Ice Link issue 52 (Page 3) - National Ice Skating Association

Ice
INSIDE
Issue 52 - November 2003
Link
The official voice of ice skating in the UK
NISA Scotland Open
Championships & Adult
Champs photo album
....centre pages
In a unique experiment, you can bring your mobile phones to the
2003 British Championships (but they must be switched off during the
competition). Immediately after the completion of the Free Dance section on Saturday
evening you will be asked to text your vote (we'll announce the number) for your favourite
ice dance couple . Votes will be counted and the PFAN'S FAVOURITE announced
immediately at the Skaters Banquet. This is your chance to vote for your 'Favourite' based
on your appreciation of their performance in the Free Dance. Please remember this is
Developing Youth Ice Sport
Read all your Synchro
news on p8
Sarah skates 6th
fastest 500m ever!
.......p5
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Scots dancers lose vital cash
support despite silver medal
The triumphal homecoming of any medal winning athlete should be a truly joyous
affair, and following their excellent Silver medal win at the recent Karl Schafer
Memorial Trophy International in Vienna, ice dancers John and Sinead Kerr, from
Murrayfield in Edinburgh, were in bubbling spirits.
Just weeks previously, at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany, the brother and sister
team had been pipped by just 0.25 of a point for the Bronze medal under the new ISU CoP
(Code of Points) judging system - where they scored 153.38. And - to add to their good news
- an invitation to compete in the Cup of Russia in Moscow later this month, an ISU Senior Grand
Prix event!
Imagine the blow when they opened a letter
from Sportscotland to tell them their £10,000
Lottery funding has been withdrawn - just like
that!
In an article in last Sunday's Ecosse section of the
Sunday Times, Sinead and John revealed that
they were told by Sportscotland that "skating
wasn't high on their list of priorities". - Oh really?
The sport that attracts one of the largest TV
audiences of all, the 'Blue Riband' of the Olympic
Games, and attracts some 3 million participants
in the UK!!!
It's a sad reflection on a system in the UK where
our sport is required to compete internationally
only as GB, yet our individual athletes are Lottery
funded by disparate Home Country Sports
Councils with widely differing policies and
priorities. All the more galling when in our last
issue of Ice Link, we were delighted to announce
the very substantial financial support package
awarded to Jenna McCorkell by UK Sport,
supported by Sports Council Northern Ireland,
Sheffield based English Institute for Sport (EIS)
and NISA.
The Kerr's reaction to the funding blow has been
pragmatic, even defiant as they told the Sunday
Times "It seems really short sighted, especially
now we are getting a reputation in Europe".
And reputation is something of an
understatement - they started the ball rolling at
Oberstdorf, where they shot from 7th position in
the Compulsory Dance to take SECOND place in
the OD and THIRD place in the Free Dance -
virtually unheard of in ice dance! But then it was
that new judging system.
However in Vienna - under the traditional judging
system - they did it again! From 6th place in their
compulsory dance to second place in both OD
and Free Dance - and they were virtually the
ONLY COMPETITORS to move places!
They are clearly determined to succeed and
when asked if they are considering quitting, they
told the Sunday Times, "On the contrary, if we
have to go to the English authorities, we'll do so.
We're flying the flag for Britain after all." Echoes
of another Scottish sport funding debacle a few
years ago when World Champion squash player
Peter Nicholl was forced to change allegiences.
At time of writing Ice link has been unable to
confirm whether other Scottish skaters have
received similar treatment. Scots Pamela
O'Connor who dances with Welsh partner
Jonathon O'Dougherty, is currently training in
France.
Despite the upset, Sinead and John are eagerly
looking forward to the 2003 British
Championships in iceSheffield (2-6th December)
where they will be challenging last year's
Champions Pamela O'Connor and Jonathon
O'Dougherty for the title.
Pam and Jonathon though have been bringing
home international medals as well - with a very
well earned Bronze from Finlandia Trophy in
Helsinki last month.
This year's Championships are clearly shaping up
to be a dramatic contest this year, with 8
couples entered in the Senior Dance, so all you
skating fans out there - be sure to book your
tickets! Also making a comeback after a year of
injury, are former 2001 British Champions Marika
Humphreys and husband Vitaliy Baranov.
(Ed: for the benefit of readers, I'd just like to correct an
error in the Sunday Times article - NISA did send a
dance couple to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics last
year - Marika Humphreys and Vitaliy Baranov).
RIDL celebrates 10th anniversary
R IDL (Recreational Ice Dance League) celebrated its tenth
anniversary at the RIDL Finals at Guildford on Saturday the 8th
November, where well over a hundred dancers from all over
UK gathered for the annual event. NISA General Secretary Keith
Horton thoroughly enjoyed himself as he helped Viv Kierle cut the
birthday cake (photo right) and then presented medals to the winning
teams.
Several Leagues participate in the quickfire 'Tournament' style RIDL's
where couples compete head to head on the ice for team points in
between loads of social dancing. The final is a hugely popular event
which enables old friends to meet and enjoy ice dancing.
FAN'S FAVOURITE
Icephoto
intended to be a fun competition and to give additional audience
participation, which will in no way detract from the crowning of the
official British Champions, (who incidentally may very well be one and the same!)
There will be a small charge for your text message, however, NISA will not make any
surpluses from the activity. There will of course be a trophy for the 'FAN'S FAVOURITE', and
if the idea proves successful this year, it will be repeated at future British Championships
and perhaps extended to other disciplines/events.

Ice Link Issue 52 page 2
Ice
Link Editor's Comment
Iwas extremely pleased to receive
Viv Kierle's report on the 10th
anniversary of the RIDL
(Recreational Ice Dance League) held
at Guildford recently.
I remember as though yesterday the
meeting at Queens back in 1992 ,with
the then Ice Dance Committee when I
presented the idea for RIDL. "It'll never Bryan Morrice - Editor
work" was the general response! Well
we tested it at Queens, and here we are, ten years on and it
seems to be as popular as ever. I certainly do believe it has
been the saviour of social ice dancing, which was practically
dead on its feet (or blades!) at the time, with the demise of
public session dance intervals.
Although I thoroughly enjoy living up here in the North of
Scotland, I do miss the fun and sheer enjoyment of those RIDL
events - a hundred plus dancers of all shapes, ages and
standards having a great three or four hours of non-stop
dance interspersed by quick-fire head-to-head competition,
as the judges decide "the A's have it!", or wondering which
team will play their 'joker' for double or nothing points. It's
what ice dancing is all about.
Editor/Designer/Layout/Chief Reporter/Dogsbody ~ Bryan Morrice
Design Assistant ~ Julie Morrice
Photographs ~ NISA Official Photographer - Icephoto
Publisher ~ NISA NIC Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham NG1 1LA
Tel: 0115 988 8060 Fax: 0115 988 8061 or e-mail on nisa@iceskating.org.uk
Website: www.iceskating.org.uk
Contributions, articles, news, photos and information from your rinks are
always welcome. If you have a contribution, or would like to help, contact the
editor at 'Brackenlea', Lower Glenhead, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire
AB51 5PR Telephone: 01467 641389 (set to answerphone only
/ no fax); E-mail on - morrice@globalnet.co.uk
Views expressed in Ice Link are those of the contributors but not necessarily
those of the Governing Bodies or Officers. Copyright is reserved and while
all efforts are made for accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for
printed errors or matters arising from them. No part of the newspaper may
be reproduced without written permission from the publishers.
Next issue of Ice Link 53 prints 17th February 2004
NISA appoints new Sports
Development Manager
NISA is pleased to announce the appointment of our new
Sports Development Manager Mrs Karen King, who joins
us on the 1st December 2003.
Karen is currently employed by Nottingham County Council as a
Development Officer with in the Active Sports programme, prior to this
she was an SDO with Mansfield District Council.
Her sporting interests cover England Hockey Level 1 Coach, British
Athletics Pace-setter Manager and British Trampolining Federation
Advanced Coach. Karen's academic background includes a BSc in
Sports Science and Administration( Nottingham Trent) and an MSC
in Science of Sports Coaching ( Sheffield).
It is hoped that members may be able to meet Karen at some stage
during the forthcoming British Championships in iceSheffield and we
look forward to welcoming her as a valued member of the team. This
now completes the team working alongside Carol Bartlam who was
recently appointed as the Association's Performance Manager.
In other Head Office news, Ken Pendrey has agreed to assume
responsibility on the Board as NISA Performance Director and is
currently building his team to manage this important portfolio. This
follows the earlier resignation in September of Karen Archer. Ken will
continue to oversee matters relating to Short Track and the World
Class Performance Programme, as well as his role on the NISA
Finance Committee.
Len Liggett passes
away at 86 years
B orn
Letters to
the Editor
Dear Editor,
In tidying up after my son I came
across this poem among his
GCSE work. I thought it may
interest you as I feel it describes
quite graphically the drive to
succeed that our young skaters
have.
Mrs J Edwards (Wrexham)
Cold numbs the senses
Creeping into every joint,
Filling the body as if
The master from a reverse hell
has visited.
Ice fingers grip the insides
Penetrating every fibre.
Metal screams in protest,
Friction heating the ice plain,
Leaving furrows in an otherwise
perfect surface.
A test of balance and beauty
In an hostile arena,
Challenging skill and stamina.
Concentration .......
Svengali - like the hypnotic
effect
Of unity with the alien world
Breeds exhilaration and exultant
emotion.
Time spins past faster and faster
Till suddenly the end
approaches.
Reluctantly leaving, heart
beating,
The search for true perfection
unfulfilled.
Downing as if from a drug
induced high
Wishing already to return once
more
To the euphoria of the unending
quest
To be at one wiht the ice.
(Owen Edwards)
Ed: Thanks Julia for sending us
your son's literary effort, it is
certainly quite poignant, and
your letter was no doubt
prompted by the article in our
last issue of Ice Link featuring
Mellisa Maczka's skating and
academic prowess.
Dear Bryan,
Recently at the Scottish Open
Championships at Dumfries on
Sunday 12th October, I fell in
my warm up of the Level 6
Ladies competition and hurt my
ankle. I was lucky there was
help at hand when I fell. I
would like to thank the first aid
team at the Ice Bowl for their
help to get me safely to
hospital. I would also like to
thank everyone who spoke to
me when I returned to the ice
rink from Dumfries Royal
Infirmary: everyone was very
supportive and I appreciated
this very much. I have badly
sprained my ankle and damaged
in 1917, Len joined the then NSA in 1937 and passed the gold-medal proficiency tests
in ice dancing, and later in in pair skating. He turned professional to teach at Liverpool
ice rink, but his career was interrupted by the second world war. From 1940 to 1946 he
served in the Army with the Royal Signals Regiment.
Back on the ice in 1947, he and
Thelma Jenkinson were runnersup
to Ronnie Baker and Gladys
Hogg in the British Open
Professional ice dance
Championship. In 1951 Pamela
Murray joined the Liverpool
teaching staff alongside Len,
and they formed an ideal
partnership. Supremely smooth
and graceful, they were the
British Open Professional Pair
Champions in 1952, and won
the ice dance titles in 1952 and
1954. Between these two
dates they had travelled to
by NISA Historian
Dennis Bird
South Africa, where they skated
in an ice show in Johannesburg.
Len was twice married. His first
wife Joan died in the 1990's
He is survived by his second
wife Lesley, to whom we
extend our deepest
condolences. By then he was
living in Southampton, having
joined the teaching staff at the
(now demolished)
Southampton Ice Rink late in his
career. He was a well liked
colleague of my sister, Joan
Bird, instructress there for more
than 30 years.
my ligaments in my foot. I am in
a back slab (like a plaster cast)
and using crutches, which makes
me VERY tired! I should be back
training at my club Kyle hopefully
after Christmas by which time my
ligaments should have properly
healed.
I felt so silly when I arrived at
hospital! I had my skating dress
on, my hair and make-up still
perfect, my tights, my Kyle Club
jacket AND my skating boot!
The first aid staff left the boot on
to support my ankle until the
doctors yanked it off at the
hospital! Luckily, it was a
Sunday evening and the
Accident & Emergency
department was not busy!
Apart from not being able to
skate, which got me even more
upset, my mum had to drive 58
miles back to Ayr on a windy
road with me spread out on the
back seat of the car in the pitch
black!
Again a big thankyou to
everyone who was concerned
about me. It was very nice and
to the NISA officials and judges
who were very supportive and
gave me some encouragement
to a fast recovery. Thanks again
and I hope any other skater who
gets injured during a
competition is as lucky as I was.
Fiona Rosamond (Kyle FSC)
Ed: Thanks for your letter, and
glad to hear you are now on
the mend. Your letter is a
testament to the skill and care
provided by the Dumfries Ice
Bowl staff who are very highly
trained first aiders.
Dear Bryan,
During the recent NISA Scotland
Open Championships in
Dumfries, I attended a
consultation meeting concerning
proposals for the future
development of skating in
Scotland, but was concerned to
hear that it was unlikely that
future British Championships
would head north again. I was
of the belief that the Centrum
and Dumfries Championships
had been two of the most
successful events in memory, so
why should Scotland be
deprived of the chance to host
what is after all a GB event?
