Chapter 50: 50 Level Up Group
On the day the training camp ended, Lin Xiaoman held a small meeting with He Hui and Kong Ziqiu.
"Who are you going to ask to choreograph the new show next season?" Lin Xiaoman glanced at He Hui first, "You or Mary?"
He Hui nodded: "We have been working together for a few seasons and we feel like we are familiar with each other."
"Kong Ziqiu, do you have any ideas? The second group of the national team should also have a part of the choreography subsidy."
Due to family reasons, Kong Ziqiu could only find some lesser-known choreographers for choreography in the past few seasons, which made her program arrangement seem very stiff.
This season she was promoted to the adult category for the first time, so logically she should have paid more attention to it. However, due to her limited financial resources, it was difficult for her to hire a top choreographer even with a certain subsidy.
"I haven't thought about it yet." Kong Ziqiu answered hesitantly.
After listening to this, He Hui replied as a matter of course: "If you haven't decided yet, let's go to Canada together to find Mary to choreograph."
Kong Ziqiu refused subconsciously: "It's not good, right? Mary's fee should be very high..."
What she didn't say was that she simply couldn't afford the fee.
He Hui saw the helplessness in Kong Ziqiu's eyes but did not point it out.
"It's not expensive. If we go together, it's a package price." He Hui chose to lie with his eyes open, "You don't have to worry about the round-trip travel expenses. There is no additional diesel fee for my plane to take one more person. We can live together in the local area, and you don't have to pay extra money."
"Isn't this bad?" Kong Ziqiu scratched his head.
"What's wrong with that? Besides, Sister Lin will definitely try her best to reimburse you for your expenses from the national team!"
He Hui secretly winked at Lin Xiaoman. Although the other party was a little confused about He Hui's specific thoughts, she still nodded in response, "Yes."
"Really?" Kong Ziqiu's eyes lit up when he heard that he could get a subsidy.
"Really, I will help you apply for the subsidy." Lin Xiaoman nodded.
Kong Ziqiu knew that if he refused again, it would seem a bit hypocritical, so he nodded: "Thank you, Coach Lin!"
......
After going out with Kong Ziqiu, He Hui found an excuse to go to the bathroom and actually quietly returned to the office.
Lin Xiaoman took a sip of tea, brushed the big waves scattered around her ears, and asked, "What the hell are you doing? The national team can't give extra subsidies to the second group of players. You should know that."
He Hui nodded and smiled slyly: "But the He Group can set up a special sponsorship bonus."
Lin Xiaoman's eyes lit up: "That's indeed possible. But why do you have to go through so much trouble?"
"This sponsorship bonus is for all the outstanding players in Group 2 who are not financially well-off." What He Hui wanted to do was never to provide personal sponsorship to individual players, but to support the long-term development of the entire project.
Figure skating is a particularly expensive sport. Every new season, from choreography, costumes, overseas training to competitions, every item is funded by money.
For those skaters whose family conditions are relatively difficult, just sticking to skating is already giving everything they have. Before they become famous, it is difficult to take care of additional things.
Because He Hui understands this well enough, he wants to do his part to promote overall development.
"What I hope is that figure skating will gradually develop a suitable environment in China," He Hui said. "I hope that more talented people who may not be able to pay the fees will get a chance to pursue their dreams."
Lin Xiaoman was stunned.
The grand blueprint that He Hui described seemed to slowly unfold before her, although it did not seem to match her age.
After a while, Lin Xiaoman finally spoke.
"I'll talk to the team."
"Okay, then I'll trouble you, Sister Lin." After He Hui said this, he remembered that he was not the president of the He Group and had no power to push forward.
She touched her nose and added, "I will discuss the specific plan with my parents when I get back."
After returning home, He Hui introduced his ideas in detail to He Jianmu and Lu Yanfeng.
He Jianmu was a little hesitant at first: "But our He Group is in the real estate business, which is a bit far from sports, right?"
"This will also be beneficial to the reputation of our group." He Hui tried to reason.
"But first of all, the audience for figure skating is very narrow. And in terms of the return on investment of sponsoring the second group of athletes, the probability of them successfully becoming the world's top athletes is not high. It is actually a very unprofitable deal." He Jianmu was a business man and did not feel soft-hearted towards He Hui at all.
If it were in his previous life, He Hui would probably make a detailed draft overnight to support his ideas and try hard to convince his father, the chairman.
But this time, she was going to appeal directly to his emotions.
"Dad, shouldn't you support your daughter's career development and do some charity work to promote the figure skating industry?" He Hui blinked and stared at He Jianmu.
He Jianmu was defeated within a minute of being stared at.
"We should strongly support it!" He nodded and started to call the relevant personnel in the company, "Hey, I have a sponsorship idea here. Please see how to promote it."
We heard that a well-known company was willing to sponsor the rising stars of Group 2. After multiple evaluations, the national team officially approved the sponsorship.
*
This year, He Hui received an invitation from Japan to participate in two consecutive ice shows. With the idea of practicing the short program through the ice show, He Hui appeared again.
