Two local-based skaters who have continuously trained at home are set to compete in international competitions this week.
First is 18-year-old Skye Chua, who will carry the Philippine colors in the Krasnoyarsk, Russia leg of the International Skating Union Grand Prix from September 15 to 18.
Philippine Skating Union president Nikki Cheng said there were limitations in her preparations with the coronavirus pandemic. But thankfully, Chua was still able to focus on other things to prepare for the upcoming competition.
“Tuloy pa rin ang pag-training sa elite level. Ito lang iyung developmental pool. Sila iyung hindi makapag-training ng todo habang may pandemic. But because they are now doing offline exercises, patuloy ang progression nila,” said Cheng, who discussed the athletes’ preparations in a recent online discussion on Facebook.
PSU officials are also looking at the performance of Christopher Caluza, who is in the US International Classic in Boston.
Over the weekend, Filipina figure skater Sofia Frank claimed a podium finish ahead of her participation in the Nebelhorn Trophy.
Frank settled for third place in the Colorado Springs Invitational held in Monument, Colorado.
With a score of 90.13 in the free skate event, Frank took bronze from a field of 12 competitors.
Courtney Hicks took the top spot (100.53), while Sonja Hilmer ended up second (95.85).
During the short program, Frank was also third out of eight contestants with 45.43.
Hilmer placed first with 61.32 points, while Hicks landed in the second spot with 53.55.
Another Filipino skater in Edrian Paul Celestino will be in the Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany on September 22 to 25.
The Nebelhorn Trophy will serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Peter Atencio