Answers

2002/2003 Figure Skating Season

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Kati, hello Rene,
I want to ask if the rumors are true that you want to quit your career after the 2004 Worlds? Of course it's your decision, but it would be such a pity!
I wish you all the best for the upcomming World Championships.
Edith
Neuss, NRW - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 01:29:01 (MET)
 

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Edith,
actually it is not a rumor that we are thinking of quitting our competitive career after the 2004 Worlds. We can't skate forever :-) The 2004 World Championships in Germany could be a nice conclusion of our career. But already now we are deciding from year to year if we continue and on what we are focussing in the next season.
Best wishes,
Kati and René

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Kati & René,
I wish you all the best at the World Championships in Washington. And belated congratulations to your 5th place at the European Championships.
I would have liked Silvio being placed higher. I like his skating very much. Isn't he training in Oberstdorf too?
And please don't forget: Do not turn pro too early. I heard rumors you want to turn pro after the 2004 Worlds in Dortmund.
When are you going to train in Oberstdorf the next time? After the Worlds I mean?
Best wishes
Doro
Saturday, February 8, 2003 at 20:00:42 (MET)
 

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Doro,
thank you very much for your greetings. Yes, Silvio is training in Oberstdorf often, but weekdays he is usually in Ulm where he studies. After the Worlds we will train in Oberstdorf  for a week and then we will join the Germany Tour. Maybe we go on short holiday afterwards. In June we sure will return to prepare for the new season.
We are deciding from year to year if we turn pro or not. Until now we think the 2004 Worlds could be a good final for our competitive career. Let's see... :-)
Best wishes from Oberstdorf
Kati and René

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Kati and René!
At first: Congratulations, you showed wonderful programs at the Europeans.
René, I hope you do not hang your head because of the fall. I guess you already did analyse it and it will not happen again at the Worlds . Did Gwendal gave you advice how to get over it? Both could handle it quite good two years ago..
Best wishes and keep healthy,
Yours   
Nina Kamp
Mönchengladbach - Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at 14:00:31 (MET)
 

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Nina,
thank you very much for your nice words. We almost got over it and have already analysed the situation with our coach. We are motivated for the next event, no prob. We talked to Gwendal too. As they were in the same situation it was actually worse....
Bets wishes,
Kati and René

Dears Kati and René,
I have been disappointed for you when I have seen René falled because I have been afraid that the judges turn the occasion to account you sixth and you can't participate at the gala. I think you merit the third rank with yours very good programs and Navka-Kostomarov going up very fast just in one year (it's always for the Russians), but I know you can't speak about that. My question is why are you change your last fantastic lift in your free program? Excuse my english, I hope you understand me. Good luck for the world championships. I kiss you affectionately.
Sabine from France.
JUGE SABINE
France - Monday, January 27, 2003 at 03:10:26 (MET)
 

Hello Sabine,
thank you again for your nice words, yes it was not very easy again in Europeans, but we are motivated for the next competitions. The last lift in the free program we had to change because of some judges told us in Gelsenkirchen it is not allowed and not to nice to look at. They always look for something they can deduct in our programs. Sometimes it is very hard, because some other couples have more things against the rules but we can not change this, you can always find something if you want. O.K, now you know why we changed... :-)
Greetings to you to France from
Kati and René

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Kati and Rene,
do you skate your "Ragtime" free dance at the Grand Prix Final as your second dance? Do you know whether the final will be shown on TV?
All the best, Kerstin.
Berlin, Deutschland - Tuesday, January 7, 2003 at 12:03:32 (MET)
 

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Kerstin,
we are going to skate our "Ragtime" free dance. We love this program and we could not skate it very often last season.
We don't know the TV schedule yet, maybe on Eurosport and maybe later this year.
Best wishes, Kati and René :-)

Hi Kati and Rene', Congratulations on earning your second trip to the Grand Prix Final. I watched your OD the other night on ESPN at the NHK Trophy and thought you both looked terrific. I loved your choice of German Music as well it seems to suit you both perfect. The free dance is being broadcasted here in the States on Sunday and I cant wait to see " Energy ". I do have a question to ask you though are there any other dance teams using a Polka section in there OD ? Susie Wynne said that alot of ice dance teams stay away from a polka because they perceive it to be too Corny and amateurish. I actually do enjoy it. Best Wishes to you both and I do look forward to seeing you both skate at the Grand Prix Finals.
Sean Maynard
Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.A. - Wednesday, December 4, 2002 at 01:27:40 (MET)
 

