Team Cyprus

[CaroLiza_fan]

Just to let you know that I have started a thread for this weekend's Nationals:

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?63302

ALL THE BEST EVERYBODY!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Well, Nationals are over now, and the Cypriot Champions have been crowned.

I have posted a short summary about the Junior competition and the three Novice competitions in the Event thread.

Here is the post:

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/sh...h-19th-March&p=1671302&viewfull=1#post1671302

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYBODY!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Today is 23[SUP]rd[/SUP] April.

For the English, it is St. George’s Day.
For fans of literature, it is the birthday of William Shakespeare.
For fans of snooker, it is the birthday of Barry Hawkins.
For fans of motorbike racing, it is the birthday of Alex Marquez.
For fans of Pairs skating, it is the birthday of Peng Cheng.

And for us fans of Cypriot figure skating, today is the 16[SUP]th[/SUP] birthday of Giorgia Isabella Sechi!!!

TANTI AUGURI GIORGIA!!!



I hope you are having an enjoyable day, and that the next year is a good one for you, both on and off the ice!

Looking forward to seeing you in action again next season!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Been a while since I posted an update. So, here is what has been happening.

Firstly, I have to apologise. I had written about the Cypriot participation in the Avas Cup in this thread a week or so after it happened, but only discovered there now that I hadn't actually posted it. :

Sorry.

---

Avas Cup: 24–26 March 2017

A number of skaters travelled to Hungary at the end of March to compete in the Avas Cup.

Well, some didn’t. Zea Antoniou and Maria-Eleni Loizides both withdrew from Basic Novice B, while Andrea Loizides withdrew from Cubs 2006 girls.

Entries / Results Page:
http://havasszepe.hu/skating_club/images/stories/doksik/12avaskupa2017/Results/index.htm


Christiana Afxentiou finished 8[SUP]th[/SUP] in the single segment Basic Novice A Girls II competition.

Avas Cup Basic Novice A Girls II FS: Results; Protocols


Veronika Levitskaya finished 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] in the single segment Chicks 2010 Girls competition.

Avas Cup Chicks 2010 Girls FS: Results; Protocols


Maria-Nelly Afxentiou finished 9[SUP]th[/SUP] and Uliana Gubareva finished 12[SUP]th[/SUP] in the single segment Chicks 2008 Girls competition.

Avas Cup Chicks 2008 Girls FS: Results; Protocols


Lina Fatkhullina finished 5[SUP]th[/SUP], Varvara Chiplieva finished 9[SUP]th[/SUP] and Elizaveta Chiplieva finished 10[SUP]th[/SUP] in the single segment Recreational A Bronze competition.

Recreational A Bronze FS: Results; Protocols


WELL DONE GIRLS!!!

EDIT: Forgot to add that if you go to the Amathusia Club's Facebook page, you will find videos of the performances from club members at the Avas Cup.​

---

Now for some sad news. CyBC sports journalist Andreas Georgiades died last week at the age of 80.

http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/05/26/cybc-veteran-sports-journalist-dies/

He had roles in many sports in Cyprus, including being President of the Cyprus Skating Federation from it’s inception.

Here is the statement on the CSF website:

President Andreas Georgiades Has Passed Away

With deepest regret and sorrow Cyprus Skating Federation announces that the Council President, Mr. Andreas Georgiades, has passed away. He was sport enthusiast and promoted figure skating in Cyprus. His contribution to sport and especially to figure skating in Cyprus was of great value.

Source: http://www.csf.org.cy/news/​

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

---

While on the CSF website, I found some good news.

The CSF have created a YouTube channel, and uploaded videos from this season’s Nationals!!!!!!

Here is the address:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNw6PhzQWqLc1IXcYZs1W_g

Enjoy!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

First post of the new season, and it is to let you know that Polina is competing at this week's Junior Grand Prix, the Croatia Cup.

The Ladies SP will start tomorrow at 16:00 CEST (19:00 YEKT / 17:00 EEST / 15:00 BST / 14:00 GMT). So, 21 hours from now.

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-xGkNa-_sY
Time Schedule: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpcro2017/jgpcro2017_JuniorLadies_SP_TimeSchedule.pdf
Live Scoring: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpcro2017/SEG003.HTM

Polina will be the 31[SUP]st[/SUP] Skater to start, so second skater in the final group.

The Group 6 Warm-Up is due to start at 20:01:20 CEST (23:01:20 YEKT / 21:01:20 EEST / 19:01:20 BST / 18:01:20 GMT).

Polina is due to start at 20:14:00 CEST (23:14:00 YEKT / 21:14:00 EEST / 19:14:00 BST / 18:14:00 GMT). But that may change if anybody before her withdraws.

