2025 Ephesus Cup | Jan 20-26

[CaroLiza_fan]

Ginevra BACCHIONI (ITA) started off skating to the version of "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" that I reckon is being sung by one of my local singers from NI (it certainly sounds like her). The she moved onto the Puddycat Dolls' version of "Sway".

Not bad.

She goes into 2nd position.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Alieva may have withdrawn, but the remaining two skaters representing Azerbaijan were good.

I absoltutely loved that programme from Leyli AKHUNDOVA (AZE). But, I am always partial to a "Palladio" programme.

I enjoyed that.

Born in Japan. Lives in Berlin. Represents Azerbaijan. Very international!

I definitely recognise her coach. I'm nearly sure he is a German skater.

She goes into fourth position.

Arina KALUGINA (AZE), who was second to skate, is still leading.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

This is going to sound so bad. But Defne Günce KILIÇ (TUR) could do with taking the advice that Cher is giving in the lyrics of the song she is skating to, "Welcome To Burlesque".

Don't get me wrong, it was a lovely costume. And she looked great in it. But, it just didn't say "Burlesque" to me.

The skating was good.

She has quite a few friends with her for getting her scores. Hardly surprising - she's a local İzmir girl.

She goes into 5th position.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Esma ÖKTEM (TUR) took us to the carnival in her programme!

That was a barrel of fun!

When she was coming off the ice, she had a big hug with the next skater, Selin UĞURAL (TUR). Which was interesting, because Esma belongs to a club in Istanbul, while Selin belongs to a club in İzmir.

Esma goes into 7th and last position.

Which is disappointing, especially since she is the only skater other than the Top 2 to have gone clean.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

The crowd that was there for Defne Günce KILIÇ (TUR) is back for her team-mate, Selin UĞURAL (TUR).

Well, some of them had left by the time she actually got her scores.

She was wearing a dress that was white but with blue tinges on it. Don't know the music.

Not bad.

She goes into 5th position.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Resurfacing, so time to watch the second half of this morning's episode of "I Dream Of Jeanie".

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Ah, it didn't click with me that because of the withdrawals, it would be a longer interval.

But, we're back now for the final two groups of girls.

Erm, I think there's only 4 skaters on the ice, rather than the scheduled 5.

No, there is 5. There just always managed to be somebody out of camera shot.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

As soon as I saw Inga GURGENIDZE (GEO), the immortal words of @elektra blue popped into my head: "I smell an Olè "

Yep, it's a tango. SHe's wearing a dress that is mainly black, but has some red.

That was good.

It's taken a long time, but we have a new leader.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Jumping_Bean]

For anyone following Russian regional competitions, the name Arina Kalugina might ring a bell - I am quite sure that this is the same Arina as the Arina who has so far competed in Russia representing Moscow.

I am very surprised to see her here, I had no idea she had any connections to Azerbaijan or was looking to represent another country internationally

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

"Smoke On The Water"?! More like "smoke underwater"!

What have they done to Deep Purple's finest?!

Actually, despite the music, Derya NASIBLI (TUR) skated well.

She goes into 6th position.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I have seen many "Swan Lake" programmes over the years. But Deniz TARIM (TUR)'s costume has to be the strangest I have seen worn for one.

It's black and white, which is not unusual. It fits the story well.

But, it looks like she is wearing a white dress with a black apron over it. And that is unusual. It just looks odd for a ballet.

Nevertheless, she skated well.

The crowd is back. Yep, she's another local skater. Although, interestingly, she was born in Hong Kong.

She goes into 5th position.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Awwww. Veronika KIM (KAZ). I know I say this practically every time we see her, but isn't she just the cutest little thing you've ever seen?

That was verry good.

She goes into 3rd position.

Finally. Somebody has gone into the gap between Arina KALUGINA (AZE) and Ginevra BACCHIONI (ITA). I was starting to think that 18.90 point gulf was going to be there the whole competition.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

YAY!!!! Jasmine COETZEE (ZAF) has somebody sitting with her!!!



Too often we've seen her sitting on her own.

I really love this programme. More skaters should skate to music like this.

She doesn't look vey happy waiting for her scores, though. Hey, it wasn't bad. You went clean!

She goes into 8th position.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I'm always nervous when I see something that indicates that a skater is injured. And Buse SEZERER (TUR) wearing a big black brace on her right knee is as obvious an indication as you can get.

She actually skated really well. You wouldn't have thought she had an injury. Until she finished. And you could see that she was having difficulty when she was coming off the ice.

She just slumped into the armchair.

She goes into 14th and last position.

I'm genuinely shocked. I loved that programme, and thought she would go mid-field.

That said, she is only 9.43 points behind 5th position. So, that shows how just tight most of the field is.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

After commenting about Jasmine COETZEE (ZAF) having company for a change, Elina GOIDINA (EST) was sitting all on her own.

She may have been skating to a song that talks about only loving strange birds. But she was not strange. And I loved the programme. She was really good.

So good that she went into 2nd position.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Sofiya VIDRINA (UZB). I don't recognise the name, but I do recognise the dress.

She was at the Bosphorus Cup, so that is probably where I saw it.

She goes into 8th position.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I was going to take a break from posting while I eat, but I had to say something about Azra SAĞLAM (TUR).

Beautiful dress. Beautiful skating. Horrible music.



The graphic said it was Britney Spears. But Britney has a distinctive voice and that sounded nothing like Britney.

I hope she has better music in the Free.

She goes into 8th position.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Let the chaos begin!

The other Men's competitions we have had so far have each only had 3 Turkish skaters entered (and in each of them one of the skaters would withdraw). But, this is much bigger, and more international. 8 cacti, consisting of 6 from Turkey and 2 from Kazahstan.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Was there something off with what I was eating, or has Charles Aznavour started to sound very like Robbie Williams?

Artur SMAGULOV (KAZ) was skating to "Angels". Not the original recording; the version Robbie did with the London Philharmonic.

Even with a fall, he goes into a massive lead.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

More music drama for the Men's skaters from Kazakhstan.

With Artur SMAGULOV, they had the wrong music on the graphic.

But with Nikita KRIVOSHEYEV, they had the wrong music in the machine!

Glad they did find the correct music. It is a piece I love, and have seen skated to many times. But I can't remember what it is!

Not a very elaborate costume. A grey sweatshirt and black trousers. But that doesn't matter.

He goes into the lead. 2.08 points ahead of Smagulov. The two Kazakh skaters are miles ahead of the two Turkish skaters.

CaroLiza_fan