STÉPHANE Lambiel An Artistic Vision For a New Generation
Stéphane Lambiel was regarded as not only one of the most elegant and artistic skaters of his era, but one who was the complete package.
The Swiss star had it all — jumps, technique and an artistry that seemed to come from his soul.
Many of his competitive programs, such as the Flamenco “Poeta,” “The Four Seasons,” and “William Tell Overture” are memorable, as are the innovative show numbers he has presented over the years.
And, despite a decade away from the competitive arena, his global fan base has remained steadfast.
Like all places in the world, life in Switzerland was brought to a halt by the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March. At the time, Lambiel was busy preparing his students for the World Championships in Montréal when he learned the event had been cancelled.
“The season ended unfortunately without the main goal of the athletes achieved,” he lamented. “It was hard for my skaters to accept this, and not to have this main goal anymore.”
Though the ice rink in Champéry — where his Skating School of Switzerland is based — remained open for a couple of weeks and skaters kept training, Lambiel said it was a strange situation. “The motivation was gone and the focus wasn’t there anymore. We asked ourselves many questions because we didn’t know what the future would hold. We were all a bit lost. Nevertheless, we continued to work until all the rinks were closed.
“What I did with my team was to put in place off-ice training right away, so
