Last year during the Speed World Championships in Haining we had to realize as well as in sport the Chinese economic growth was producing positive effects: high level facilities, leading organizational skills, very good athletes, who could fight for the top positions. Even in figure skating there is a great excitement and enthusiasm, that has brought to the request for cooperation to the FIRS President Sabatino Aracu, a request that had a ready reply.
Sara, will you tell us about your experience in China?
More than from a technical point of view, this stage has represented for me an extraordinary opportunity for human enrichment, as always happens when you come in contact with a little known civilization. I enjoyed very friendly people, for which hospitality is not a duty, but a pleasure, athletes, coaches, managers, many new friends who, for two weeks, made every effort to facilitate my work on the rink and to organise pleasant unforgettable non- working moments.
And the stage, how was it organised?
We have followed the outlines of the traditional stages with technical lessons, athletic training and choreography in which I was helped by my son Andrea Aracu. All this was in the context of a sport system, that has very advanced features. The fifteen athletes which I have followed, live , study and practice their sport in a big school in the old part of Shanghai and in the same school, on the fourth floor, there is this beautiful sport facility dedicated to skating in which all trainings took place. Apart from these two weeks, it is clear that the work under such conditions can be productive and effective. Everything is organised and planned, sport is rightly regarded as a fundamental part in the development of young people, a priority that is addressed with the direct involvement of state and school structures. As confirmation of this, the visit, during the stage, of the most important political and sport authorities of the Chinese Government, an attestation of regard, for which I thank also on behalf of the International Federation.
Which kind of athletes have you found?
I had the pleasure of working with good skaters, athletes who have impressed me for the desire to learn, the enthusiasm, discipline, education, qualities that I do not always find in Italy or in other countries, in which I work. Often, in the evening, after a day’s work on the rink they came in our rooms for more information or for improvised choreography lessons. Sure they have some technical problems, maybe lack of competitive experiences at high level, but I am sure that the undertaken road is the right one. Especially if this method of work will be extended to very young people.
Which are the most important events of Chinese skating?
The agonistic activity is based heavily on the National Championship and the selection for the Asian Games, the most important international event. I hope that my contribution could bring to a regular participation in the World Championships and in the International Stages, that are important moments of growth. I hope that FIRS and the International Chinese Federation could work together for the realisation of a very big event of figure skating in China. I think that this would give the final push to the affirmation of a movement, that has a great potential. I take this opportunity to thank Ms Lin Yie Vice President of the Chinese Roller Federation and Mr. Huang Qiang Secretary General; Ms Fang Fang Secretary General of the Skating Association of Shanghai; Mr Yang Zhonghua and Mr. Huang Guoqiang managers of the Skating Association of Shanghai; all the trainers Wang Yi Ying, Tian Liu, Ma Yun, Ma Xiao Juan, Ling Feng.
The whole group skaters/trainers with Sara Locandro and Andrea Aracu Training on the rink Andrea Aracu with a very young skater Athletic training Lunch with the authorities of the Chinese Federation Choreography Toast with Mr Fang Fang, Secretary General of the Shanghai Skating Association Chinese authorities on the rink Mr Huang Qiang Secretary General of the Chinese Federation and Ms. Lin Je, Vice President of the Federation