A McIver, Edinburgh
Ed: It is a very important point
you raise and certainly
deserves a full answer. Until
recently there has only been a
limited number of ice facilities
in the UK capable of meeting
the minimum criteria for a
major Championship. With the
opening of national ice centres
in Nottingham and Sheffield,
both with twin Olympic sized
pads, these venues now offer
the best possible facilities in
the UK for our athletes in our
premier national event. It
must also be appreciated that
organising a British
Championships is an extremely
expensive business, and
availability of ice time for
governing body use under the
terms of Lottery funding for
our National Centres, is an
extremely important
consideration. A further
important aspect is the
availability, at these two
national centres, of both ice
pads for practice and the
Championship proper, which
has reduced the time required
to hold the event from 6 days
to 4 days - a considerable
saving, not just for the
Association, but also for the
benefit and expenses of all
skaters, coaches and
spectators throughout the UK.
Finally, Sport England has
invested over £35million to
help create our two national
centres. If such commitment
was ever forthcoming from
north of the border to create
similar World Class facilities,
then undoubtedly the
Championships would most
certainly travel north. But
then, as readers will note from
our front page main story,
'whipping the rug from under
our most promising skaters'
sadly seems to be the current
policy!
Dear Bryan
I would be very grateful if you
would allow me through Ice Link
to express my sincere thanks
and gratitude for the many
condolences and expressions of
sympathy received on the
recent sad loss of my dearest
husband, Len liggett. Myself and
the family were very moved by
the overwhelming amount of
respect and affection shown to
this remarkable man. I must
express a special thankyou to
the committee of Southampton
IDFC, in recent times Len was
proud to accept the invitation
to become Vice President, and
despite his failing health was
able to attend the 50th
anniversary of the club - no
mean feat to stage such an
event so long after the demise
of the old Southampton ice rink.
Mrs Lesley Liggett, Southampton
Dear Bryan,
I expect you have heard of the
sad loss of Len Liggett who was
the senior professional at
Southampton Ice Rink before it
closed. The committee & club
members would be very
pleased if you could include
something in the next Ice Link. I
have attached two & a half
pages on Len, obviously you
won't have space for all of it,
but I thought you might like to
pick out a few salient points.
Many of his ex pupils & friends
are scattered throughout the
country & may not have heard
of his death.
At the moment I am trying to
obtain a good photo of him &
will forward it to you shortly.
I do hope you can find some
space for a tribute to Len.
Eileen Long (Press Officer for
Southampton IDFC).
Dear Bryan
Saddened to hear Len Liggett
has died. I am sure you will be
remembering him in Ice Link and
wondered if you could include
some lesser known skating
memories of him as my tribute.
Mistaken for Rex Harrison in
Queensway and asked for his
autograph.
An admiring lady watching him
skate saying "soft movement and
straight back- just like Fred
Astaire".
A young lady pupil to another
just starting "you have to call him
Mr Liggett, but he`s very nice
really".
Looks like Rex Harrison, dances
like Fred Astaire and a nice
person. I would settle for that.
Tony Berresford, Nottingham
Ed: Thanks to Lesley, Tony,
Eileen and others for sending
me so many tributes - too
many to publish in full - to Len
Liggett who died in
Southampton on 29th
September age 86. In this
issue of Ice Link however, NISA
historian Dennis Bird reflects
on Len's life.
Dear Bryan,
Thankyou for printing my
contributions in the September
Ice Link (Arnold Gerschwiler)
but I expect you noticed a
couple of misprints. Prince's
Skating Club opened in 1896,
not 1986, Cecilia Colledge's
surname was mis-spelt and
Arnold Gerschwiler taught Vala
Osborne, not 'Orborn'. As
editor of our parish magazine I
know how impossible it is to
publish an issue without
misprints!
Dennis Bird, NISA Historian
Ed: Thanks for pointing out
these typos Dennis - I do try
to proof-read as far as
possible, but they still get
through! In fact I personally
get quite annoyed with myself
when such errors are made,
because I really want Ice Link
to always be as accurate as
possible.
Dear Editor,
I would like to point out an error
in Ice Link September Issue 51.
On page 3, within the Coaches
Corner, it lists coaches recently
revalidated at the Kathy Casey
seminar on 25-26th August. I
attended the two day seminar
to revalidate my NCCP Level 3
and not my Level 2 as printed. I
would very much appreciate if
you could correct this in the
next issue in order to resolve the
puzzlement and questioning I
received from some of my
pupils and fellow coaches who
wanted to know why my name
was under Level Two.
Elise Scholes, Kilmarnock.
Ed: Please accept both my and
NISA office's apologies for the
error. It appears it was a
straightforward communication
error in the office, who
received the information by
phone; so there was either a
mistake in the original
information or was written
down incorrectly by the office.
Nonetheless it has clearly
caused a degree of
consternation to yourself. As
soon as I received your letter I
corrected the web issue
version of Ice Link 51 and you
will find a full correction in this
issue's 'Coaches Corner'.
N
Merchandise
I
S
A
NISA is pleased to offer
members a range of quality
skating clothing and
accessories at very competitive
prices
All proceeds go to Skaters Fund
Telephone order line: 0870 758 0278
or check NISA website: www.nisa-uk.org
Tights order line: 0870 758 0269

COACHES
'Coaches Corner' is a regular feature of Ice Link
and gives full details of seminars, education
programmes and items of general interest both
for Coaches and skaters alike.
NCCP Revalidations (Cathy Casey Seminar 25-26th August 2003) Correction
CORNER
In our printed verion of Ice Link issue 51 Elise Scholes was incorrectly stated as Level 2. Our apologies to Elise
and of course congratulations to: Level 3 Elise Scholes
Congratulations to the following on achieving NCCP
passes since last issue.
Level 1 Fay Brindle, Sarah Christou, Stacey Bullock,
NCCP Passes
Beth Manners.
Level 2 Claire Dawson, Sarah George, Kimberley
Mulgrew, Tristan Cousins.
NCCP - Attention all coaches / would-be coaches
The current NCCP programme has been running in its current format since the 1st May 1998. The
time has come to review the programme and reflect on both the positive and the negative
aspects of the programme to ensure that the programme is up to date and reflects the needs of
an ever developing sport, both in the UK and around the world. It is also essential that coaches have
an even greater working knowledge of the new ISU judging systems which will clearly have an impact
on coaches and the way they prepare their skaters for competitions and tests. It is true to say that
the new current NISA test system is not fully understood by all coaches therefore an even greater
collaboration with judges is essential to ensure that coaches are fully up to speed not only with the
physical changes within the test structures but also the philosophy which underpins such change.
Listed below are some of the
various changes which will come
into effect during 2004 and
beyond as part of the
Association’s strategic plan.
As you will be aware there is no longer a
coaching committee or coaching activity group.
The NISA board director for coaching has
therefore appointed working groups, formed
each of three coaches to represent the different
skating disciplines: - figure, ice dance,
synchronized, short track and recreational. The
appointed members of the groups will report
back to the board director for coaching, he will
in turn take any comment to the relevant
technical committee and or the NISA board of
directors.
� To establish within the NCCP programme a
Skate UK assistants programme, this prior to
Level 1 to enable those skaters already
assisting on the Skate UK programme to be
better informed about basic coaching skills.
� To cut back on the large amount of
administration involved with the NCCP
programme.
� Currently the written NCCP examination is
based broadly on skating techniques; this to
be changed to cover more of the core
knowledge subjects contained within the
Sports Coach UK workshops and home study
packs. (Or equivalent sports science
diplomas).
� The Mentor programme to be reviewed. The
Mentor programme is difficult to monitor, it
has been noted that the spirit of the Mentor
programme is not being respected.
� A more in depth programme of seminars to
be introduced to replace the Mentor training
programme.
� To introduce an oral examination at all levels
based on a formal interview panel process.
The skater’s Mentor will not be involved in
this process.
� To introduce an ongoing series of coach
development seminars, this in addition to
the current NCCP seminars. These seminars
Peter Morrissey
NISA Board Director
Coaching
will cover a wide range of
coaching issues and will be open
to all and will also be a part of
revalidation.
� To introduce a revalidation process based
on an ongoing series of credits over a three
year period. Each revalidation /
development or other seminar will carry a
certain number of credits, based on the level
and significance of the seminar. 15 credits
will have to be achieved over a three year
period to maintain the relevant NCCP Level.
In addition a certain number of practical
requirements will be needed to maintain the
level, both test and competitive. It will also
be a requirement for coaches to submit an
individual portfolio outlining all of the
relevant credits and practical requirements
achieved.
� To create specific judge and coach seminars
as part of the revalidation process which will
be mandatory for all coaches.
Levels 4 & 5 of the programme will be
developed and maintained in conjunction with
the NISA Performance Manager. It is considered
important that Level 4 & 5 coaches be trained
and revalidated in conjunction with their
performance level pupils and not in isolation.
An NCCP grading system to be introduced in
addition to the current programme, this to
award coaches who are developing competitive
skaters a grade in addition to the NCCP Level.
This to be called the NCCP competitive grade
award, awarded to coaches ‘producing’
competitive skaters, often against all the odds!
(Example NCCP Level 3 ‘competitive’ coach).
The possible fast-tracking of elite senior and
junior competitive skaters through certain
aspects of the Level 1 & 2 programmes.
To acknowledge the achievements of skaters
having participated at international level for
Great Britain and look at ways that those skaters
can help other skaters through their own skating
achievements and experiences.
The next edition of Ice Link will contain more
information on the amendments to the NCCP
programme.
Coaches off to sunnier climes
Tim, Pauline and Luke Chilcott have moved
to Dallas, Texas, Tim and Pauline to teach
and Luke to train. They will be back in
February when Luke competes in the Novice
Championships. Tim started skating at Bristol
when he was seven. Robin Cousins was already
there training and was a big influence on Tim’s
skating.
Pauline started at age four when her sister, Joan
Dean (remember the “Skate” magazine) took her
to Queens and Streatham. Pauline’s coaches
were Colin Bosley and Jacques Gerschwiler. She
took her gold dance test with Bernard Spencer.
Initially teaching at Streatham she moved to
Gillingham when it opened. One of her pupils
was Panos Panayi (who skated with Sharon
Wilkinson). who has been in Dallas for 15 years
and offered Tim and Pauline the opportunity to
coach there. They would like to pass on
goodbyes to all they know.
Soon to be jetting off to sunny California, Lorna
Brown has just received her coveted Green
Card, and is busy planning a bright new future in
the sunshine state. No stranger to the US, Lorna
was a principal member of John Curry's Company
for several years both here and in America,
performing in New York's Broadway and of
course at the London Palladium.
Lorna, former World Professional Champion, and
Level 4 Master Coach, holds a BSc in Sports
Education gained in the US said, "I was offered
work with Ice Theatre of New York and JoJo
Starbuck at the Rockerfeller Centre but I am
going to work in Torrence, California where
Scott Williams works with Michelle Kwan". She is
planning to live in Hermosa Beach, in the South
Bay area between Malibu and Palos Verdes,
working as a coach and choreographer. She
added, "I am going to give it a go there as I love
living there". We wish her well.
Pathway to the
Championships
The British Ice Skating
Championships in
Sheffield are fast
approaching and the NIC
Academy skaters are hard at work preparing
to take part.
The National Ice Centre will be sending 20 Elite
and Intermediate Elite skaters from its Academy
to the competition on 3-6 December, which is the
largest contingent from any rink in the UK.
Joy Sutcliffe, Head NIC and GB Coach said "The
National Ice Centre benefits from the best
training facilities and coaches in the UK, so it is
fitting to be represented by so many of the UK's
best ice skaters. They have all worked so hard
and deserve their places at the Championships."
Competing for the NIC in the free skating
competitions are Jody Annandale, Beverley
Carstairs and Vickie Rider in the Primary Ladies,
Vickie is a new addition to the NIC Academy.
Nick Buckland flies the flag in the Primary Men's,
Catherine Parkinson and Brydie
Nevatte will compete in the Junior
Ladies with Alex Wilde, Matthew
Parr, Thomas Paulson and Elliot
Hilton competing in the Junior Men's.
The mighty trio of James Black,
Matthew Davies and Tristan
Cousins will
also compete for
the honour of Senior
Men's Champion.
A special mention goes to
Brydie Nevatte and
Catherine Parkinson who
have worked extremely hard
to qualify.
In the Dance Championships,
two couples will represent the
National Ice Centre. Sophie
Brydie
Nevatte
Yates and Jonathon Hodgkinson
will compete in the Primary's and
Lauren Bradshaw and Philip
Tierney will compete in the
Senior's.
Good Luck to all the National Ice
Centre skaters!
Catherine
Parkinson
New City
landmark
NIC
promotional
feature
Work has begun on a striking city
centre landmark to take pride of
place outside the National Ice Centre.
The tall, slender, stainless steel sculpture will
become the focal point of Bolero Square and at
19 metres tall; its highest point will tower
above the NIC.
The abstract design by the critically acclaimed
pairing of Wolfgang and Heron is based on a
spinning ice skater and is the final piece of the
£43m venue to be completed. The sculpture will
actually rotate and is due to be unveiled at the end
of this month, so next time you're at the NIC,
check it out!
