One would think that “Stars on Ice” had come to Gangneung in Gangwon-do Province, one of the three host cities for next year’s PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
However, it was even better than that. Figure skating stars are often called the “flowers of the Winter Olympics,” and they were in full bloom at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 16 as the ISU Four Continents Championships 2017 kicked off its four-day run. The competition is also serving as a rehearsal for the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, just under one year away.
Gabrielle Daleman of Canada performs her short program at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2017 in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 16, part of the test events for next year’s PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Canadian star finished in first place, with a score of 68.25 points.
Elizabet Tursynbaeva of Kazakhstan shows off her moves in the ladies’ single short program at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2017 in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 16. She rounded out the top three in the competition, following two Canadian competitors.
A total of 23 skaters — from Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, the U.S., Canada, South Africa and Korea — graced the ladies’ single short program, which opened the four-day competition. Among the participants were three skaters who competed under the Korean flag: Son Suh-hyun, Choi Dabin and Kim Nahyun.
Whenever a skater finished her graceful and flawless footwork by jumping, spinning and spiraling, the audience in the house burst into applause. When a competitor stumbled or fell, the crowd sighed with worry and responded with a bout of encouraging clapping and cheering.
Choi Dabin of Korea, who finished in sixth place, glides across the ice and performs as if she’s taking a selfie, in the ladies’ single short program at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2017 in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 16.
Many among the audience were waving the Korean Taegeukgi national flag, and they rooted for Korean skaters, hoping that one of them next year might become the next “figure skating queen,” like Kim Yuna. There were also waves of flags from two of Seoul’s neighbors — Japan and China — and also flags from as far away as Canada, when fans greeted and cheered their respective figure skaters.
Backed by great applause from the fans, Gabrielle Daleman of Canada scored the highest, with 68.25 points in total, and triumphed at the competition. She was followed by Kaetlyn Osmond of Canada and then Elizabet Tursynbaeva of Kazakhstan. The skaters will continue to compete in the next figure skating competition at the same venue on Feb. 18.
The Chinese pair of Wenjing Sui (left) and Cong Han demonstrates an amazing death spiral, one of the elements in their short program, at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2017 in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 16. The couple finished first in the discipline.
The U.S. duo of Haven Denny (top) and Brandon Frazier perform gracefully in the pairs’ short program at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2017 in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 16.
Prior to the ladies’ demonstration, figure skating and ice dancing, this time in pairs, heated up the arena first. The audience was filled with many oohs and aahs as the world’s top duos performed gracefully on the ice in complete harmony. Amid the crowd holding its breath, the skaters showed off perfect elements from lifts through to throw jumps and death spirals.
Tessa Virtue (right) and Scott Moir, a Canadian pair in the ice dancing short discipline, take part in the ISU Four Continents Championships 2017 in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 16. The pair scored 79.75 points and won the program.
Australian couple Adele Morrison (right) and Demid Rokachev take part in the ice dancing competition at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2017 in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 16.
The ISU Four Continents Championships 2017 continues until Feb. 19, having a total of 112 figure skaters from 14 countries — from Asia, America, Africa and Oceania. Medals are up for grabs in four events, including men’s and ladies’ single short and free skating programs, pairs’ programs and ice dancing.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Jeon Han Korea.net Photographer
jiae5853@korea.kr
