Blog > October 31, 2007

The two words to describe my latest competition in Chemnitz, Germany are: TRIPLE AXEL. It's official, Eliot Halverson has finally landed that elusive jump in competition. That feat was definitely the highlight of the competition and the whole trip.

Chemnitz is currently ranked 2nd in my Favorite European Cities that I've Competed in list. Fall is my favorite season of the year, and Chemnitz was certainly a Fall wonderland with orange and gold trees, picturesque parks littered with fallen leaves, and serene lakes dotted with white swans. How perfect! Even though the weather was gloomy most of the week, I thoroughly enjoyed everything this charming city had to offer!

On Wednesday I stepped into the Sydney Opera House-esque rink, with its architecturally beautiful ceiling, anxiously anticipating the comfort of ice under my blades. I stretched and warmed-up outside with the colors of autumn glowing around me. At that moment I wished competitions were still held outdoors. Once I peeled myself away from that perfect scene, I reacquainted myself with the slippery ice surface. That didn't take long. I skated through my practice session, smiling the whole time, landing two triple axels. As usual I was excited for the competition to finally begin!

For the short program I drew to skate 27th out of the 28 skaters. What a big group! The event started around noon and my warm-up didn't go on the ice until 4! After slicking my hair down (I have to look the part in EVERY detail, right?) and putting on my costume, I was definitely in the mood. During the six-minute warm-up, the sun started to pour through the windows of the arena, illuminating the frozen stage. I completed all of my jumps and got off the ice feeling very confident. Once it was my turn to perform, I glided around thinking about one thing: The new time rule. The ISU has declared that once a skaters name has been announced, they only have one minute until their music will be played, even if they aren't in their starting position. If that happens, the skater musk keep going with the program. Well, like I said, that's all I was thinking about.

"From the United States of America, Eliot Halverson"…Don't go over a minute, don't go over a minute! I did my last walk-throughs, and then took my dramatic opening pose, staring judge No. 9 in the eyes. Later, my coach Ann told me I took 55 seconds! WAY too close! Unfortunately my legs decided to take a break on my opening triple lutz (without consulting me I might add), and I fell. I sprung up right away and finished the program cleanly, landing my triple loop, and double axel. Because I fell early in the program, I put a little extra "oomph" into my choreography. I got off the ice happy with the program. It's one thing to nail a clean program, but it's another to keep going after you've made a mistake! Although I didn't get a high score and was in 7th place, I was only 11 points out of 1st place, and 7 points out of 2nd place - not impossible in the new judging system.

For the long program, I had two goals: (1) Land the triple axel and (2) not get five triples downgraded to doubles. ;) I drew to skate 22nd out of the 28 skaters, or 6th in my warm-up of 6. I hate skating last…especially in the long program so I was NOT excited about waiting 45 minutes in between the warm-up and my program.

This problem didn't turn out to be THAT big of a deal because I landed my first triple axel in competition! I was SO excited! I pumped my fists on the landing, but had to get right back into focus for the remaining elements. I proceeded to land my triple lutz-triple toe combination, triple loop-double loop-double loop combination, double axel, and triple salchow. Unfortunately I stepped out of both triple flips and fell on my second triple lutz. Once I finished the program I was so thrilled with landing my triple axel that I didn't care about my scores or placement. I came and did what I wanted to do and … that was that!

I placed 4th in the long, but still finished 7th overall with 158.96 points. I know I can do much better at my next event, Midwestern Sectionals in Detroit, now that I officially have the triple axel under my belt. New goal: Land triple axel in the short program and more importantly…QUALIFY FOR NATIONALS! St. Paul here I come! Oh wait…I'm already here. Well … you know what I mean.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful fall, enjoying all that this beautiful season has to offer, whether you're in Minnesota or Germany! Much love,

~Eliot