The ice rink at Port Hercule came alive this weekend as the Monaco Skating Club and the Monegasque Skating Federation hosted their annual skating festival and national figure skating championship…
Around thirty young skaters took to the ice, presenting short programmes before a panel of international judges in an event that celebrated both competition and the joy of the sport.
Divided into twelve categories, the young athletes showcased routines they had prepared after three months of intensive training on the temporary rink installed at the port. For many of them, the championship represented both a challenge and a reward for weeks of practice, often balancing school schedules with several training sessions each week.
The return of the rink to Port Hercule has played an important role in revitalising skating in the Principality. After several years without the winter installation, the rink reopened in December, allowing around one hundred licensed skaters to take part in evening training sessions and preparation for the competition.
Parents, coaches and supporters gathered to watch the performances and celebrate the progress made by the young athletes in a relatively short time. Medals and trophies were awarded throughout the morning, recognising both technical achievement and artistic expression on the ice.
Adding further prestige to the day was the presence of former world champion figure skater Brian Joubert, who led a special masterclass and supported one of the competitors he now coaches. The event formed part of a wider day-long skating celebration, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for the sport in Monaco.
Image: Logan Weaver