Harbin, China, August 18, 2025: Julian Yee, head instructor at the OCA-ISU-CAIC Asian Figure Skating Youth Camp, paid a fulsome tribute to the hard-working ethic and dedication showed by the young athletes as the Harbin camp ended on Monday, August 18.
The nine-day camp added up to more than 30 hours on the ice plus another 20 hours in the classroom, and was a busy schedule for the 47 children from 20 Asian countries and regions gathered for the first ever development programme for figure skating.
“I’m proud of these skaters. It has not been easy. We were looking at six-hour days and it was a packed programme on and off the ice. It has been demanding physically and mentally, but everyone has stuck at it. A huge pat on the back to all,” praised Yee.
Yee commended the rise in standards shown during the camp, a gradual and then marked increase since day one on August 10.
“It is nice to see the standard of skating has improved throughout all levels. Technically there has been progress from basic skating to jumps as well. Everyone has tried hard. In some of these countries, they don’t get the opportunity to be on ice and train, but here they have done it nine days straight,” Yee pointed out.
Yee hoped that the lessons learned won’t be forgotten as soon as the participants, including the coaches board the flight back home.
“It will be great if they go back taking a thing or two they have learned here. We explained a lot of things so it won’t be easy to remember all of it, but if they can go back with one thing in their mind, one piece of advice each of us instructors gave I think that will help them in their progress.
Yee also praised the Olympic Council of Asia for putting on this development programme and hoped it would be the start of many.
“I definitely think we should have more camps like this in the future. This was a great start, and the OCA with help from the Harbin officials picked the right age group (11 to 16 years) where the focus is on youth.
“If these skaters continue to put in the hard work we have seen these past few days, it will be a step in the right direction. You may have talent but without dedication it is no use. Talent can only take you so far, but more important is commitment and a good work ethic. I’m pleased to say this was evident in Harbin.
“These boys and girls will be tired, but they are moving in the right direction and I’m proud of them,” Yee added.
