Among the participants, familiar names: Jorik Hendrickx from Belgium, Justus Strid representing Denmark, Paolo Bacchini from Italy, Abzal Rakimgaliyev from Kazakhstan and the Romanian Zoltan Kelemen, who has just earned an Olympic spot for Romania, a month ago, at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf. In the ladies’ event, Kerstin Frank from Austria (who also qualified for the Olympics in Sochi), Kaat Van Daele (Belgium), Anita Madsen (Denmark), Clara Peters (Ireland) and Sabina Măriuţă from Romania.
by Florentina Tone
Sabina Mariuta, from Romania, at the 2013 European Figure Skating Championships in Zagreb
Zoltan Kelemen (Romania), at the 2013 Europeans in Zagreb
Here are the complete lists of participants at this year’s edition of Crystal Skate, with a few words on their international rankings.
Senior Men
1. Mario Rafael Ionian (Austria)
2. Jorik Hendrickx (Belgium). 19th at the 2013 Worlds.
3. Justus Strid (Denmark). 24th at 2013 Worlds, 21th at 2013 Europeans, 13th at 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy
4. Noel-Antoine Pierre (France)
5. Harry Mattick (Great Britain)
6. Paolo Bacchini (Italy). 27th at 2013 Worlds (24th at 2013 Europeans; didn’t advance to the free skating)
7. Maurizio Zandron (Italy)
8. Abzal Rakimgaliyev (Kazakhstan). 28th at 2013 Worlds.
9. Zoltan Kelemen (Romania). 29th at 2013 Worlds. 18th at 2013 Europeans. 6th at 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy (he earned an Olympic berth for Romania in the men’s event)
10. Nicolas Dubois (Swizerland)
The best-ranked athlete, skating at the end of this week in Galati (Romania), seems to be the Belgian Jorik Hendrickx, who had already earned an Olympic spot for his country, given his 19th place at 2013 World Figure Skating Championships in London, Ontaria (Canada). On the other hand, also benefiting from a boost of confidence and enthusiasm is the Romanian skater, Zoltan Kelemen, who has just secured an Olympic spot for Romania in the men’s event (6th at Nebelhorn Trophy, a month ago).
Anita Madsen (Denmark), in Zagreb, at the 2013 Europeans
Senior Ladies
1. Kerstin Frank (Austria). 24th at 2013 Worlds. 12th at 2013 Europeans. 9th at 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy (she secured an Olympic spot for Austria in the ladies’ event)
2. Kaat van Daele (Belgium). 28th at 2013 Worlds. 18th at 2013 Europeans. 22th at 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy.
3. Loena Hendrickx (Belgium)
4. Anita Madsen (Denmark). 26th at the 2013 Worlds. 16th at 2013 Europeans. 25th at 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy.
5. Krista Pitkaniemi (Finland)
6. Laurianne Cirilli (France)
7. Laurine Lecavalier (France)
8. Gabrielle Scalzo (France)
9. Kelly Harrison (Great Britain)
10. Clara Peters (Ireland). 33th at 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy.
11. Carol Bressanuti (Italy). 27th at 2013 Worlds.
12. Francesca Rio (Italy)
13. Mary Ro Reyes (Mexico)
14. Camilla Gjersem (Norway)
15. Anine Rabe (Norway)
16. Sabina Mariuta (Romania). 34th at 2013 Europeans (didn’t advance to the free skating). 28th at 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy.
17. Julia Sauter (Romania)
In the ladies’ event, the Austrian Kerstin Frank definitely has the best chances to win the 2013 Crystal Skate Trophy, given her previous rankings at the World and European Championships (24th and 12th). Furthermore, Kirsten has just secured an Olympic spot for Austria in the ladies’ event (she was 9th at Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, a month ago).