Whole families of the skaters of our club participated in
the organization of the World championships, up to three generations
of people who have the same last name. We were breathing and
working as one like a big family dedicated to the same idea
and goal. Everything was wonderful including the fantastic
atmosphere on the stands where our loud and organized supporters
cheered on equipped with props one usually sees at an NBA
or NHL game… Looking at the videotapes it still feels like
a dream, like it all happened somewhere else, to someone else.
And it all happened here to us, we actively participated in
everything, we made our dreams a reality… So it feels good
to receive numerous congratulations and accolades for organization
from the highest ISU officials, judges, skaters, coaches,
parents, competitors, tourists…
This means that the city with the red-heart symbol, which
greeted everyone with open arms, love and warmth, created
unforgettable memories for all those who came and who will
hopefully come again next year to the fourth "Zagreb
Snowflakes Trophy."
We are very proud that we turned a little known sport in Croatia
into a - movement. But we are especially proud of the athletic
results of our senior team, with coach Kristina Blat, which
achieved its best result taking 17th place among the strongest
competition in the world. To us the result was as important
as winning the title was to the Finnish team coached by the
magnificent Anu Oksanen who choreographed both our programs
as well.
"Snowflakes" fascinated everyone with their stability
and confidence that held under the pressure of ambitions
and expectations in front of their own audience in their
own rink - the pressure that many more experienced teams
have cracked under. Even though they were among the youngest
teams on the championships with 16 "juniors" and
the average age of the skaters being 19.5, they skated their
best program ever..
They delighted the President of the Republic of Croatia
Stjepan Mesić who received them twice in one month - an
honor that no other athletic team received. After opening
the World Championships, President Mesić greeted the "Snowflakes"
personally in the VIP lounge of the Dom Sportova arena -
he shook hands with each skater, wished them luck and received
special gifts from the team captain Mateja Mahnić. Then
he posed for pictures with the team and invited them to
his office for juice after the competition. He gladly kept
his promise…
We are pleased that we fulfilled the expectations of the
members of the ISU Council whose decision to entrust Zagreb
and the zealous members of Zagreb Snowflakes with the organization
of the 2004 World Synchronized skating Championships surprised
not only the skating world but, honestly, many enthusiasts
from Zagreb as well.
Please wisit the WSSC
2004 official web site for additional pictures.
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