Figure Skaters Impress in Trento

TRENTO – The town of Trento’s first games got underway at the Palaghiaccio as the Men’s Short Programme Figure Skating began.

Nan Song of China took an early lead and managed to maintain pole position in the leader tables as the day progressed. His score of 81.56 was over ten points higher than his closest competitor. He is thus the firm favourite moving forwards.

As might be expected, however, the largest cheers of the day were reserved for the Italian skaters, Paolo Bacchini, Saverio Giacomelli and Maurizio Zandron. To the delight of the home crowd, Bacchini and Giacomelli both succeeded in qualifying.

One Eye on Almaty 2017

Amongst the competitors was Kazakh Abzal Rakimgaliev, who qualified in eleventh place with a score of 64.00. Although all his focus is on these games, Abzal also has one eye on the 2017 Winter Universiade in Alamty, his native town.

The student from the Kazakh Academy of Sport and Tourism said, “I am only 21, so I will be 25 for the Almay 2017 games and hope to compete there. I think Almaty are preparing very well and the games will be a success.”

Abzal was proud that Almaty would be hosting the games but was aware of the pressure that this would put on him, “I will probably be more nervous in Almaty. I have skated for more than half my career abroad, so to return to my homeland will be more difficult as there is more expectation.”

Toby Fisher, FISU Young Reporter – Photos by Matt Tidcombe, FISU Young Reporter