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For the Cup of Dresden organizers, safety should be the primary criterion


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The Cup of Dresden in Germany should have lived in 2021 its 3rd edition. (Credits: Ru-Pho - 2020)

"It was a very hard decision to make," starts Susanne Schöne of the Cup of Dresden organizing committee. This international synchronized skating competition, which should have taken place in March 2021, will not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Cup of Dresden organizing committee has recently announced on social media the cancellation of the competition in 2021. The event should have been organized next March in the city of Dresden, Germany. 

There is more than one reason that leaded the organizers to this decision and, of course, the coronavirus is once again responsible. "The number of cases remains rather stable and comparatively low in Dresden, Saxony. In our federal state, strict regulations and prohibitions are relaxed more and more. Events and competitions are currently allowed with a feasible hygiene concept. But in Germany, each federal state tries to solve the problem in a different way. And we can see even more differences between the European countries," explain Susanne Schöne of the organizing committee.

Travel difficulties and dressing rooms
Furthermore, the risk of quarantine obligations that changes almost every day. "For more than ten years we have accompanied our local teams as supporters and team managers and we have much experience with all the trouble with making hotel reservations or booking bus companies etc. We are aware of the fact that the teams and coaches as well as officials need planning reliability to prepare their season. But in the light of the current situation, we cannot guarantee sure planning, because we cannot give a prognosis for what is to come in the winter months," she regrets. In times of COVID pandemic, the organizing committee thinks that safety should be the primary criterion.

Another point is the number of athletes in the dressing rooms that has to be reduced. "Our ice rink and the whole sports complex is particularly suitable for organizing a big synchronized skating competition. But of course, the number of dressing rooms is limited, and currently, we can not ensure, that there will be enough rooms available. After each usage, the rooms have do be cleaned and disinfected. That means either the schedule will be extended or the number of registrations has to be reduced. Since the entry fees together with sponsorship payments constitute the basis for the financing of the competition we could run into financial difficulties."


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Cup of Dresden 2020. (Credits: Ru-Pho - 2020)

For Susanne Schöne, the main problem actually for competition organizers is the travelling from risk areas. Some teams would need medical certificates or have to remain in quarantine. Moreover, indoor the ice rink, everyone would have to wear a mask and respect the social distancing. Teams, coaches and staff would have to provide their personal data in advance. No one else would be allowed in the rink.

"Each team would be allocated to a specific area, and there should be developed a workable one-way concept. There would be either no or only a few spectators. Victory ceremony would be not allowed as well as kiss and cry areas nor the final foto sessions," says Susanne Schöne.

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Have you thought about organizing a virtual event?

"A synchronized skating competition as a virtual event seems not yet attractive for us at the moment. We would miss all the smiles, the live situations, the falls, the fears and tears, and the screaming winners. But we will keep a very close eye on developments in virtual competitions. It is possible that the pandemic situation will last a while and it will be necessary to find new solutions," answers the organizing committee.

The Cup of Dresden will be back in 2022
"We feel responsible for everyone who is taking part in the Cup of Dresden. We very much hope for an understanding and above all that the teams will remain with us. In a very short time of two years, we have succeeded in organizing a well-attended synchronized skating cup. And we are thrilled and enthusiastic to move forward with it. But we are aware of the difficulties of this uncertain season. Some competitions have already been cancelled, perhaps some will follow," explains Susanne Schöne.

Following the cancellation of the 2021 Cup of Dresden, the organizers received numerous messages of support. "Everyone is understanding and all of them are looking forward to the hopefully upcoming competition in 2022", concludes the organizers. They promised to seize this break to gather all their energy and to develop a feasible concept for 2022. 

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Results - TOP 3

Cup of Dresden 2020
Dresden (GER)
FEB 22, 2020 - FEB 23, 2020

Novice A
TEAM Score
1Team Berlin Novice (GER)62.30
2Skating Graces (GER)56.51
3Starlight (SUI)54.61

Mixed Age
TEAM Score
1Crystal Illusions (FIN)70.04
2Saxony Ice Pearls (GER)59.99
3Snowflakes (SUI)56.78

Junior
TEAM Score
1Harmonia (CZE)100.08
2Team Magic (HUN)95.59
3Kometa (CZE)90.19

Senior
TEAM Score
1Skating Graces (GER)133.63

Senior B
TEAM Score
1Cool Dreams Royal (SUI)79.32
2Starlight Jewels (SUI)62.06
3Team Saphire (SUI)56.33