually perfect dress sense could even think of wearing them. She had changed into a black dress, which I think she also wore on the US tour, and she looked fantastic. However, I hate the song, I hate the way Cher sings it, and the choreography leaves me cold. Least said, soonest mended.

In a word, wow. He had a minor splat on the triple flip, and doubled the lutz, but it didn't matter. Seeing this routine live, with spotlights, it is so much more powerful than it is on the tv, and that's saying something. The spirals and spread eagles sequences were so beautiful, and when he did the knee slide, he was sliding right towards us. Trying to describe what I was feeling looking at this just doesn't work. I'm lost for words. So much emotion, so much passion, so much intensity….simply amazing.

WHO decided to put these back to back? Can anyone tell me? To see two masters of the ice skate two such intensely dramatic programs one after the other was a gift. They are two totally different skaters, with different styles and personalities, but give them the ice as a canvas and they can both wring every drop of emotion out of you. I so wanted to see this routine, and I only hope the telecast shows it. I want this on tape!! At the beginning, when he turns and looks around, and the lights shine on the arena, I began to cry. I've heard it said many times, but it's so true. You really do feel like he's looking right at you. I could nearly hear what he'd said about his view right then being the best view in the world, but as someone pointed out last October, the best view in the house was ours, just to see him skate. I'd never seen him skate live, and I'd certainly never seen him skate "serious" but it was a revelation. The man is a genius. I can't tell you the technical content, save to say he landed a couple of triples and no falls, because I was crying so much. It was a truly special moment.

This I had seen on tv, and live it worked even better. It is such a clever program, and the two of them stay in character right the way through. The facial expressions were only priceless, and so was the interaction between the two of them. The tango steps were great, and I'm a person who cannot stand the tango. I love that they're still going strong 14 years after winning Olympics. They are truly a class act, and that's why they are so great. (Pasha, are you watching?)

Because we're in Germany (and I'm guessing that Scott Hamilton doesn't have the German to pull this off) Katarina played the "Swifty" role. I'm pretty sure that the names have changed, but since I couldn't understand a word, I'll just play it by ear. Scott was a judge, along with Elena, Denis, Chris and Brian. Jayne was the skating mom, (Ivana Medal) and Roz was her daughter. Josee was the nice, sweet one. Kurt, Renee, Gorsha and Paul kept their roles. Here, let me just say to anyone who ever advised us to keep an eye on Paul during this skit, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! He was absolutely hilarious and never dropped his character for a moment. Because the bench where they were all sitting was at the opposite end of the rink, we could keep an eye on Paul hamming it up while the others were doing their thing on centre ice. I loved the way he did the little shimmys right as Renee and Gorsha were doing theirs! His "I believe in you" with Roz and Josee was really sweet. Renee and Gorsha were fantastic too – you didn't have to know that they were interpreting the South American red ant to get what they were doing! I can't really say anything you guys don't already know, the story didn't seem to change that much. Kurt looked to me to have done a double axel, but Katarina called it a triple (the only German I have is identifying jumps, comes from looking at too much skating on German satellite) so who am I to argue? He did manage to get off his triple toe- triple toe combination (and the second one was just about there!) which Katarina as "Swifty" struggled to call. "Double-double? Triple-double? Triple-triple!" The expression on Kurt's face when she finally got it was great! At the end, she got up on the podium and kissed him (I think I got a picture of that!) and then pushed him off. Very, very funny! I have to mention though, the lung power of those skaters! When Josee and Roz saw they had the same outfit (last year's opening outfits BTW) you could hear Josee scream all over, and she kept it up as Paul chased after her out of the arena. And even though the judges were at the opposite side of the rink from us, when Renee and Gorsha scared them ,we could hear them all scream too. A classic piece.

So then we had intermission, and for me a chance to change the film in my dad's super-duper camera without breaking it. This accomplished, I was in for a nice surprise when someone came up to me and Nora, asking which one of us was Jeanine. It was Mathias, who is on the Paul Wylie list, and he's the one who sent me all the information about the show. I hadn't been able to get in touch with him to arrange a meeting place, but he had the seat numbers, so he came down.

When the second half started, we learned just how good our seats were. When the muses walked by I could have almost reached out and grabbed Paul Wylie. (I considered it, but said maybe not) We lost them for a while when they went up the far side of the arena, but found them again later. I'd love to be able to tell you all who won the race, but there was a light on the opposite side of the rink shining right behind the skaters, right into our faces. I couldn't see a thing. Colour me not happy!

These are a pair that have never really done anything for me, but this routine was lovely. Far better than Anissina and Peizerat's turn at it. They have a nice chemistry, and this is the first time I've seen Renee with her hair short. She looks fantastic, it takes years off her.

Aside from Paul Wylie, the main draw for me was Brian Orser. I didn't even know if he'd be here, but I came anyway. Allow me to digress for a moment, but I have loved this man since the Sarajevo Olympics, and we get to see him all to infrequently. The only thing I have him on tape in is "The Planets", and the last time I saw him skate was at World Pros in 1993 (?) when he did "Deeply Dippy" He was the first skater I ever truly worshipped, and to see him skate - and skate this- is more than I could have hoped for. He is looking fantastic! I love the new shorter hair. I love the costume. I love the skating. I love the fact that even though he didn't do one triple jump, and didn't look happy with himself, it didn't matter, the program was still brilliant. I love his double axels. I love the line, the musicality, the passion, the emotion, the MAN!!! (Betcha never guessed) This was a highlight of the show. I was aswoon.

