Annual General Meeting 2023
The Ice Skating Association of Ireland (ISAI) will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 29 November 2023 in person in Dublin. Current members will have received a notice via e-mail with the AGM Agenda attached.
Tkacheva Receives Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund Award
Sophia Tkacheva has been named as a recipient of a Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund award. The County Wexford based figure skater will be presented with €1000 through the fund which has been created to assist up and coming athletes on the island of Ireland achieve their goals.
“Being awarded this scholarship is like a window of opportunity opening up for my figure skating career,” Tkacheva said. “Of course, I had hopes for the scholarship, but I never thought they would become a reality and I am so thrilled that they did! Now some of the barriers that I’ve faced in this sport will be easier to get around and I am so honoured to be rewarded in such a way for doing something that I really cherish. I would also like to thank the ISAI for alerting me to this scholarship.”
“I cannot think of a more deserving athlete than Sophia to benefit from this fund,” ISAI President Seán Gillis said. “Despite the challenging journey she has faced in her skating career, she has shown true dedication to her sport. I know that Sophia will put this fund to great use in helping reach her full potential.”
Judge 16th; Tkacheva 11th at Tayside Trophy
Dillon Judge and Sophia Tkacheva were in action this weekend at the Tayside Trophy in Dundee, United Kingdom representing Ireland in the Scottish city.
In his international debut as a senior competitor, Judge began the event with his short programme skated to “Smile” by Nat King Cole. He opened with a triple Salchow-double toe loop combination, stepping out of the landing on the double toe. He fell out of a triple toe loop subsequently and his change foot camel spin was graded Level 1. He cleanly landed a double Axel and his change change foot combination spin, flying sit spin and step sequence all received Level 3. His score of 43.30 put him in 15th place overnight.
Judge chose to perform to “My Homeland” by Havasi for his free skating. At the top of his routine he landed a triple toe loop, a triple Salchow-double Axel sequence and a solo double Axel in quick succession. He followed through with a Level 4 flying sit spin and a triple Salchow. His change foot spin and step sequence both garnered Level 2, while he closed out his programme with a Level 3 change foot combination spin. He posted a score of 84.30 for the free which gave him a total of 127.60 and placed him in 16th overall.
This was Tkacheva’s second competition of the season and she showed significant progress in both segments. She commenced her “Bust Your Knee Caps (Johnny Don’t Leave Me)” by Pomplamoose short programme with an attempted double Axel that was underrotated. She then landed a double flip-double toe loop combination and executed a Level 4 flying sit spin. She also performed a double Lutz and finished her programme with a Level 4 change foot combination spin. She scored 35.68 points and was ranked in 12th place at the midway point of the event.
The two-time Irish Junior champion started her Romeo and Juliet medley free skating inauspiciously with a fall on a double Axel, an underrotated triple Salchow and another fall on a double Lutz-double toe loop combination. However, she settled back into the routine with a Level 4 layback spin and then landed a double loop and double loop-Euler-double Salchow jump sequence. Tkacheva concluded her performance with her choreo step sequence, a Level 3 flying change foot sit spin and a Level 2 change foot combination spin. A free score of 54.78 points left her with a total of 90.46 points and she moved up to 11th place in the final standings
Turner-Frick 32nd At Yerevan Junior Grand Prix
In her first outing on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, Ciera Turner-Frick has finished 32nd at the Armenian Cup in Yerevan, Armenia.
Turner-Frick opened the entire competition when she took to the ice for the Junior Women’s short programme. Skating to “Prima Vera” and “Divenire” by Ludovico Einaudi, she began with a cleanly landed double Axel and a double Lutz to follow. She also included a double flip-double toe loop combination and she closed with a change foot combination spin which garnered Level 4. A score of 32.97 points left her in 31st place overnight.
In her free skating routine to “Victory Battle Cry” by Two Steps from Hell, Turner-Frick had a nervy start and unfortunately fell on the same double Axel she had successfully landed in the short. She gradually settled down got full value for a double Lutz-single Axel jump sequence and positive grades execution for a double loop and a Level 3 sit spin. A change foot combination spin once again received Level 4 from the technical panel. She earned 50.10 points for the free to give her a total of 83.07 to end up in 32nd overall.
“Thank you so much to the Ice Skating Association of Ireland for selecting me for my first competition representing Ireland,” Turner-Frick said. “I was delighted to have a good solid start with my short programme, Being the opening skater at my first international and this showed in my spins and steps. I lost confidence in my free when I fell on my double Axel combo jump at the start which I’d been landing well all week. I then struggled to centre my jumps though I managed to achieve 50.10 in my free despite losing careless points. Scoring over 83 as a debut skate is a good start, but I hope to be able to rapidly improve that total for Ireland at my next competition.”
