IN S YN C H
did it accidentally before a good skate and I have done it ever since.
:KDW ZDV LW OLNH EHLQJ D ÀUVW WLPH Team USA member competing abroad?
Tessa Ostermann, Fond du Lac Blades I don’t think I was able to grasp the idea The Skyliners show their team spirit while waiting to board a plane at JFK International Airport in New York City.
star-struck, including myself, because they are two of my favorite skaters of all time, so that was pretty amazing. Tey wished us luck and we were able to get a photo with them once we got off the plane before heading our separate ways.
How did you overcome the jet lag? Olivia Johnston, Chicago Jazz
When we travel internationally, we take an
overnight flight to make the transition easier. On the morning of our arrival in Zurich, we drove to the capital of Switzerland, Bern, and did a walk- ing tour of the city to walk off our jet lag. On our tour we learned a lot about the city of Bern and the country of Switzerland.
Did the team prepare differently at this competition compared to an event held in the United States? Ana Kostovic, Fond du Lac Blades
Troughout the entirety of our time in
Switzerland, especially on competition day, we tried to stay in the mindset that this was just an- other competition and our goal was the same as for any other domestic competition. We came to skate two strong and clean programs, and to do so, we proceeded as we normally would at U.S. competitions. We ate our meals together, ran our programs off ice, did our hair and makeup to- gether, and warmed up with our usual warm-up routine. Tis helped keep us calm and focused on our goal.
What did you think of the city of Neuchâtel? Jessica Neuman, Fond du Lac Blades
When we finally got to Neuchâtel, after ex-
ploring Lucerne and Bern in a desperate attempt to fight jet lag, it was already quite dark. Not seeing the city upon arriving, though, was worth it. I woke up to a pinkish-orange sunrise behind the Alps, with a view of a lake silhouetted by the Alps behind it due to the fog on my left and a cluster of houses and buildings scattered up the hillside to my right. Every building captured the beauty of the new and the old. Te colors varied so much and each building featured immense detail that is sometimes now lost on the more commercial areas of our world. Te alleyways and connecting streets that held all the little
SKATING 67
shops were absolutely mesmerizing. Switzerland captured my heart in more ways than one.
Giving good luck gifts is a tradition at international events. Did you receive any fun gifts? Amanda Angulo, Chicago Jazz
We love to get postcards and little candies
from other teams. It’s usually difficult to visit with the teams we compete against because of scheduling, so getting a postcard with a photo and a good-luck message from our competitors means a lot to our team. We look forward to checking the mailboxes at the competition rink every day to see the candies and little gifts from countries all over the world.
Do you have any traditions or super- stitions at competitions? Lily Brouwer, Skyliners
We all listen to “Defying Gravity” on the bus on the way to the competition. Since we didn’t have a bus, we played it on our boom box as we walked. We also listen to an inspirational Nike ad to pump us up. Individually, I need to put one skate on before my dress and one after. I
of representing the United States until my team was about to go on the ice for our short program, and I was looking up into the stands where our parents were sitting. Instead of seeing “Blades” everywhere, I saw the American flag — little handheld ones and even a huge full-size flag. It was then that it finally hit me. I was no longer the 8-year-old trying to catch up to her friends by passing her pre-juvenile moves in order to join a team; I am an athlete that is competing on behalf of the United States of America. I felt proud, dedicated, accomplished and surprisingly calm. I felt I had a job to do, but it was one I could not only handle but I could embrace.
Did you try any new food in Switzer- land?
Casey Ouellette, Skyliners Overall, the food was very good. Because I
am gluten-free, I have to try new foods at inter- nationals instead of sticking with pizza or pasta as a “safe food.” I ordered horse steak and it was amazing. Most of my teammates tried it and or- dered it later. I also tried rosti, which was like a giant tater tot. How does competing at Neuchâ- tel compare to other international events?
Eri Lee, Chicago Jazz
Every international event is a different ex- perience because of the people, the food and the culture of the country. Neuchâtel is an amazing city and venue to compete at because the people are kind and the atmosphere of the city is uplift- ing, especially with the beautiful view of the lake. Competing in Switzerland is one of my favorite international competitions because of this and we are excited to have had this opportunity.
The Chicago Jazz perform their short program to selections from Chicago.
PHOTO BY MARISSA OLARTE
PHOTO BY JEN SAIS
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