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Mar. 27—ROCHESTER — Rochester skaters Elizabeth Thornton and Orca Sauer have both qualified for the 2026 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships.
Thornton qualified in Gold Solo Dance and Sauer in Gold Freeskate. It was the first time qualifying for Thornton and the third for Sauer. They will compete in Atlanta on April 10-11.
Thornton advanced after placing fifth in the section competition March 13-14 in Livonia, Mich. Sauer was second in her competition.
Thornton didn't go into the event with much expectation. It's precisely what carried her.
"I didn't put much pressure on myself," said the 38-year-old. "I think that's why I performed so well. I want to do the same at nationals. I want to have a good skate, relax and have fun."
Thornton, who has been skating for 30 years, said she is at her best right now. She has become more expressive in her ice dance, as she does it to the music from "Tarzan."
"I'm absolutely the best I've ever been," Thornton said. "I'm stronger now than I was in high school."
Four skaters in each competition were scheduled to compete from each of the country's three sections, the Eastern, the Midwestern and the Pacific. But the Pacific is sending just three to Thornton's competition, which opened up a spot that went to Thornton.
—The Rochester Figure Skating Club is hosting its annual ice show at the Rochester Recreation Center on April 17-19. Thornton and Sauer will be skating in the show, as well as all of the youth skaters and 14 other women from Rochester's adult skating program.
Continue reading...
Thornton qualified in Gold Solo Dance and Sauer in Gold Freeskate. It was the first time qualifying for Thornton and the third for Sauer. They will compete in Atlanta on April 10-11.
Thornton advanced after placing fifth in the section competition March 13-14 in Livonia, Mich. Sauer was second in her competition.
Thornton didn't go into the event with much expectation. It's precisely what carried her.
"I didn't put much pressure on myself," said the 38-year-old. "I think that's why I performed so well. I want to do the same at nationals. I want to have a good skate, relax and have fun."
Thornton, who has been skating for 30 years, said she is at her best right now. She has become more expressive in her ice dance, as she does it to the music from "Tarzan."
"I'm absolutely the best I've ever been," Thornton said. "I'm stronger now than I was in high school."
Four skaters in each competition were scheduled to compete from each of the country's three sections, the Eastern, the Midwestern and the Pacific. But the Pacific is sending just three to Thornton's competition, which opened up a spot that went to Thornton.
—The Rochester Figure Skating Club is hosting its annual ice show at the Rochester Recreation Center on April 17-19. Thornton and Sauer will be skating in the show, as well as all of the youth skaters and 14 other women from Rochester's adult skating program.
Continue reading...
