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Judge Third At Lounakeskus Trophy

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Dillon Judge has won a bronze medal at the Lounakeskus Trophy in Tartu, Estonia this weekend.

In the short programme, his attempt at a triple Lutz resulted in a fall. He just about held on to the landing of a triple Salchow. Both his change foot camel spin and change foot combination spin were graded Level 2. After those elements, he fell on a double Axel. He closed with a Level 4 flying sit spin and a Level 2 step sequence to score 40.79 points putting himself in third place overnight.

Judge opened his free skating with a triple flip, a new jump for him to include in his routine. He then landed a double Lutz before falling on a triple Lutz. He got back up to perform a Level 3 flying sit spin, but had to step out of a triple Salchow. A change foot camel spin was recorded as Level 1 and he fell on a second triple Salchow. He recovered with a double Lutz and a Level 2 step sequence. A double loop-double Axel jump sequence resulted in another fall. He rounded his competition out with a Level 3 chang foot combination spin. His free skating score of 69.24 points gave him a total of 110.03 points and 3rd place overall.

 

Irish Figure Skaters Show Their Best At Denkova-Staviski Cup

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A total of five figure skaters represented Ireland at this weekend’s Denkova-Staviski Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria competing in three different categories.

Dillon Judge (Co. Down) made his season debut at the event. In the short programme, he began with a pristine triple Lutz. He had to step out on the landing of a triple Salchow and lost points by not being able to turn into a combination. He executed a Level 3 change foot camel spin and a Level 2 change foot combination spin before landing a double Axel. He closed with a Level 4 flying sit spin and a Level 2 step sequence to score 52.66 points, the highest score he has ever posted for a short. He was in tenth place overnight.

Judge opened his free skating with a double Axel-double Axel sequence. He then reeled off a solo triple Lutz and a triple Lutz-double toe loop combination in succession before nailing a Level 4 flying sit spin. There followed a triple Salchow-double toe loop. He missed required features in change foot camel spin which resulted in the element receiving only a base level and had a hard fall on a second triple Salchow. Nevertheless he finished his routine with another career best score of 99.07 points which gave him a total of 151.73 points and 11th place overall.

Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus (Co. Wexford) had to withdraw midway through their previous competition last month due to illness and were on the comeback trail in Sofia. They commenced their James Brown routine with a choreographic rhythm sequence and a Level 1 midline step sequence. Level 4 sequential twizzles for Soucisse and Level 3 for Firus ensued with their pattern type step sequence receiving a base level. They closed out with a strong Level 4 rotational lift and sat in seventh place on 60.10 points after the segment.

The two-time Irish champions launched into their “When Harry Met Sally” free dance with intent. They produced an excellent stationary and rotational lift combination to get proceedings under way and continued with Level 3 foot turns for Soucisse and Level 2 for Firus. They next inserted a choreographic step sequence and a Level 4 dance spin. Their serpentine steps were Level 1 for Soucisse and Level 2 for Firus, while they both achieved Level 4 for their synchronised twizzles. They wrapped up with a choreographic hydroblading movement, a Level 4 straight line lift and a choreographic dance lift. A season best score of 104.02 was good enough for third in the free and fourth overall on a total of 164.12.

Two Irish skaters competed in the Junior Women’s event. Saoirse O’Sullivan (Co. Tipperary) was first up and she started positively her short programme with a good double flip. She came undone on a double Axel attempt, but rallied with a Level 4 sit spin. She eked out a double Lutz-double toe loop combination and Level 1 for a flying camel spin. She had an unfortunate fall in her Level 2 step sequence and ended with a Level 2 change foot combination spin. Despite the technical issues, she still managed to wind up with a career best score of 29.99 points for her short and placed 33rd. Due to a cut after the short, she did not advance to the free skating.

Sophia Tkacheva (Co. Wexford) was another Irish team member making her season debut. In her short programme, she stepped out on the landing of a double Axel and put a hand down on the first part of a double Lutz-double toe loop jump combination. She was awarded a Level 4 for a layback spin and got Level 1 for a flying camel spin. She landed a double flip and earned Level 2 for her step sequence. She had an untimely ending to the routine when she fell out of a Level 3 change foot combination spin. Nevertheless, her score of 34.82 points was enough for 29th and a place in the free skating.

