Ukrainian Anastasiya Kononenko says her first-place finish at the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak competition at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi will help chances of qualifying for the 2016 European Open and the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Silvia Razgova / The National
Ukrainian Anastasiya Kononenko says her first-place finish at the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak competition at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi will help chances of qualifying for the 2016 European OpShow more

Skaters are figuring on more to come after Abu Dhabi



ABU DHABI // Anastasiya Kononenko said her success in the inaugural Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Trophy for Figure Skating will boost her chances of qualifying for the 2016 European Open and the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The Ukrainian topped the women’s international division with a score of 110.57 at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink on Saturday.

Isabella Schuster-Velissariou of Greece took silver and Clara Peters of Ireland bronze.

Zahra Lari, the Emirati, finished fourth.

Kononenko, 21, celebrated her first win in three international competitions this year since returning from a spell out with illness and injuries.

“I loved the competition in Abu Dhabi. Everyone did their best as always and I was happy to be able to do my best to win,” said the Ukrainian, who has been training in the United States for the past eight years.

“I competed in a couple of challenger series similar to the one in Abu Dhabi after returning from an illness that led to breathing problems and then also suffered some injuries that kept me out of training for a long time.

“I am so happy and delighted that I could come here and win. My goals have always been to qualify for the European Open and the Olympics, so this win means a lot to me.

“The closest I got was to come second in the Ukrainian national championship about four years ago.

“And now I am working harder than ever even as the bar has been raised in Ukraine with so many athletes training with the same objectives. I feel I am now stronger and more competitive, yet it is the results that matter.”

Kononenko will next take part in a competition in the US and then hope to compete at the US Classic in Salt Lake City, Utah, in September.

Meanwhile, Lari’s objective was to improve her previous score, and she managed to achieve that for the third time in three competitions since her debut on the senior international circuit this year.

“Today was the best score I ever got in an international competition, and hopefully I will get better and better at every competition,” Lari said. “It is a massive jump for me and I am happy I am getting better scores in every competition.”

In the Novice Ladies category, Corina Armston from Austria took gold ahead of compatriot Rose Robinson, with Joyce Selina Chan of Hong Kong third.

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Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

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Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.

Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.

The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.

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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

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From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Name: Almnssa
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Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

Results:

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 (PA) | Group 1 US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres

Winner: Goshawke, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) | Listed $250,000 (D) | 1,600m

Winner: Silva, Oisin Murphy, Pia Brendt

7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) | Conditions $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m

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8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) | Group 3 $200,000 (D) | 1,200m

Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m

Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m

Winner: Oasis Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Escalator, Christopher Hayes, Charlie Fellowes


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