Ice Link Issue 52 page 3
National Ice Centre
The heart of the action
Mighty Matt
Congratulations to Matthew Davies who has been
selected to represent Great Britain in Zargreb. His
sheer guts and determination are an inspiration to
all members of the Academy and the National Ice
Centre is extremely proud of what he has
achieved.
Good Luck Matt, the NIC is proud to have you as
one of our boys!
Great Merano
Skate Feat
Ice Skaters from the National Ice Centre
have returned triumphant after
monopolising the Merano Cup in Italy.
Matthew Parr, Elliot Hilton and Thomas
Paulson swept the board with an
unprecedented success, achieving a first,
second and third in the competition held at The
Ice House.
"This is a great accomplishment for one country,"
said Joy Sutcliffe "such an outcome has never
occurred at junior level whereby all of the skaters
were British, let alone from the same rink. It
really is an exceptional achievement for both GB
and the National Ice Centre."
Elsewhere in the competition, the NIC's fourth and
only female contender Jody Annandale pulled up
in the long programme from third to give her an
extremely commendable second placing.
Jody Annandale -
"commendable
second place!"
Matthew
Davies

Ice Link Issue 52 page 4
2003 - 2004 NISA National Events Diary
Dec 2 - 6th
2004
British Ice Figure & Dance Championships 2003 iceSheffield
Jan 18th British Synchronized Skating Championships 2004 (NB: NEW DATE) NIC Nottingham
Feb 13-14th British Novice & Pre-Novice Championships 2004 iceSheffield
Apr 3-4th British Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2004 NIC Nottingham
Dec 1-4th British Ice Figure & Dance Championships 2004 NIC Nottingham
2003-4 Domestic Figure & Dance Diary (& Regional Tests)
In order to clarify the position as regards Ice Figure open competitions / accredited qualifying events, we have produced the
calendar below including full details as at date of printing. Any Ice Figure event not listed in the table below has not been
registered with the NISA Ice Figure Committee and no permit will have been issued. All clubs should note that announcements
and permit applications for Ice Figure competitions are to be sent to Maggie Worsfold, 54 Moat St. Edinburgh EH14 1PH
Key to abbreviations: N/a = Not applicable NR = Not Received U Disc = Under discussion Reg = Event Registered (S) =
Singles Accredited Event (P) = Pairs Accredited Event. (D) = Dance Accredited Open, P = Primary J = Junior S = Senior
Date Event Announcement Permit Accredited Referee Contact
Approved Issued Events
Dec 15th Murrayfield Regional Tests (now Full) NISA Office
2004
Jan 12th Alexandra Palace Regional tests now at ROMFORD (changed venue) NISA Office
12th Nottingham Regional Ice Dance tests NISA Office
13th Coventry Regional Tests NISA Office
Feb 25th Bristol Opens U Disc NR No D Stevens J Murch
Mar 8-9th Bradford Opens NR/Reg NR (S) P/J/S T Houghton M King
8-9th Romford Opens U Disc NR No D Stevens J Wilkins
13-14th Magnum Opens NR/Reg NR (S) P/J/S A Findlay S Wilson
Apr 20-23rd Bracknell Opens Dates Notified NR (S/P) P/J/S V Riley /
S Hanrahan S Truby
24-25th Kyle Opens Dates Notified NR (S) P/J/S (P) P M Worsfold R Otterson
26-28th Streatham Opens NR/Reg NR (S) P/J/S (P) P J Hopkinson
May 10-11th Lee Valley Opens Dates Notified NR No S Hanrahan M Hunt
Jun 2-4th Blackpool Opens NR/Reg NR No S Naylor
24-25th Bracknell Adult opens Dates Notified NR No S Hanrahan S Truby
Jul 5-6th Guildford Opens Dates Notified NR No A Terry
2003 - 2006 ISU International Events Diary
Nov 26 - 30th NHK Trophy Grand Prix Asahikawa, Japan
Dec 2-5th Helena Pajovic Cup Belgrade, Serbia
5th International Figure Skating Challenge (Invitational) Auburn Hills, USA
12-14th Junior Grand Prix Final Malmo, Sweden
12-14th Grand Prix Final (Senior) Colorado Springs, USA
19-21st 9th Pavel Roman Memorial Olomouc, Czech Rep
2004
Jan 14-16th Skate Canada Synchro International (Senior/Junior) Mississauga, Canada
19-25th Four Continents Figure Championships Hamilton, Canada
23-25 Finlandia Cup Synchro (Senior/Junior) Helsinki, Finland
30- Feb 1st Prague Cup Synchro (Senior/Junior) Prague, Czech Rep
2-8th European Figure Championships Budapest, Hungary
5-8th Dragon Trophy (Junior/Novice) Ljubljana, Slovenia
6-8th French Cup Synchro (Senior/Junior/Novice) Rouen, France
12-15th Spring Cup Synchro (Senior/Junior/Novice) Milan, Italy
12-15th Baltic Cup (Juniors/Novice) Gdansk, Poland
13-15th The Nordics (Senior/Junior) Helsingborg, Sweden
14-19th Paektusan Prize (Senior/Junior) Pyongyang, DPR Korea
19-21st Neuchâtel Trophy Synchro Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Mar 1-7th World Junior Figure Skating Championships The Hague, Netherlands
11-13th Mladost Trophy (Junior/Novice) Zagreb, Croatia
11-14th World Challenge Cup for Juniors (Synchro) Milan, Italy
12-14th Isar-Pokal (Junior/Novice) Munich, Germany
12-14th Copenhagen Trophy (Senior/Junior/Novice) Copenhagen, Denmark
22-28th World Figure Skating Championships Dortmund, Germany
31 - Apr 4th Gardena Spring Trophy (Junior) Selva di val Gardena Italy
1-4th World Synchronized Skating Championships Zagreb, Croatia
1-3rd Silver Skate Ankara, Turkey
6-8th Mladost Trophy Synchro (Senior/Junior/Novice) Belgrade, Serbia
6th International Figure Skating Challenge (Senior invitational) tba USA
14-18th Triglav Trophy (Senior/Junior/Novice) Jesenice, Slovenia
2005
Jan 24-30th European Figure Skating Championships Torino, Italy
Feb 7-13th Four Continents Figure Skating Championships Seoul, Korea
28- Mar 6th World Junior Figure Skating Championships Kitchener, Canada
14-20th World Figure Skating Championships Moscow, Russia
31-Apr 3rd World Synchronized Skating Championships Gothenborg, Sweden
2006
Jan 16-22nd European Figure Skating Championships Paris, France
23-29th Four Continents Figure Skating Championships tba
Feb 10-26th Olympic Winter Games Torino, Italy
Mar 6-12th World Junior Figure Skating Championships Ljubljana, Slovenia
20-26th World Figure Skating Championships Calgary, Canada
30-Apr 2nd World Synchronized Skating Championships Prague, Czech Rep
THE FUTURE FOR ICE SKATING IN SCOTLAND - CONSULTATION MEETINGS
A series of meetings for all interested members, skaters, parents and coaches in Scotland will be held at three
rink locations in Scotland between the 9-11th December 2003. Keith Horton, General Secretary of NISA will
outline initial thinking and ideas for the creation of SKATE SCOTLAND, as a fully devolved Home Country
association responsible for the development and delivery of ice skating in Scotland.
There will be an opportunity for those present to discuss the ideas and provide invaluable feedback, as part of a
full consultation programme, following from extensive discussions with Sportscotland during the past year.
Braehead Tuesday 9th December in Carling Bar 18:30 (space limited / come early)
Murrayfield Wednesday 10th December 18:30
Aberdeen Linx Thursday 11th December in Linx Bar18:45 (space limited / come early)
It is hoped that these locations will enable as many as possible from all parts of Scotland to attend. An initial
meeting was held earlier at the Dumfries NISA Scotland Open Championships
ADULT SYNCHRO COMPETITIONS - CHANGE TO MINIMUM AGE
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT the minimum age for all Adult Synchro Competitions has been reduced to 21yrs as at 1st
July prior to the competition.
NISA official stuff!
Attention all skaters, coaches, judges and officials - this is the page to read to keep
up to date with all the Association's Official Information
ATTENTION TEST ORGANISERS & JUDGES
From 1st january 2004 standard tests levels 1-6 inclusive in both figure and dance will be judged by only one
judge. This will be compulsory and there is no longer the option to use two judges as has been the case in
2003.
For tests levels 1-3 test organisers must ensure that the judges are alternated and no judge is used for two
consecutive test sessions in the same rink. Any exceptions to this must be authorised by judges/officials director.
Level 7 and higher tests will still be judged by two standard test judges and competitive tests will still be judged
by three judges from the soon to be announced competitive panels.
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2004 QUALIFYING
THE FULL DOCUMENT REGARDING QUALIFICATION FOR ENTRY TO THE 2004 CHAMPIONSHIP WILL SHORTLY BE
AVAILABLE ON THE NISA WEBSITE.
GENERIC COMPETITION CRITERIA FOR OPEN FIGURE, DANCE AND SYNCHRO COMPETITIONS
Updated criteria for figure competitions and new generic criteria for dance and synchro competitions will shortly
be available on the NISA web-site. This criteria ensures that all open competitions follow the same entry and
program rules. All competition organisers and referees should ensure that only this criteria is included within
their competition announcements. Permits WILL NOT be granted for competitions which do not do so.
RECRUITMENT OF NEW JUDGES
NISA is currently looking to recruit new judges in and dance judges trained in the discipline . In some
figure,dance and synchro. Applicants should have cases fast track promotion is possible. This is especially
skated themselves and be eligible persons.
relevant where selection to international status is
Skaters who may have registered for NCCP but have dependant on age.
not continued with this are welcome to apply as re- Judge education has changed considerably in recent
instatement as an eligible (amateur) person is
years and each new probationary judge is allocated a
immediate upon application and agreement from the mentor in their geographical region to assist, educate
N.I.S.A. Board. There is no longer the former
and generally welcome them into the judging
mandatory time-delay between coaching and judging, community.
although certain restrictions are in place to cover
conflicts of interests.
Application forms and eligibility re-instatement forms
can be downloaded from the NISA web-site or are
In the past there has been a distinct lack of dual duty available from the NISA office.
(multi discipline) judges and so NISA now try to ensure
that new judges are offered the chance to judge both
figure and dance if they have the relevant test medals
in both. Synchronised skating is judged by both figure
Any enquiries should be sent to Liz Littler, Director
Judges/Officials Education at Lizsedge@aol.com but
application forms should be sent direct to the NISA
office.
NOVICE AND PRE-NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIPS, SHEFFIELD FEBRUARY 13TH/14TH 2004
PLEASE SEE NISA WEB SITE FOR ALL DETAILS AND APPLICATION FORMS.
CLARIFICATION ON SPINS (ISU Communication 1233)
Clarification on spins in Single and Pair Short and Free Programme (ISU Communication 1233)
If a skater falls in the entrance of a spin, this attempt is treated as an (unsuccessful) element, but can be immediately
followed by a simple spin or a spinning movement (for filling time purpose) without this spin or movement being
included in the number of elements of the programme.
Explanation: The failed spin in the short programme will not be treated as an omission and the simple spin (which
must follow immediately) will not be treated as an extra element. The deduction will be taken as a fall in the spin
element.
In the free programme the failed spin will not be treated as an omission but as not complying with revolution
requirements and the deduction will be taken on that basis.
ISU SEMINARS & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS
Would all international and senior dance and figure judges please be aware that nisa has applied to hold two
recognised seminars in 2004 to comply with isu judging criteria both to be held in Sheffield.
We have received agreement to a figure seminar early 2005, prior to April. Provisional requested dates for dance
were 24-26 sept 2004 but ISU may wish to change this if we are granted this seminar.
International figure and dance judges should not commit themselves to national competitions from September to
November each year until they have been allocated international competitions.
This year skaters have competed abroad without a British judge because none were available due to national
events. Please give priority to international competitions and allow national judges, who often are not invited, to
officiate at home.
SOLO ICE DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFIERS 2004
Solo Ice Dance Championship Qualifiers:
Alexandra Palace 10th / 11th March 2004, Bracknell 19th April 2004, Coventry 25th / 26th March 2004, Deeside
10th May 2004, Dumfries (date TBA) and Nottingham (date TBA).
The final is to be held at Ice Sheffield provisional dates are 24th/ 25th July 2004 - please check NISA website for
confirmation.
Ist December in the year preceding the
event or a minimum of 6 months prior
to the event
6 months prior to the event
1 month prior to the event
No later than 4 weeks after the event
TIMETABLE FOR OPEN EVENTS ADMINISTRATION
Submit Event Registration Form to NISA for inclusion in Events
Calendar. Clashes in dates in the calendar will be notified
Submit the announcement checked and signed by the referee
and with a provisional list of judges to the Technical
Committee of the appropriate discipline c/o the NISA Office.
Any queries will be raised directly with the referee.
An announcement authorisation form will be issued and, only
on receipt of this, can the announcement be issued to clubs
and notified on the NISA website and in Ice Link
Submit the permit application form with a copy of your club's
insurance certificate, the list of confirmed judges and a
cheque for the appropriate amount to the Events Directorate,
c/o the NISA Office.