Tkacheva was second to skate in the free and fell on her opening double Axel and also had difficulties with her triple Salchow attempt. She settled down with a double Lutz-double toe loop combination before performing a Level 4 flying change foot sit spin, a double loop and a double loop-Euler-double Salchow. She had another fall on a double flip-double toe loop combination and rounded out her programme with a Level 3 layback spin and a Level 2 change foot combination spin. With a score of 57.73 points she took 27th place in the free and moved up to 28th with a total of 92.55 points.

2024/2025 National Team Members Named

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The Ice Skating Association of Ireland has selected the following athletes to represent Ireland in international competitions during the 2024/2025 season:

Figure Skating

Senior Men – Dillon Judge* (County Armagh)

Senior Ice Dance – Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus (County Wexford)

Junior Women – Saoirse O’Sullivan (County Tipperary), Allie Peterson (County Galway), Sophia Tkacheva* (County Wexford)

*Selected under Section 800 Paragraph 801.6

Short Track Speed Skating

Senior Men – Ryan McAnuff (County Antrim), Sean McAnuff (County Antrim), Liam O’Brien (County Cavan)

Irish Figure Skaters Ready To Take The Ice At Nationals

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The cream of Irish figure skating talent assembles in Dundee, Scotland this weekend (8-9 June) for the Irish National Figure Skating Championships which take place over the course of two days at the Dundee Ice Arena. A total of seven skaters compete at the championships with four separate categories being held.

Dillon Judge (Co. Antrim) won his first Senior Men’s title last year. 2023/2024 was his first complete season in the senior ranks and he concluded his international events with a bronze medal at Triglav Trophy in Jesenice, Slovenia back in April. He is coached by Barbara Luoni at Ice Lab in Bergamo, Italy, an ISU Centre of Excellence.

Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus (Co. Wexford) have had a busy and rewarding 2024. The 2023 Irish ice dance champions became the first ice dancers to represent Ireland at both the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in January and the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in March of this year. The recently married duo train in Toronto, Canada with Carol Lane, Jon Lane, Juris Razgulajevs and Marc Andre Servant.

Saoirse O’Sullivan (Co. Tipperary) was crowned Advanced Novice Girls champion at last year’s Nationals. This time round she competes in the Junior Women’s event. She is coached by Margaret O’Neill in Nottingham, England.

Allie Peterson (Co. Galway) makes her Irish Nationals debut this year in the Junior Women’s category. She trains under the tutelage of Tammy Gambill and her team in Colorado Springs, United States of America.

Sophia Tkacheva (Co. Wexford) is the reigning and two-time Junior Women’s champion and will compete again in the Junior Women’s event this weekend in Dundee. Her coaches are two-time European medallist Kevin van der Perren and eleven-time British champion Jenna McCorkell.

Caoilfhionn Kavanagh (Co. Louth) skates in the Advanced Novice Girls event in her first ever Nationals. She works with coach Fabrice Masachs in Riihimäki, Finland.

Regular updates from the Irish National Figure Skating Championships will be posted on the Ice Skating Association of Ireland’s social media accounts.

Starting Order/Results Page

Judge Bags Bronze At Triglav Tropy

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Dillon Judge has finished third at this weekend’s Triglav Trophy in Jesenice, Slovenia.

Judge began his final international of the season with yesterday’s short programme. He opened with a triple salchow-double toe loop combination and then stepped out of a triple Lutz. He executed a Level 3 change foot camel spin and a Level 3 change foot combination spin before his final jump, a double Axel. He closed his routine with a Level 2 flying sit spin and a Level 3 step sequence. He earned 52.55 points, his best score in the segment all season, which put him in 3rd place overnight.

Earlier today, Judge performed in the free skating. He began his programme by nailing a triple toe loop. As in the short, he had issues again with the triple Lutz and then fell on a double Axel. He attained Level 4 for a flying sit spin and cleanly landed a triple Salchow. A Level 2 change foot camel spin garnered him a positive grade of execution. Things did not go his way on a subsequent triple Salchow-single Axel jump sequence and on a double Lutz-Euler-single Salchow. He received Level 2 for his step sequence before singling a planned double loop. He ended with a Level 4 change foot combination spin and a choreographic step sequence. He scored 82.51 points for the free which gave him a total 135.06 points and the bronze medal.

Judge 4th; Tkacheva 27th at Sonja Henie Trophy

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Dillon Judge and Sophia Tkacheva have finished fourth and 27th in their respective events at the Sonja Henie Trophy in Oslo, Norway this weekend.

