2018 Nebelhorn Trophy: a picture-perfect start of the season for the ladies’ Olympic champion

16-year-old Alina Zagitova was supposed to start her season in Bratislava, at “Ondrej Nepela” Trophy – but due to a bureacratic setback she ended up highlighting the anniversary edition of Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf. One of the oldest figure skating competitions, Nebelhorn Trophy turned 50 years this September, and an Olympic champion among the competitors was a beautiful gift to an event with so much history. Another Olympic champion was in the Kiss and Cry or near the boards – Aljona Savchenko now coaches the American pair Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim.

And this is the photo story of those who medalled in Oberstdorf. Enjoy their journey through programs, smiles.

LADIES
Gold: Alina Zagitova, Russia, 238.43 points
Silver: Mai Mihara, Japan, 209.22 points
Bronze: Loena Hendrickx, Belgium, 204.16 points

Alina Zagitova

SP: The Phantom of the Opera (soundtrack) by Andrew Lloyd Webber
(choreo. by Daniil Gleichengauz)
FS: Carmen by Georges Bizet (choreo. by Daniil Gleichengauz)

Alina, at the end of the short program segment of the ladies event in Oberstdorf

Top 3 ladies after SP

2018 Olympic champion started her season with a gold medal in Oberstdorf

Mai Mihara

SP: It’s Magic (from Romance on the High Seas), performed by Doris Day
(choreo. by David Wilson)
FS: Carlota (from The Mission soundtrack) by Ennio Morricone, Gabriel’s Oboe (Whispers in a Dream) by Ennio Morricone, performed by Hayley Westenra, Vita Nostra (from The Mission soundtrack) by Ennio Morricone
(choreo. by David Wilson)

Loena Hendrickx

SP: It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, performed by Celine Dion
(choreo. by Adam Solya)
FS: Diferente by Gotan Project
(choreo. by Adam Solya)

ICE DANCE
Gold: Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, Canada, 194.12 points
Silver: Rachel Parsons and Michael Parsons, USA, 180.95 points
Bronze: Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, USA, 177.49 points

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier

RD: Angelica’s Tango by Piernicola Di Muro
(choreo. by Juris Razgulajevs and Carol Lane)
FD: Vincent by Don McLean, performed by Govardo
(choreo. by Juris Razgulajevs and Carol Lane)

Holding the flag, the flowers and the trophy might be a difficult task – but one that is always done with a smile.

A pair of happy champions in Oberstdorf

Rachel Parsons and Michael Parsons

RD: Vuelvo al Sur by Medialuna Tango Project, Tango Cha by Sergio Belem
FD: To Build a Home by The Cinematic Orchestra feat. Patrick Watson

Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko

RD: Jalousie “Tango Tzigane” by Jacob Gade, performed by Katica Illenyi, Yo soy Maria
(from Maria de Buenos Aires) by Astor Piazzolla
FD: Tokio Myers medley

MEN
Gold: Keegan Messing, Canada, 257.16 points
Silver: Alexander Majorov, Sweden, 226.64 points
Bronze: Artur Dmitriev, Russia, 225.31 points

Keegan Messing

SP: You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman, performed by Michael Bublé
(choreo. by Lance Vipond)
FS: The Sober Down (from City Lights) by Charlie Chaplin,
The Reel Chaplin: A Symphonic Adventure, part 2 (choreo. by Lance Vipond)

Canada’s Keegan Messing, gold medalist in Oberstdorf

Alexander Majorov

SP: Bang Bang by Asaf Avidan
FS: The Man with the Golden Arm by Elmer Bernstein, From Russia With Love by John Barry,
Peter Gunn Theme by Herny Mancini, performed by The Blues Brothers

Artur Dmitriev

SP: Gladiator (soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer
FS: Crusadors of the Light by Globus, La Coronacion by Globus, Manuela by Globus

Artur Dmitriev and Alexander Majorov, bronze and silver medalists in Oberstdorf

PAIRS
Gold: Alisa Efimova and Alexander Korovin, Russia, 178.94 points
Silver: Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim, USA, 177.22 points
Bronze: Deanna Stellato and Nathan Bartholomay, USA, 174.91 points