Ice Gala Davos

European Champion Sarah Meier as the sexy glamour girl, two-time World Champion Stéphane Lambiel as the charmer in a tuxedo and two-time World Champion Miki Ando with that extra bit of emotion: Each and every star captivated the audience in their own particular way at the Eisgala Davos 2012. A total of 8800 spectators were amazed by the performances and the overall program provided by the «Champions» in the Vaillant Arena.

There were three World Champions and two European Champions as well as a number of medalists from the most recent European Championships – the Eisgala Davos 2012 was filled with the top-class skaters all around. There were also up and coming young stars such as the Russian feather light jumping wonder Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (15-years old) and the German ice dancers Nelli Zhiganshina & Alexander Gazsi, who caused a storm of applause with their dramatic tight rope act. The same can be said for Gev Manoukian as the remote-controlled robot and the ice comedians Vladimir Besedin & Alexei Polischuk, who as frantic Swan Lake dancers brought the audience to tears of laughter. Christa Rigozzi charmed the audience as the host on the colorful stage.

«Davos is always special,» says European Champion and 2011 Sportswoman of the Year Sarah Meier, who received a particularly warm welcome. All the stars gladly come to the Vaillant Arena. «Above all those who are here for the first time. They are always amazed at the beauty of this place in the middle of the mountains.» Three-time Pair skating World Champions from Germany Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy were also impressed. «We even had the chance to ride through the snowy landscape in a horse-drawn carriage, just fantastic.» The most feted, however, was Stéphane Lambiel, who with his two performances to «Rigoletto» and «Please don‘t stop the music» showed such incredible presence as only he is able to muster. «I love the atmosphere in Davos. The spectators are so close to the ice that it gives me a special kick,» says the crowd favorite.

After the ninth Eisgala Davos the organizers also enjoyed the positive results. «Audiences, sponsors and partners
alike were consistently pleased and impressed,» enthuses founder Georg Gasser. Nearly 9000 spectators in and outside of Switzerland experienced the fascination of figure skating first hand and also had a chance to see the ideal promotional role for the winter sport region Davos-Klosters. «The combination of this internationally incredibly well loved sport, a world-class show and the magical winter wonderland of Davos is absolutely one-of-a-kind,» comments Gasser. «A winter fantasy both indoors and outdoors.»

Most well known artists in „The Champions“ show:

• Sarah Meier (Switzerland): European Champion 2011, Swiss Athlete of the Year
• Miki Ando (Japan): World Champion 2007 & 2011
• Aljona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (Germany): Pair skating-World Champions 2008/2009/2011
• Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov (Russia): World Silver Medalists 2011, European Champion 2012
• Artur Gatschinski (Russia): European Silver Medalist 2012
• Stéphane Lambiel (Switzerland): World Champion 2005 & 2006
• Elena Ilinykh/Nikita Katsalapov (Russia): Russian Silver Medalist 2012
• Nelli Zhiganshina/Alexander Gaszi (Germany): German Champions 2011 & 2012
• Elizaveta Tuktamisheva (Russia): 2012 Youth Olympics Champion