Figure skater gives her all in Belarus
Natasha McKay gave a strong performance in the free programme of the ladies's singles competition of the European Figure Skating Championships, scoring 91.88 and placing 19th out of 36 skaters, but said she had skated far better in training sessions at the rink in Minsk, Belarus. The ladies's competition was won by Russians skater Sofia Samodurova who scored 213.84 overqall, followed by teammate Alina Zagitova, who scored 198.34 for the free skate and shirt programme combined.
McKay, who is coached by Debi and Simon Briggs at Ice Dundee, went into the free skate in 22nd place after saying that her aim for the competition was to make the top 24 - allowing her to qualify to compete in the free programme. Her overall score was 140.08.The skater, who placed 27th in last year's competition and suffered a fall in the free programme, said after her skate: "There were mistakes, but it could have been worse. It's not the way I've been training here, my sessions have all been going really well. But the score was OK and the placing was good. My main aim was to qualify for the free, so I'm happy."
Only the top 24 skaters in the short programme are allowed to proceed to the free skate.
McKay said she planned to introduce new elements in her programme ahead of the World Championships in Japan.