Michael wins Trophee Lalique!

Michael Weiss had a celebration planned for after the men’s competition at Trophee Lalique at Paris Saturday, Nov. 16. A bottle of champagne awaited Michael and a trip atop the Eiffel Tower if he won.

Michael impressed the judges and the crowd at Trophee Lalique.

“I’m going there immediately after the medals ceremony,” Michael said.

It will be one of Michael’s most memorable celebratory occasions after coming back from fifth place after the short program to win Saturday’s free skate and the gold medal.

It was the most remarkable comeback in Michael’s career. He came back from seventh and fifth to win silver twice in his career. But few skaters have come back all the way to win a championship.

“This is a great way to end the Grand Prix series, everything just flowed together. The short didn’t get me down,” Michael said.

Ironically, Michael’s celebration took shape before the short program. His coach, Don Laws, was unable to make the trip, so Christopher Morris, Michael’s sports psychologist, helped prepare Michael for the competition. While walking around Paris Christopher told Michael to buy a bottle of champagne to celebrate atop the Eiffel Tower. Michael hesitated but Christopher said that would be one void to fill en route to the championship.

The champagne sat in the room in clear view after Michael was fifth in the short program.

Michael’s technical marks ranged from 5.3-5.9 and his artistic of 5.6-6.9 were the highest in the free skate. “I knew I was good enough to get a medal. To get gold Min Zhang (of China) had to beat Takeshi Honda (second after the short program).

“My marks were good but they left room with the number one and two skaters after me. So there was still room left. I know I’m doing things right and it’s showing up in the competitions. In the short I’m a schizophrenic and the following day a completely different skater. I need to get the short so it’s automatic.”

Michael’s wife, Lisa, had always wanted the magnificent crystal swan-shaped trophy awarded to the champions.

“Lisa kept telling me through the years that she would love to have this trophy. And I’ve always wanted to win this competition.

Michael will now compete in two Pro-Ams, December 13 in Auburn Hills, Michigan and he next day at the Hallmark Pro-Am at Columbus, Ohio. His next major competition will be at the Nationals in Dallas in January.