ALL THE BEST POLINA!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Polina finished 33[SUP]rd[/SUP] out of 35 in the Ladies SP at the Croatia Cup on Thursday, with a score of 22.93.

Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpcro2017/SEG003.HTM
Protocols: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpcro2017/jgpcro2017_JuniorLadies_SP_Scores.pdf
Video (whole competition): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-xGkNa-_sY (Polina starts at 4h 19m 11s)
Video (just Polina): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcDzs0hFbxg

But, there are 5 skaters that are less than 7 points ahead of her, so if she puts in a really good Free Skate, she could move up considerably.


The Ladies FS will start today at 14:45 CEST (17:45 YEKT / 15:45 EEST / 13:45 BST / 12:45 GMT). So, 4 hours from now.

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa2eM3eWN8E
Time Schedule: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpcro2017/jgpcro2017_JuniorLadies_FS_TimeSchedule.pdf
Live Scoring: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpcro2017/SEG004.HTM

Polina will be the 5[SUP]th[/SUP] Skater to start, so final skater in the first group.

Polina is due to start at 15:20:10 CEST (18:20:10 YEKT / 16:20:10 EEST / 14:20:10 BST / 13:20:10 GMT). But that may change if anybody before her withdraws.

ALL THE BEST POLINA!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Sorry, forgot to do this at the time.

Well, Polina did climb up from her 33[SUP]rd[/SUP] position after the Short Programme!

Polina finished 31[SUP]st[/SUP] out of 34 in the Ladies FS at the Croatia Cup, with a score of 46.97.

Free Skate Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpcro2017/SEG004.HTM
Free Skate Protocols: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpcro2017/jgpcro2017_JuniorLadies_FS_Scores.pdf
Video (whole competition): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa2eM3eWN8E (Polina starts at 40m 50s)
Video (just Polina): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMVssTMIfA4

There was a gap in between the World Superbike coverage and the British Superbike coverage at the right moment, so I was able to dip in to see Polina Ustinova LIVE.

She had a fall at the start but, apart from that, I think that's the best that I personally have seen her skate.

And she showed us a really cute doll while waiting for the results!

It wasn't a PB score (whatever method of classification is used), but it was so much better than she did in her GP last season.

At the end of the first group, she was lying in 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] position. So, she had already jumped ahead of Margrét Sól Torfadóttir. And she also went on to jump ahead of Patricia Skopančić, who was due to go in Group 2, but withdrew.

This meant that she finished 31[SUP]st[/SUP] overall, with a total score of 69.90.

Overall Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpcro2017/CAT002RS.HTM

WELL DONE POLINA!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I have already mentioned a few times elsewhere on the forum that I was in Cyprus for the first two weeks of September.

Well, what I didn’t tell you then is that I met three of the Cypriot skaters while I was on the island… and I filmed interviews with them!

Now, anybody that knows me well will know that although I love taking photos, I hate being in front of the camera. And they will also know that I also hate the sound of my voice (to the extent that I avoid talking on the phone like the plague).

So, this was a really big thing for me to do! But, I really want to help raise the profile of the girls internationally, so I put my insecurities to one side.

The three skaters that I met were all current or former national champions at various levels.

I had never interviewed anybody before. And, coupled with this, I had never even met any of the girls before.

The first interview I did was with Daniella Vanessa Ipsarides (2014 & 2015 Advanced Novice and 2016 & 2017 Junior Champion). I was so nervous. Even though I had been planning out everything I was going to say in meticulous detail for weeks, the nerves got to me and I forgot a lot of what I wanted to ask. Thankfully, Daniella is an old hand at getting interviewed, and was able to hold the whole thing together.

So, here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yJI16Rb58g

Enjoy!

And sorry that it has taken until now to upload the first of them. I have been really up to my eyes in trying to get caught up on things, and it doesn’t help that I am not very good at video editing. So, it is taking a bit longer to get the videos polished up than I had hoped.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Firstly, I have to apologise. Due to unforeseen circumstances, this has taken a LOT longer to get up than I would have liked (by about a month!) But, everything is sorted now. And, on the plus side, it’ll mean you won’t have to wait too long between this instalment and the next!

My second interview was with Laura Farran, who is the reigning silver medallist in the Cypriot Basic Novice A Championship. She was previously Champion at Chicks level in 2014 and 2015, and at Cubs level in 2016.

Laura is 11 years old, and she is simply adorable! But, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, because her mother is lovely too! (It was Laura’s Mum who acted as my director for the first two interviews).

Laura’s Mum is Cypriot, but was born and raised in South Australia. And because of this, the family spends the whole of the European summer in Australia. The result is that Laura gets to spend a good portion of her annual ice time on a full-size rink, where she trains alongside multiple Australian Champion James Min.

