2011 WU Update – Day 8 – Figure Skating

 Shion Kokubun in action

ERZURUM – Another busy day today February 3^rd at the figure skating arena of the 25^th Winter Universiade. As it was the case the previous days, the skaters could count on a full capacity crowd to present their performances.

In the ladies’ individual short program, the spectators saw a wide array of skaters form not always traditional skate countries, such as South Africa, Brazil and Malaysia. Candice Didier of France (54.40) leads the ranking after the short program, followed by Spanish skater Sonia Lafuente-Martinez (52.00) and Shion Kokubun from Japan (51.08).

The Ice Dance medal podium

The ice dance free program was what the Turkish audience had been waiting for as the Turkish couple Alisa Agafonova/Alper Uçar were the hosts best chance to a very first Winter Universiade medal. An up until the rafters filled ice arena watched breathlessly the competition as the best five were the last to perform. The Russian couple Kristina Gorshkova/Vitaly Butikov (135.53) were unbeatable and there supremacy was never questioned. However, the battle for silver and bronze was fierce. It were Nadiia Frolenkova/Mykhailo Kasalo from Ukraine who stood in second place for a long time until… Turkey’s pride Alisa Agafonova/Alper Uçcar, who skated as the very last competitors, entered the ice determined to give Turkey a medal. The audience lifted them to perform flawless and when the results were announced the crowd cheered the roof of the arena: a silver medal for Turkey and the bronze for the Ukrainian skaters. A fantastic finale giving Turkey the medal it needed so badly.

Team Marigold Ice Unity (FIN)

Today also started the synchronized skating competition with 5 teams participating. After the short program, the ranking is as follows:

1. Team Marigold Ice Unity (FIN)

2. Team Rockettes (FIN)

3. Team Surprise (SWE)

4. Team Paradise (RUS)

5. Team Ankara University (TUR)

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer

Lejeanne Marais (RSA)

The Golden Ice Dance Couple

The Turkish silver medallists