PyeongChang in touching distance for GB as Coomes and Buckland impress in Nebelhorn Trophy

BySportsbeat

Published 28/09/2017 at 16:17 GMT

Figure skaters Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland are on the cusp of securing Great Britain a PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games berth after an impressive showing on the opening day of the Nebelhorn Trophy.

Eurosport

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The British duo lead the way after day one’s short dance, with a personal best 71.79 points taking them to the top of the standings in Oberstdorf, Germany.

More pertinently, it puts the pair on the brink of a place in South Korea next February at this, the designated Olympic qualifying event this season, where six spots are available for ice dance.

But for Coomes, just being at the Nebelhorn Trophy is a major landmark in itself having missed the entirety of last season due to a severe knee injury.

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“I am so thankful to be back, I worked very, very hard to be here and today made all of that hard work worth it,” she said.

“I really enjoyed it and I think it made me appreciate the moment more. I was out there and I just loved every second."

Kana Muramoto and Chris Reed of Japan are currently ranked second, followed by Germany’s Kavita Lorenz and Joti Polizoakis on their home ice.

Saturday’s free dance is set to decide the Oberstdorf podium, with Coomes and Buckland safe in the knowledge that a top-six finish will secure their country’s place at the winter spectacle early next year.

Meanwhile, European champions Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia skated to the lead in the pairs short programme.

That was despite a few minor flaws creeping into their routine, still doing enough to hold top spot with a 77.52 score ahead of World silver medallists and home favourites Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany.

“For the first competition of the season the short program was not bad, it was good, but we had some little mistakes,” said Morozov.

The pairs competition continues on Friday, when the ladies short programme and men’s free skating will also be contested on the ice.

Sportsbeat 2017

Figure Skating