Mazaloom Skating Championship

(Year 231, Winter) Last night Valeria Phlum (28) from San Myshuno came 3rd in the bi-annual «Mazaloom Skating Championship». She was a favorite, as she won the gold medal 2 years ago, but now her performance was slightly underwhelming. She is currently a University student. This year another favorite won the championship, namely the long timer Sarah Woh (48) from Tredony.

Valeria Phlum won bronze.

The contest is individual, based on both talents/skills and impression/judges. There is a limit of 3 contenders from each region, meaning maximum 24 participants and a full night event as they all go two rounds. Last night only the hosting Region 12 had a full delegation, though.

Score is a combination of talent (Fitness, Skiing/Snowboarding) and impression (judges). It would be technically possible to achieve 1200 points, but the best score recorded ever since the first contest in Year 225 was 320 points. This year the top 3 was:

1st: Sarah Woh, Region 3 Tredony (100 points)

2nd: Tom Rivers, Region 2 Rossie (90 points)

3rd: Valeria Phlum, Region 12 Mazaloom (72 points).

Left: Sarah Woh impressed the judges with her signature twirl. However, she was
punished by losing 15 points because of wearing a hat, which is not allowed.
Right: Valeria Phlum was less steady than we normally see her. 

Left: Daniel Charm from Glimmerbrook did place top-3 previously, but this time his
golden attire could not help him. Judges awarded him strictly for both rounds.
Right: Lilly Kammin from Gloomville did very well in first round,
but was rather shaky and got herself a low score for the second round.

Also Fiona Stone (19), who was allowed to participate despite being one year too young for Elite status, was met with a protest regarding her outfit. There is no strict rules, except not wearing a hat, but the judges sated that a minimum of elegance is expected in respect of the established standards of this sport. Stone came shared 6th, and could not have ended higher than 4th anyway because of running outside the Elite championship.

The 3 contenders from Region 12: Lilly Kammin (Gloomville), Fiona Stone (San Myshuno), and (to the right) Valeria Phlum (San Myshuno). Daniel Charm (Region 8 Ticktop) jined them for this photo.

The Winter Sports Organization has informed that next championship will also include Dancing skills, and all contestants get two years to wear out their dancing shoes.

On a side note there were protests from two delegations when they realized that this year's championship was arranged in a very polluted hood, Gloomville's commercial area. The organization will address a complaint, but it was too late doing anything about it.