Club
Submit the protocol to the Events Directorate c/o the NISA Office
Referee
Submit the Event Report to the Events Directorate, c/o the NISA Office
Send the Judges reports to the person named on the bottom of the
report form
Send the athlete development form to the Performance Director c/o the
NISA office
SQUAD SELECTION 2004
The selection of the new British and Development Squads (Senior / Junior / Primary) for Ice Figure and Ice Dance will
be made in January 2004.
The selection of the new Junior Development Squads (Novice / Pre-Novice) for Ice Figure and Ice Dance will be
made following the National Championships in February 2004.
Squad selection will depend not only on results at the National Championships, but also on a variety of factors such
as competence for age, form shown during the period leading up to the selection process, preparation disrupted
due to illness, injury or personal reason, and other criteria appropriate to the selection process.

NISA official stuff!
Attention all skaters, coaches, judges and officials - this is the page to read to keep
up to date with all the Association's Official Information
Ice Figure Programme Technical Requirements for 2004
Important Announcement - Figure
Would everyone please ensure that they understand that the following information comes into effect on 1st January
2004 for Competitive Tests and Open Competitions. Dance and Synchro to be advised separately.
Singles
SENIORS 2004
Singles Short Programme (Max 2min 40sec)
a) Double Axel or (Men) triple Axel
b) Triple or (Men) quadruple jump immediately preceded by connecting
steps and/or other comparable free skating movements
c) Jump combination consisting of (Ladies) double and a triple jump or
two triple jumps (Men) double and a triple jump, two triple jumps or
a quadruple jump with a double or a triple. (Ladies & Men: No
repeat of a or b)
d) Flying spin (free choice - 8 revolutions)
e) (Ladies) Layback or sideways leaning spin - 8 revs. (Men) Sit or camel
spin with only one change of foot - 6 revs on each foot.
f) Spin combination with one change of foot and at least two changes
of position (sit, camel, upright or any variation thereof - all three
positions must be attained; 6 revolutions on each foot)
g) (Ladies) Spiral step sequence - at least three spiral positions and at
least one change of foot. (Men) Two step sequences of a different
nature - straight line, circular or serpentine.
h) (Ladies only) Step sequence - straight line, circular or serpentine.
(Men): Note only one quadruple jump can be performed in the short
program either as the solo jump or in the jump combination.
Pairs
Singles Long Program 2004
Men: 4 1 ⁄2 mins / Ladies 4 mins (±10sec)
Well balanced programme in accordance with ISU Rule 320
Senior Pair Short Programme 2004 (Group B)
(Max 2 min 40 sec)
a) Any Lasso lift take off - Group 5
b) Double twist lift
c) Double or triple throw jump
d) Double or triple solo jump
e) Solo spin with only one change of foot and at least one change of
position (5 revolutions on each foot)
f) Pair spin combination with only one change of foot and at least one
change of position (sit, camel, upright or any variation thereof - min 8
revs in positions in total)
g) Death spiral back inside
h) Spiral Step sequence (minimum two spiral positions by each partner -
pattern optional but must achieve full utilisation of ice surface)
Senior Pair Long Programme 2004
4 1 ⁄2 mins (±10sec)
ISU Rule 321
a) Minimum 3 lifts: maximum 5 (1 must be a twist lift but not more than
2) with full extension of the lifting arm
b) Minimum 1 throw jump: maximum 2
c) Minimum 1 solo jump: maximum 2
d) Only 1 jump sequence (number of jumps included free choice)
e) Minimum 1 pair spin combination (min 8 revs in total with at least 1
change of foot by both partners (not necessarily at same time):
maximum 2 (second spin if executed can be either a pair spin or a
pair spin combination; no compulsory revs requirement)
f) Only 1 solo spin (min 6 revs in total)
g) Minimum 1 death spiral : maximum 2 (second death spiral must be
different from first or another pivot figure can be executed)
h) Minimum 1 step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine)
i) Minimum 1 moves in the field (fully utilising the ice surface and
including turns, spirals, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, strong edges and
linking steps)
JUNIORS 2004
Singles
Junior Short Programme 2004 (Max 2min 40sec)
Junior Men - (Group C) / Junior Ladies (Group C)
a) Double Axel
b) Double or triple Loop immediately preceded by connecting steps
and/or other comparable free skating movements
c) Jump combination consisting of (Ladies) two doubles or a double
and a triple jump; (Men) double and a triple jump or two triple
jumps (Ladies & Men: No repeat of a or b)
d) Flying Camel spin (8 revolutions)
e) (Ladies) Layback or sideways leaning spin (8 revolutions); (Men) Sit
spin with only one change of foot (6 revolutions on each foot)
f) Combination spin with only one change of foot and at least two
changes of position (sit, camel, upright or any variation thereof - all
three positions must be attained; 6 revolutions on each foot)
g) (Ladies) Spiral step sequence - at least three spiral positions and at
least one change of foot. (Men) Two step sequences of a different
nature - straight line, circular or serpentine.
h) (Ladies only) Step sequence - straight line, circular or serpentine.
Junior Long Programme 2004
Men: 4 mins / Ladies 3 1 ⁄2 mins (±10sec)
Well balanced program in accordance with ISU Rule 320
Pairs
Junior Pair Short Programme 2004 (Group B)
(Max 2 min 40 sec)
a) Toe Lasso lift take off - Group 5 (double)
b) Double twist lift
c) Double or triple Toe Loop throw jump
d) Double Loop or double Axel solo jump
e) Solo spin with only one change of foot and at least one change of
position (5 revolutions on each foot)
f) Pair spin combination with only one change of foot and at least one
change of position (sit, camel, upright or any variation thereof - 8
revolutions in positions in total)
g) Death spiral back inside
h) Spiral Step sequence (minimum two spiral positions by each partner -
pattern optional but must achieve full utilisation of ice surface)
Singles
Junior Pair Long Programme 2004
4 mins (±10sec) ISU Rule 321
Technical Requirements as for Senior Pairs
PRIMARY 2004
Primary Short Programme 2004 (Max 2min 40sec)
Primary Men - (Group C) / Primary Ladies (Group C)
Technical Requirements as for Junior Ladies / Men
Pairs
Primary Long Programme 2004
Men: 3 1 ⁄2 mins / Ladies 3 mins (±10sec)
Well balanced Junior ISU program in accordance with rule 320
Primary Pair Short Programme 2004
(Max 2 min 15 sec)
a) 1 Twist lift - Single or Double
b) 1 Solo jump - Single or Double - Free Choice
c) 1 Pair spin - No change of foot, change of position optional
(minimum 4 revolutions)
d) 1 Pivot figure (pivot position by man required)
e) 1 Step sequence (pattern optional but must achieve full utilization of
ice surface)
Primary Pair Long Programme 2004
3 mins (±10sec)
The well balanced programme must contain:
a) Minimum 2 different lifts: maximum 4 (only 1 may be a twist lift). Lifts
can only be selected from groups 1, 2 and 4
b) Minimum 1 throw jump: maximum 2 (single or double)
c) Only 1 solo jump (single or double)
d) Only 1 jump sequence (any number of single and/or double jumps)
e) Minimum 1 pair spin or pair spin combination (minimum 4 revolutions
in total); Maximum 2, (second spin, if executed need not comply with
rev requirements)
f) Only 1 solo spin (minimum 4 revolutions in total)
g) Minimum 1 pivot figure or death spiral. Maximum 2 (Only 1 may be a
death spiral)
h) Minimum 1 spiral sequence
i) Minimum 1 step sequence
Singles
NOVICE 2004
Novice Short Programme 2004
(Max 2 min 15 sec)
a) Single or double Axel
b) (Ladies) Double jump (Men) or triple jump immediately preceded by
steps and/or other comparable skating movements
c) Jump combination consisting (Ladies) two double jumps (Men) two
double jumps or one triple and one double jump. (Ladies & Men)
No repeat of a) or b).
d) Flying spin (Free Choice - 6 revolutions)
e) Combination spin with only one change of foot and at least one
change of position (sit, camel, upright or any variation thereof; 5
revolutions on each foot)
f) (Men) One step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine);
(Ladies) or spiral sequence as per ISU regs
Novice Long Programme 2004
2 1 ⁄2 mins (±10sec)
a) No limit of different jumps but if triple jumps are included ISU
regulations apply to repeated triple jumps
b) Minimum 1 and maximum 3 jump combinations or sequences
c) Minimum 3 different spins - compulsory 1 flying and 1 combination
(min 10 revs in total in combination spin and 4 revs in total in each of
other required spins)
d) Minimum 1 spiral or step sequence fully utilising ice surface
Pairs
Novice Pairs Long Programme 2004
2 mins (±5 sec)
The well balanced programme must contain:
a) Minimum 2 lifts: maximum 3 (Only 1 may be a single twist lift. This
complies with Group 2) Lifts can only be selected from Groups 1 and
2, with the exception of the Platter lift.
b) Only 1 throw jump (single or double)
c) Only 1 solo jump (single or double)
d) Minimum 1 pair spin (min 3 revs in total). Maximum 2 (second pair
spin, if executed, need not comply with rev requirements)
e) Only 1 solo spin (min 3 revs in total)
f) Minimum 1 death spiral or pivot figure. Maximum 2 (only 1 may be a
death spiral.)
g) Minimum 1 step or spiral sequence
Singles
PRE-NOVICE 2004
Pre Novice Long Programme 2004
2 1 ⁄2 mins (±10sec)
The well balanced programme must contain a minimum of:
a) 1 single Axel
b) 2 different double jumps
c) 1 jump combination comprising 1 single and 1 double or 2 double
jumps
d) 1 flying spin (free choice, min 4 revs)
e) 1 spin combination (1 change of foot and at least 1 change of
position, min 5 revs on each foot)
f) 1 other spin (free choice, min 4 revs)
g) 1 step sequence or moves in the field sequence.
BRITISH ICE FIGURE & DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2003
Make sure you book now to secure your tickets for this year's Championships at iceSheffield 2nd - 6th December
2003 as seats are limited.
Telephone Hotline 0114 256 56 56 for tickets available from £8 (£6 concession). Season Tickets are also
available. You can get further details about this year's Championships from the official event website
www.britishchampionships2003.co.uk
Due to high demand, tickets for the NISA Christmas Banquet and disco following the Championships are already
completely SOLD OUT.
Sarah &
Jon improve
in world rankings Debate
What a start to the International competitive season, with only 2 of the 6 World
Cup competitions having taken place 7 World Records have already been broken
all of them by skaters from either Korea or Canada (5 male and 2 female records).
With the competitive bar getting higher all the time skaters from Great Britain were not going to
be left behind.
Sarah Lindsay skated the 6th fastest 500m of all time when she finished 3rd in the semi-final at the first of the
two World Cup competitions to be held in North America. Sarah shaved over 3/4 of a second off her own British
record. After the first 2 World Cups Sarah is ranked 5= in the 500m distance and 9th overall.
Joanna Williams continued her recovery
and is ranked 16th overall after 2
competitions.
In the Men’s category, Jon Eley set new
British records in the 500m and 1500m
distances, and the Relay team of Jon, Tom
Iveson, Paul Stanley and Leon Flack took
7seconds off the 5000m relay British
record.
Jon not only skated fast but showed how
much he is improving the tactical side to his
racing and maturing into a World Class
skater. With other top class skaters
having mixed results Jon is ranked 6th
Overall, this is very impressive as he
still has one more year as a Junior.
Tom Iveson continued this season
where he left off last season,
with up and down fighting
performances, after the 2
competitions tom has an
overall ranking of 12th.
The other individual
places were shared
between Leon
Flack and Paul
Stanley. Leon ranked
35th at the first World
Cup in Calgary Canada
and Paul ranked a very good
21st for his first time at this level in the
2nd World Cup in Marquette USA.
The Men’s team also improved their ranking moving up
from last years ranking of 9th to 6th after the 2
Short Track Open
Camp planned for
iceSheffield
here will be a Short Track 'Open Camp' on 21-
T22nd February 2004 at iceSheffield. The camp will
include on and off ice training sessions and seminars
on various subjects. Cost will be £5.00 per skater to
attend, which is non-refundable. Club secretaries
are asked to submit names and payment to Mina
Machin at the NISA office no later then 10th February
2004. All Coaches are very welcome to attend this
camp with their skaters.
There are plans to hold a Short Track Officials
seminar on the 22nd February also at iceSheffield.
Further details to follow. The British Short Track
Speed Skating Championships will take place at
iceSheffield on the 3rd & 4th April 2004.
Peter finds it 'Worth'
the effort as Chief
Referee
Peter Worth
has had his
first assignment
from the ISU as
Chief Referee at
this season's
opening World
Cup event in
Calgary, Canada.
Peter has been
on the
Championship
Referee’s list for 3 years and has had regular
assignments as an Assistant Referee. (There are
4 Assistant Referees but only one Chief Referee
at each competition).
Peter said "I found the step up a big one with
a lot more responsibility, I found it hard work
but very enjoyable and I hope to get more
assignments as a Chief Referee in the future”.
Ice Link Issue 52 page 5
Short Track
Update
News Results
competitions, in both the Relay and Overall Team
World ranking.
The next step is for our skaters to make a
final and start to win medals, National
Coach Stuart Horsepool said ”This
is a good start to the season,
most of the skaters have
already reached their time
targets for the year, now
we also have to raise our
competitive bar and
make new targets and
new goals, we are still a
bit behind the skaters
taking the medals but the
gap is closing, even with the
new World records”.
