OV Sophie Wins Multiple Gold Medals in World Championships

Many congratulations to OV Sophie Carter (Br 11-18) who has achieved multiple Gold medals at the Inclusive Skating World Championships 2022, which took place from 3-4 December 2022, coinciding with the first ever World Ice Skating Day on 4 December.

Inclusive Skating (IS) was founded to allow athletes with any kind of impairment or disability to learn to figure skate and compete in an environment that supports them and their needs. The World Championships moved online due to the pandemic, with competitors submitting videos of their performances to the judges. The virtual format worked so well, allowing people with all kinds of disabilities from around the world to compete, that it has been retained. This year, Sophie and her team were vying for medals against opponents from across the UK, Europe, Australia and, for the first time this year, the USA, with over 200 videos submitted to the judges.

Sophie, who is currently balancing her skating commitments with her role as a King’s Foundation Gap Student, is ranked ninth in the world for Inclusive Skating. She won Gold in her ‘pairs’ and two ‘synchro’ events, all of which Sophie was involved in the choreographing and coaching. Sophie placed second in both of her solo events. In all, Sophie and her team took away 52 Gold medals, and 105 medals in total.

Speaking about her triumphs, Sophie added, “I am really lucky to be a part of Inclusive Skating, and the success both my team and I enjoyed really reflects the effort the skaters put into the event, but also the passion we all have for the sport. Most of the Inclusive Skaters have constantly and continuously been told they can’t do things due to their disabilities. Being able to be a part of their journey, showing everyone how much they can achieve, means so much to them and to me.”