Her Muse with the guitar was most definitely Scott Hamilton. There was a bit of cute interaction when she came out, but the highlight was Scott backstroking off the ice, as if he was swimming! I missed a couple of seconds of the routine for that, it was hysterical! I love this routine, and I love Roz as a skater, but I thought it came off better live than it did on tv. At Ice Wars, some of the moves she did, the dance moves, looked a little jerky, but here they looked totally natural. She loves to skate, and it's so obvious. She's another one I'm glad I got to see live.

I thought Nora was going to faint. This was, for her, the highlight of the show. And it was pretty darn good! Kurt's footwork is, aside from Scott, the best in the business. He didn't do the triple axel, but he nailed the triple loop (?) out of the spread eagle, and the double axel from nowhere out of footwork. And that long spread eagle around the rink – just awe-inspiring. We were the wrong side of the ice to see his face however….not that that's such a bad view…..The German crowd loved him.

The first time I saw this pair skate as pros was at Landover in 1994 (You Don't Bring Me Flowers). That was also the last time I saw them do something I liked. It's not that I don't like them, they just don't do anything for me. This routine was a real eye-opener. They have so much more chemistry and warmth in person than they do on tv, and their technique is flawless. She nailed the throw, and the lifts, including my favourite one, were incredible. They also had some of their signature death spiral variations. Much more playful than they usually are, and even the fact that it was Russian folk music didn't put me off (unlike their Kalinka) Another nice surprise.

I always liked this routine, but it was all the better for having suffered through her first routine! She's still vintage Katarina in it, but there's more life and sparkle in it than in the other one. The crowd loved it, and she smiled through the whole thing. The only problem was a singled axel, but she fixed it up later.

I was all set to bawl my eyes out during this, Marten had even lent me his handkerchief for just such an occurrence (thanks Marten) However, I didn't, in part because he looked so joyful and so happy. He got the triple toe, which I whooped over, all the more so because I realised he was going to do his triple lutz right across from us. Not in front of us. Not at the other end of the rink. RIGHT ACROSS FROM US!! Happy me. Unfortunately, Paul had the weirdest fall I've ever seen. You know how they sit on the edge on the long glide to set up the jump? Well, when he raised his free leg to pick, it was like he went right over the toe rake on his skating foot, and gravity did the rest. Down he went. He didn't get to pick or rotate or anything! He just laughed and shook his head and kept going, a bit behind the music, but he got it back on the flying sit, and did his gorgeous Ina Bauer and his signature spread eagles at the end. Everyone else was going "What a shame" Not me. I was thinking "Re-skate!!" But that's another story…….

Due to the absence of Kristi and Katia, there was no Elvis medley.

First impressions were that I've never seen either of them look better. Chris was dashing in grey, and Jayne was stunning in a peachy-orange dress. And the routine…this is what ice dancing is all about. (Pasha, take note) The chemistry between them was perfection. Aside from the backward roll, I couldn't describe a single move they did, but I know the unison and chemistry was awesome. And the final pose…..where he kisses her hand…..10. I was all prepared for Go the Distance or Story of My Life or With One More Look to be my favourite, but this one just sneaked up behind me and got to me. I loved it.

I was still blown away by Still Crazy but that's not the only reason I was more than a little distracted during this number. OK, Scott Hamilton is skating over there to my right, but much closer to me on the left, standing looking at him is Josee Chouinard. And who had his right arm around her? Kurt Browning. And who's standing on the right of them, looking as fine as fine could be, all in black from being a muse? Brian Orser. (Think of my earlier reaction to him) But from what I saw of the routine, it was hilarious. Great skating, great footwork, a couple of triples, did I see three double axels in a row there? What great costumes- especially the tail! And I loved the way the hat came down! Genius. Loved it.

Where do you look? I tried to see everyone, and managed it, but what they were all doing, I haven't a clue. Great finale, with plenty of interaction between the skaters. What more can you say?

So, the cast took their bows, flowers were given, Katarina made a little speech, and the car was raffled. All that was left was to go home, right? Wrong!

As expected, first out was Paul to do his triple lutz. First attempt was a double, and he didn't hold the landing position, the leg dropped right away. He wanted that triple! You want to try again Paul? Go right ahead, we insist! Stay all night if you have to! So they cued the music again, he started skating and……NAILED a perfect triple lutz, right out of the top drawer. It was fabulous. The crowd went crazy, and his smile was a mile wide. Added bonus – because he'd gone out of time with the music after the fall, he skated the number the whole way through to the end. I thought before had passion and joy! This was perfect, just perfect. There can be no other word for it. At the end, I whooped and hollered and waved my 6.0 for all I was worth.

The other re-skate was Katarina, re-doing her axel in Man Of La Mancha. She missed the first one, I don't know why because of all the people standing (people had come down during the bows, and would they sit again? No) but she nailed it the second time around. After that, it really was time to go home.

So there you have it, Stars on Ice in Germany. Was it worth it? Absolutely. All my favourites were there (ok, most of them) and I got to see Brian Roz and Paul before they retire. And I got to see stuff I'd never see anywhere else – Fun and Games was priceless, even if I didn't understand a word. If there's any better ways to spend a Saturday night, I can't think of many!