Turner-Frick Making Her Junior Grand Prix Debut For Ireland
This week Ciera Turner-Frick represents Ireland for the first time at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Armenian Cup in Yerevan, Armenia (5-7 October) which is the final stop of this season’s seven stage series.Turner-Frick competes in the Junior Women’s Short Programme on the afternoon of Thursday, 5 October and will return to the ice on the evening of Friday, 6 October for the Free Skating.“I am very proud to be representing Ireland at my first Junior Grand Prix,” Turner-Frick said. “I hope to achieve two clean skates and to be able to fully appreciate my first opportunity on the circuit.”The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series features skaters aged 13 to 19 (21 for male Ice Dance and Pair Skating partners) from all over the world. The 2023/2024 season marks the 26th edition of the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating that was introduced in 1997. This season more than 300 skaters from over 50 different nations are expected to compete in the series.This week’s Junior Grand Prix in Yerevan, Armenia will be broadcast live on the ISU’s dedicated YouTube channel. Direct links for each of the segments Turner-Frick will skate in are as follows:Junior Women Short Programme (5 October)Junior Women Free Skating (6 October)The conversation about the series can also be followed by using the #JGPFigure hashtag on social media.
Margery Hilko Qualifies As First Ever Irish ISU Judge
Margery Hilko has this weekend become the first Irish person to qualify as an ISU Judge in Single and Pair Skating after she successfully passed the ISU Examination held on the occasion of the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany.
Hilko has been an International Judge since 2013 and her new qualification now makes her eligible for inclusion in the draw for judging panels at ISU Championships.
“My journey to becoming an ISU Judge has been very hard, but I am incredibly happy to have passed and become Ireland’s first,” Hilko said. “Skating is such a passion for me, and I look forward to serving all the skaters at Championships and hope to see more Irish skaters there in future.”
“On behalf of the ISAI, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Margery on this fantastic achievement,” ISAI President Seán Gillis. “Anyone involved in skating in Ireland will know of her dedication at all levels of the sport here. She is also well respected and liked by her international colleagues. I am delighted that she will be able to bring her enthusiasm for skating and professionalism to future ISU Championships.”
Tkacheva Finishes 32nd at Istanbul Junior Grand Prix
Sophia Tkacheva has made her 2023/2024 season debut at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Istanbul, Türkiye and placed 32nd in the Junior Women’s event.
The two-time Irish junior champion skated on the first day of competition in the short programme. Performing to “Bust Your Knee Caps (Johnny Don’t Leave Me)” by Pomplamoose, she attempted a double Axel and a triple Salchow to begin, but unfortunately fell on both elements. She next completed a Level 2 flying sit spin and a Level 1 layback spin. She singled a planned double Lutz jump which meant that she received no points for that elements. She closed out with a Level 1 step sequence and a Level 3 change foot combination spin. Her score for the short was 21.88 which put her in 33rd place overnight.
The following afternoon the County Wexford skater was back at the Silivrikapi Ice Rink for the free skating. She was unveiling her new free, a Romeo and Juliet choreographed by her coach and two-time European bronze medallist Kevin van der Perren. Initially, she valiantly attempted the double Axel and triple Salchow that had not come off in the short. Although they did not come off again this time, she rallied with a double Lutz-double toe loop jump that received full value from the judging panel. She also received positive grades of execution for her Level 2 layback spin and choreographic sequence. She earned a free score of 49.35 points which is a new ISU personal best and placed her 30th in the free. Her total score was 71.23 points.
You can catch Tkacheva’s performances below:
Tkacheva Glides Into New Season At Istanbul Junior Grand Prix
Sophia Tkacheva (County Wexford) is the first Irish figure skater to compete this season as she takes to the ice this week in the Junior Women’s event at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Istanbul, Türkiye (6-9 September).
Tkacheva will first skate in the short programme, which opens proceeding at the event on the morning of Thursday, 7 September. She will be back on the ice the following afternoon (Friday, 8 September) for the free skating.
“Over the summer, I got a new free programme, choreographed by my coach Kevin van der Perren,” Tkacheva said. “This will be my first time skating it at a competition, so my main goals for the JGP in Istanbul will be show this new programme and all the skills and elements that come with it to the best of my ability. I am aiming to be expressive and show emotion through my skating while also concentrating on the technical aspect of my skating.”