At the end of August, all Chinese adult players arranged an internal test for the new season as usual. The results of the test will determine the situation of the Grand Prix in the new season, and it can also be regarded as the first round of testing for Olympic qualifications.
They met during summer training, but then separated because of their respective choreography. When they met again this time, many of them felt like they were meeting again after a long time.
The first test in the morning was the women's singles short program.
"Good morning, long time no see!" Tan Ling put down her backpack and started to warm up. "I thought I came early enough, but I didn't expect you to be here earlier than me."
Tan Ling looked stronger than during the summer training camp. She was full of energy and the muscles in her arms were so smooth that even He Hui was envious.
"I just finished editing these two programs not long ago, so I thought I'd come early to familiarize myself with them to avoid any mistakes." He Hui stuck out his tongue.
Tan Ling was a little surprised: "Do you still have no confidence in yourself?"
"The first season of the senior group coincides with the Olympic season. If we want to win another gold medal, we have to work harder."
When she heard about the gold medal goal, Tan Ling knew she was worrying too much.
——He Hui is still as arrogant as ever!
While the two were warming up, other contestants also arrived at the venue one after another.
Everyone is gearing up to try their best to win two races.
After all, only the top twelve players in the previous year's World Championships can secure two spots, the top twenty-four can secure one, and others who meet the minimum total score requirements need an invitation to the corresponding station. The host of each station can invite no more than three players.
In other words, except for Zhu Xiangqing who can secure a spot, everyone else has to rely on invitations.
The China Cup is held at home, and the number of players from the same country in the same sub-station is no more than three. Everyone is mainly striving for the invitation quota for this event, and also to see if the national team can help mediate and strive for the qualification to participate in other sub-stations. After all, the qualification to participate is the result of a struggle between the ISU, the Ice Hockey Association and the host country.
"No, even if you win all the youth group championships, you can't guarantee that you will get two places?!" Lu Nanfeng was very shocked.
He Hui shook his head helplessly: "I can only say that I have entered the pool of players, but the specific allocation of quotas still depends on whether there is anyone to invite me."
"How could it be possible that no one invited you!" Lu Nanfeng was speechless. "No one in the adult group can do your job, it's definitely a box office success!"
*
The players gathered at the sidelines and drew lots to decide the order of appearance.
He Hui and Kong Ziqiu were drawn to play one after the other, so they stood side by side waiting.
"How is your choreography going?" He Hui asked Kong Ziqiu.
Kong Ziqiu frowned: "Alas, maybe it's really a bit too difficult for me to control."
This was her first time going abroad and also her first time working with Mary to learn choreography.
The whole process was full of hardships.
First of all, when I first arrived in Canada, I had difficulty adjusting to the jet lag and the climate there was not suitable for me. I had diarrhea for two or three days before I got better.
Then, after talking with Mary about the choreography, I found that the steps and transitions choreographed by Mary were very difficult. It took me three or four times as long as usual just to follow them, not to mention practicing the whole set well.
Then, after a month, Hua Guowei really couldn't stand the white people's food. Under the double pressure of loss of appetite and intensive training, he almost fainted on the ice rink like Zhu Xiangqing.
When he thought of these bad memories, Kong Ziqiu's face turned pale twice.
He Hui hurriedly comforted her: "You have to believe that Mary arranged all this for you because she thinks you can do it."
Kong Ziqiu sighed: "If I can just get through it today, I will be satisfied."
"That's definitely no problem." He Hui patted her shoulder.
Maybe it was because the season hadn't started yet, and the players' performances were not very complete. Of course, this is a high EQ statement. A low EQ statement would be that the scene became a wrestling competition, with everyone getting sick, and only a few could stand all three jumps.
"Next, Kong Ziqiu."
National team leader Xu Qing pointed out that Kong Ziqiu was affected by the continuous low pressure and even had some clumsy hands and feet when he came on the court.
"Come on, you can do it." He Hui whispered to encourage Kong Ziqiu.
Before the music started, Kong Ziqiu subconsciously looked in the direction of He Hui, and He Hui gave him a trusting look.
After discussing with Mary, Kong Ziqiu chose the fourth "Serenade" from Schubert's "Swan Song" for his short program this season. The version chosen was a piano piece adapted by Liszt.
The music started, and in the quiet night, Kong Ziqiu appeared in a blue costume.
In the slowly flowing bright moonlight, she will complete the first set of jumps at the beginning, 3Lz+3T.
There are no jumping requirements for the adult group, which gives everyone more room for choice.
Kong Ziqiu's expression was quite serious. He looked sharply at the open space on the ice rink, turned around, touched the ice, and jumped.
The height of the first jump was quite amazing, a huge improvement over the previous one.
Lu Nanfeng suddenly ran over and touched He Hui's shoulder: "Are you still hiring?"
He Hui: "? What do you mean?"
"The effect of your technique change is too immediate, isn't it?!" After seeing Kong Ziqiu easily connect with the second jump, even before he thought about it, Lu Nanfeng's eyes were full of stars, "Can I come and take a class too?"
"Why don't you ask your coach if he agrees first?"
