Divine Photography photo
Fairbanks’ Cordero Zuckerman competes in the U.S. Figure Skating Association’s Developmental International Program in San Francisco.
Zuckerman did not practice for four days before the competition because of a groin injury, but he still managed to finish third in the competition for Intermediate and Novice division skaters behind a pair of national champions.
“I set a goal and was more than pleased to achieve it with the injury,” Zuckerman said in an e-mail to the News-Miner.
Winner Nathan Chen and runner-up Jordan Moeller are both past national champions.
Cordero was third after Thursday’s short program with a 36.30 score. He maintained his position with a score of 77.77 in Friday’s long program the following day.
“I’ve never seen him fight so hard for every point,” Zuckerman’s coach Lisa Kriley said in the e-mail. “That was the most energy I have ever seen him perform in the long program.”
The Development International Program is designed for skaters who have shown success in their respective levels at the national or junior national competitions and might have the potential to be a part of Team USA in the future.
The program is designed to better prepare ice skaters for the upcoming season as Novice and Junior level competitors who might to compete internationally.
All the top Intermediate and Novice level ice skaters from throughout the country in the 2009-10 season were invited to compete in the San Francisco event.
Some will be chosen to represent the United States in competitions in Lithuania, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico and Canada.
“These athletes have the potential to represent the United State in the Winter Olympic Games,” Jessica Gaynor, USFA Pacific Coast vice president, said in the e-mail. “We are very pleased to be hosting such a prestigious event.”
Zuckerman will travel to Los Angeles this week to compete in the Golden West competition Thursday through Sunday.
Contact sports editor Bob Eley at beley@newsminer.com.
Congrats