And it shows. Before the interviews, I was watching the girls doing an off-ice training session (the rink was open to the general public at the time, and was full of children), And I was particularly impressed with Laura.

Although she didn’t have the complication of being on a thin piece of metal and a slippery surface, you could still appreciate the quality of what she was doing.

She may be young, but she is very good. I see a LOT of promise in Laura. Definitely somebody to keep an eye on for the future.

This interview went better than the first. I was very nervous when interviewing Daniella Ipsarides, because it was my first time interviewing anybody, whereas she was an old-pro. But, this was Laura’s first time getting interviewed, and she was nervous too. So, we were at the same level. Which cancelled it out.

With hindsight, I should have interviewed Laura first, because it really gave me confidence in what I was doing. But, I didn’t know it was going to turn out like that.

Daniella’s loss was Giorgia’s gain…

Anyway, here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT7aRYX-aPE

Enjoy!

CaroLiza_fan

P.S. Laura now has a Fan Fest Post, which can be viewed here:

https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?56054-Team-Cyprus&p=1876099&viewfull=1#post1876099

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Today, it is exactly 2 months until the start of the Pyeongchang Olympics. But, more importantly, it is exactly 3 months since I met the girl in my avatar for the first time.

The third and final interview I conducted during my holidays in Cyprus was with Giorgia Isabella Sechi.

Giorgia was the National Champion at Basic Novice A level in the inaugural Cypriot Championships back in 2013. She also visited the podium at Nationals the following two seasons, winning a silver medal at the same level in 2014, and a bronze medal at Advanced Novice level in 2015.

Unfortunately, she suffered a back injury during the 2015–16 season, her first season competing at Junior level. And so she is currently working her way back to where she was before she got injured.

But Giorgia is determined. After the interview, we were talking about the future. And she has big plans. And if everything works out, a few years down the line I can see her returning to the top.

The interview was conducted on 8[SUP]th[/SUP] September 2017 at the “La Sardegna” da Gino restaurant in Kato Paphos, Cyprus.

Giorgia is an absolutely lovely girl, and we got on so well. We must have been talking for well over an hour in total. Yet it didn’t seem like very long at all. She put me so at ease that the time just flew. Which actually created a problem at one point, as you will see in the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIqvglWqc6I

Thank you Giorgia for being you, and for making this such an enjoyable experience.

Enjoy!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Haven’t posted in this thread so far in 2018. So, since Nationals were held at the weekend, now would be a good time to put that right. However, before we get to that, I should update you on how the Cypriot skaters prepared for them.


Jégvirág Cup: 16–18 February 2018

Two Cypriot skaters headed to Miskolc in Hungary in February for the Jégvirág Cup.

Entries / Results Page (ISU):
http://www.moksz.hu/external/mukorcsolya/2017_2018/Jegvirag Cup/ISU_result/

Entries / Results Page (non-ISU):
http://www.moksz.hu/external/mukorcsolya/2017_2018/Jegvirag Cup/NONISU_result/


Giorgia Isabella Sechi was the only Cypriot competitor in Junior Ladies, where she finished 13[SUP]th[/SUP]. She was 14[SUP]th[/SUP] in the SP and 13[SUP]th[/SUP] in the FS.

Jégvirág Cup Junior Ladies SP: Results; Protocols
Jégvirág Cup Junior Ladies FS: Results; Protocols
Jégvirág Cup Junior Ladies: Results


Meanwhile, Laura Farran finished 24[SUP]th[/SUP] in the single segment Basic Novice A Girls competition.

Jégvirág Cup Basic Novice A Girls FS: Results; Protocols
Jégvirág Cup Basic Novice A Girls: Results


Coupe du Printemps: 16–18 March 2018

A number of skaters from the Leader Club headed to Kockelscheuer in Luxembourg in the middle of March for the Coupe du Printemps.

Entries / Results Page:
http://www.skating.lu/cdp2018/


The important thing to take from Kockelscheuer is that Polina Ustinova made her debut in a Senior level competition here, finishing 15[SUP]th[/SUP]. She was 16[SUP]th[/SUP] in the SP and 15[SUP]th[/SUP] in the FS.

Coupe du Printemps Senior Ladies SP: Results; Protocols
Coupe du Printemps Senior Ladies FS: Results; Protocols
Coupe du Printemps Senior Ladies: Results


In the Junior Ladies competition, team-mate Eliana Kalogirou finished 29[SUP]th[/SUP] in each segment, and overall.

Coupe du Printemps Junior Ladies SP: Results; Protocols
Coupe du Printemps Junior Ladies FS: Results; Protocols
Coupe du Printemps Junior Ladies: Results


Like Polina, the third member of the contingent, Andrea Loizides, was also making her debut at a new level. She finished 15[SUP]th[/SUP] in the single segment Basic Novice A Girls competition.

