News
Jingu Ice Messengers Debut New Programs
News
Jingu Ice Messengers Debut New Programs
New Programs, new pinnacles from Jingu Ice Messengers. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
After a long summer break a new competition season has started in Japan! The Tokyo Skating Federation held its 2024 Summer Figure Skating Competition and the three teams of Jingu Ice Messengers greeted the world with new programs.
The competition spanned over three days and was held at the Mitsui Fudosan Ice Park Funabashi in the nearby Chiba prefecture. The synchro event took place on 31 August 2024. Typhoon Shanshan (or more commonly known by Japanese as typhoon number 10) cast uncertainty over the event as it caused much casualties and damages to nearby prefectures. Fortunately the event could successfully take place.
The teams worked hard to prepare for the seasonal debut. Earlier in August they had a three-day training camp gearing up for the big day.
Jingu Ice Messengers Junior team eagerly showcased their new Short Program. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
The Junior team entering a whip intersection. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
The first team to great spectators was the Jingu Ice Messengers Junior team skating their Short Program this time. They scored 33.81 and got their No-hold Element called Level 4. Being early in the season, there was much to iron out and improve further.
New skaters who progressed from the Intermediate team had to adapt to the more challenging Junior level as well. The falls at the pivoting block and incorrect position at the whip intersection should not be deterrents to the team which has become more mature from participation in past international events. The full team of 16 skaters clearly showed great energy for the new season ahead.
Ms Yu Hanamoto, who was formerly one of the team's coaches, has been succeeded by the new coach Ms Marie Yamada. She used to skate for Jingu Ice Messengers Senior. We can look forward to her working synergistically with the existing coach Mr Ken Tanabe and taking the team to a higher ground.
New skaters who progressed from the Intermediate team had to adapt to the more challenging Junior level as well. The falls at the pivoting block and incorrect position at the whip intersection should not be deterrents to the team which has become more mature from participation in past international events. The full team of 16 skaters clearly showed great energy for the new season ahead.
Ms Yu Hanamoto, who was formerly one of the team's coaches, has been succeeded by the new coach Ms Marie Yamada. She used to skate for Jingu Ice Messengers Senior. We can look forward to her working synergistically with the existing coach Mr Ken Tanabe and taking the team to a higher ground.
Jingu Ice Messengers Senior team's Short Program has a grand opening. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Beautiful transition for the Senior team (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Jingu Ice Messengers Senior team then took the ice debuting their Avatar theme short program. Some skaters retired after the last season and now the team has 13 skaters only even after inclusion of new skater. Nevertheless the team impressed judges and spectators with exciting combination of various spin positions, good speed and smooth transition from one element to another. Despite some minor errors they earned 46.34 with no fall.
Coach Ms Tomoyo Sekiguchi said that recruitment of skaters had been difficult across different seasons. She hoped that after recruitment activities in September they would have sufficient skaters. They are hopeful about the potential of the team down the season, but at first they must continue to train hard.
Coach Ms Tomoyo Sekiguchi said that recruitment of skaters had been difficult across different seasons. She hoped that after recruitment activities in September they would have sufficient skaters. They are hopeful about the potential of the team down the season, but at first they must continue to train hard.
The Jingu Ice Messengers Intermediate team presented their Peter Pan program. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
The Intermediate team wheeled their way from one element to another. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Jingu Ice Messenger Intermediate team took the ice as the last team of the day. This time they had 9 skaters on ice and some of them skated concurrently at Junior level. Their Free Program which was based on Peter Pan had 6 elements and they scored 47.61 despite a fall at triangle intersection.
Their progress compared to the start of last season is striking. The team skated with more power, and the choreography was already quite sophisticated. A promising sign for the rest of the season.
Their progress compared to the start of last season is striking. The team skated with more power, and the choreography was already quite sophisticated. A promising sign for the rest of the season.
The three Jingu Ice Messengers teams have established a solid foundation for the new season. Both the Senior and Junior Free Programs are still works in progress, requiring patience as they develop.
Detailed judges' scores from the competition are available at the bottom white part of this webpage.
Detailed judges' scores from the competition are available at the bottom white part of this webpage.
The Jingu Ice Messengers are set to compete locally again in November and December this year. Internationally, they are expected to travel to a European competition in January 2025, although their plans are not yet confirmed. In the meantime, the Jingu Ice Messengers Junior team has launched its own Instagram account (@jinguicemessengers_junior).
