2025 A Year To Remember For Irish Ice Skating

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2025 got under way with two major ISU events for Team Ireland in January. Sean McAnuff representing Ireland at his fifth European Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Dresden, Germany with his best finish a 24th place in the 1500 metres. Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus took on their second European Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia where they ended up in 18th overall.

February saw our Irish skaters get an opportunity to try out 2026 Olympic ice in Milan. Prior to arriving in the Italian city, Irish Wolfhounds Sean McAnuff and Liam O’Brien competed at the fifth stage of the inaugural ISU Short Track World Tour in Tilburg, The Netherlands. McAnuff advanced to the 500 metres quarterfinals where he dipped under 42 seconds to set a new Irish record. The following week the Irish Wolfhounds got a taste of the Olympic atmosphere at the test event at the Unipol Forum to close out the Short Track World Tour. The following week Dillon Judge was in the same venue for the Road To 26 Trophy figure skating Olympic test event where he placed 12th in the men’s category. It was a busy period for Olympic related competitions as Allie Peterson was in Bakuriani, Georgia where she became only the second Irish skater to participate in a European Youth Olympic Festival coming 19th. Judge and Sophia Tkacheva also took part in the Merano Ice Trophy placing 14th and 23rd in their respective disciplines.

The World was a stage for our athletes in March. Sean McAnuff travelled to Beijing, China for the Short Track World Championships and he broke his own 500 metre Irish record twice during the course of the event. Later on in the month, Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus were in Boston, United States of America for the World Figure Skating Championships finishing in 28th place.

In May Sean McAnuff and Liam O’Brien attended an Olympic Federation of Ireland Milano Cortina Camp in Dublin for athletes targeting qualification for the 2o26 Olympics.

For the fourth consecutive year the Irish Figure Skating Championships were held at the Dundee Ice Arena with medals contested in four categories.

Ryan McAnuff, the first speed skater to represent Ireland at Europeans and Worlds, announced his retirement from elite competition in July.

Newly crowned Irish Junior Women’s champion Juliana Farrell opened the 2025-2026 season in August for the national team with 18th at the Cranberry Cup International in Norwood, United States of America. Later on in the month Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus bagged a silver medal at International Ice Dance Dordrecht in the Netherlands.

Dillon Judge and Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus made their way to Beijing, China in September for the ISU Skate To Milano Olympic Qualifier. Judge finished 24th and Soucisse and Firus ninth at the event and were outside the quota places for figure skating at the 2026 Olympics.

Juliana Farrell was the sole representative for Ireland on this season’s ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating and she came 32nd at the Solidarity Cup in Gdansk, Poland in October. Sean McAnuff and Liam O’Brien got their quest for Olympic quota places started at back-to-back ISU Short Track World Tour events in Montreal, Canada. Dillon Judge placed 11th at the Tayside Trophy in Dundee, Scotland.

It was a hectic November for Dillon Judge as he competed at the Denkova-Staviski Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria, the Cup of Innsbruck in Austria and the Bosphorus Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. He placed 9th, 8th and 7th respectively. Sean McAnuff and Liam O’Brien concluded this season’s ISU Short Track World Tour with events in Gdansk, Poland and Dordrecht, The Netherlands that saw the Irish Wolfhounds fall short on obtaining quota places in short track speed skating at the 2026 Olympics. Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus took on two ISU Challenger Series events in a row finishing 10th at Warsaw Cup in Poland and eighth at Tallinn Trophy in Estonia.

December began with Dillon Judge placing 22nd at the ISU Challenger Series Golden Spin of Zagreb in Croatia. Long track speed skater Thomas Steele made his international debut for Ireland at the European Youth Countrymatch in Heerenveen, The Netherlands setting a new Irish Junior record for the 1500 metres.

Here’s hoping for an even more spectacular year for Irish ice skating in 2026!

 

Steele Posts New Bests At European Youth Countrymatch

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Thomas Steele (Co. Dublin) concluded this weekend’s European Youth Countrymatch with two lifetime bests in the Junior B men’s events.

In the 500 metres, he raced to a time of 46.32 improving on his previous personal record by 0.7 seconds to finish 23rd. The 1500 metres saw an even greater advance for Steele when he lowered his best by 12.12 seconds to 2:22.94 and again place 23rd. The latter time was also a new Irish Junior national record. He also lined up for a Mass Start race coming 20th.

The European Youth Countrymatch is an international event organised at the ISU Centre of Excellence in Heerenveen, The Netherlands. The event is open to Junior C and Junior B category skaters of European ISU members by invitation only. There was a mandatory three-day camp in advance of the competition.

