The cream of French skating in Niort

The skating french team makes a post-Olympic tour (from 4 to 27 April 2014) and will be in the Niort rink Friday, April 18, 2014 (tickets on sale at the Tourist Office).

Always looking for topics for the blog, Alexandra throws me : "It would be nice to have an interview with one of the skaters". I say, "OK , why not Brian Joubert ? It is a little step the regional". Banco ! It remains only to join the Poitevin skater. After a few calls at the Niort rink and the French Skating Federation, I can join Brian Joubert who willingly agreed to answer my questions. Is made ​​an appointment Thursday, March 27, 2014 at the Poitiers rink. Axel, Flip, Lutz... I review my vocabulary jumps, you never know... Brian arrives, is recognized by children in a school are being sport, is welcomed by educators. I also note a showcase dedicated to the champion. It is indeed in the second house of Brian !

What will be presented during this show ?
Brian Joubert : It is a spectacle of the France team, who participated in the Olympic Games, European Championships, the World Championships. These are exhibitions, not necessarily programs that we see in competition. There is no regulation so we are much more free to do what we want.

What this show special, more compared to another (ex : Holiday on Ice) ?
Brian Joubert : Compared to Holiday on Ice, we can say that this is a company that is well established. In terms of costumes, choreography, music, it's upscale. We are going to stand in the level will be significantly higher than a band because we are professionals. The elements that we will present in this gala are the same being done in competition but without the pressure of the jury and notes.

Who are the skaters that will be present ? Which are to follow next ?
Brian Joubert : There will be Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat, who are twice European champions in ice dance, bronze medalists at the world championships. Florent Amodio was European champion in 2011. Vanessa James and Morgan Ciprès which make them artistic couple. A pretty young team that promises for the future.
It will follow Florent, Morgan and Vanessa. Lénaëlle Gilleron-Gory, Maé-Bérénice Méité who are girls individually. Nathalie and Fabian will stop just like me.

All young retiree in competition, this tour with the french team should be special to you ?
Brian Joubert : Yes it's weird because I stopped for the Olympics in Sochi. This is the french team tour and I think that during this tour, I 'll realize that I'm out of this team. So this is a little special because it's been several years that has not done. We had stopped in 2008-2009 and it was expected. It will allow me to do some kind of “tour de France” to say goodbye to the audience.

What are your plans for the future ?
Brian Joubert : I have several solutions. Either I turn to the pro skating and I do shows. Either I try to pair skating but it is not easy because I have to find a partner and go abroad to train me. I do not know if I can do it but I feel like it nice to try. Otherwise I could coach but I must pass the new diplomas and degree takes about one year and a half, two years to get it.

Brian , you are a native of Poitiers, so you'll be the regional stage. What doses Niort rink represents for you ?
Brian Joubert : I know I most ancient ice rink, which no longer exists. This is where I made my competitions 3 or 4 times a year, so yes it's a lot of memories. I experienced recently the new rink by the shows but I 've never done competitions. Niort was a must see for my preparation.

More generally, what is Niort for you ?
Brian Joubert : I have family in Niort ! The side of my mother, I have aunts and uncles who live in Niort, Saint-Symphorien. My aunt lives 5 ​​minutes walk from the rink so I will not be lost for the show !