Castelli and Shnapir share affinity for historic city by SARAH S. BRANNEN AND TROY SCHWINDT Boston is arguably America’s greatest
sports city. Its legendary fans bleed support for every home team, be it the Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox or even tiny Boston College. Next month, Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir will feel that love — and it’s intense. Skating at Boston’s TD Garden, Castelli
and Shnapir will be the “home team” as they try to defend their 2013 pairs title at the 2014 Pru- dential U.S. Figure Skating Championships. And in true Boston fashion, the stands will be packed with loyal family, friends and fans. “We are going to have a big cheering sec-
tion,” Castelli said. “All of Te Skating Club of Boston is going to have a big cheering section. I can’t wait. It’s a great venue. I’m going to be less nervous, because I’m going to have everyone supporting me there.” Castelli, 23, and Shnapir, 26, are among
seven senior Team USA skaters who train at Te Skating Club of Boston. Te historic club has produced numerous champions, including Olympic gold medalists Tenley Albright and Dick Button. As the hub of one of America’s premiere skating regions, expect the crowd to have a distinctly New England accent. Castelli, who lives minutes from “Te
Club,” was born and raised in Rhode Island, a mere 50 miles from Boston. She started skating in Massachusetts when she was 15, first at the Colonial Figure Skating Club. “Occasionally Simon and I would do an exhibition at Te Skating Club (of Boston),” Castelli said. “I loved the environment at the
rink, so that drove me to follow my coach Bob- by Martin there to train with Ross Miner and Stephen Carriere and everyone. Tere was great motivation there.” Now, with an Olympic team berth on the line, Castelli is excited to have the opportunity to skate so close to home. “At first I was kind of terrified to share
such a personal moment with so many in the crowd that we are probably going to know,” Castelli said. “My family from Rhode Island is all coming. Tey’ve never seen me skate live be- fore. I didn’t know if I could handle it, but now I’m thinking it will be an amazing experience that most people never get to share with the ones they love.” Shnapir is pure Boston. Although
born in Moscow, his parents moved to the suburbs when he was an infant. Shnapir attended Emerson College, in the heart of the city, and can navigate the tight streets like a seasoned taxi driver. And like all dyed-in-the-wool Boston sports fans, he’s spent plenty of time in TD Garden. “We got a chance to skate there
a couple of weeks ago,” Shnapir said. “We did a little media day with other skaters at the club and we got a feel for the ice and feel for the stands. I’ve been to so many Bruins games and Celtics games, but sitting in the stands is one thing. When you get on that ice and you look out at the black and yellow seats, it’s a bit
“Boston is a lot smaller than New York and it’s got a lot of life, but it’s not so big that you get lost. It’s pretty easy to find your way around; it feels more homey. It feels closer-knit. Getting from neighborhood to neighborhood is pretty easy — you can easily make your way from one end of the city to the other in 20 minutes.”
SIMON SHNAPIR
28 DECEMBER 2013
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