Coupe du Printemps Basic Novice A Girls FS: Results; Protocols
Coupe du Printemps Basic Novice A Girls: Results


Balkan Games: 29–30 February 2018

A large contingent of Cypriot skaters headed to Celje in Slovenia at the end of March for the Balkan Games.

Daniella Ipsarides was due to compete at the Balkan Games, but had to pull out due to her boot breaking shortly beforehand. Eliana Kalogirou was called up as her replacement.

Entries / Results Page:
http://dkc.simetric.si/dinamic/rezultati/109/


In her second Senior Ladies competition, Polina Ustinova finished 5[SUP]th[/SUP]. She was 5[SUP]th[/SUP] in the SP and 4[SUP]th[/SUP] in the FS.

Balkan Games Senior Ladies SP: Results; Protocols
Balkan Games Senior Ladies FS: Results; Protocols
Balkan Games Senior Ladies: Results


Giorgia Isabella Sechi and Eliana Kalogirou were both competing in the Junior Ladies competition. Giorgia was 12[SUP]th[/SUP] in each segment, and overall. Eliana was 13[SUP]th[/SUP] in the SP, 14[SUP]th[/SUP] in the FS, and 13[SUP]th[/SUP] overall.

Balkan Games Junior Ladies SP: Results; Protocols
Balkan Games Junior Ladies FS: Results; Protocols
Balkan Games Junior Ladies: Results


Chryso Georgiou and Christiana Afxentiou were both competing in the Advanced Novice Girls competition. Chryso was 9[SUP]th[/SUP] in each segment, and overall. Christiana was 10[SUP]th[/SUP] in the SP, 11[SUP]th[/SUP] in the FS, and 10[SUP]th[/SUP] overall.

Balkan Games Advanced Novice Girls SP: Results; Protocols
Balkan Games Advanced Novice Girls FS: Results; Protocols
Balkan Games Advanced Novice Girls: Results


Greek National Championships

Like she did 2 years ago, Daniella Ipsarides headed to Thessaloniki to take part in the Greek Championships as her preparation for the Cypriot Championships. And, like the last time, she won the Gold Medal.

I should warn you that I don’t know all the details about the Greek Championships yet. I have just seen photos of Daniella on the podium getting presented with her Medal and Trophy. And a lovely trophy it is too!


CONGRATULATIONS EVERYBODY!!!

---

For information on how Nationals went, see the following thread in the Competition Forum:

https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?72527

There is something significant from Nationals that I feel should be highlighted here, though. The only person to have represented Cyprus internationally in Men’s skating, Nikita Vitranyuk, is now doing Ice Dance, where he is partnering Maria MILIYKOVA, a 12 year old from Moscow (fskate.ru Bio).

They were due to be guest competitors at the end of Nationals yesterday, but the Ice Dance page hasn't been updated. So I don't know if they did.

I hope they opt to represent Cyprus, as it would be great to see a new country competing in Ice Dance. And it would be nice to see Cyprus represented in another category, having only been represented in Singles up to now.

---

Last but not least, as this is St. George’s Day, I would also like to take this opportunity to wish a Happy 17[SUP]th[/SUP] Birthday to Giorgia Isabella Sechi.



Having met her last year, I can say from personal experience that Giorgia is an absolutely lovely girl.

So, I want to send her all the best wishes from the bottom of my heart for this coming year.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Just an update to let you know that it is unlikely that the videos from Nationals will be uploaded en masse to YouTube like they were last season.

However, some of the routines have been uploaded to Facebook. So, here are the links to the videos of the Senior, Junior and Novice skaters whose routines I have found so far:


Senior Ladies SP

StN.	Name	Nation	Video
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Polina USTINOVA	LEA	–

Senior Ladies FS

StN.	Name	Nation	Video
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Polina USTINOVA	LEA	Facebook

Junior Ladies SP

StN.	Name	Nation	Video
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Chryso GEORGIOU	LEA	–
2	Daniella Vanessa IPSARIDOU	SKA	Facebook
3	Eliana KALOGIROU	LEA	–
4	Giorgia-Isabella SECHI	GLA	–

Junior Ladies FS

StN.	Name	Nation	Video
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Giorgia-Isabella SECHI	GLA	–
2	Eliana KALOGIROU	LEA	Facebook
3	Chryso GEORGIOU	LEA	Facebook
4	Daniella Vanessa IPSARIDOU	SKA	Facebook

Advanced Novice Ladies SP

StN.	Name	Nation	Video
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Christiana AFXENTIOU	AMA	Facebook

Advanced Novice Ladies FS

StN.	Name	Nation	Video
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Christiana AFXENTIOU	AMA	–

Basic Novice B Ladies FS

StN.	Name	Nation	Video
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Zea Maria ANTONIOU	SKA	–

Basic Novice A FS

StN.	Name	Nation	Video
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Andrea LOIZIDOU	LEA	–
2	Laura FARRAN	SKA	–
3	Varvara CHIPLIEVA	AMA	Facebook
4	Vanessa PAPAS TODORENKO	GLA	–

StN.	Name	Nation	Video
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Janire IDIAKEZ	SKA	–

If I can find any of the missing videos, I’ll update the tables accordingly.