Hello Sean,
thanks for your congrats, we are so happy, that we could reach the final.
Now to your question. Yes, there are more couples using Polka in their OD, but mostly very classical written by Strauss, Polka from Grand Ball in Vienna. Ours is may be a little bit different, it is from Grand Ball times in Berlin, written for the Operette "Frau Luna", so it comes from Berlin.
Sending you best wishes and we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year
Kati and René

Aloha Kati and Rene,
I hope you still remember me, I posted questions a couple seasons ago but have been busy with college. So first of all I wanted to say congratulations on your bronze medal at the Bofrost Cup! And I was in my dorm room during the Olympics watching you skate. I was cheering you on! You were awesome.
My question is, you finished 2nd after the complusory dance, do you think the new judging system is good for the sport? Does the anonymous judging system make you more suspicious of judging conspiracy or you prefer it to be anonymous?
My last question is: I sense that you are so close to winning a world or european medal in the future. After the Bofrost Cup what improvements do you feel needs to be addressed to achieve that goal?
Mahalo Nui Loa and Best Wishes
Kris
Hawaii, United States - Monday, November 18, 2002 at 05:14:45 (MET)
 

Hello Kris,
thanks for your congratulation and greetings. Of course we remember you, and that we answered already some questions for you.
It was our first competition this season, after all the injuries last season, so we were happy how we skated there.
We still can not say much about the new judging system, maybe after the season more. But now there are some changes possible, as you could see.
It motivates us all more, when every competition is different in the end results.
But it will always stay a subjective sport, that's how it is, and it is still a hard way for us to get into the medals in Europeans or Worlds. But we always went our way and we will go on like that. We just love to skate for the audience...

Well, what do we want to improve in the next time? We already started to do some changes in the free dance to get more speed, and we will work more on the charakter of the programs. But we like our programs this year very much and we think, we always try to have a good idea behind it and we try to create new things...
O.k., Kris, we hope we could answer all your questions.
Sending you greetings from Germany Kati and René :-)

Bonjour Kati and René,
I saw your new free programm on ARD,it is the most innovating, very funny ( i would liked to see the judges'heads in the same time you're skating ), congratulations,i love it and i am desappointed because you have been only third.
Could you translate your interview in english because i understand just some words in german, thank you for all you bring in international skate. I'll write you again after European's championship. Good luck and kisses for you too.
Sabine from France
Sabine Juge
France - Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 01:55:26 (MET)
 

Bonjour Sabine,
thank you very much for your e-Mail and nice words. We also think, some judges were really surprised in the first moment, and they didn't like Renés hair.... :-) Unfortunately we can not translate this interview they have shown on TV to you, because we don't have it, and we don't remember. Sorry for that!!
Greetings to you to France Kati and René :-)

Translated from German (shortened): When I was reading your pages I discovered the photos from the fan club meeting last summer and I want to ask you, if there will be a meeting again next year?
Katarina
Berlin - Wednesday, November 6, 2002 at 16:33:11 (MET)
 

Translated from German: Hello Katarina,
thank you very much for your email. Our fan club has organized the last fan club meeting. We had very much fun this year. Please, ask the fan club directly for information on the next meeting. :-)
Best wishes to Berlin from Kati and René :-)

Hi Kati, hi René!
I am a French fan of ice-skating, and I really love you both!
I would like to ask you some questions about ice-skating, but above all, I would like to congratulate you for this web site, and also for your kindness-it's so kind of you to take the time to chat with your fans here!
So my question is about the first results of this new season. Indeed, I'm a little bit surprised of the placement of Albena Denkova and Maxim Stavinsky at the Skate Canada and the placement of Galit Chait and Sergei Sakhnovsky at the Skate America: both of them were only fourth, whereas they were among the very best last year. What do you think of that? Do you think the judgment is fair? Is it a result of the new judging system?
In any case, I hope that you are going to be fairly judged this year, and win a deserved medal at least at the Europeans!
I'm looking forward to seeing your new program at the Trophée Lalique.
I wish you the best for this new season!
Viel Glück!
Valérie
Amiens, France - Monday, November 4, 2002 at 22:05:20 (MET)
 

Hallo Valerie!
Thanks for your mail and your wishes. We also don't understand what happened with all the placements, we can't say anything, because we didn't see the couples until now. We will meet them this week in Gelsenkirchen, then we will know.
Unfortunately we will be not in Paris for the Trophee Lalique, because we skate Gelsenkirchen, Moscow and Japan. But our coach will be there with a younger couple Steinel/Tsvetkov. They practice with us here in Oberstdorf.
So let's see what the season will bring with the new judgement.
All the best to you and sorry, that we also can not tell you more about these surprising results in the first competitions... Kati and Rene :-)