In the Senior Men’s short programme, Judge got off to a solid start with a triple Salchow-double toe loop jump combination. Unfortunately, he fell on a triple Lutz and the change foot combination spin that followed received no value as it did not meet the requirements to be counted. A change foot combination spin was deemed to be Level 2. He had another fall on a double Axel before rounding out with a Level 2 flying sit spin and a Level 3 step sequence. He scored 37.29 points to put himself in fourth place overnight.

Judge returned the following day for the free skating. he began with a triple toe loop. He stood up this time on a triple Lutz even if it was over rotated. He then nailed a double Axel-double Axel sequence, a Level 4 flying sit spin and a triple Salchow. He then performed a Level 3 change foot camel spin and a choreographic step sequence. He followed with two jump combinations – a triple Salchow-double toe loop and a double Lutz-double toe loop. He concluded with a Level 2 step sequence, a double loop and a Level 3 change foot combination spin. He scored 90.32 points which placed him third in the free and gave him a total of 127.61 to remain in fourth place overall.

In the Junior Women’s short programme, Tkacheva got off to a shaky start with falls on a double Axel and a double flip, the latter of which was supposed to be in combination. She recovered with a Level 3 flying sit spin and a Level 2 layback spin. She landed a double Lutz and brought her routine to a close with a Level 3 step sequence and a Level 4 change foot combination spin. She earned 28.15 points to sit in 27th midway through the event.

Tkacheva began the free skating with an attempted double Axel which was downgraded. She next landed a double Salchow and singled a planned double Lutz. Her layback spin was graded Level 3 and she followed with a double loop. Another double loop immediately after resulted in a fall and the second part of a double flip-double toe loop combination was downgraded. She concluded her routine with a double flip, a choreographic step sequence, a Level 2 flying change foot sit spin and a Level 2change foot combination spin. She scored 46.90 points for her free and remained in 27th place overall with a total of 75.05 points.

Judge 9th At Challenge Cup

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Dillon Judge has finished ninth at this weekend’s Challenge Cup in Tilburg, The Netherlands.

In the short programme, Judge executed a triple Salchow-double toe loop combination to start. He then attempted a triple Lutz which he over rotated before performing a Level 3 change foot camel spin. A Level 2 change foot combination spin had some missing requirements which reduced its value. He cleanly landed a double Axel and closed out his routine with a Level 3 flying sit spin and a Level 2 step sequence. He scored 47.34 points to put himself in ninth place overnight.

Judge got his free skating off to a flying start with a triple toe loop and a triple Lutz with both jumps garnering positives grades of execution. He went for a double Axel-double Axel jump sequence to follow, but could not hold the landing on the second Axel. A Level 2 flying sit spin preceded a triple Salchow which he fell on. He continued with a Level 2 change foot camel spin and a choreographic step sequence. He attempted triple Salchow again, but the jump was not his friend today and it resulted in another fall. He concluded his free with a double Lutz, a Level 2 step sequence, a double loop and a Level 2 change foot combination spin. His free score of 79.63 points gave him a combined total of 126,97 points.

Judge Posts Season Best Total At Dragon Trophy

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Dillon Judge has finished seventh at the Dragon Trophy in Ljubljana, Slovenia this weekend notching up his top combined score so far this season.

In the short programme, Judge began with a triple Salchow on which he had to save the landing and was therefore unable to add a jump for a combination as he normally would. He then fell on an attempted triple Lutz. He regained his composure and performed a Level 2 change foot camel spin. He subsequently executed a Level 4 change foot combination spin, a double Axel and a Level 4 flying sit spin in succession all of which garnered positive marks from the judging panel. He concluded with a Level 2 step sequence and received a segment score of 48.09 points which had him in eighth place overnight.

Judge opened the free skating with a triple toe loop and a triple Lutz, the latter on which he had a step out. He went to land a single Axel-double Axel jump sequence and reeled off a Level 4 flying sit spin. As in the short, a planned triple Salchow-double toe loop combination caused him difficulty and this time he was only able to add a single toe loop. Later on in the routine, he landed a clean triple Salchow. His change foot camel spin, step sequence and change foot combination spin all were awarded Level 3. His free score of 90.39 points gave him a season best total of 138.48 points and moved him up one place in the standings.

Judge 7th At Volvo Open Cup

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Dillon Judge has finished seventh at the Volvo Open in Riga, Latvia.