Lu Nanfeng glanced at the distance quietly, and quickly retracted his head in fear: "It doesn't look good..."
Kong Ziqiu has entered the second jump on the field. Although the preparation time is a bit long, she still completed a neat 3F.
The emotions of the music in the second half gradually accumulated, and He Hui completed a big jump in the accent, bringing the emotions to a climax.
Lu Nanfeng continued to sigh: "The choreography is really much better than before! And Kong Ziqiu has long arms and legs, so he looks really good when he does these moves!"
Kong Ziqiu performed the final 2A quite well. The height was much lower than the opening, but he still managed to hold on.
Now all she had to do was to complete the series of steps that Mary had choreographed for her.
The music on the field was beautiful and peaceful, but the players on the field had ferocious looks.
Kong Ziqiu was exhausted halfway through the exercise, and almost fooled around with the third turn and the big one at the end. Not to mention the final rotation, the speed was almost reduced to zero, and he slowly completed the required postures and number of circles and then put his legs down immediately.
Snap, snap, snap——
Lin Xiaoman led the applause.
Kong Ziqiu bowed to everyone and hurried to He Hui and Lin Xiaoman.
"I told you you could slide down!" He Hui patted her shoulder and gave her another hug.
Kong Ziqiu nodded, waiting for the score expectantly.
"58.60 points, not bad." Lin Xiaoman nodded, "I think you will definitely be able to get at least one race this season if you are promoted to a higher group."
Kong Ziqiu: "I hope so."
"Next one, He Hui." Xu Qing continued to call out names according to the list.
He Hui's short program this time comes from the well-known third movement of Beethoven's "Appasionate Sonata".
As she was promoted to the adult group, He Hui's short program configuration was also upgraded. She chose 3Lz+3Lo for the combination jump, and the other two jumps were 3A and 3F. Among them, the jump added in the second half chose the more stable 3F.
Women's singles short program is not allowed to perform four quads, so being able to perform Triple A can create a huge advantage. Although Russia's Tours also has this level of difficulty, at least she is not behind and can retain the opportunity to compete with the host players in the free program.
In the ice show, she tried this new configuration twice, but it didn't go well. One time, the 3Lo jump became a double jump, and one time, she landed on the ice with her 3A, which showed that she was not familiar with the program.
Lin Xiaoman: "Don't take it too seriously. It doesn't matter if you make mistakes."
"Then I'll try not to make any mistakes." He Hui smiled and turned to go on court.
After the ice show, she rehearsed the two programs together many times, which gave her some confidence.
He Hui started her short program with powerful and rapid piano music.
The first was the difficult 3Lz+3Lo combo jump of the tano version. He Hui’s jump was accompanied by gradually increasing notes, and he completed it neatly and cleanly.
The third movement of "Sonata Appassionata" has a fast tempo, which requires He Hui to have both gliding speed and performance tension.
The second jump, 3A, landed in a fast rhythm. Except for the small problem of sliding out a little dry, this jump was completed well.
He Hui felt that her body was quite light when skating on the court today, and the difficult step sequence during ice performances was also smooth today.
In the second half of the short program, He Hui completed the final tano 3F and felt completely relaxed.
"Not bad, your condition is gradually improving." Lin Xiaoman was a little nervous when watching He Hui's performance in the ice show, but now she is completely relieved.
The final result was naturally no surprise. He Hui took the lead in the internal test competition in China with a short program of unrivaled difficulty, and all the contestants were convinced by the result.
This good form continued into the free skating on the second day.
She was the last one to appear, and her overall performance was remarkable.
It was only during the difficult 4T jump that He Hui fell down. But she fell on the foot, so Lin Xiaoman was not too worried.
He Hui himself felt ashamed. After hearing the result, he quickly found an excuse to go to the toilet to pee.
The face in the mirror looked a little red because of the intense exercise just now.
With a creak, the toilet door behind him opened and Tan Ling walked out of the cubicle.
"What a coincidence."
"Yes." He Hui thought, why is the development of his life always inextricably linked to the toilet?
Tan Ling's free skating performance was stable this time, and it can be said that she has completely gotten rid of the shadow of the development barrier. In fact, the most difficult years have passed, Tan Ling has improved her skills, and everything is moving in a better direction.
"Congratulations on getting second place. I thought there should be two races this year?"
"I hope my luck will be so good." Tan Ling smiled.
In this selection competition, Tan Ling made a strong comeback, leaving Zhu Xiangqing behind and taking second place.
Zhu Xiangqing was third, Kong Ziqiu was fourth, Lu Nanfeng was fifth, and Cheng Ran was sixth.
"I heard that the team intends to let Kong Ziqiu, Lu Nanfeng and Cheng Ran, who meet the requirements for promotion, compete in the youth group for another year to accumulate more experience and save more places for future youth group players." Tan Ling said.
"They agreed?"
He Hui thought that this meant they were destined to have no chance to go to Sochi.
"We are still discussing it. Their wishes will definitely be the main consideration." Tan Ling paused, "But you also know that China only has one Olympic quota."
He Hui nodded, not knowing what to say for a moment.
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