Nice-Premium: Michel Gentelet, introduce us to this International Cup of the City of Nice.
Michel Gentelet: It is a competition that began in 1995. We didn’t have many resources to do it, but we did it out of friendship for the Polish and Russians to be able to meet in a friendly manner within the framework of a sporting event. The following year, we managed to have a small, interesting budget, so several nations joined us, notably Italy and Spain. Thus, in the second year, we were already hosting six or seven nations.
N-P: This weekend marks the twelfth edition.
MG: There are more than 130 skaters and nearly 30 countries. It is an event that has grown and become very important on the international calendar. It is now globally recognized to the point where there are athletes from Mexico, South Africa, China, Bulgaria, or the Czech Republic.
N-P: But are there no big names in skating?
MG: It all depends on what you consider big names in skating. Those who are here are big names too. There are skaters who participate in the European Championships, the World Championships, or are even champions of their country, in Russia, Belarus, or Hong Kong. For example, we welcome Victoria Pavuk, who is from Hungary and is one of the best European skaters. She won last year here.
N-P: The closing gala on Sunday welcomes Brian Joubert.
MG: It is a tradition in figure skating competitions to end with a gala. It gives us the opportunity to have the champions in each category skate on the same day. We also try to elevate the program with a notable name to attract a slightly larger audience. This year, we have three headliners with Brian Joubert, Albena Denkova, and Maxim Staviski, as well as Anastasia Grebenkina and Vazgen Azrojan, who are the ice dance champions of Armenia and among the top ten Europeans today.
N-P: All these gathered talents prove the level of the competition.
MG: Of course, but the winners earn points that count toward the “World Ranking.” It is recognized by the ISU (International Skating Union) just like any Grand Prix.
N-P: There are many foreigners on the ice, but oddly, no people from Nice.
MG: Indeed, but there are several reasons for this. First, the level does not allow it since it is now a competition open to federations that choose the skaters they enter. Before, it was an inter-club event so we could invite the club from Nice, Moscow, or Madrid. For the past two years, this is no longer possible because we are part of the ISU calendar, we have to go through a federation. The French federation hasn’t chosen anyone from Nice because they believe they don’t have the level. Today, the level of the local club is not the same as it was in the days of Jean-Christophe Simond, the current coach of [Brian Joubert](https://www.nicepremium.fr/article/brian-joubert-et-son-entraineur-nicois-jean-christophe-simond-champions-d-europe.1571.html); the people of Nice are no longer among the best.
N-P: And the future?
MG: We will try to evolve the cup. As early as next year, we will try to introduce ice dance in competition as I promised Albena Denkova, hoping that she will come. My dream has always been to bring her here for many reasons. When she participated in the World Championships in 2000 in Nice, she seriously injured herself and was hospitalized here. Her federation left, and my wife and I took care of her, so we have very strong emotional ties. I hope to see her win one day in Nice.
N-P: Is it possible for a huge, media-covered figure skating competition here?
MG: For now, it is only huge and under-mediatized. Indeed, we created a Rolls with the budget of a 2 CV, which makes the media a little wary. However, for the ISU, it’s not a problem since it is on the official calendar. The issue is that we get two million euros to organize a world championship, whereas we have nothing for an event like the cup. Besides, this year, we proposed Nice and three other French cities to host the 2010 World Championships, and the decision will be made in November. Nice has a handicap because it organized the competition in 2000 and even though everything went very well, we are pessimistic in that regard.
N-P: Today, what still drives you in figure skating?
MG: The friendliness, the bonds of friendship we have forged with all these foreign countries. Besides, when we mention Nice to them, they know it is a good level and that they will be well-received.
N-P: Can Nice become a great skating club again?
MG: It already is one. It simply no longer has the results it did a few years ago, but it remains a stronghold of French skating, we have to state things as they are.
—
PROGRAM
Friday, October 19:
– 07:00: Training for “novice,” “junior,” and “pairs” categories
– 11:00: Ladies’ free skating program, “novice” category
– 14:00: Men’s free skating program, “novice” category
– 16:30: Ladies’ short program, “junior” category
– 18:30: Men’s short program, “junior” category
– 20:30: Pairs program
Saturday, October 20:
– 07:00: Training for “seniors,” “junior,” and pairs categories
– 14:30: Ladies’ free skating program, “senior” category
– 17:00: Men’s free skating program, “senior” category
– 19:30: Pairs free skating program
Sunday, October 21:
– 07:00: Training for junior categories
– 10:00: Ladies’ free skating program, “junior” category
– 12:00: Men’s free skating program, “junior” category
– 17:00: Closing Gala – Lasting over two hours, the best individual skaters and pairs from the competition will deliver an elegant and breathtaking show to the public of Nice.
Featuring as star guests at the Gala:
Brian Joubert, World Champion and double European Champion; Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski, double World Champions in ice dance.
