The Olympic figure skating season starts with the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf. It is the first show of strength with international competition. The Berlin duo Hase/Volodin came up with something special for this.
- Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf is the starting signal in the Olympic figure skating season
- Also there are the two Berlin couples Hase/Volodin and Hocke/Kunkel
- Hase/Volodin have had their own short program music composed for the season
- The couple also presents their new freestyle for the first time
The ice is wiped a little more carefully, the make-up is applied a little more and the tension increases: With the Nebelhorn Trophy (25th to September 27th), the Olympic season starts on Thursday in figure skating. 21 nations compete in four categories, Germany has medal opportunities in the pair run.
18 couples meet here: below is next to the two German duos Minerva Hase/Nikita Volodin and Annika Hocke/Robert Kunkel also the reigning pair of world championship Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara from Japan. Everyone wants to present themselves well, stand out from the competition. So also the Berlin couple Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin. They came up with something special for the new season: a short program music specially composed for them.
A unique music
The idea comes from your Berlin choreographer Paul Boll – at the same time, you can deal with possible difficulties with music rights. Because in the past year there were brief problems with freestyle music, said Hase. You really want to avoid that. “There was the idea: let us compose it ourselves, then we have one less problem.”
But it’s not just about legal security, but also about uniqueness and about having something special. “There are definitely not many runners who take this step. And we thought: if so now, now, in the Olympic season,” says Minerva Hase, who thanks to the Naturalization of your partner Volodin can start with him for Germany at the highlight of the season.
Together with their team, they developed a first idea: from several tangos they selected individual elements, certain instruments and moods. This resulted in an individual musical guide, which the composer Frédéric Ruiz then formed into an entire work.
“We only heard the music when we had to start choreography – that was really exciting,” says the 26 -year -old rabbit, “but when we heard it, we were thrilled. It was much better than expected. We are very, very happy with the result.”
The name is the program
You are now showing the new short program at the Nebelhorn Trophy in front of an audience. Her freestyle is also new: they were able to win the renowned choreographer Benoît Richaud again. The Frenchman was awarded several times by the International Skating Union (ISU) as a “best choreographer” – most recently just last year.
Richaud is known for his ability to tell stories on the ice. His programs live from emotion, expression and well -thought -out movement: “It is very important that the figure skaters offer something to everyone. And I think that it is very important for a program to tell a story, to have a goal, to create an atmosphere and mood,” says Benoît Richaud in one Interview on the official website of the Olympic Games [olympics.com].
Hase/Volodin work with Balletmeister of the Leipzig Opera
Richaud’s handwriting adorns many world-class programs, including those of the triple world champion in the individual run, Kaori Sakamoto: a collaboration that culminated in an unbeaten season. Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin also benefit from his know-how: “You can tell that there is more respect for choreography when there is a certain choreographer behind it,” says Minerva Hase.
So that the artistic elements can be implemented perfectly, the couple also works with the Balletmeister Sidnei Brandão from the Leipzig Opera. The aim is to refine movements and to repeat the programs so often that they dominate them almost in sleep. This is the only way to concentrate on the difficult elements and still transport expression and atmosphere. What then gives the programs the finishing touches is the personal note.
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Focus on the first feedback
The first competition of a season is always a yardstick. In training, Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin deliberately ran difficult programs early on to be prepared for the level of the Olympic season. “We are very well on schedule and confidently go into the first competition,” says Hase.
The focus is not on best performances, but on feedback: How do judges and audiences react to the programs? Where can fine adjustments be made? How do costume, music and interpretation work in the overall picture?
“We are pleased that it finally starts. It is just the right time to start the season now,” says Minerva Hase. The fog horn trophy is the perfect place for this: in front of a home crowd, with fresh energy and large ambitions.
Broadcast: RBB24, 25.09.2025, 10:00 p.m.
