Angel on ice eyes international stage

Chloe Ing performs her routine at the Singapore National Figure Skating Championship. She came first in the senior ladies' free skate category and also picked up the Ice Angels Artistic Trophy for her routine accompanied by a medley of Chopin's compo
Chloe Ing performs her routine at the Singapore National Figure Skating Championship. She came first in the senior ladies' free skate category and also picked up the Ice Angels Artistic Trophy for her routine accompanied by a medley of Chopin's compositions. PHOTO: PHILIP AU

Graceful and balletic, Chloe Ing glided smoothly across The Rink in JCube yesterday, her poise assured, her jumps confident and her spins intricate.

By the end of her chosen tune, a medley of Chopin's Nocturne, Opus 9, No.2, and Fantaisie-Impromptu, the judges unanimously gave her two of the top prizes.

The 17-year-old Singaporean was crowned the senior ladies' free skate champion at the National Figure Skating Championships. She also lifted the Ice Angels Artistic Trophy, which was given in recognition of the competitor with the most artistic presentation of a routine.

Surprised but delighted after her winning routine gave her a score of 116.76, the teenager is setting her sights even further as she aims for international honours.

She said: "I would love to represent Singapore at the SEA Games. It'll be a great way to bring awareness to figure skating in Singapore," said the Ice Angels club representative.

"Besides that, a long-term dream and goal of mine has been to represent Singapore in the Winter Olympics in 2018 which I'll be striving towards."

Chloe edged out fellow national skater Ceciliane Hartmann (104.04). It was her second senior ladies' free skate title after winning in her senior debut two years ago.

Chloe, who moved to Toronto, Canada, at age seven with her family to pursue ice skating, aims to represent Singapore in Malaysia next year when the sport makes its SEA Games debut.

Yesterday's competition was also a good opportunity for the Singaporean skaters to gauge themselves against their potential future SEA Games rivals.

Four Malaysians and 24 Indonesians participated. Among them were 23-year-old Malaysian Ng Shi Ze, who was second in the adult silver men category while his compatriot Aneeta Lingam, 14, took fourth in the junior ladies' event.

Indonesian Rafaela Rahardja came in sixth in the same event with compatriot Tasya Putri having to withdraw.

Sonja Chong, Singapore Ice Skating Association president is hopeful of the Republic's chances next year, saying: "I'm very encouraged to see that our skaters have improved a lot from the last nationals.

"The SEA Games is such an important event to everyone in the sport. At the Asian level of ice skating, we're fighting powerhouses - Japan, China and Korea - so it's always much more difficult.

"At least in South-east Asia, we can aspire to win medals and this makes a big difference to the athletes."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 25, 2016, with the headline Angel on ice eyes international stage. Subscribe