Steele Set For Long Track International Debut At European Youth Countrymatch

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This weekend Thomas Steele (Co. Dublin) competes in his first international competition representing Ireland in long track speed skating.

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Steele began skating at a young age just like many of his peers in a country where speed skating is one of the highest profile sports. He cites Dutchman Sven Kramer, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, as an inspiration. Ice is also in his genes with his father Gary from Canada, another country with a long and proud tradition in ice sports, and his mother Susan hailing from Dublin where she learned to skate at Dolphin’s Barn ice rink, a facility that those who grew up locally recall with great fondness.

Steele started training seriously two years ago from the age of 13 with Brenda, Annewil and Rodger from the DKIJV at De Uithof in The Hague to which he commutes from his home city of Delft three days a week for on ice practices.

“On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I train for an hour and 15 minutes on ice, and I also cycle for 30 minutes before and after those training sessions. Sometimes I also do an hour and 30 minutes of cycling training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, though not usually.”

He has gradually seen his times improve to the point where he was selected to the Irish national team this season. This week he will participate in the European Youth Countrymatch, an international event organised at the ISU Centre of Excellence in Heerenveen, The Netherlands in the renowned Thialf ice stadium, which just so happens to be Steele’s favourite track. The event is open to Junior C and Junior B category skaters of European ISU members by invitation only. There will be a mandatory three-day camp in advance of the competition. All racing will take place on Saturday, 20 December. Steele is looking forward to improving his best times and flying the flag for Ireland on an international stage.

“For me, it is a great honour to be allowed to participate in big international competitions representing Ireland.”

Steele is still young in a sport where most athletes reach their prime in their mid to late twenties. His goal this week will be to learn and pick up some tips to aid his development as an athlete and as all speed skaters want to do go as fast as he can in his races. Over the next few seasons, he is aiming to progress to the standards required for entry into the ISU Junior World Cups by refining the technical skills required of elite speed skaters.

“Speed skating technique is quite complicated and takes years to master. There are three different movements: the start, the straightaways and the corners. The start is the simplest: it is similar to running, but the straightaways and the corners are very complicated movements and take a lot of time to learn properly. I think that the hardest part and most important is to not only be able to perform the movements, but also to be able to find pressure in your push.”

Right at the moment, Steele is at the beginning of discovering his potential in the sport and is enjoying the process and the incremental achievements that is bringing him.

“The best thing for me is the feeling of going fast, and how it feels to become faster. Small changes in technique can often make huge differences, and it feels amazing when all of a sudden you can make a lot of speed by changing a small detail.”

You can keep up to date with how Steele gets on at the European Youth Countrymatch here on the Ice Skating Association of Ireland’s website and social media channels.

Judge 22nd At Golden Spin of Zagreb

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Dillon Judge has finished 22nd in the Senior Men’s event at the ISU Challenger Series Golden Spin of Zagreb in Croatia this weekend.

Judge opened his short programme with a clean triple Lutz-double toe loop combination. He stepped out of a double Axel and received Level 2 for a flying camel spin. He then hung on to the landing of a triple Salchow. He concluded with a Level 3 change foot combination spin, a Level 1 step sequence and a Level 4 change foot sit spin. He scored 47.91 points and was in 22nd place overnight.

The two-time Irish champion was back this evening for the free skating. He began with a double flip and then landed triple Lutz-double toe loop combination. He then attempted a triple Lutz and followed with  a Level 2 change foot sit spin and a rotated triple toe loop. Next came a Level 2 flying camel spin before he nailed a triple Salchow. He fell out of another triple Salchow subsequently. He wound up his routine with a Level 3 step sequence and a Level 2 change foot combination spin. He posted a score of 80.40 points for the free which gave him a total of 128.31 points.

Soucisse And Firus Eighth At Tallinn Trophy

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Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus (Co. Wexford) have secured an eighth place finish at this weekend’s Tallinn Trophy.

The three-time Irish champions began the event at the Tondiraba Ice Hall with their New Kids On The Block rhythm dance. Their sequential twizzles were graded Level 3 for Soucisse and Level 4 for Firus. Their pattern type step sequence was called Level 1. A minor wobble by Soucisse during the midline step sequence saw her receive Level 1 for the element as opposed to the Level 2 for Firus. They rounded things out with a Level 4 rotational lift and a choreographic rhythm sequence. They scored 64.56 points for eighth place at the midway stage of the competition.