The next competition for
the Squad will be in
Bormio Italy, the whole
Squad will travel to
Bormio for a week long
training camp which will
be followed by an
Sarah Lindsay
International
Icephoto
competition.

Ice Link Issue 52 page 6
AAduultt CChhammppioonnsshippss
220033 PPhoottoo Seleecctiioon
Editor's apology
Dear readers,
I had a terribly difficult time
selecting from the excellent
photos of this event, but
space prevented me from
publishing all I wanted to - I
hope this selection gives you
a real flavour for this
wonderful event - an
inspiration to all you adults
out there!
Joy Shellard
Angela
Massey
Hannah
Gravestock
Irene & Jack
Stoddart
Carmen O'Dell
Krishna
Chavda
Jenny Bill
On Sunday 28th September 2003 the British Adult
Championships took place at the Ice Arena in
Sheffield. This was the second year this event has
been held and it proved to be bigger than the first -
writes Viv Kierle.
For those who supported the first event and returned to
the second it was clear that your interest for the event
has grown. In fact much to the surprise of all the
organisers The number of entries for the categories far
exceeded expectation. I have not calculated the exact
number of new supporters but it felt like about a third of
skaters were new to the event. The numbers were very
encouraging for the future of this event and NISA have
an extended interest in supporting it.
Apart from the skaters whose efforts and hard work
showed throughout the individual competitions we
welcomed back support from Judges who were at last
years event as well as ones who were new to it. Most
have already pledged their support for next year's event.
My thanks go to the dance judges: Sandra Brown,
Audrey Dingley, Noel Grimshaw, Edward Mills, Cyril Yates
and Kay Robinson, Referee. My thanks go to the free
skating judges: Jane Brown, Helga Reed, Claire
Shepherd, and Paula Mallinson, referee.
The day proved long and arduous for everyone, starting
at 8.45am and finishing at 20.30pm. It was a mammoth
event that would not have run smoothly without the
support of local helpers under the skilled management
Peter Baker
John Fisher
Daniel Munn -
almost flying!!
of Maxine at Sheffield. In and out of the results room
supporting Ian Williams on skate score the paperwork
flowed all day. Ann McGarry and myself: our feet never
touched the ground as we took up any task around the
arena finally looking after the tables of medals and
trophies. Yes this year there were a lot more trophies,
some donated, the others purchased via adult fund,
supported by NISA. My thanks to all of you. Last but not
least many thanks to Peter Morrissey who not only
helped to host the event on behalf of Management but
spent most of the day announcing the competitors.
This event was a grand effort supported by Coaches,
skaters and spectators and ran as smoothly as any event
of this size. However, it did not go without some hic
cups behind the scenes like the computers breaking
down and unplanned presentations that eventually
proved to save time at the end of the event. Thanks to
everyone who rallied round during times of crisis.
So here's looking forward to the next one.............
Preliminary information on 2004: Date: September 2004.
Location: mid country. Next year the event will be linked
in to qualifying competitions. The exact number,
location, dates and competition details will be available
January 2004. Information will be posted on both the
NISA website and www.nordet.com 2003 results are
posted on the latter website, thanks to the enormous
help of Norman Coulson.
Kath Shrives
Wrist & Trevor
Kneath
For the very best in digital action ice photogra
www.icephoto.co.uk
Stephen
Hoare
John McKay

phy
NNISSA NISSA Sccoottllaandd SSccotllannd 220003 2000033
A CChhamppioonss Chhampionss AAlbbuum AAllbbuumm
Laren Orr
Primary Ladies
Kathryn Hedley
Senior Ladies
Gary McKenzie
Junior Men
Pauline Smith
Junior Ladies
Graeme
Rutherford
Primary Men
Stephanie
Smith &
Jaymes Monte
Junior Pairs
Jason Bowman
Novice Men
Stacey Kemp
& David King
Primary Pairs
Sinead & John Kerr
Senior Dance
Amy Leigh
Tanner
Novice Ladies
Christopher Tees
Senior Men
Ice Link Issue 52 page 7
Kea Scott &
Christopher
Gethins
Novice Pairs
Sophie Wright &
Darren Powell
Primary Dance
Nicola Trippick
& Damon
Latimer
Junior Dance

Ice Link Issue 52 page 8
First Synchro development seminar
in Scotland welcomed
How a chance meeting led to the
birth and development of Synchro
skating in Scotland
Just a little over eighteen months ago, on a chance visit to Inverness, Bryan Morrice, the then
NISA Vice Chairman and Convener of the NISA Scotland Open Championships organising
committee, watched a small team of local skaters performing their 'show number' in
preparation for the club's annual exhibition event.
In conversation with the team's coach, Judy
Clinton, Bryan remarked that the routine was
pretty close to an acceptable Synchro
performance, under recently introduced rules
for Beginners Synchro. And so an idea was
born!
Melissa Galvin
in charge
As part of the 2002 NISA Scotland Open
Championships held in Dumfries in October
2002, a Beginner's Synchro Event was included -
and Inverness Moray Dolphins were the first to
enter. With some trepidation, the team travelled
to Dumfries, but their fears were unfounded, as
several top synchro judges, including Edinburgh
based Noel Grimshaw, congratulated them on
their achievement - a competitive Synchro
programme just weeks after first starting.
On the long coach journey home to Inverness,
(yes it's nearly 300 miles) the skaters (and their
coach!) were in such euphoria that a decision
was made to go further - to enter the British
Championships event itself as a Mixed Age
Team. Trips to Nottingham and Lee Valley
followed.
A year later, at the 2003 NISA Scotland Open
Championships, it was decided to expand the
Synchro events to be part of the British
Championships Qualifying Series, with events at
Senior, Junior, Mixed Age and Beginners.
Unfortunately, due to late changes to qualifying
regulations, teams were not required to qualify
at the Dumfries event, although Inverness' Moray
Dolphins did still enter the Mixed Age event -
and brought along their newly formed second
team, the Moray Seals, their brand new
Beginner's team.
Two teams formed in just twelve months, and in
Britain's most northerly rink, has been quite a
feat and a credit to all concerned. Not only
that, but we hear a third team is even now being
formed - the team name 'Northern Lights' has just
been approved by the Synchro Technical
Committee - and sources have told us that a
name has already been mooted for - YES A
FOURTH TEAM!!!
Scottish coaches show they can 'do'
as well as 'teach', while top synchro
referee Noel Grimshaw reveals he
can skate along with the best!
Synchronized skating is a truly great participant
sport, and offers skaters of every ability the
opportunity to skate and compete at the highest
levels.
With NISA, through NISA Scotland, determined
to encourage and develop all branches of
skating in Scotland (for too long the focus has
been very restricted to Figure skating, with scant
development elsewhere), we decided to
feature a Synchro Development Seminar during
the 2003 NISA Scotland Open Championships.
Invitations were extended to all interested
Scotland's newest Synchro team, the
Moray Seals competing at Dumfries' NISA
Scotland Championships in October
skaters, coaches and clubs to attend a special
on-ice seminar led by top Basingstoke Synchro
Coach Melissa Galvin, herself a former Senior
international Synchro competitor.
During the hour long seminar, Mellissa
undoubtedly fired everyone's enthusiasm and
the smiling faces of all particpants, skaters and
coaches was all the evidence needed to confirm
it as a huge success.
As a result we hear that at least two more rinks
in Scotland are now considering starting up
Synchro Teams, and the possibility of holding
further development seminars in Scotland is
under active consideration.
If your club or rink is interested in forming a
team at any level - including Beginner, Adult or
Mixed Age, we'd be delighted to hear from you.
Contact Noel Grimshaw for details. (e-mail:
noel@ngrimshaw.fsnet.co.uk)
THE 'SYNCHRO'
The new
judging system
Update on
Synchro news
Chris Buchanan reports on a recent ISU Seminar on the new
judging system to be used for Synchronized Skating.
(Chris Buchanan is an ISU Championship Judge and
International Referee)
Iattended the seminar in Frankfurt given by the ISU from the 2nd to the 5th of
October 2003 to introduce the proposed New Judging System for
Synchronized Skating. The system is based on the same structure as that
being used for Figure Skating and Ice Dancing.
The seminar was attended by over 30 delegates
from 17 countries. Great Britain was
represented by Rosemary Simmonds (who will
be one of the first Technical Specialists for
Synchronized Skating under the new system)
and myself as an ISU Championship judge.
From the outset of the seminar, it was clear that
a great deal of time and effort had been
expended by Marie Lundmark (ISU Council),
Cathy Dalton (ISU Coaching Committee), the ISU
Synchronized Skating Technical Committee
members in the detailed analysis of the technical
components and grades of execution and the
structuring of the Program Components. This
work had to be closely co-ordinated with the
team appointed by the ISU to develop the new
system and its operation. Among those, special
mention must be made of Peter Krick, Ted
Barton and the technical developers from Wige
data. If I have omitted anyone involved in
bringing the system to this point in its
development then I hope they will accept my
apologies.
Also, a great deal of work had been put into
developing the seminar to give those attending
an in-depth understanding of how the system
has been structured and how every element
should be evaluated.
There has already been a great deal written
about the system and the way it functions –
there is some very informative information
available in the ISU communications that are
posted on the ISU website should anyone wish
to have more detail.
In summary, the new system has broken down
the evaluation of programs into Program
Elements with the GOE (Grade of Execution) and
Program Components. The technical specialists
(those with recognized international
synchronized skating coaching expertise) are
responsible for the identification of the elements
skated by the teams in the programs and each
of these elements is allocated a factor of
difficulty. The Factors of Difficulty are published
P
A
G
E
for all coaches and officials in order that
everyone is aware of the criteria by which the
elements will be categorised before the Grade
of Execution is decided for each of these
elements by the judges.
As well as marks being accumulated for the
Program Elements, Program Components
comprising of Skating Skills, Transitions,
Performance/Execution, Choreography and
Interpretation are all separately evaluated and
marked by the judges.
Whilst there was some initial concern that such a
system would be difficult to understand and
even more difficult to use by the judges, I was
very pleasantly surprised to find that very little
time was required to understand how to use the
new computerised system with its integrated
playback. Using the system was very intuitive
and did not distract the judge from the task of
evaluating the elements and performance of the
programs. In fact, the new screens and
playback system enhanced the evaluation
process with instant playback and a very clear
method of entering the judges’ evaluations and
marks.
In summary, I believe that the new system will
benefit coaches, teams and judges. It gives a
very detailed breakdown of what is expected in
a balanced program as well as clearly identifying
the criteria against which the programs will be
evaluated and judged. The detailed feedback
will ensure that teams are aware of the strengths
and weaknesses of their programs and their
performance of the program. The system also
allows judges the opportunity to give a much
wider evaluation of all of the constituent
elements of the programs and the teams’
execution of their programs.
I look forward to officiating at the first event in
Neuchatel in February 2004 where the system
will be used for the first time and where I am
sure it will prove a great success with not only
the judges but also the coaches, competitors
and spectators.
Dutch Team wins medal at Lee Valley
The Lee Valley Synchro Competitions on Saturday 25th October were all competitive affairs with
seven teams showing off their new programmes for this season.
The Novice section had a foreign flavour this year with the Ice Crystals from Holland making the short
trip over the North Sea to secure the silver medal. The full results were;
Adults
1. Jet Set - Lee Valley
2. Montem Majors - Slough
Juvenile
1. Team Lightning - Valley Skating Club
2. Galaxy Stars- Basingstoke
Novice
1. Team Sparkle - Basingstoke
2. Ice Crystals - HNSB - Netherlands
3. Team Sunshine - Valley Skating Club
Pictured right
Lee Valley 'Jet Set' Adults
Nottingham Synchro Results Sunday 9th November
Senior
1st - Storm Basingstoke (only 1 entry)
Junior
1st - Ice Illusions Basingstoke (only 1 entry)
Adult
1st - Jet Set (only 1 entry)
Juvenile
1st - Lightning Lea Valley; 2nd - Galaxy Stars
Basingstoke; 3rd - Silhouettes NIC Nottingham
Novice
1st - Team Sparkle Basingstoke; 2nd - Shadows
NIC Nottingham; 3rd - Sunshine Lea Valley; 4th -
Ice Precise Bracknell
Mixed Age
1st - Eclipse Lea Valley; 2nd - Ice Fusion
Bracknell; 3rd - Starlights NIC Nottingham; 4th -
Moray Dolphins Inverness; 5th - All Stars Gosport

Cowling's
Column
James Cowling, Ice Link's
independent sports journalist
brings readers skating news from
around the globe
Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin of Russia is calling it quits. He has decided to
end his eligible career and embark on new challenges. Not only did he win
Olympic gold in Salt Lake City last year, he also won four world titles. One of the
only titles he never won was the Russian national championship. As part of his farewell,
he skated in at the exhibition at Skate Canada recently. He wanted the opportunity to
thank the Canadian fans who have always supported his career. He skated to two
standing ovations.
