Sparkassen Cup

November 7: I went to the Sparkassen Cup on this day to see the practice, first there was the dance practice and I saw Evgeni sitting at the rink behind me in a nearly-empty rink together with Alexander Abt, they watched the practice until it was time to the men practice, they went backstage and I couldn't wait to see Evgeni practice but then only Sasha and Vitali Danilchenko came on the ice. I thought were is Evgeni?? He came back alone to watch the practice, he was sitting in the last row and I was thinking will he practice later? But this was the group he was scheduled....as this practice session was over Sasha watched with Evgeni the practice of the others men skaters, that was the moment I knew that he will not practice, of course I was disappointed, and I was not able to visit the practice on the next days November 10: First of all I noticed that he has changed his costume, I think the critics forced him to change it but I don't think it was that bad...the black stripes and the laces on his trousers are gone. He skated the short program not as good as always but however it was breathtaking for me anyway. The run outs of his jumps were short and he had a shaky landing on the 3 axel, but there were rumors about a groin injury which I heard about it on German TV that same day. However his victory was in no way in danger, Timothy Goebel who was second after the sp had only marks of 5.3-5.7 in tech and 5.4-5.7 in pres and one 5.8. Evgeni's marks were: Tech: 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.7 5.8 5.8 5.6 Pres: 5.8 5.9 5.8 5.8 5.9 5.8 5.8 The music didn't change but it was said it will change, personally I don't care how many music pieces they are, the choreography and the music fits perfectly together. If you see that program live, you are amazed by his skating and you don't pay so much attention to the music. It sounds good for me...it is such a huge difference to see and hear it live at a competition than on TV. November 11: On this day it was the free skate and the exhibition, I still didn't know if he would skate Sex Bomb again or something new but I really wanted to see Sex Bomb with my own eyes. At the free skate he was the last to skate and I was a bit anxious if he can skate good today because of this injury rumor. He was skating again to his last season fs "Once upon a time in America". He said: "I am preparing a new routine, but it just wasn't ready because I want to work on other elements and other quads, and to go into a competition with a program that is not ready is not my level." I think he is right, it is better to wait until the program is ready and then we will get to see a fabulous program, I'm sure about it! During his program I didn't noticed anything from this injury, then I thought it can't be serious...at first like always he did his trademark jump combination 4 Toeloop - 3 Toeloop - 2 Loop clean!! And then 3 Axel-3 Toeloop, 3 Axel, 3 Salchow, 3 Lutz, 3 Loop, 3 Flip. The American judge gave him a 5.7, I don't understand it, the program was flawless and very expressive. He really improved this program. The marks were: Tech: 5.9 5.9 5.8 5.8 5.9 5.9 5.7 Pres:  5.9 5.9 5.8 5.9 5.9 5.9. 5.9 I was amazed how he skated such a great program with all the technical difficulties with that ease! If he goes on like that he will have no troubles to win the Olympics. Mishin said that he is not in his top form yet, I wonder how he will skate in top form, can this be better? At the exhibition he was also the last to skate, I couldn't wait to see what he will skate, I was lurking if I can see him standing at the boards what costume he has on and I saw him shortly before he skated in a corner with his Sex Bomb costume and I thought "YES" I'm going to see that program, I never thought I would see it live ;-) It was gorgeous and very funny as always and the highlight of it was at the encore as he spontaneously took that girl who was on the ice at that moment and he danced with her, which was funny and cute! All photos © by Petra Eubel Photos of the Sparkassen Cup