This afternoon Soucisse and Firus skated their “Riverdance” free dance. They started with a Level 4 dance spin from which they moved seamlessly into a choreographic sliding movement. Their one foot turns earned them a Level 2, while Soucisse received Level 4 for her synchronised twizzles with Firus awarded Level 2. Their straight line and rotational lifts were each a Level 4. Soucisse was judged to be  Level 1 for their serpentine step sequence and Firus Level 2. They completed the routine with a Level 4 stationary lift and two choreographic elements. A score of 102.99 points left them with a total of 167.55 points.

Judge Seventh At Bosphorus Cup

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Dillon Judge has come seventh in the Senior Men’s event at the Bosphorus Cup in Istanbul, Türkiye this weekend.

Judge opened his short programme with a clean triple Lutz-double toe loop combination. He fell on a triple flip and received Level 1 for a flying camel spin. He then had another fall on a double Axel. He ended with a Level 2 change foot combination spin, a Level 1 step sequence and a Level 3 change foot sit spin. He scored 45.29 points and was in eighth place overnight.

The two-time Irish champion was back out on the ice earlier today for the free skating. He began by falling on a triple flip and then doubled a planned triple Lutz. He then fell on a triple Lutz before executing a Level 3 change foot sit spin and cleanly landed a triple toe loop. He followed with a Level 1 flying camel spin and fell on a triple Salchow-double toe loop combination. He recorded another fall on a double Salchow-single Axel-double Axel sequence. He completed his routine with a Level 1 step sequence and a Level 3 change foot combination spin. He posted a score of 63.11 points for the free which gave him a total of 108.40 points.

Irish Wolfhounds Wrap Up World Tour In Dordrecht

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Sean McAnuff (Co. Armagh) and Liam O’Brien (Co. Cavan) have concluded the 2025/2026 ISU Short Track World Tour at the final event in Dordrect, The Netherlands this weekend.

The Irish Wolfhounds took on the opening rounds of the 1500 and 500 metres on Day One. McAnuff was first on the ice in Heat 5 of the 1500 metre heats. The race began sedately and picked up midway with McAnuff taking the lead with seven laps remaining. He held that position for a couple of laps, but when the pace intensified he dropped back ultimately finishing in fifth with a time 2:28.489. O’Brien was next up in Heat 7. He hovered around second place for the opening laps and when the race got going with seven laps to go he was bumped off course after coming into contact with another skater. He came home in a time of 2:28.335 for sixth place.

Next up on the agenda were the 500 metre preliminaries. O’Brien was drawn in Heat 11 where he started third from the inside. He maintained that placement until the final lap where he was passed taking fourth place in a time of 42.464. McAnuff lined up in Heat 14. Coming to the close of third last lap. he was in second when lost his footing and slid off the track. He ranked fourth in the heat with no time recorded. The Wolfhounds returned later in the day for 500 metre repechage heats. In Heat 2 McAnuff was always playing catch up with an outside lane draw and finished fourth in a time of 42.362. Heat 8 was incident packed with O’Brien taking advantage to claim third place with a time of 43.345.

The second day of competition saw the focus on the 1000 metres. In Heat 5 of the preliminaries, O’Brien began positively before losing speed due to contact with other skaters. A crash ahead of him on the final lap saw him take second place in a time of 1:32.028. Heat 7 had to be recalled for a restart. Once under way McAnuff fought hard to keep in touch with the leaders and moved up into second on the final lap to end with a time of 1:29.746. McAnuff was back for Heat 5 of the repechage heats picking up fourth place in a time of 1:28.637. O’Brien drew Heat 10 and finished fourth as well with a time of 1:29.984.

The Wolfhounds returned on the third morning of the event for the 1500 metre repechage quarterfinals. With ten laps to go in Heat 5, O’Brien was taken out in a three skater pile up causing the referee to start the race again. Unfortunately, it was not second time lucky for O’Brien who fell again with ten laps remaining in the rerun bringing his World Tour campaign to an end with a sixth place and a time of 2:50.446. It was a leisurely opening to Heat 7 which featured McAnuff who eventually finished in sixth with a time of 2:36.363.

Photo: Champions Ice Skating

Final Chance For Irish Wolfhounds At Dordrecht World Tour

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Sean McAnuff (Co. Armagh) and Liam O’Brien (Co. Cavan) take on the final ISU Short Track World Tour of the season in Dordrecht, The Netherlands (27-30 November) and will need a supreme effort if they are to secure any quota places for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games.