On the first day of competition, Judge performed in the short programme. He opened with a triple Salchow-double toe loop jump combination, although a triple Lutz attempt that followed was not clean. He next included a Level 3 change foot camel spin and a Level 4 change foot combination spin, both receiving positive grades of execution from the judging panel. A double Axel went slightly awry and he just about managed to pull off a Level 3 flying sit spin. He closed out with a Level 2 step sequence to score 49.25 points.

In the free skating, the Irish champion began with a pristine triple toe loop. A triple Lutz and a double Axel-double Axel sequence that ensued were not as successful, but Judge fought hard and came back to execute a Level 4 flying sit spin. Unfortunately, he then fell on an underrotated triple Salchow. However, he rallied with a good Level 3 change foot camel spin and a choreographic step sequence. The triple Salchow again was not his friend as he fell on a second attempt as well as on a double Lutz-Euler-double Salchow jump sequence. He wrapped up his routine with a Level 2 step sequence, a double loop and a Level 2 change foot combination spin. He scored 77.61 points for the free giving him a total of 126.86 points.

2023 Another Remarkable Year For Irish Ice Skating

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2023 witnessed ice skating in Ireland continue its forward progression as more milestones were achieved.

The year began in sensational fashion in January at the ISU European Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Gdansk, Poland. Sean McAnuff became the first athlete from Ireland to nab a place in the main session of the championships when he advanced to the 500 metres quarterfinals. Liam O’Brien then went on to do the same by booking himself a spot in the 1500 metres semifinals. Later in the same month, Sam McAllister finally made his ISU European Figure Skating Championships debut at the third time of asking in Espoo, Finland. He finished in 28th place. At home, the ISAI board announced the appointment of Karen O’Sullivan as Chief Executive Officer and Yvonne Brett as Chief Financial Officer. The first post-Covid Emerald Skate test session was held at Dundrum On Ice.

February saw our short track speed skaters Sean McAnuff and Ryan McAnuff in action at events in Germany and Canada respectively, while figure skaters Dillon Judge and Laura Hegarty and Kevin Hegarty competed in the Netherlands at the Challenge Cup.

Liam O’Brien participated in the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships for the third consecutive time when the event was held in Seoul, South Korea in March. Sam McAllister announced his retirement from competitive skating during the month.

Four-time European competitor Conor Stakelum was appointed ISAI Anti-Doping Officer in May.

Rounding out the 2022/2023 season, the Irish Figure Skating Championships were held for the second at the Dundee Ice Arena in June. Titles were decided in five categories with Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus becoming the first ever Senior Ice Dance champions in the history of the event.

The 2023/2024 season got into full swing in September with two-time Irish Junior Champion Sophia Tkacheva competing at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Istanbul, Türkiye. The appointment of Stephen Judge as ISAI Privacy Officer was announced. Margery Hilko became the first person from Ireland to qualify as an ISU judge when she passed the ISU examination in Oberstdorf, Germany.

Ciera Turner-Frick represented Ireland at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Yerevan, Armenia in October. Dillon Judge made his international senior debut at the Tayside Trophy in Dundee, United Kingdom where he was joined by Sophia Tkacheva who skated in the Junior Women’s event. The season got under way for our short track speed skaters at World Cup 1 in Montreal, Canada where Ryan McAnuff and Liam O’Brien raced. O’Brien also entered World Cup 2 again in Montreal where he not only set a new Irish record in the 1000 metres, but also advanced to the 1000 metres quarterfinals.

In November, the 2023/2024 Emerald Skate learn to skate lessons commenced at Dundrum On Ice. Dillon Judge competed at the Denkova-Staviski Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria where he finished 10th. The ISAI Annual General Meeting was held on 29 November in Dublin. It was the first in-person AGM since 2019.

Carolane Soucisse and Shane Firus kicked off December and their season when they participated in the Bosphorus Cup in Istanbul, Türkiye. The second World Ice Skating Day took place on 3 December with bigger and better celebrations than in the previous year here in Ireland. Soucisse and Firus and Dillon Judge took part in the ISU Challenger Golden Spin of Zagreb in Croatia. Liam O’Brien was named as a recipient of a Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Scholarship and wrapped up 2023 with back to back World Cups in China and South Korea.

2024 promises to be an even more exciting year for the ISAI as the pace picks up on the development of Ireland as an ice skating nation both domestically and on the international stage.