Translated from German: Hello!
As far as I know Susanne Stadlmüller is training in Oberstdorf too. Do you know if her training is going on better? I have nothing heard of her for quite a long time.
Dorina
Thursday, October 3, 2002 at 16:17:55 (MET DST)
 

Translated from German: Hallo Dorina!
Yes, Susanne is feeling better, she had big problems with her foot, a bursa inflammation.
I think, she will be back on competitions soon. She is already training on the ice. :-)
Best regards from Kati and René

Translated from German (shortened): Hallo!
Actually my question has nothing to do with you but I am interested in your opinion. You have probably heard that Marina Anissina has been accused of allegedly knowing from a deal to fix the results of the Olympic pairs event. What do you think about that? You know her personally. I hope, her innocence will soon be proved.
Good luck for the 2002/03 season!
Best wishes,
Maria
Thun, Schweiz - Monday, September 30, 2002 at 16:47:26 (MET DST)
 

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Maria!
Unfortunately we don't know much about that. It's quite possible that Marina did know this man but we can't imagin that she was informed of a deal.
That cheating is a part of your sport is well known since many years. It is a pity that now the Olympic competitions are shown in that bad light.
We all have hard trained, Marina and Gwendal too, and we think they deserved the Olympic Gold medal. The ISU should focus on the future of figure skating. Maybe the new scoring system can make the competitions fairer. Let's wait and see.
Best regards,
Kati and René

Translated from German (shortened): Hi Kati, hi Rene,
I didn't visited your website for a long time and I am glad to read you both are well. I wish you all the best for this season.
Question 1: What's this year's original dance and what did you choose?
Question 2: What's your free dance for this year?
Question 3: Do you have any news from your competitors? Who did end the competitive career? There are inconsistant information on the Net. Who are Yagudin, Lindemann,...
Question 4: How is your preparation going on compared to the former years? I have read you do not participate at North American competitions this year?
Question 5: Did you understand the new scoring system? Do you think it's fair?
Bye, Euer
Juan Gonzalez
Frankfurt/M., Hessen, Deutschland - Friday, September 27, 2002 at 16:07:58 (MET DST)
 

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Juan,
well, that are quite much questions :-) We are fine and preparing for Gelsenkirchen.
Question 1: This year's original dance is, well, a little bit boring for us. We have to skate a medley choosen from the rhythms Waltz, Polka, Gallopp or March. At least two and not more then three of this rhythms. It's called "Memories of the Grand Ball" by the ISU. Sounds like Strauss, Strauss ... traditional Ballroom dancing...But we are skating to an operetta by Paul Linke: Frau Luna (plays in Berlin). We have a piece of March, a Waltz and a Polka. You probably know the melody: "Das ist die Berliner Luft". It's cheerful, sung in German and is fun to skate. Let's see, how the judges like it...
Question 2: We have choosen a modern free dance. We did again work with the choreographer of our "Millenium" free dance. Our new free dance is called "Energy". The music mainly is from Safri Duo. The slow part is very powerful, e-guitar from the Dire Straits.
Question 3: We don't have much information about our competitiors. Maybe some Arabic or Indian music?? No idea, we let us surprise. The Lithuanians and the French did definitly quit their competitive career, as to the Italians I am not sure. Stefan Lindemann is fine. As to Yagudin we have been told, that he is touring with "Stars on Ice" through U.S. and later decides on participating the Worlds? No idea, really, we are too busy with other things.
Question 4: Due to René shoulder injury earlier this summer we are slightly behind our plans, but our preparation goes well and we will be ready for Gelsenkirchen. It was not possible to choose an earlier compatition, that's why we do not skate in North America.
Question 5: Frankly, we did not had much time yet to think about the new scoring system. I don't think it will cause big changes, maybe nothing. In any case the results are more coincidantal and maybe this reduces the possibility of manipulations. Let's see what happens. It's still most important to skate as best as possible and skate for the audience. We just do enjoy our sport and no judge can spoil our fun. After all the injuries we are glad to be able to continue at all!
Best regards from Oberstdorf from Kati and Rene

Translated from German: Hallo! How are you? I hope, you are fine! At first Happy Birthday René! Belated greetings because my brother's birthday is also Sep. 23th.
Are you training between 30.09.02-11.10.02 in Oberstdorf? Please, could you answer this quite immediate because we want to spend our holidays in Oberstdorf! Greetings, Julia
Julia Brunner
Flieden, Hessen, Deutschland - Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 21:31:10 (MET DST)
 

Translated from German: Hello, Julia
yes, except at a few days (off or in Munich for our costumes) we are training in Oberstdorf. We wish you wonderful holidays in Oberstdorf and maybe we can meet at the rink.
Best wishes Kati and Rene