Although his arch rival, Evgeni Plushenko who
won the Canadian Grand Prix Event said he
would miss him, Yagudin was less
complementary saying "I don't care what's
happening with him right now." On a side
note, Yagudin has applied for an alcohol
education program that would clear his
record of a drunken driving charge. He was
pulled over by police in August and charged
with operating a vehicle under the influence
of alcohol, travelling too fast and making an
improper lane change without signalling. He
also agreed to pay a fine of $150.00 and
court costs.
Staying in Russia, Irina Slutskaya spent
the summer wondering if she would
ever skate again. The Olympic silver
medallist was off the ice for two
months with a heart conditions.
Although it was almost career
threatening she took it in her stride.
When her doctor told her that she had
a big heart, Slutskaya comically answered:
"Of course. I am a sportsman." Well, that's
not quite what the doctor was getting at and
sent her to a specialist. At the moment she
is in training and is scheduled to compete in
the Cup of Russia.
American Kristy Yamaguchi, the 1992
Olympic ladies champion, is back on
the ice after the birth of her first child
with hockey player Bret Hedican, Keara
Kiyomi Hedican. Keara was born on October
1st. Given her dedication, not only did she
appear on the ice, she was going to try and
perform in a couple of numbers too. Even
10 years after her Olympic victory she is still
one of the premier ladies skaters in the
world.
Although the ISU is phrasing its new
scoring system, another high profile
former skater has spoken out. Scott
Hamilton of the United States and winner of
the 1984 Olympic gold medal is blaming the
ISU for a drop in audience.
Talking in an interview, Hamilton said that he
fears that a separation is developing
between the people who run the sport and
the ones who compete in it. He said that the
new scoring system is confusion to people
watching the sport and are turning off.
A supporter of the World Skating Federation
that was unveiled in March as a challenger to
the ISU, Hamilton has emphasized the need
for "figure skating people to run figure
skating." It's a direct slam to President
Ottavio Cinquanta who comes from a speed
skating background.
Another former skater turned renowned
choreographer, Sandra Bezid also said she
was quitting the sport. Her reason, she said
that figure skating is plagued with too many
problems that cannot be resolved.
The 2004 World Dance Champions, Shae
Lynne Bourne and Victor Kraatz, are
parting ways just months after winning
their World title. Funnily enough it was
Kraatz who made the decision to move
on. In previous years it's been Bourne
Biittss n'
ppieeccees
who never knew whether she wanted
to continue. With his wedding
coming next summer and a lack of
skating opportunities for the couple,
he said the time had come to say goodbye.
The couple are to make one of their last
appearances together at a skating exhibition
in Brussels at the end of November. That
leaves Bourne pondering her future. She said
she would like to keep skating, but for the
meantime she is going to work with
choreographer, Nikolai Morozov.
Staying with ice dancing, Margarita
Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas of
Lithuania are contemplating an Olympic
comeback. According to an interview the
married couple gave in Russia recently, the
two are thinking about it but it would mean a
commitment of about a year and a half. They
would have to qualify for the Olympics they
said at the World Championships the year
before in Moscow. It's something they're not
sure they want to do. But, Drobiazko said in
the interview, "We were thinking why
shouldn't we come back. We feel strong
enough, and if any of the 'old guys' come
back, we will do the same." She said several
other top dance teams are contemplating
the idea too.
Finally, can't remember where I heard this
but apparently Irina Lobacheva is
pregnant. She and husband, Ilia
Averbukh are expecting the child around
March sometime.
Like to keep up to date with major skating competitions?
James Cowling, Ice Link's independent
skating journalist, is offering a unique
new service to skating fans - detailed
reports from a number of European events
during the coming season, e-mailed
directly to YOU.
.....then look no further
& join on-line
www.figureskatingreports.com
WIFA
BOOT &
BLADE
STARTER SETS
Reports are 300-500 words long and
highlight jumps and other technical
elements, choreography and analysis.
Includes Short and Long programs, ,
and images included per report.
Reports $10 per
competition
Major credit cards
accepted
For details and orders
contact:
WIFA INTERNATIONAL UK
John Turner, 75 Springfield
Road, Kings Heath,
Birmingham B14 7DU
Tel/Fax: 0121 441 3405
Mobile: 077100 66218
Time is up! Most of you throughout the year
have been reading Presentation On Ice having,
I’m sure, your own comments and views as to
what makes a exciting and practical costume. It’s
now over to you to put your ideas on paper. If
judged to be successful, I will personally hand craft
your design to reality free of charge! Just think how
proud and confident you will feel when you step out
onto the ice wearing your very own original design.
Applications, received prior to the closing date will be
assessed and judged by a panel selected for having
plenty of experience and knowledge for what makes
good Presentation On Ice. Simply, select a piece of
music that moves and inspires you to think of shape, form
and colour. Visualise yourself skating to your music and
how the costume will move and adapt to
compliment your programme. Using an A4 sheet of paper,
make a rough sketch of the costume you imagined. Once
you have an outline, add the colour and notes detailing
your thoughts for how the outline can be cut to create a
professional, stylish, visually appealing costume. Finish off
by detailing the location, amount and type of
embellishment. Ensure you mark your name on your
sketch and music, complete the application form and send
it off to the address below. Marks will be awarded for your
designs appearance, construction, style, quality and
originality. The winner will be personally notified January
2004 and requested to attend Gee’s Creative to
meet with Sue and the team to begin making your
costume. Your design will be featured
within Ice Link along with photos of you
wearing it once it has been completed.
Sounds exciting? Well, what are you waiting
for! We are all set up this end and are very
much looking forward to receiving and
reviewing your designs. My thoughts will be
with you and, very much look forward to
meeting with you! See you soon!
Tel No:
Mobile:
Email:
Level:
Rink:
Height:
Chest:
APPLICATION FORM
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms:
Surname:
Address:
Hair Colour:
Music on tape / CD
A4 Design Sketch
( )
( )
ft ins
ins
Name:
Discipline:
Age:
Waist: ins
Hips: ins
Please make sure you have included:
SAE to return work
All items named
On completion, send your application c/o:
Bryan Morrice, The Editor, Brackenlea, Lower Glenhead,
Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, AB51 5PR.
Ice Link Issue 52 page 9
Sue Gee
GEE’S CREATIVE
Designer
Before you put
pen to paper, listen to your music
many times over and visualise
how you will look on the ice.
Think about the style of your
costume before thinking of materials,
colours or embellishments.
Give consideration to how the costume
will need to be cut to stylise
and emphasize good body form
and lines, whilst maintain comfort
and modesty.
Ensure your selection of materials
compliment your skin and hair
tones whilst remain stable and
durable for long lasting,
maintenance free use.
Keep your design theme simple
and avoid intricate, complicated
pattern features that are hard to
view from a distance.
Do not over embellish your design.
Emphasis should be on the style
and cut, complimented by a choice
of materials
reinforcing shape and appeal.
Embellishment should highlight,
not dominate.
Closing date
31/12/03. The winning
application will be announced
within issue 53 of Ice Link February
2004. The Judges decision is final.
Applications are only valid from UK
residents. No age restrictions apply.
The winner will be required to attend
Gee’s Creative, Swindon, Wiltshire for
the initial consultation and subsequent
fittings during January 2004.
Gee’s Creative will not reimburse
any additional or associated costs in
connection with receiving this prize.
Cash or voucher redemptions for
equivalent value will not be considered.
The prize is not transferable.
The design must be your own original
work.
Copy of your chosen music must be
recorded on a audio cassette tape or
CD-R disk.
A brief descriptive regarding materials
and construction for your design should
be restricted to a maximum of two sides
on one A4 sheet.
Notes should be added to your sketch
detailing any information you feel
relevant for the judges to take into
consideration.
Unsuccessful applications will not be
stored or archived. Applications will
only be returned if a SAE with the
correct stamp duty has been included.
Ensure you mark your name on all
material submitted.

Skatewatch is an independent editorial provided as a service to our members. The views and opinions expressed are not those of NISA
SKATEWATCH
November 2003
BRITS ABROAD
This is the section which is giving me
the most pleasure to write, since I
am so glad such a large number of
skaters have been sent to internationals
at various levels. This is something
about which I have been on my soapbox
many times and it makes me even happier
to tell you how well our skaters have
been doing.!
The Merano Cup in Italy was in the first week of
October. A team of 7 went from GB, which was
a smaller group than other countries and, as it
was a team event, meant we could not win
overall. However, our skaters did us proud. In
the Novices, Jody Annandale was 2nd (of 14) and
Jason Thompson also took silver (of 7), having
won the short. We had two competitors in the
Junior Ladies, Karla Quinn (3rd) and Jessica
Hitchmough (9th) out of 13. Apparently the
Italian girl who won (Caterina Gabanella) was
very impressive. The Junior men scooped the
whole podium (5 entries in all). Matthew Parr
was first, with Nottingham training mates Elliot
Hilton and Thomas Paulson 2nd and 3rd
respectively. I have heard good reports of
everyone gelling together as a team and
supporting each other. Since it seems that the
Italian and Australian Federations were seen to be
giving strong backing to their skaters, we really
do need to do the same. Just sending everyone is
but a start, and well justified by the results.
Moving on to Senior level, the Finlandia
competition started on 9 October. We had no
Senior man, but Jenna McCorkell placed 9th in
both programmes to finish in 10th place. Pamela
O’Connor/Jonathon O’Dougherty won a great
bronze medal in a competition of 10 couples in
all.
The following week it was Vienna for the Karl
Schaefer Memorial. In a field of 19 men, David
Hartley performed well in his first Senior
international, placing 14th in the short, and 11th
Skate America
SKATE AMERICA, Reading, Pennsylvania, 22-26
October 2003
As always, the Senior Grand Prix series kicks off in
the United States, and for some reason the
competition never seems to generate as much
excitement as the second event in neighbouring
Canada. Having read the ISU press releases and
also a rather more irreverent account from
someone who paid for her seat, I am only sorry I
can’t pass on the latter, as it is much more
interesting! Seemingly, this is going to be a
vintage year for outlandish costume and hairstyles
– looks like the worst-dressed list is going to be
updated at Europeans. Please pass on your
nominations! The new Code of Points system was
also given its first major outing, as it will be used
throughout the Grand Prix series. Incidentally,
comments from the skaters were essentially
favourable, at least by those who appeared to have
a rudimentary grasp of what it was all about.
The Ice Dance competition started with the
Austrian Waltz. Winners of this section were
Elena Grushina/Ruslan Goncharov (UKR). I
understand he has had a long-overdue haircut, by
the way. However, they were overtaken later in
the week by Tanith Belbin/Benjamin Agosto (USA),
who were second in the OD but won the Free
Dance, and the whole competition. Isabelle
Delobel/Olivier Schoenfelder (FRA) had been 3rd in
the CD and won the OD, but a lack of synch in the
Free Dance twizzles pushed them down to third.
The Americans have had a meteoric rise since
winning the JGP Final in Scotland in 2000, and
look set for great things this season. I am not sure
where they stand on the question of citizenship,
though, as Tanith is Canadian – so whether she
will be able to become naturalised in time for the
next Winter Olympics is a big question.
Unusually, the final event of Skate America was
the Pairs Free Programme (the Short was on day
1). Qing Pang/Jian Tong (CHN) won both
sections, with Maria Petrova/Alexei Tikhonov
(RUS) second. The Russians had skated a good
short, but apparently faded away in the final third
of their new free programme. A new Canadian
in the Free, to be 12th overall. Our other
representatives were Sinead and John Kerr, who
took the silver medal. A wonderful result for
them, on top of the news that they have been
invited by the Russian Federation to compete at
the Cup of Russia in the Senior Grand Prix in
November.
Along with these competitions, we have sent
skaters to some of the Junior Grand Prix series.
Making his JGP debut in Bratislava in mid-
September was John Hamer, and he finished in
an excellent 13th place out of 25 competitors.
Damon Latimer were a consistent 10th
throughout the competition (13 couples in all).
Making the journey from his current training
base in Barrie, Canada, to the Ostrava event on 2
October was Matthew Wilkinson, who placed
16th of 25 skaters, having been 12th in the
Short. Dancers Kira Geil/Andrew Smykowski
finished 14th (of 16) in what I think was their
first JFP outing. Matthew Wilkinson then went
on to the Bled event a week later, where he
improved his placing to 13th out of 23. Making
their JGP debut at this event were dancers Kerry
Austin/Harry Souter, who also placed 13th.
John Hamer also competed at the final JGP heat
of the season – in Gdansk, Poland, where he came
14th (out of 23), Rebecca Collett/Hamish Gaman
were 11th in the Pairs (and how good to see
British pairs competing!) and dancers Michelle
Royds/Jamie Whyte finished in an excellent 9th
place (of 18) in their first international together.
I have to admit to being something of a nervous
wreck during some of these competitions –
sitting up till the results came up on the Internet
(what did we do before all this instant
information ??) I feel just like an anxious parent
sometimes, having got to know so many of the
skaters. I am sure they all make excellent
ambassadors for us, and every time I eagerly
await their reactions, in the hope that they feel
they have done justice to themselves.
Margaret
Rothwell
reports
pair, Utako Wakamatsu/Jean-Sebastian Fecteau, in
their second season together, had been third in the
short after impressing the audience with a difficult
lift including many changes of position, but made
some errors in the free. This allowed the second
Chinese Pair Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang, to overtake
them and take the bronze medal.
