2002 Winter Olympic Games

Salt Lake City/USA, Feb. 08 - 24, 2002

Hope for the Olympic Games
The German National Olympic Committee has announced to let Kati Winkler & Rene Lohse skate at the Olympics without the formerly requirements due to Rene Lohses injury. Kati and Rene had been required to place at least eighth at the European Championships in Lausanne from 12. to 16. January 2002. Now Rene only has to pass a fitness test until 25th Januar 2002.


Winkler/Lohse place 8th in the Compulsories at Olymipcs

In their first competition this season, Kati Winkler and Rene Lohse placed 8th in the Compulsory Dances on Friday 15 February in Salt Lake City. They performed both Quickstep and Blues well, only seemed to hold back a bit in the Blues.

"I was already tired at this point", Kati explained. The Germans skated next to last in the second dance.

Their ordinals were mixed. They ranged from 7th (LTU, AZE, GER) to 10th (BUL, RUS) in the Quickstep and from 7th (ISR, AZE, POL, GER) to 9th (UKR, SUI) in the Blues.

"We are relieved and happy," Kati said. "It could have been much worse. We didn't know what to expect as the judges hadn't seen us all season." "This result shows that the judges are still accepting us", Rene added.

Winkler/Lohse drew starting number 18 for the Original Dance on Sunday 17 February.


Winkler/Lohse stay in 8th after the OD

Kati Winkler/Rene Lohse defended their 8th place successfully in the OD. They delivered a good Tango and Flamenco that featured strong footwork and nice lifts, but seemed to be holding back a little bit. The marks ranged betweeen 5.2. to and 5.4 for composition and between 5.3 and 5.6 for presentation. The Germans had mixed ordinals: 7th places (from GER, ITA, ISR), 8th places (POL, LTU, BUL), ninth places (SUI, AZE) and one tenth place from the Russian judge.

"Each practice is stressful, because the judges are watching", Kati said. "We have competition all week long! You can't relax in practice." They were overall happy with the performance. "There was a little wobble in the lift, but we're glad to have skated through the program well. This is only our first competition this year. Tomorrow is the last day, and we'll attack again." Rene added that his knee isn't bothering him.


Winkler/Lohse finish 8th at Olympics

For Kati Winkler/Rene Lohse, it was a difficult year and a difficult competition but they finished on a high note, defending their 8th place in the Free Dance on Monday (18 Feb) at the Olympic Winter Games. Kati and Rene performed their complete Free Dance "Ragtime" for the first time in competition and for the first time in front of an audience other than federation officials. They did it well. Their program is funny and entertaining. It contains nice moves, lifts and strong footwork.

Winkler/Lohse received marks from 5.2 to 5.4 for technical merit and from 5.4 to 5.6 for presentation. Their ordinals were spread out from 6th (Lithuania) to 10th (RUS and BUL).

"We needed a lot of mental strength in this event", Rene commented. "I'm so happy with what we've done", Kati told the press. "I'm extremly proud." They had all reason to be and it looks like they are getting into gear for Worlds to challenge again.

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