Sunday 20 September 2009

Me & my skating.

As a newcomer I shall tell you a bit more about me than is in my 'about me'.

I started skating at age 10 as a new saturday morning as my best friend had skated for some time and I wanted to give it ago. I began in free skating under Jayne Cambell before switching to ice dance which took me to the realms of the British Solo Dance Championships when I was 15. I made the final twice. I went on to compete in adult competitions where I enjoyed some success. Once university began my skating in terms of competing has dropped down to none, but I did whilst a student train as a Level 1 licensed coach, however I decided that I did not have enough time or money for the continual licensing costs to contemplate being a coach alongside other jobs and my academic studies. If I could find a dance partner I would love to return to competitive skating, but the 1 men to 10 ladies ratio makes that seem rather unlikely, so as it is I am a keen watcher of skating whenever it makes it onto the telly. You will also find me on figure skating universe which I reccomed to any keen skating fan.

The Blog Begins

Hello and welcome to my blog! First of all I should say I welcome any comments/feedback or messages from anyone.

On with the skating ... its 2009 and Olympic season has begun. From a British perspective all eyes are on the Scottish duo Sinead and John Kerr as they aim to get close to the ice dance podium in Vancouver 2010 if not on it. Their free dance and original dance were in competition for the first time at IJS Sheffield at the start of this month. Delighted to say NISA (National Ice Skating Association) have done something right for once and videos of the senior free dances are available on NISA TV for free.

Coming up this week is the Junior Grand Prix in Belarus, British interest in the ice dance includes Sophie Jones and Richard Sharpe. Representing France but once a Brit who competed against Sophie in solo dance events is Tiffany Zahorski and her partner Alex Fieret. I hope that youtube videos of all performances will be posted so that I can comment on the event, but we shall have to wait and see.

Also this week is the Olympic Qualifier - the Nebelhorn Trophy. For those countries who have not earned a spot in a discipline yet ... this is their chance. The event will also include skaters who they/their country already have a spot, for whom this will be just another chance to compete on the international circuit.

That will be all for post number one, hope to provide many more as the season develops.