Michael Weiss skated first in the Men’s short, and
stayed in first place throughout, thanks to a triple
axel, triple lutz and a quad-triple toeloop
combination, though the quad was under-rotated
and two-footed. Michael went on to delight the
crowd by winning Skate America for the first time
in his career. Takeshi Honda actually won the free
section (quad toe and 4 triples) but a poor short
meant that his overall placing was second. Third
was Min Zhang (CHN), whose free contained triple
axel-triple toe, quad salchow and 5 more triples
(including what should hava been a quad toe).
However, it was reported that he was let down by
his footwork. Andrejs Vlaschenko (GER) had
skated a good short (triple axel-double toe, triple
lutz, double axel), which left him third in that
section. A few too many mistakes in the free,
though, cost him the chance of a medal – which is
a shame as he never quite seems to make the
podium. Fourth has got to be one of the most
disappointing places to be!
Sasha Cohen made it three golds out of four for the
home country. She easily won the short, starting
with a “shaky” triple lutz-double toe combination,
continuing with triple flip out of steps, and double
axel. Her lutz-toe was better in the free, and she
also combined triple flip-double toe, landing a
further 3 more clean triples. She has chosen
“Malaguenˇa (same as last year) and “Swan Lake”
for her music, which are both pretty hackneyed
choices, so let’s hope they are not as bad as that.
In second place was Jennifer Kirk (USA), whose
free included a triple toe-triple toe combination.
Shizuka Arakawa (JPN) took the bronze medal (her
“Swan Lake” costume last year got the award for
“Most Bizarre”). This was a non-scoring event for
the Japanese, who was going on to Skate Canada
the following week.
Adult Champs
A
fter
last year’s inaugural British
Adult Championships in
Swindon, there were a few more
categories and entrants this year –
including an encouraging increase in
the number of men willing to place
themselves under scrutiny.
However, though it may be that the
competitors felt the event had much more of
a serious championship atmosphere, it seemed
to me that the sense of enjoyment was being
lost and this is a pity. Judging by some of
the comments beforehand on the Internet, the
prospect of skating on fast, clean ice on the
Performance pad in Sheffield was producing
some trepidation. If that persisted during the
competition it did not show, and I am
guessing that most people performed to the
best of their ability. The various categories
included Free skating, solo and couples’ dance
as well as some Interpretive programmes and
four very brave Pairs.
In the absence of any list of competitors, I
may have mis-heard some names (though
Had you heard ....?
he come-back by Elvis Stojko is now not to
Tbe. Elvis has announced that he will not be
returning to eligible competition – probably a wise
decision.
Sadder news is that Alexei Yagudin is unlikely to
be able to compete again. His hip surgery has not
been successful, and he has been warned that to
continue training the big jumps might just leave
him in a wheelchair. Obviously, though some of
us (me included) are very sad at the prospect of not
seeing him skate again, there has to be life after
skating. He professes to be very happy with his
new job in coaching on Tatiana Tarassova’s team
and his many fans, I am sure, wish him well.
Scott Hamilton and his wife Tracie have had a
son.
iceSheffield
28 Sept 2003
Peter Morrissey did an excellent job of
announcing for most of the day), and cannot
really give lists of winners in all the many
categories. It would perhaps be unfair to
single out individuals since, as I have said,
everyone put so much effort into their
performances. However, I did enjoy the
Interpretive section, particularly a lady called
Joy who skated a hugely entertaining number
featuring a most ingenious folding bathtub!
Also, the Deeside Formation team looked
supremely elegant in their ballroom number,
skated at the end of what was a very long
day.
One practical note for IceSheffield : PLEASE
can you sort out your catering before the
British in December. If you are unable to
serve your (otherwise excellent and
reasonably-priced) food in a MUCH shorter
time, there will be mass defections after the
first day to the nearest
supermarket/McDonalds and you will forfeit
the possibility of making substantial amounts
of money. More seating and tables would be
a good idea, too.
Hot Ice Blackpool
I
am
only sorry my review of Hot Ice
has come too late in the season for
you to go to see it. First of all, the
foyer area of the venerable old building
has had an amazing re-vamp, with a
good-looking coffee area that we
unfortunately arrived too late to
sample.
As to the show itself, several factors stood out
this year. Firstly, a lot more of the names in
the programme were of British skaters – some
in their first season, like Tammy Sear and
Anna Pagliari, and others I have seen before.
Though the Russian skaters have contributed
greatly to the improved standard of the show
over previous years, I am so glad that the cast
is now more home-grown. I have mentioned
David Ings in previous years as being worth
watching – and this year the outstanding
character was Daniel Whiston. I don’t quite
remember him from competitions, but he
certainly made an impression in this Hot Ice,
with his skating and personality (and the
blonde mohican also helps!).
Another different “twist” this year was that
the male skaters are much more to the fore – I
don’t know if this is deliberate policy, given
that the majority of the audience tends to be
female, but I certainly appreciated it (for the
skating, of course…) Oh, and Oula
Jaskelaainen is still in it – his spreadeagles and
split jumps are good.
For the blokes, there are still the girls in
scanty costumes – but mercifully only at the
end; in the rest of the show the costumes were
certainly different, if slightly outlandish at
times, but it worked. This is even more
Lesley
Reynolds
reviews
unlike any other ice show you have seen, –
though it has been moving this way for some
time.
There is extensive use of clever lighting effects
(sometimes I would have preferred to see what
was actually happening at the other end,
though!), lasers and even water (it is
something of a tradition to have a water
feature on the ice stage at the far end).
During each half, every number runs
seamlessly into another, with maybe a solo or
pair routine to allow the rest of the cast to do
yet another quick costume change.
As to the skating, we saw a few double axels
(and singles), double toe loops and my
companion and I thought someone tried one
triple. At times there were so many fastmoving
skaters on the ice that you just had to
admire their skill on what is a relatively small
pad. Some of the music was original, and it
might just have been a bit loud for some.
The audience composition was obviously
mainly holidaymakers, but I was glad to see
more “bums on seats” this time. However,
the little boy next to me was more interested
in trying to remove my watch than in
following the show – maybe two is a bit
young to be introduced to the spectacle of
skating, but then you never know: perhaps I
was making faces at the 2020 World
Champion!
Seriously, I will try to get to next year’s Hot
Ice earlier in the season (usually May to the
first weekend in November) so that I can whet
your appetites for a show which just gets
better and better.
Viktoria Volchkova has changed coach, to Elena
Tchaikovskaya/Vladimir Kotin.
Vakhtang Murvanidze has left Tchaikovskaya
and is now training with Alexander Zhulin.
Tiffany Scott/Philip Dulebohn are being
coached by Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler.
Elena Grushina/Ruslan Goncharov have left
Evgeny Platov and are now being coached by
Nikolai Morosov.
Shae-Lynn Bourne/Victor Kraatz have split,
none too amicably it would appear. Victor did not
want to skate as a professional. Shae-Lynn
appears to be assisting “life partner” Nikolai
Morozov with his pupils.

International
Competition
Reports
WELSH CHAMPIONSHIPS, 14-15 September 2003
NOVICE L. 1. Katie Powell, 2. Danielle Stokes
PRIMARY L. 1. Sophie Johnson
PRIMARY D. 1. Sophie Yates/Jonathon Hodgkinson,
2.Alexandra Zimbler/Nicholas Hughes
JUNIOR L. 1. Joanna Webber
JUNIOR D. 1. Elizabeth Schofield/Jamie Burns, 2.
Naomi Hitchmough/Owen Edwards, 3. Lauren
Morris/Daniel Taylor
SENIOR D. 1. Lauren Bradshaw/Phillip Tierney
Also, in the Solo Dance categories :
NOVICE 1. Lauren Bithell, 2. Sadie Robins, 3.
Tiffany Zahorski
PRIMARY 1. Christobel Brown, 2.Eleanor
Huntington, 3. Fiona Barrack
JUNIOR 1. Christopher Hockaday, 2. Amy
Atkinson, 3. Anna Kitson
INTERMED. 1. Katie Atkinson
SENIOR 1. Lucy Strange
DUNDONALD ACCREDITED OPEN, 26-28
September 2003
NOVICE L. 1. Amy-Leigh Tanner (She), 2.Rachel
Pagani (Bla), 3.Lynsey Horsfield (Bas)
PRIMARY L. 1. Lauren Orr (Kyl), 2.Karly Siobhan
Robertson (Dun), 3.Stacey Robertson (Dun)
PRIMARY M. 1. David Wilson (Ayr)
PRIMARY PRS 1. Tameron Drake/Edwart Alton (Dun).
2. Gemma Reeve/Sam Edwards (Chel)
JUNIOR L. 1. Karla Quinn (Uls), 2.Katrina More-
Molyneux (Bas), 3.Cheryl Cathcart (Ayr)
JUNIOR M. 1. Mark Hanretty (EK)
JUNIOR PRS 1. Rebecca Collett/Hamish Gaman (Bla)
SENIOR L. 1. Jennifer Holmes (Ayr), 2.Claire Smith
(Mur), 3. Caroline Gill (Dun)
SENIOR M. 1. Matthew Davies (Not), 2. Tristan
Cousins (Not)
SHEFFIELD ACCREDITED DANCE OPEN, 22
September 2003
PRIMARY 1. Alexandra Zimbler/Nick Hughes, 2.
Sophie Yates/Jonathan Hodgkinson, 3. Tamsyn
Pack/Richard Boaden
JUNIOR 1. Michelle Royds/Jamie Whyte, 2. Kira
Geil/Andrew Smykowski, 3. Elizabeth Schofield/ Jamie
Burns
SENIOR 1. Sinead Kerr/John Kerr, 2. Phillipa
Towler-Green/Phillip Poole, 3. Candice Towler-Green
/James Phillipson
Editor’s note : What is interesting here is that a number
of new partnerships/changes have occurred. As I have
only seen compulsories this year, and none of the new
pairings, the practices are going to be a “must” at the
British, in order to evaluate all these and their Original and
Free Dances.
DEESIDE FIGURE, 23-24 June 2003
A belated report, with thanks to Joan Noble and Olivia
OTHER OPENS
National
Competition
Reports
Paisley Open - Final Accredited
This was the final Accredited
Open I was able to get to this
year, and we decided to try the
Easy route this time (as in –Jet and
–Car). I thought it would avoid the
long, tedious drive to and from
Glasgow but in the event it took
just as long, though it was probably
easier (sorry…)
The Lagoon Leisure Centre was still as
welcoming as ever, but the café seems to
have lost its way a little – the system
seemed highly inefficient, the queues
endless on the first day. I think a lot of
people did as we did and sought out a
supermarket, as the custom at their
counter was markedly less on the Sunday.
Still, we enjoyed seeing our Scottish
friends, some of whom we hadn’t seen
skate this year.
Rather than indulge in the usual (possibly
tedious) list of jumps, I will mainly give
general impressions. The Novice Ladies
was won by Amanda Hughes (EK), who
has great personality on the ice, as has
second-placed Rachel Pagani (Bla). Both
girls look close to double axel, and Rachel
appeared to attempt a triple in the free.
Third went to Laura-Louise Kean (Dun).
There were no entries in the Novice Men
category.
A Dundee skater new to me, Karly
Robertson, won the Primary Ladies section.
Vickie Rider (Bra) came close to double axel
in both programmes, coming in second. I
like her graceful style. Lauren Orr (Kyle)
was third, out of a total of 7 competitors.
There were only 3 Primary Men, the
winner of both sections being David
Richardson (Cov.) David went for 3 triples
in the free, though with some errors, and
he landed a good double axel in the short.
Second was Daniel Manson (Bla), who has
improved since I last saw him. Graeme
Rutherford (EK) was third, and seemed to
be having a bit of an “off” day.
On to the Juniors – and where have all the
Ladies gone? There used to be such long
lists of Junior Ladies, but here we had only
6. Of these, Pauline Smith (Mur) came out
on top, with a lively free programme in
which I counted 4 attempted triples
(stepping out of the landings mainly) and a
double axel which was only slightly overrotated.
Cheryl Cathcart (Ayr) was
second with a particularly nice layback
spin, and a much better performance than I
have seen before from Leonie Smith (Ab)
pulled her up to third. The discovery of
the event for me was in the Junior Men. I
do not remember seeing Brendan Dorrian
(Mag) before, though I apologise to him
for not remembering if I have. A clean
short programme (he was 2nd here)
followed by a free of excellent
interpretation gave him the overall win. I
hope we see more of Brendan. The short
was won by Mark Hanretty (EK), who has
been battling with injury all this season.
Mark is also a very expressive skater, with
the ability to land his jumps with good
knee bend and a running edge. David
Richardson also competed in the Juniors,
and took third place. Another skater with
style. All the lads have to get the jumps
together and the package will be complete.
Not many Seniors, and nobody skated all
their elements completely cleanly in the
short (lots of two-footing). Kathryn
Hedley (Dun) was the eventual winner,
with two clean triples (4 attempted) and
double axel combination in the free.
Second was Claire Smith (Mur), with
Jennifer Holmes (Ayr) third. Without
wishing to be disparaging, as I know how
hard they all work, but the jumps have got
to be more consistent in order to come
anywhere near the rest of the world in
international competition. The same has
to apply to the Senior Men, I am afraid. I
admit to being a bit mystified by the
results here, but maybe I missed
something. According to my notes, James
Myburgh, as I was unable to attend.
