2023 Inclusive Skating World Championships

[CaroLiza_fan]

Yes, it was

I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!

OK, so it was obvious that it was somebody from Northern Ireland from the accent. But we did have a good size of a contingent over, so it could well have been somebody else. However, I recognised the voice as being Teddy's from the TV reports.

Agata (who DID return to Latvia earlier in the week)

Thank you for confirming my suspicions that Agata had returned home early. When she was finished on Wednesday, it would have been a long wait until Friday for a kid that age if she had stayed. Standing on the top of a podium is nice, but I'm sure spending what is left of the school holidays back home with family and friends is more appealing.

Ted came second to Agata in ladies novice pre-skate level 3. And second to Agata (who DID return to Latvia earlier in the week) as novice ladies free skate champion. Teddy won novice ladies free dance level 1 gold, pattern dance (canasta tango) gold, and over all novice dance champion. She also won ladies compulsory elements L3, and she and Vilma won gold for level 2 synchro

Thank you for confirming Teddy's results. That is quite a medal haul!



This is one thing I liked about Inclusive Skating. That the skaters get the opportunity to compete in a variety of different categories. So, they get a wider skills base than those that specialise in one category, as happens in elite level skating. Most of the skaters were doing both Singles Skating and Solo Dance. Quite a few (such as Teddy) were also competing as part of a Synchro partnership (something which I had never seen before, but which I took a liking to!) or a Synchro team. And then you had Jennifer Lee and Callum Mills, who were competing in basically everything that was going - Singles Skating, Solo Dance, Ice Dance, and Pairs Skating!

For years, I have believed that, although it is not the most thrilling thing to watch, skaters need to do Compulsory Figures / Compulsory Elements to improve their skatecraft. And watching Inclusive Skating has re-affirmed that belief for me. But now, after watching Inclusive Skating, I also believe that it would be beneficial for Singles Skaters to also train in Solo Dance, to improve their skatecraft. The only elite level Singles Skater I can think of off-hand that does Solo Dance as well is Alana Pang. And I am sure it has helped her.

Watching Inclusive Skating has opened my eyes and given me a whole new outlook on the sport. And if it hadn't have been for watching those reports about your daughter, that may not have happened.

Thank you Teddy!



And all the best to Margarita and the team at Inclusive Skating. They are doing things right, and I wish them every success in the years to come!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Vicki7]

Speaking of Teddy, she is starting off the second group.

There were only two skaters introduced at the start of the Warm Up. However, the girl that was originally scheduled to close this group, Mimi Lomas (ENG), is also listed as a Virtual entry. So, after hedging her bets when entering, she has probably opted to compete via video rather than travelling to Scotland to compete in person.

Anyway, here's our girl!

ALL THE BEST TEDDY!!!

CaroLiza_fan

Mimi is a friend of mine and skates at my rink - this was a timetable error. She was actually in Blackpool supporting and helping me at a mainstream event I was competing in. We were both always virtual entries I'm actually going through Inclusive Skating's coach training and I coached and choreographed her free dance

The fact there's a thread here fills me with joy - as an Inclusive Skater I fight every day to get our efforts recognised. Competing through them gave me the confidence to compete in the mainstream system, although it's MUCH more difficult for me. If you look on their Youtube channel, and look out for my name, you can watch my skates.

To give an idea of the difference - I'm visually impaired. In an Inclusive Skating event, my coaches are allowed to accompany on practice ice and the warm up. In Blackpool last week, I was on my own - I wear a high visibility vest that says I'm visually impaired but it's still a really scary thing.

 

[Vicki7]

Another post to add all programs should now be on Youtube - the livestream is dealt with by volunteers and isn't always reliable but all programs are filmed too. I know a lot of the stories of the skaters so could answer some of the questions here