The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series features skaters aged 13 to 19 (21 for male Ice Dance and Pair Skating partners) from all over the world. The 2023/2024 season marks the 26th edition of the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating that was introduced in 1997. This season more than 300 skaters from over 50 different nations are expected to compete in the series.
This week’s Junior Grand Prix in Istanbul, Türkiye will be broadcast live on the ISU’s dedicated YouTube channel. Direct links for each of the segments Tkacheva will skate in are as follows:
Junior Women Short Programme (7 September)
Junior Women Free Skating (8 September)
The conversation about the series can also be followed by using the #JGPFigure hashtag on social media.
Seven Figure Skaters Named To 2023/2024 National Team
A total of seven athletes will represent Ireland internationally in figure skating competitions in the 2023/2024 season.
Dillon Judge claimed his first senior national title in June this year. He is now permanently based in Bergamo, Italy where he works with Barbara Luoni at Ice Lab as his main coach.
“This season I’m very excited about being on the National Team, with it being my first at Senior level this opens up more opportunities and experiences for me to grow as a skater,” Judge said. “In addition, this season will be my first full season with my new team of coaches, choreographer and I will be debuting two new programmes. Obviously, this adds new challenges, but I’m confident in myself and my team to make the biggest step forward in my skating career so far. Being surrounded by athletes with the same goals and aspirations makes it even easier to strive for success.”
Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus are first time National Team members. They won the first Senior Ice Dance event ever held at the Irish Figure Skating Championships back in June. They are coached by Carol Lane, Jon Lane, Juris Razgulajevs and Marc Andre Servant in Toronto, Canada.
“It’s an immense privilege for Shane and I to be able to represent Ireland on the international stage,” Soucisse said. “We cannot wait for the season to begin!”
“I’m super excited to be selected for the national team this season, and to have the opportunity to represent Ireland on the world stage,” Firus added.
Sophia Tkacheva picked up the second Junior title of her career at 2023 Irish Nationals. She includes eleven-time British champion Jenna McCorkell and two-time European bronze medallist Kevin van der Perren in her coaching team.
“I am very excited to be selected for the Irish National Team this season,” Tkacheva said. “This opportunity will give me the chance to exhibit my hard work over the summer and a chance to attend international competitions, such as the Junior Grand Prix in Istanbul.”
Ciera Turner-Frick finished second in the Junior Women’s event last season’s Irish championships. This is her first time to be chosen for the National Team. She is coached by Jane de Lange in Oxford, England.
“I am delighted to be selected for the National Team and excited to compete in my first ever Junior Grand Prix in October,” Turner-Frick said.
Laura Hegarty and Kevin Hegarty took their second Junior Ice Dance national title in June. They are currently under the tutelage of Taavi Rand who is based in Tallinn, Estonia.
“I am very happy to be selected to the National Team again this season,” Laura Hegarty said. “Skaters and ISAI officials often travel as a group, take transport together from the airport to competition accommodation, travel to official practice etc. Although times can be tense around competitions, I always have a great time with fellow team members. The support from the National Team is amazing.”
“This is my second year as a Junior and second time to be selected to the National Team,” Kevin Hegarty said. “The experience we had last season was great. The team spirit is always so high. I enjoyed competing at international events with my fellow team members.
“I hope that Laura and I can improve each technical element during this season. At the same time, we hope to polish the flow of our whole performance as an ice dance programme.”
National Team Members (Figure Skating):
Senior Men – Dillon Judge (County Dublin)
Senior Ice Dance – Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus (County Wexford)
Junior Women – Sophia Tkacheva (County Wexford), Ciera Turner-Frick (County Cork)
Junior Ice Dance – Laura Hegarty/Kevin Hegarty (County Dublin)
You can learn more about our national team members here.
Stephen Judge Appointed ISAI Privacy Officer
The Ice Skating Association of Ireland (ISAI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Judge as ISAI Data Privacy Officer (DPO).
The role of the ISAI’s DPO involves overseeing how the ISAI handles and protects
individuals’ personal information. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with data
protection laws, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and maintaining a strong
focus on safeguarding people’s privacy rights.
“I am happy to be coming on board to help the ISAI in this important role,” Judge said. “Having been impressed with the support the volunteers in this organisation provide to skaters, I thought it would be good to get involved and hopefully reduce some of the pressures placed on them. I am looking forward to meeting everyone.”
“The ISAI is thrilled that Stephen has agreed to become the ISAI’s DPO,” ISAI President Seán Gillis said. “Given his professional background and his involvement with volunteering in ice skating, I cannot think of anyone more suited to the position.”