About 140 skaters took part in the event and Liz Littler,
the Referee, and the WISA council commended the club for
the high standard of organisation. Pairs were included for
the first time. Results :
NOVICE L. 1.Amy-Leigh Tanner (She), 2.Katie
Powell (Bla), 3.Amy Sheldrake (Not) 9 entries
PRIMARY L. 1. Jody Annandale (Not), 2.Sophie
Johnson (Bla), 3. Beverley Carstairs (Not) 6 entries
PRIMARY M. 1. Jason Thompson (She)
PRIMARY PRS 1. Robert Cain/Natalie Cain (Bla)
JUNIOR L. 1. Jody Annandale (Not), 2. Jessica
Hitchmough (Bla), 3. Karla Quinn (Dund.) 9 entries
JUNIOR M. 1. Matthew Parr (Not), 2. Alex Wilde
(Not), 3. Thomas Paulson (Not)
SENIOR L. 1. Dannielle Guppy (Bla), 2. Caroline Gill
(Dund.)
SENIOR M. 1. David Hartley (She)
NISA SCOTLAND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS,
DUMFRIES, 11-15 October
It was purely time constraints that prevented me from
attending the Scottish championships.It was very
enjoyable last year, so I am sorry I can only bring you the
results this time.
NOVICE L. 1. Amy-Leigh Tanner, 2. Marissa
Henderson (Dun), 3. Rachel Pagani
NOVICE M. 1. Jason Bowman (Elg)
NOVICE PRS 1. Kea Scott/Christopher Gethins,
2.Laura Garrigan/Josh Inglis, 3. Natasha Mckay/
Stuart Urquhart (all Dun)
PRIMARY L. 1. Lauren Orr (Kyl), 2.Stephanie Smith
(Kyl), 3. Karly Robertson (Dun)
PRIMARY M. 1. Graeme Rutherford (EK)
PRIMARY PRS 1. Stacey Kemp/David King (Bla),
2.Shannon Loane/Alex Tait (Swi)
PRIMARY D. 1. Sophie Wright/Darren Powell (Bla),
2.Genevieve Finerty/Mervyn Findall (Slo)
3. Fiona Moultrie/Nathan Stowe (Oxf)
JUNIOR L. 1. Pauline Smith (Mur), 2. Lauren
Walker (EK), 3.Cheryl Cathcart (Ayr)
JUNIOR M. 1. Gary McKenzie (Mor), 2.Robert
Murray (EK), Brendan Dorrian (Mag)
JUNIOR PRS 1. Stephanie Smith/Jaymes Monte
(Dun)
JUNIOR D. 1. Michelle Royds/Jamie Whyte (Bla),
2.Nicola Trippick/Damon Latimer (Pet),
3. Elizabeth Schofield/Jamie Burns (Bla)
SENIOR L. 1. Kathryn Hedley (Dun), 2.Claire Smith
(Mur), 3.Hollie Deller (Dun)
SENIOR M. 1. Christoper Tees (Bla), 2. John Hamer
(Gil), 3. Neal Bone (Dun)
SENIOR D. 1. Sinead Kerr/John Kerr (Mur), 2.Louise
Walden/Edward Throp (Alt), 3. Verity
Brown/Alessandro Dipietrantonio (Dee).
International
Competition
Reports
Black (Not) landed only one jump (double
axel) in the short, but he still won, ahead
of Stuart Bell (Sol. – triple toe-double toe
and double axel) and Tristan Cousins (Not.
– triple salchow-double loop, single axel).
The order remained the same after the free,
in which James attempted triple axel
(stepping out of the landing). Stuart
displayed his trademark footwork and
spins, but made some mistakes on the
jumps, and Tristan is still coming back to
fitness after a severe back problem. I
may have said so before, but I am really
looking forward to the Senior Men’s
competition at the British, and am putting
no money on any individual to win!
We enjoyed watching the developing Pairs,
with 3 at Novice level from Dundee :
winners were Kae Scott/Christopher
Gethins, ahead of Laura Garrigan/Josh
Inglis and Natasha McKay/Stuart
Urquhart.Gemma Reeves/Sam Edwards
were the only Primary Pair and it was
good to see them trying to tackle the more
difficult elements like the death spiral. It
was at Junior level that we had
encouragement for the future, with two
new pairings likely to give us a good
competition at the British in December.
Stephanie Smith/Jaymes Monte (Dun)
continue to improve, with their lifts
looking stronger and speed and power
increasing. They won comfortably, ahead
of Rebecca Collett and Hamish Gaman
(Bla). Rebecca and Hamish have been
together only a very short time, but look
comfortable. With some more practice on
the lifts, it looks a very promising
partnership. Hamish has done Pairs before,
as have Hollie Deller and Neal Bone (Dun),
another new pairing. However, most of
these skaters also compete in singles, and
the time will come when a decision will
have to be made to concentrate on one or
the other.
SKATEWATCH November 2003 p2
National
Junior Grand Prix
Just a quick indication of the medallists from the
various JGP events.
SOFIA, BULGARIA
Men 1. Andrei Griazev (RUS), 2.Tomas Verner
(CZE), 3.Shawn Sawyer (CAN)
Ladies 1. Lina Johannson (SWE), 2.Kimmie Meissner
(USA), 3.Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN)
Pair 1. Natalia Shestakova/Pavel Lebedev (RUS),
2.Tatiana Volosozhar/Petro Kharchenko (UKR)
3. Brittany Vise/Nicholas Kole (USA)
Dance 1. Nora Hoffmann/Attila Elek (HUN),
2.Camilla Spelta/Luca Lanotte (ITA), 3.
Anastasia Platonova/Andrei Maksimishin
(RUS)
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Men 1. Andrei Griazev, 2. Nobunari Oda (JPN), 3.
Christopher Mabee (CAN)
Ladies 1. Mai Asada (JPN), 2. Katy Taylor (USA),
3.Olga Naidenova (RUS)
Pair 1. Tatiana Kokareva/Egor Golovkin (RUS),
2.Anastasia Kuzmina/Stanislav Evkimodov
(RUS)
3. Amy Howerton/Steven Pottenger (USA)
Dance 1. Elena Romanovskaya/Alexander Grachev
(RUS), 2.Anna Zadorozhniuk/Sergei Verbilo
(UKR),
3. Morgan Matthews/Maxim Zavozin (USA)
MEXICO CITY
Men 1. Jordan Brauninger (USA), 2.Takahiko
Kozuka (JPN), 3.Kenneth Rose (CAN)
Ladies 1. Miki Ando (JPN), 2. Danielle Kahle (USA), 3.
Jessica Dube (CAN)
Pair 1. Jessica Dube/Bryce Davison (CAN),
2.Brittany Vise/Nicholas Kole, 3.Michelle
Cronin/Brian Shales (CAN)
Dance 1. Natalia Mikhailova/Arkadi Sergeev (RUS),
2. Alexandra Zaretsky/Roman Zaretsky (ISR),
3. Anna Cappellini/Matteo Zanni (ITA)
OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC
Men 1. Tomas Verner, 2.Sergei Dobrin (RUS), 3.
Alexander Uspenski (RUS)
Ladies 1. Lucie Krausova (CZE), 2.Olga Naidenova,
3.Akiko Kitamura (JPN)
Pair 1. Maria Mukhortova/Maksim Trankov (RUS),
2.Tatiana Volosozhar/Petr Kharchenko (UKE)
3. Arina Ushakova/Alexander Popov (RUS)
Dance 1. Anna Zadorozhniuk/Sergei Verbilo, 2.Olga
Orlova/Maxim Bolotin (RUS), 3. Petra
Pachlova/Petr Knoth (CZE)
BLED, SLOVENIA
Men 1. Christopher Mabee (CAN), 2.Dennis Phan
(USA), 3.Shawn Sawyer
Competition
Reports
12-15 Sept
2003 Calendar Update
Starting from where we left off last time........
2004
January 19-25 Four Continents, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
February 02-08 European Championships, Budapest, Hungary
05-08 Dragon Trophy (Junior), Ljubljana, Slovenia
12-15 Baltic Cup (Novice, Junior), Gdansk, Poland
13-15 Nordic Championships, Helsingborg, Sweden
March 01-07 World Junior Championships, The Hague, Ned
11-13 Mladost Trophy (Junior), Zagreb, Croatia
12-14 Isar Pokal (Junior), Munich, Germany
12-14 Copenhagen Trophy, Denmark
22-28 World Championships, Dortmund, Germany
March 31-
April 04 Gardena Spring Trophy, Italy
01-03 Silver Skate (Junior), Ankara, Turkey
14-18 Triglav Trophy, Jesenice, Slovenia
This concludes the list of the main ISU internationals. I will bring
news of any where there is British representation, along with full
reports from Europeans (if the organisers ever get their act together)
and Worlds. I may go to at least part of World Juniors, depending
upon who goes for GB and if I can get time off the day job! It might
be nice to have some holiday in summer for a change…
A Word from the Editor
Please note that I shall be moving to a new address during
November 2003:
Lesley Reynolds
1 Becher Close, Renhold
Bedford MK4 0LP Tel: 07831 863004
For those of you who are interested, I have almost completed
my first Learn to Skate course and going forwards is OK -
even crossovers and edges - but backwards is still a no-no!
Results
Roundup
Ladies 1. Kimmie Meissner, 2. Lina Johansson, 3.
Viktoria Pavuk (HUN)
Pair 1. Tatiana Kokareva/Egor Golovkin (RUS),
2.Natalia Shestakova/Pavel Lebedev (RUS),
3. Terra Findlay/John Mattatal (CAN(
Dance 1. Nora Hoffmann/Attila Elek, 2.Ekaterina
Rubleva/Ivan Shefer (RUS), 3.Anna Cappellini/
Matteo Zanni
OKAYA CITY, JAPAN
Men 1. Evan Lysacek, 2.Kazumi Kishimoto (JPN), 3.
Nobunari Oda
Ladies 1. Miki Ando, 2. Mai Asada , 3.Aki Sawada
(JPN)
Pair 1. Jessica Dube/Bryce Davison, 2.Michelle
Cronin/Brian Shales, 3.Brooke Castile/
Benjamin Okolski (USA)
Dance 1. Natalia Mikhailova/Arkadi Sergeev (RUS),
2. Elena Romanovskaya/Alexander Grachev,
3. Lauren Senft/Leif Gislason (CAN)
ZAGREB, CROATIA
Men 1. Evan Lysacek, 2. Alban Préaubert (FRA), 3.
Sergei Dobrin
Ladies 1. Danielle Kahle (USA), 2.Myriane Samson
(CAN), 3.Elena Naumova (RUS)
Pair 1. Andrea Varraux/David Pelletier (USA),
2.Amy Howerton/Steven Pottenger, 3.
Anastasia Kuzmina/Stanislav Evdokimov
(RUS)
Dance 1. Morgan Matthews/Maxim Zavozin, 2. Olga
Orlova/Maxim Bolotin, 3.Camilla Spelta/Luca
La Notte (ITA)
GDANSK, POLAND
Men 1. Parker Pennington (USA), 2.Alexander
Uspenski, 3.Yasuhari Nanri (JPN)
Ladies 1. Viktoria Pavuk (HUN), 2. Akiko Kitamura
(JPN), 3. Kiira Korpi (FIN)
Pair 1. Maria Mukhortova/Maxim Trankov,
2.Anna Ushakova/Alexander Popov,
3.Brandilyn
Sandoval/Laureano Ibarra (USA)
Dance 1. Alexandra Zaretski/Roman Zaretski (ISR),
2.Ekaterina Rubleva/Ivan Shefer (RUS),
3. Kirsten Frisch/Augie Hill (USA)
Editor’s note : From our standpoint in this country,
we can only marvel at the depth of skating in countries
such as Russia, Japan, Canada and the USA, evidenced
by the sheer number of different competitors who have
taken part in, and won medals, at, all these JGP events.
One comment : participation in Japan in terms of total
numbers was very low by comparison with other
countries. The JGP Final is in Malmö, Sweden starting
14 December. Junior Worlds will be in the Hague in
early March.

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New stock
recently
added
FOR LADIES/GIRLS
FOR MEN/BOYS
ACCESSORIES
Visit our website at
www.insideedgefashions.co.uk
for ready made stock at sale prices
Skirts & dresses; Leotards & Catsuits; Jackets; Footed and
over boot tights; Leggings with stirrup or over-boot
Tailored trousers; Practise trousers; Tops
Boot & Blade covers; Scrunchies; Chokers; 'Glove sleeves' to
match outfits
For a copy of our catalogue telephone - PAT on 01462 643690 or
LIN on 01462 450970 or
e-mail your name and address to: insideedgefashions@ntlworld.com
Now available - DVD training aid for Short
Track Skating
This new DVD contains exercises and drills for both on and off-ice
sessions aimed at helping Short Track speed skaters to gain the
strength needed to hold the 'basic skating position'.
DVD's can be
ordered from Mina
Machin at NISA
office - telephone
0870 758 0278
New stock
recently
added
UK Price inc
p&p
NISA members
£5
Non members
£10
(Overseas - price
on application)