The Amathusia Club have also uploaded some videos of the younger skaters that belong to their club. And Samvel Hayrapetyan has done the same with the younger skaters he coaches. So here are the links to the relevant Facebook pages:

Amathusia Figure Skating Club
Samvel Hayrapetyan Skating Team

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYBODY!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

OK, so I have been a bit quiet lately, but it is now time to make a few announcements.

Firstly, the Fan Fest posts for all the skaters were brought fully up to date a few weeks ago. There have been a few significant changes to the line-up, though.

As he is now competing in Ice Dance rather than in Singles Skating, Nikita Vitryanyuk has been moved out of this thread. Don't worry, he is not being expelled from the Team Cyprus thread because he is now back to representing Russia. The reason he is being moved is purely because, when it comes to Pairs or Ice Dance partnerships, it is easier to organise the Original Posts if the partnership has it's own thread.

Here are the links to Nikita's new threads:

Anastasia BURKINA / Nikita VITRYANYUK
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?73907

Maria MILYUKOVA / Nikita VITRYANYUK
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?73908

Back in this thread, and two more skaters have had Fan Fest posts added to the first page:

Eliana KALOGIROU
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?56054#post1876092

Chryso GEORGIOU
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?56054#post1876098

You will already have worked out why Chryso now has a post – she is the reigning Junior Ladies Champion after all! :agree:

As for Eliana, she now has a post because it was officially confirmed yesterday that she will be making her Junior Grand Prix debut this season!!!



She will be competing at the Amber Cup in Kaunas, Lithuania in 4 weeks from now.

The second slot will be officially confirmed in a few weeks. Ironically, I will probably not be able to post about it straight away, because I will actually be in Cyprus at the time!

But, if you look at the official documentation for the remaining competitions with a bit of knowledge about the Cypriot skating scene in your head, it is actually pretty easy to work out who is pencilled in for that second slot...

ALL THE BEST TO ALL THE CYPRIOT SKATERS (as well as Nikita and Maria) THIS SEASON!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I am going to be offline for a while so, since it is not a secret on the island any more, I am going to reveal the second Junior Grand Prix slot to you now.

I am delighted to announce that the second Junior GP slot for Cyprus this season has been allocated to Giorgia Isabella Sechi (i.e. the girl in my avatar) for Czech Skate in Ostrava.



I admit, I have known for a while which 2 skaters would be representing Cyprus in the Junior GP Series this season. But I didn't know which competitions they were pencilled in for. However, as soon as I saw the documentation for each Junior GP, it was obvious which one Giorgia would be at. It was just a case of waiting to make sure that it was Eliana's name that appeared on the Provisional Entry List for the Amber Cup. And it did.

In my previous post, I commented:

The second slot will be officially confirmed in a few weeks. Ironically, I will probably not be able to post about it straight away, because I will actually be in Cyprus at the time!

But, if you look at the official documentation for the remaining competitions with a bit of knowledge about the Cypriot skating scene in your head, it is actually pretty easy to work out who is pencilled in for that second slot...

Well, just to explain what I was referring to, Giorgia's coach is Peta Holbová Spyrou, a Czech woman who lives in Cyprus (her husband is Cypriot). So, if you knew this when looking at the table of countries represented at each Junior GP, it wouldn't have been a huge stretch of the imagination to work out that the Czech Skate slot was for Giorgia.

You may have noticed that neither of the girls who finished in the Top 2 at Junior Nationals are competing in the Junior GP Series this season. I have to be honest, I don't know why the champion, Chryso Georgiou, isn't competing. But, no doubt we will see her in the years to come.

As for silver medallist Daniella Vanessa Ipsarides, she has important school exams this year (just like Giorgia and Eliana did last year), and so is concentrating on her studies.

And I wish her all the best with her studies.

But, returning to the subject...

ALL THE BEST GIORGIA!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I can’t believe I forgot to post in the Fan Fest about how Eliana Kalogirou got on in her Junior GP debut at the Amber Cup!

I admit that before the Amber Cup, Eliana was the skater that I was least familiar with amongst the Junior Ladies field in Cyprus. But having seen how she got on in Kaunas, I now think she is somebody we should keep an eye on.

