A handful of UAE competitors were among the shining lights of the international FBMA Trophy for figure skating that took place in Abu Dhabi over the weekend.
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The event was held at Zayed Sports City’s ice rink and is considered the first event of its kind in the Middle East.
A total of 29 skaters, representing the UAE, Australia, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Austria too part.
Greece’s Isabella Schuster Vellissariou won the most high-profile competition throughout the two days, claiming the senior ladies title with 41.64 points, followed by Ukrainian Anastasiya Kononenko in second with 40.29 points and Ireland’s Clara Peters in third with 27.97.
UAE star Zahra Lari was just behind in fourth with 25.81. In the advanced novice short programme, Australia’s Corina Ormston was the winner with 25.98 points, pushing Joyce Seline Chan from Hong Kong into second with 23.26, with Rose Robinson (21.40) third.
The UAE again had to settle for a place just off the podium as Sheikah Matar Al Dhairi was fourth with 14.17. In the basic novice girl’s final, Austrian Alicia Schuster claimed first place with 32.55 points, with the UAE’s Ameera Eid Mubarak second with 19.54. Australian Chastidy Franklin was third with 18.93.
Austria’s Leonie Ghraizi was fourth on 18.70, with Mahra Gharib Al Blooshi of the UAE fifth with 15.92. Irish skater Ciara Hoey won the junior short programme with 24.93 points, Russia’s Amira Abdul Moati second with 19.20 points.
Her Excellency Amal Al Afifi, board member of event organisers Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, thanked HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak for supporting the progress of women’s sport in the UAE, praising the interest of Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairwoman of the board of directors of the Academy.
