Grassl and the USA: That's really behind the change

“I am announcing that I will be leaving Neumarkt, the place where I have spent most of my life,” explained Grassl. “I'm going to Boston and will train with Olga Ganicheva and Alexei Letow. I’m ready to take the next step there and represent the Azzurri as best I can in the future.”

There was already speculation last spring as to whether the Merano native was aiming for such a big change. There were a few options in the room, including mainly training sites in the USA and Canada (the “Dolomites” reported). Now the reigning Italian champion has decided on the ice skating school in the US state of Massachusetts, where he had already completed a week of trial training in the spring. “The time is ripe for a change.” Daniel Grassl The decision to change came from Daniel Grassl himself and, contrary to false reports elsewhere, was neither influenced by the association nor by alleged disputes with his coach Lorenzo Magri. “I had been thinking about moving to the USA for a long time,” says Grassl. “The time is ripe for a change, I need new challenges, different opinions, more competition in training and a new environment in which I can grow and develop. I have found a very good team with the Skating Club of Boston and I am really looking forward to this new experience.”

Is the best figure skater in South Tyrol: Daniel Grassl. © AFP / WANG ZHAO

Grassl will initially find his new accommodation with a host family who also accommodates other athletes. Grassl did not make the decision easy and would like to thank his team and especially club president Nicoletta Ingusci from the Young Goose Academy in Neumarkt. “She immediately supported me in my project and was by my side every moment. I am very grateful for that. When I come to Italy to compete, I am always welcome to train in Neumarkt.” New training facility, new choreographies With Olga Ganitschewa and Alexei Letow, Grassl will have two absolute professionals at his side in the future. The Russian couple is one of the top trainers in the USA and looks back on successful careers as athletes and as coaches.

Becoming at home in Boston: Daniel Grassl. © ANSA / GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO

But it's not just the move that surprises the people of Meran this season. He also dares to try something new when it comes to choreography and has his short program designed by Jason Brown. Both were still traveling in Japan until recently, touring the country with many other stars with the show program “The Ice”. Brown was on the ice at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022 and is one of the most expressive skaters. The 27-year-old American impressed with his artistic programs, which were sophisticated down to the smallest detail. He designed the new program for Grassl to “I feel love” by Sam Smith. It starts in September For his free skate, the four-time Italian champion Grassl once again relied on Benoit Richaud, with whom he has worked for many years. As in previous years, he draws on the music of Cedric Tour.

Daniel Grassl will be moving to the USA at the beginning of September. Then the 20-year-old continues his daily training routine in his new home. He doesn't have too much time, because the new Grand Prix series starts in October. This year too, two events were allocated to the Olympic seventh place finisher. The first competition will take place at the end of October, in Norwood, right on its “new front door”.

In the US state of Massachusetts, Grassl meets Ilia Malinin, an American of Russian descent. The 17-year-old, who claims to be the “quad god” (god of quadruplets) on social networks, has phenomenal jumping talent and is one of the few who, like Grassl, can do all quadruple jumps. Grassl will compete in the next Grand Prix event in Sheffield (England) in November. Grassl's development Daniel Grassl's skating career began many years ago at the Ice Club Meran, where he attracted attention for his talent at a young age. The 20-year-old then moved to Lorenzo Magri's Young Goose Academy ice skating school in Neumarkt, which ultimately became his permanent training facility. Here he developed into an outstanding talent in the figure skating scene. He was the first athlete in the history of figure skating to achieve the quadruple lutz, one of the most technically demanding jumps.

Numerous international successes followed, including 4 Italian championship titles in the highest performance class. Grassl celebrated his greatest successes with the bronze medal at the 2019 Junior World Championships in Zagreb and silver at the 2021 European Championships in Tallinn. At the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022 he took 7th place. Grassl is one of the best figure skaters in the world and also one of the big names ahead of the next Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina in 2026.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Grassl and the USA: That's really behind the change

Now it's fixed: Daniel Grassl is leaving his home South Tyrol and moving to the USA. The vice-European champion announced this on social networks at the weekend.

Suggestions

Comments (0)