Amber Cup Junior Ladies SP

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ1QGjWeMpU [Unfortunately, the archived livesteam video is currently blocked due to copyright complaints by music companies]
Time Schedule: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/jgpltu2018_JuniorLadies_SP_TimeSchedule.pdf
Live Scoring: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/SEG003.HTM

Eliana was the 21[SUP]st[/SUP] Skater to start, so final skater in the fourth group (i.e. the final skater before the second resurfacing).

Eliana finished 33[SUP]rd[/SUP] out of 33 in the Junior Ladies SP, with a score of 14.47.

Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/SEG003.HTM
Protocols: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/jgpltu2018_JuniorLadies_SP_Scores.pdf
Video (whole competition): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ1QGjWeMpU [Unfortunately, the archived livesteam video is currently blocked due to copyright complaints by music companies]
Video (just Eliana): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kaxr5AFaJME

Here is what was written about Eliana in the Amber Cup Ladies SP thread:

You know, that was a pleasant surprise.

Although Eliana is at the bottom of the table at the moment, I can see potential.

Like all the Cypriot girls, she doesn't have as much speed as the top skaters. But, that is to be expected when the rink in her home country (in fact, her home town) is so small. And the fact that she is so tall means that the effect is magnified for her compared to shorter girls.

But, I was impressed with what she was actually doing. If she builds up the speed over the next couple of years, I can see her becoming a familiar face on the international stage.

WELL DONE, ELIANA!!!

CaroLiza_fan

Amber Cup Junior Ladies FS

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWr7C_nEulU
Time Schedule: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/jgpltu2018_JuniorLadies_FS_TimeSchedule.pdf
Live Scoring: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/SEG003.HTM

Eliana was the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] Skater to start, so penultimate skater in the first group.

Eliana finished 33[SUP]rd[/SUP] out of 33 in the Junior Ladies FS, with a score of 30.49.

Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/SEG004.HTM
Protocols: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/jgpltu2018_JuniorLadies_FS_Scores.pdf
Video (whole competition): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWr7C_nEulU

(Group 1 Warm-Up starts at 7m 44s; Eliana starts at 35m 01s)​

Video (just Eliana): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8CMJru_yHI

Here is what was written about Eliana in the Amber Cup Ladies FS thread:

Eliana has a pretty dress, hope she has a good skate.

It is pretty, isn't it! Unfortunately, she didn't have a good skate.

That was a rough one. Next time, next time.

After being so impressed with her SP yesterday, it was heartbreaking how today went. Quite a few stumbles and 2 falls was unfortunate enough. But then she continued on for ages after the music finished (probably a direct result of the stumbles and falls putting her behind).

I do hope that we get to see her more often, because from what I saw in the SP, I do think she has potential.

Bear in mind, although Eliana is one of the older skaters in the Junior GP Series, she has only been skating for 6 years. Most of the other skaters we see representing Cyprus started skating just after the My Mall rink opened in 2010; Eliana didn't start until 2012.

So, I think she has done very well to reach the Junior GP Series so quickly.

Today mightn't have gone the way you hoped, Eliana, but I for one and proud of what you have achieved!



CaroLiza_fan

Amber Cup Junior Ladies

Eliana finished 33[SUP]rd[/SUP] out of 33 in Junior Ladies overall, with a score of 44.96.

Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpltu2018/CAT002RS.HTM


At some stage in their career, every skater has a day when nothing seems to go right. And that is what happened with Eliana’s FS. So, it would be unfair to put too much weight on that.

On the whole, I was impressed with Eliana in her Junior GP debut.

Hopefully things will go well for Giorgia in her Junior GP debut at Czech Skate this week.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Given that I have been shouting it from the rooftops for what seems like ages, it will come as no surprise to readers of this forum that Giorgia Isabella Sechi made her Junior Grand Prix debut at Czech Skate.

Before I get into what happened on the ice, I would like to just say that Giorgia’s dresses for this season are absolutely beautiful. In the Short Programme, she has a black dress with a British Racing Green trim at the end of it. While in the Free Skate, she has a Royal Blue dress which has a sparkly pattern design under Giorgia’s right arm.

Czech Skate Junior Ladies SP

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smiji7mCzHQ [Unfortunately, the archived livesteam video is currently unavailable in my country]
Time Schedule: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/jgpcze2018_JuniorLadies_SP_TimeSchedule.pdf
Live Scoring: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/SEG003.HTM

Giorgia was the 20[SUP]th[/SUP] Skater to start, so second skater in the fourth group.

Giorgia finished 36[SUP]th[/SUP] out of 36 in the Junior Ladies SP, with a score of 18.55.

Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/SEG003.HTM
Protocols: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/jgpcze2018_JuniorLadies_SP_Scores.pdf
Video (whole competition): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smiji7mCzHQ [Unfortunately, the archived livesteam video is currently unavailable in my country]
Video (just Giorgia): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DdAVauA9IQ

Here is what was written about Giorgia in the Czech Skate Ladies SP thread:

During Warm-Up –

Ciao bella!!!

CaroLiza_fan

Yeah, that last post was for Giorgia.

She did a nice jump when the camera was focussed on her.

CaroLiza_fan

During the actual routine –

Well done Giorgia! I like her music and her very superheroic archer's jerkin, and her determination to stay upright and keep pushing through.

Thanks. And very clever comment working in references to the music! (Although, I see Ted was reading from the ISU Bio, which had the composers the wrong way around)

You could see Giorgia was nervous even before she started. But, who could blame her?

As Ted said, the stumbles could very easily have turned into falls, and she did very well to save them.

She is a very determined young woman. The fact that she is here skating in a Junior Grand Prix at all is tantamount to that. (I know you read it, but if anybody else wants to know her back story, see my post in the Pre-chat thread).

Giorgia's happy with her score. I was happy with it anyway, but this makes me even happier!

So proud of her.

CaroLiza_fan

Czech Skate Junior Ladies FS

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZHi9UqSTPg
Time Schedule: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/jgpcze2018_JuniorLadies_FS_TimeSchedule.pdf
Live Scoring: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/SEG004.HTM

Giorgia was the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] Skater to start.

Giorgia finished 35[SUP]th[/SUP] out of 35 in the Junior Ladies FS, with a score of 31.39.

Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/SEG004.HTM
Protocols: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/jgpcze2018_JuniorLadies_FS_Scores.pdf
Video (whole competition): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZHi9UqSTPg

(Group 1 Warm-Up starts at 7m 52s; Giorgia starts at 27m 29s)​

Video (just Giorgia): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzZKSPUqXN8

Giorgia also gets a mention in a viewer’s e-mail that Ted Barton read out during the Group 4 Warm-Up at 3h 59m 24s.

Here is what was written about Giorgia in the Czech Skate Ladies FS thread:

It's easier to see today because she wasn't so nervous, but Giorgia has some nice lines in her steps and spins.

Yep, now that she has got the pressure of doing her first routine at this level out of the way, it has made all the difference. That was a beautiful skate.

There was one landing where it looked like she was going to fall backwards, and I had my heart in my mouth. But, thankfully she regained her balance.

She was happy in the kiss and cry. And she had every reason to be!

WELL DONE GIORGIA!!!

D'aww that kid with with Giorgia's coach in the Kiss and Cry - Ted certainly found it amusing!

Polkadots in da house!

I thought that was lovely Petra bringing her son in to get the results with her. This is a home competition for Petra, so this would have been lovely for her family and friends here in the Czech Republic that don't get to see him that often. Just a pity that the wee fella was asleep!

CaroLiza_fan

Czech Skate Junior Ladies

Giorgia finished 35[SUP]rd[/SUP] out of 36 in Junior Ladies overall, with a score of 49.94.

Results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/CAT002RS.HTM


I know I am totally biased when it comes to Giorgia, but I am incredibly proud of what she achieved in Ostrava.

Over the past couple of years, she has gone through a long and hard journey back from injury. And when she made her debut on the big stage, she certainly did not disgrace herself. She proved that all the hard work was worth it!

WELL DONE, GIORGIA!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Giorgia and Eliana were both featured in the Junior GP round-up video that was shown before the final group of the Ladies FS at the Armenia Cup yesterday!!!!!!



Here is the link to the start of the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6UOn21t8lc&t=12410

Giorgia appears about a minute into it, with Eliana straight afterwards. Here is the direct link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6UOn21t8lc&t=12467

See, the Cypriot girls made an impression with the important people! :agree:

WELL DONE, GIRLS!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

There is something significant from Nationals that I feel should be highlighted here, though. The only person to have represented Cyprus internationally in Men’s skating, Nikita Vitranyuk, is now doing Ice Dance, where he is partnering Maria MILIYKOVA, a 12 year old from Moscow (fskate.ru Bio).

They were due to be guest competitors at the end of Nationals yesterday, but the Ice Dance page hasn't been updated. So I don't know if they did.

I hope they opt to represent Cyprus, as it would be great to see a new country competing in Ice Dance. And it would be nice to see Cyprus represented in another category, having only been represented in Singles up to now.

OK, so I have been a bit quiet lately, but it is now time to make a few announcements.

Firstly, the Fan Fest posts for all the skaters were brought fully up to date a few weeks ago. There have been a few significant changes to the line-up, though.