The Irish Wolfhounds are currently short of the mark in all three distances with their best ranking being 50th in the 500 metres (Top 32 required), 43rd in the 1000 metres (Top 32 required) and 60th in the 1500 metres (Top 36 required). Progression beyond the qualification and repechage sessions will be key.

The ISU Short Track World Tour can be followed live on the Skating ISU YouTube channel and via the #ShortTrackWorldTour and #ShortTrackSkating hashtags on social media.

Competition Schedule (Dordrecht, The Netherlands)

Thursday, 27 November – Qualification Rounds

Friday, 28 November – Qualification Rounds

Saturday, 29 November – 500m/1500m

Sunday, 30 November – 1000m

Irish Wolfhounds Complete Third World Tour

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Sean McAnuff (Co. Antrim) and Liam O’Brien (Co. Cavan) have completed the penultimate leg of the ISU Short Track World Tour in Gdansk, Poland this weekend.

The Irish Wolfhounds embarked on the opening day with qualification rounds in the 1500 and 500 metre distances. First up in Heat 4 of the 1500 Heats was O’Brien. An early take off from another skater during the second lap saw the pace increase rapidly and the race was attritional with O’Brien eventually crossing the line in fifth with a time of 2:23.577. In Heat 8 McAnuff took the lead from the start until things picked up with eight laps to go. He came home third in a time of 2:30.080.

The 500 metre Preliminaries were next on the agenda for Team Ireland. O’Brien got tailed off right at the start of Heat 8 and never got back into the race finishing fifth with a time of 43.326. McAnuff was immediately on the ice after in Heat 9 and he was in second place all most of the race before being edged out on the final lap to come third in a time of 42.953.

Later on McAnuff and O’Brien returned for the 500 metre Repechage Heats. O’Brien was drawn in starting position four of Heat 3 and maintained that place from gun to the finish in a time of 43.089. McAnuff appeared in Heat 10 and errors by others enabled him to rise up into second place on Lap 3 and hold until the end. Unfortunately, his time of 43.716 was not enough to advance any further.

McAnuff and O’Brien concentrated on the 1000 metres on the second day of competition. The Preliminaries were first on the agenda. O’Brien raced in Heat 3 and finished in fourth place with a time of 1:29.305. McAnuff was right up after in Heat 4 and the race was a leisurely affair until midway through when the pace began to pick up. McAnuff managed to keep in touch with the leaders until the penultimate lap when he was dropped and finished third in a time of 1:31.547.

Both Irish Wolfhounds were drawn in Heat 4 of the 1000 metre Repechage Heats. The race was eventful to say the least. With just over three laps remaining McAnuff was vying for the lead when his blade clashed with the skater in front of him and they both crashed out. O’Brien managed to stay out of the way and finished in fourth with a time of 1:29.024. McAnuff got back up and took sixth place in a time of 1:56.092. He was subsequently advanced to the Repechage Quarterfinals.

On the third day of the event O’Brien and McAnuff faced the 1500 metre Repechage Quarterfinals. O’Brien lined up in Heat 7 and placed third with a time of 2:28.859. McAnuff took on Heat 8 and finished fifth in a time of 2:25.386.

McAnuff was the last Irish Wolfhound standing on the final day of the event for the 1000 metre Repechage Quarterfinals. He raced in Heat 4 and concluded this World Tour stop with a sixth place with a time of 1:29.945.

Soucisse and Firus 10th At Warsaw Cup

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Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus (Co. Wexford) have finished in 10th place in the Warsaw Cup ice dance event earlier this evening.

The three-time Irish champions began the competition in Poland’s capital yesterday with their New Kids On The Block rhythm dance. They put down Level 3 sequential twizzles and a Level 2 pattern type step sequence to get themselves under way. Their midline step sequence was graded Level 2 and they closed out with a Level 4 rotational lift and an engaging choreographic rhythm sequence. They earned a new season best score of 68.46 points to put themselves in eighth place overnight.

This evening Soucisse and Firus performed in the free dance to a selection of music from “Riverdance” by Bill Whelan. They commenced with a Level 4 dance spin which flowed into a choreographic sliding movement. Their one foot turns were both credited with a Level 1, while Soucisse garnered Level 4 for her synchronised twizzles with Firus getting Level 2. Their combination of straight line and rotational lifts came in at Level 4 for both elements while Soucisse was awarded Level 1 for their serpentine step sequence and Firus Level 2. They wound the routine up with a Level 4 stationary lift and two choreographic movements. They picked up an ISU season best score of 103.45 points and a total of 171.91 points.