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Kati and René!
At first I want to tell you that I think you are great! My questions: I am often thinking on Sarah Abitbol but her Website has not been updated since February. Do you know whether she recovered from her Achilles' tendon injury. Did she start training again?
PS: Kati, is that true with you and Gwendal? I hope yes, you both are so sweet together!! 
Annika Bergmann
Hamburg, Deutschland - Tuesday, September 3, 2002 at 20:44:40 (MET DST)
 

Translated from German: Hello, Annika!
yes, as far as we know Sarah Abitbol and Stephane Bernadis are training. But we have no further details. And as to Gwendal and me, I am often asked about that. I guess someone did misunderstand when I said we are friends. He is one of my best friends in the crazy skating world but we have no relationship.
Regards to Hamburg from Kati and René

Hi Kati & Rene !!
Best wishes to You from Poland!! I have a question about Your new free dance. What music did you choose this season?
Bye,
Asia
Ostroda, Poland - Sunday, July 28, 2002 at 15:24:04 (MET DST)
 

Hello, Asia
Unfortunately we can not tell you in the moment to much about our music, because it is still not ready and we will only talk about it, when it is really sure. It is so late, because Rene was very long injured now and we could start skating again just in the last days now. Sorry, that we can not tell you more for now.
Bye and greetings from Oberstdorf Kati and Rene

Hi I'm planing a trip to Germany in 2nd half of July and would realy love to see you guys train do you mine people watching you? Are there many other secions to train in at your rink? And how would I find out where it is?
Jo
Perth, WA, Australia - Friday, June 14, 2002 at 16:58:55 (MET DST)
 

Hello Jo,
we really don't mind people watching us in practice, we even like it. And we always enjoy to skate for some people. In end of July we are may be on the ice, because in the moment René is injured, but we hope to start again in end of July, beginning of August. The rink is not hard to find, because the village Oberstdorf (2 hours from Munich) is very small and it is signed well, where the rink is. So no problem! We are looking forward to see you in our practice place. :-)
Kati and Rene

Translated from German: Hello René!
i am just spending my holidays in Oberstdorf and I am missing you at the rink. Is it true that you are injured? I have heard the wildest rumors.
Greetings,
Beate Fischer
Oppenheim, Deutschland - Monday, May 27, 2002 at 10:54:41 (MET DST)
 

Hello, Beate
yes, that's true. Rene suffered an injury at a bicycle accident, he has three torn ligaments in his shoulder. It will need about eight weeks until we can train together again. But we will train separately on the ice in the near future.
Best wishes from Kati and Rene

Translated from German: Hello Kati and Rene!
I am already very curious of the new season. That's why I would like to know the new compulsory rhythms. Do you have already a new free dance music or an idea? If not, when are you going to choose your new one? And could you tell me about the new programs of other dance couples?
Thank you very much,
Dorina
Heidelberg, BaWü, Deutschland - Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 22:16:44 (MET DST)
 

Translated from German (shortened): Hello, Dorina
Unfortunately we have no news for the moment. At present we are still looking for new ideas. I guess we won't choose our new program before July. We also have no information on the other skaters yet.
The rhythms for the original dance are any two or three choosen of March, Waltz, Polka and/or Galop. The rhythm combination is called "Memories of the Grand Ball".
Best wishes Kati and Rene

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Kati and René
you wrote about your good relationships with other ice dancers. What's about the single skaters f.e. Irina Slutskaya, Evgeni Plushenko or Jamie Salé and David Pelletier?
When will you start the training of the new programs? Just after the "old" season or do you have a holiday break before?
Which rhythms to you prefer, Tango and Flamenco or rather Waltz or something different?
My last question: Do you actually believe in God?
Best wishes and good luck for the next season!!
Eva
Freiburg im Breigau, Baden Württemberg, Deutschland - Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 12:06:24 (MET DST)
 

Translated from German (shortened): Hello Eva,
of course we have also a good relation to single skaters like Alexej, Evgeni Plushenko and Sale/Pelletier (both did skate at the German tour Stars on Ice) and many more. But mainly we have contact to the ice dancers, if only because we skate together in the same training group.
We are going to start with our training in June. At present we have a few days off followed by two weeks training camp at the Azores. Of course we are already looking for new ideas but we won't decide before July or August.
As to our favourite dances, hard question. Actually we prefer Tango and Latin American dances but we must skate all others too :-) Dancing in any form is beautiful.
The question regarding God is difficult too. I believe, that there are many things between earth and heaven that are beyond human's mind. I think also that faith can move montains. Especially being in difficult situations faith can help you very much. All in all I would cautiously answer, yes.
Best wishes from Oberstdorf from Kati and Rene

Zurück