As he is now competing in Ice Dance rather than in Singles Skating, Nikita Vitryanyuk has been moved out of this thread. Don't worry, he is not being expelled from the Team Cyprus thread because he is now back to representing Russia. The reason he is being moved is purely because, when it comes to Pairs or Ice Dance partnerships, it is easier to organise the Original Posts if the partnership has it's own thread.

Here are the links to Nikita's new threads:

Anastasia BURKINA / Nikita VITRYANYUK
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?73907

Maria MILYUKOVA / Nikita VITRYANYUK
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?73908

…

ALL THE BEST TO ALL THE CYPRIOT SKATERS (as well as Nikita and Maria) THIS SEASON!!!

CaroLiza_fan

OK, so I have some big news.

Firstly, Maria MILIUKOVA / Nikita VITRYANYUK are now representing Cyprus rather than Russia in Advanced Novice Ice Dance.

Good move, guys! :agree:

Secondly, there is also a second partnership representing Cyprus in Advanced Novice Ice Dance:

Angelina KUDRIAVTSEVA / Ilia KARANKEVICH

But here is the really big news... the results from the two partnerships!


Maria MILIUKOVA / Nikita VITRYANYUK

Date	Competition	Level	PD1	PD2	FD	Total
			Pos	Score	Pos	Score	Pos	Score	Pos	Score
06–11 Nov. 2018	Volvo Open Cup	Advanced Novice	14	21.50	2	31.01	5	46.61	7	99.12
19–21 Oct. 2018	Halloween Cup	Advanced Novice	3	33.22	7	34.25	1	51.74	1	116.26

Angelina KUDRIAVTSEVA / Ilia KARANKEVICH

Date	Competition	Level	PD1	PD2	FD	Total
			Pos	Score	Pos	Score	Pos	Score	Pos	Score
06–11 Nov. 2018	Volvo Open Cup	Advanced Novice	5	27.67	3	30.13	2	49.56	2	107.36
19–21 Oct. 2018	Halloween Cup	Advanced Novice	6	29.56	1	31.30	5	47.49	5	111.30

Maria and Nikita won the Gold Medal in Hungary, while Angelina and Ilia won the Silver Medal in Latvia!!!



This is big. This is the first season that Cyprus has been represented in Ice Dance. And even at this early stage of the season, they have 2 partnerships who are finishing regularly in the top echelons of international competitions! And in big fields at that.

Not only that, but both partnerships have finished on the podium.

In both of these competitions, there has been at least one partnership representing Cyprus in the Top 5 of EVERY SEGMENT. And if you take out the Argentine Tango from Riga, then that statement could be improved to refer to the Top 3 of every segment!!!

Things are getting very exciting for figure skating in Cyprus.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Firstly, here is an article about Giorgia that was published on the Páfos Net website (in Greek):

http://pafosnet.com/giorgia-isabell...Vw-ZRzSbx4EKyCGNp76IABXU4FLXwia24GtWXuj9TRM3s

Although it is dated yesterday, it has been around for a while, because the first link I have found to this article was posted back in September!

(I think it has a new date because there was a photo from Czech Skate added to it. But, the article itself is the same, as it still talks about the competition in the future tense).

---

Also, there will be Cypriot representation at this week's Tallinn Trophy in Estonia.

Maria and Nikita will again be in action in Advanced Novice Ice Dance, but this time without their team-mates. The Pattern Dances are this afternoon, while the Free Skate is tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Stefania YAKOVLEVA will be competing in Basic Novice Ladies on Sunday morning. She is having a busy time of it, as she was competing in Skate Celje in Slovenia on Friday morning!


Skate Celje Basic Novice III Girls (1.7.2007 and younger) FS

Stefania finished 18[SUP]th[/SUP] out of 27 in the Basic Novice III Girls (1.7.2007 and younger) FS, with a score of 23.80.

Results: http://dkc.simetric.si/dinamic/rezultati/111/CAT008RS.HTM
Protocols: http://dkc.simetric.si/dinamic/rezu...ICESIII.GIRLS1.7.2007andyounger_FS_Scores.pdf

WELL DONE!!!


All the best to the Cypriot skaters competing in Estonia this week!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Daniella Vanessa Ipsarides was on cookery programme "Mia Valítsa Géfseis" on Sigma TV this morning.

No, Daniella wasn't cooking. She was talking to presenter Christina Kyriakou at the My Mall rink, and then took her onto the ice and gave her a bit of a lesson.

Today's episode was all about Russia. And since figure skating is so popular in Russia, I guess that is how they worked this feature in.

Here is the episode on Sigma's website. Daniella's part starts at 32m 55s, and lasts to the end of the programme:

https://www.sigmatv.com/shows/miavalitsageusis/episodes/13084

I loved that a very seasonal support thingy was used.

Great to see Daniella getting exposure on national TV again.

CaroLiza_fan