The standard of ice skating was truly outstanding as the event attracted many of the skating world’s brightest up and coming stars, with a strong showing of Russian skaters. This was an important international as many skaters are seeking to return to Nice for the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in 2012 and future qualification for the Sochi Olympics in 2014. The promising start made by the Irish duo was therefore all the more creditable.
At this event a cut was made after the short programme and only the top 24 skaters would progress to the Free Programme. Changes in ISU regulations for Championship Competition now demand competitors have to obtain a minimum technical score at an International ISU event thus making the competition for the top 24 places was fierce. Skaters had travelled from as far afield as Japan, Mexico and South America as well as across Europe in the hope of making the minimum technical score in order to qualify to compete at the World Championships in Japan in March 2011. For many there are few opportunities left in the international skating calendar to make the ISU minimum technical score.
Peters, put in a well skated but flawed Short programme, missing 2 jump elements. Peter’s execution of the remaining elements, spins and step were strong enough to ensure she made the cut for the free programme the following day. Peters started her new season with a free programme allowing her to express her love of the sport. She performed a strong programme wooing the audience with her artistry and musicality. She landed every jump she attempted and performed difficult 3 jump combinations with ease.
Every note of the music was interpreted and expressed the emotion of the moment. The audience were emotionally involved in the performance: this was a truly great moment for Irish skating. The scores went up and Clara had exceeded all expectations. Her Long programme score comfortable exceeded the minimum technical score require securing Peters qualification to ISU World Championships in Japan and the European Championships in Switzerland, 2011. Peters has now returned to her training base in the USA, to begin the preparations for the European Championships in Switzerland in January 2011.
This was Murphy’s first Senior International, having only just moved to this level in September. Murphy’s Short programme include Double Axel and Triple Salchow for which he was awarded 70% of its total value, making him the Irish Mens skater to land these jumps in competition. Murphy placed 26th in the event.
Following Murphy’s success last season at Junior level, Murphy will now draw on this experience and that of his pervious achievements in preparation for further Internationals next year in his bid to achieve the minimum technical scores for qualification for future World Championships, including Nice in 2012.
