Queensland Figure Skating Championships this week

Here’s 30 of Figure Skating’s best of the best who will converge on Boondall for the Queensland championship from late today.

Luna Shimogaki of Queensland is a young gun.

The Queensland Figure Skating Championships are set to dazzle audiences as skaters from across Australia gather at IceWorld Boondall from late this afternoon until Saturday.

The competition will run for four thrilling days, concluding on Saturday. With free admission for all sessions, this event offers a unique opportunity for spectators to witness the pinnacle of figure skating in Queensland.

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The competition boasts an impressive line-up, with both the current men’s and women’s senior national champions vying for glory.

Spectators can watch 77 skaters compete in the singles and ice dance divisions, while 12 synchronised teams will aim to capture the hearts of the audience and judges alike. Admission is free.

Darian Kaptich from QLD at last year’s Australian Figure Skating Championships. Picture, John Gass

Darian Kaptich, the reigning Australian Men’s Senior champion, hails from North Brisbane and is sure to be a crowd favourite as he competes on his home rink.

Kaptich, riding high after achieving a personal best score at the Asian Open in August, enters the championship with confidence.

His main rival, Charlton Doherty, has also been in top form this season, setting his own personal best in September.

Figure skate champion Charlton Doherty will compete.

The battle between these two accomplished skaters promises to showcase technical prowess and precision on ice.

In the Senior Women’s division, NSW skater Vlada Vasiliev returns to Brisbane, aiming to replicate her success from last December when she claimed victory at the National Championships which were also held at Boondall.

Emily-Jean Kelly, the reigning Queensland State Champion, is poised to provide stiff competition, having enjoyed a consistently strong season.

Emily-Jean Kelly from QLD Australian Figure Skating Championships in Brisbane. Thursday December 1, 2022. Picture, John Gass

Additionally, Daniella McDonald and Isabelle McKewen are capable contenders who cannot be underestimated, and they too are eyeing podium finishes.

While the Senior Divisions are set to deliver high-level performances, the Junior Women’s and Advanced Novice Girls divisions offer a glimpse into the future of Australian figure skating. These categories are stacked with Queensland’s most promising talents, many of whom have already achieved national recognition and competed internationally.

Andrea Guo. Picture, John Gass

The Junior Women’s division is expected to be a tightly contested field, with skaters like Luna Shimogaki, Andrea Guo, and Simona Bhasin boasting personal best scores above the 100-point mark.

Any of these three young talents could clinch victory with their best performances. Meanwhile, in the Advanced Novice Girls division, 10-year-old sensation Mia Zeng emerges as the hot favourite.

Zeng has dominated the lower divisions in past seasons and has a very bright future ahead of her.

With 12 competitors in this division, the fight for podium places is expected to be fierce, with at least six skaters staking strong claims.

Mia Zeng is just all style and class.

Aside from the above athletes mention, watch out for these white hot senior and junior talents:

Senior Elite 12 Synchro:

Ice Storm

Nova

Junior Synchro:

Iceskateers Elite

Phoenix

Watch for the graceful Daniella McDonald.

Junior Men:

Julio Potapenko

Advanced Novice Girls:

Kalyn Shimogaki

Ann Kyle

Hattie Meadows

Advanced Novice Boys:

Flynn Suo

William Payne

Noah Cook-Shakles

Intermediate Women:

Nia Doherty

Sienne Bessell

Alisha Boge

Intermediate Novice Girls:

Hayley Cheung

Adult Elite Women:

Jessica Rotondo

Paris Stephens

Adult Silver Dance:

Isabelle Martino / Kevin Layt

The wonderful Iceskateers Elite athletes.

Adult Silver Women:

Courtney Mackay

Basic Novice Boys:

Osborn Wang

Dwight Kaptich

Basic Novice Girls:

Angela Guo

Sophia Feng

Miandri Korf

The Queensland Figure Skating Championships promise a thrilling showcase of talent, dedication, and the artistry of figure skating.

The glorious style of Queensland's Luna Shimogaki.

As IceWorld Boondall transforms into a glittering arena of grace and athleticism, fans and spectators will be treated to a spectacle of ice dance, spins, and jumps that define the beauty of the sport.

FAST FACTS

LOCATION: IceWorld, 2304 Sandgate Rd, Boondall QLD 4034

ADMISSION: Free

COMPETITION TIMES

WEDNESDAY: 4pm to 8.30pm

THURSDAY: 6pm to 9.30pm

FRIDAY: 3.30pm to 9pm

SATURDAY: 2pm to 4.15 pm

Visit www.isq.org.au/uploads/QFSC%20Schedule%202023%20V5.pdf

Simona Bhasin in action on the ice.