It’s that time of year when the annual Desert Open Figure Skating Championship returns to the UAE capital this weekend, showcasing the talent of amateur skaters.
Over 100 amateur figure skaters will put their hours of practice to use at the Zayed Sports City ice rink on Friday and Saturday (April 25-26), performing their routines in front of judges and spectators at the two-day competition.
Now in its fourth year, the level of competition has gone up several notches with increasing number of participants.
With free admission, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring your family and friends along and be ready to be entertained by some stunning performances.
Skaters will be judged on technical, artistic and footwork aspects of their performances. The competition has been a success in previous years and acted as a key element in promoting figure skating in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Figure Skating Team (ADFST) head coach Noemi Bedo said: “We are looking forward to the opportunity for our ADFST members to display what they have been learning at the club at this prestigious tournament that will attract some of the top amateur figure skaters.
“It also gives them competition experience that they can use at future international competitions.”
You may not be familiar with figure skating, but it’s certainly growing in the country with participants from Dubai, Al Ain and Sharjah descending on the UAE capital for the meet.
And this year’s edition will have some international flavour too, with participants from Qatar, Oman and Cyprus in attendance.
“This competition has been growing year by year since it began in 2011,” says Larisa Zaplatinskaia, a coach at Dubai Ice Skating Academy. “It’s for amateurs but it’s very recreational. Many figure skaters have been practicing for hours in preparation for this competition, and spectators at the ice rink will see the results of the hard work in the elegance and footwork of the skaters.
“They do this as a hobby, but on the day of the competition the figure skaters will be keen to impress given the context and history of the competition.”
All the action will be taking place at Zayed Sports City, which hosts a number of sports events. The ice rink is Abu Dhabi’s only Olympicsize skating surface which also hosts ice hockey matches in addition to figure skating events.
“The Zayed Sports City ice rink is a fantastic arena. “There is plenty of seating available and spectators will be able to get a good view of the figure skaters,” added Zaplatinskaia.
“It’s a very graceful and exciting sport. Many people may have heard of the sport but do not really know what it entails – it is a combination of dance and sport.
“And it’s very beautiful to watch from a spectator’s point of view. One will enjoy the performances on the ice rink because I know the figure skaters love performing.”
And if you are watching from the stands and keen to find out more about taking part in the competition, then there will be plenty of opportunities to obtain information.
“What is good about this is that anyone who is interested in learning more about this type of sport can come and see what is available.
“They will able to get more information such as the figure skating clubs that are available in the UAE. Also, club coaches will be happy to provide information to anyone.
“There are plenty of local shows happening in the UAE. For instance after this competition, there will be another one in May in Dubai for 16 and 17-year olds.
“There are many clubs available in the UAE and we want to do our bit in trying to help the UAE form a national ice skating team,” added Zaplatinskaia.
WHAT: Annual Desert Open Figure Skating Championship at Zayed Sports City
WHEN: Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26
COST: Free admission
AGES: For entire family
Sport360 VERDICT: Figure skating is a combination of dance and sport and an elegant art that is peasing to watch. If you have not watched this sport before, do drop by the ZSC and you will get hooked on to the sport
CONTACT: Phone: 02 403 4200; or visit official website www.zsc.ae
