Grand Champion!
Last Friday was the viewing party for my event in the Virtual Aerial Challenge. I had no idea how many skaters were entered into my event or whom my competitors would be. All I knew was that I did my best.
I watched the live stream with my family and nervously anticipated what the judges would think. Apparently, I was the first competitor. They showed my video on the screen, and then the Zoom meeting of the judges discussing my elements. I had chosen to do a single axel, and then a single axel-single toe loop as my combination (the single jump could either be a single loop or a single axel, and then the combo could be anything up to a double salchow or double toe loop).
Judge Gale Tanger spoke about how I needed to attack the jumps more. She felt like I was hesitant on the entry (which I was) so I needed to show her that I was ready and to go for it. Judge Audrey Weisiger agreed but also commended me for being able to execute an axel jump as an adult, as it is a milestone in an adult’s (and kids’) skating journey.
Celebrity judge Frank Carroll (Michelle Kwan’s coach) had been a strict judge all evening, but he managed to give me an 8 for my first jump. National and World Champion Kimmie Meissner gave me a 9, as did National Champion Max Aaron. For my combination jump, I earned all 9s and one 8.
Three more skaters followed me, so there were only 4 of us total. One skater successfully executed a double toe loop and an axel for her video submission. However, at the end of the event, the judges placed me in first place! Holy cow! And now I am listed as the “Grand Champion” on the event page. Granted, there were just 4 of us in this event, but it’s pretty cool to be named Grand Champion of something, particularly in skating!
Here is a video!
Way to go, Eva! You’ll always be a champion in my book!
Author
Thank you!! ❤️❤️
Congratulations! That is very exciting. I love that you didn’t know your results until the viewing party with your family. That makes it so very special. You are an excellent role model for adult skaters!
Author
Aw, thanks, Melissa! It was wonderful being able to share this moment with my family. They don’t travel with me to competitions, so this was an extra special moment. 😄
Congrats, Eva. Love the bright colors you wore as well as the clean execution of your jumps! Awesome results and well-deserved award!
Author
Yay – thanks, Jo! I figured pink would be good since everyone tends to wear black. 😄
Nice!
Author
Thanks, George!