Reims’ Lorine Schild concludes her international season this week in Prague at the World Figure Skating Championships. The only French competitor, representing CPAR Reims, qualified for the free program after a successful and flawless short program, though harshly judged, placing her 17th.
Once again, mixed feelings arose Wednesday evening after the first part of the World Figure Skating Championships began in Prague, Czech Republic. Without the reigning Olympic champion, American Alysia Liu, but with other Japanese medalists, Schild felt satisfaction in her improved performance compared to Milan a few weeks ago. However, her smile was tempered by frustration over receiving an average score from the judges, placing her further down in the rankings.
Skating to her now famous “Starway to Heaven,” Lorine Schild delivered a solid, flawless performance, devoid of the hesitations seen on the Italian ice in February. This led to a logically higher score in Prague compared to the Olympics (59.14 in Prague vs. 55.63 in Milan), but still not enough to place higher than 17th. While an improvement from barely making it to the free program in 24th place, her artistic presentation fell short with the judges, placing her behind an Austrian skater who had fallen.
Schild will have a chance to gain points on Friday during the free program. The competition will be concluded by Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto, the Olympic silver medalist in Milan, who topped the short program on Wednesday with 79.31 points. The competition starts at 6pm. Schild is expected to take the ice shortly after 7pm.
