Katherine Leigh Copely[1] (born January 9, 1988) is a former American-born Ice Dancer who competed internationally for Lithuania. With partner Deividas Stagniūnas, she is the 4 time Lithuanian National Champion with Bronze Medals at both Golden Spin of Zagreb and Nebelhorn Trophy. Together they qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada after placing in the top 20 at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles, California. She received her medical degree in 2018 from Central Michigan University College of Medicine.

Katherine Copely
Copely and Stagniunas in 2009.
Full nameKatherine Leigh Copely
Born (1988-01-09) January 9, 1988 (age 36)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Height1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Figure skating career
Retired2010

Copely partnered with Duke Wensel in 2002.[2] They competed until 2004 on the Novice and Junior levels. From 2004 to 2006, Copely skated at the Junior level with Patrick Connelly.[3] She teamed up with Stagniunas in 2006 to compete for Lithuania. By the end of their partnership they were #10 in Europe and #14 in the World. Though they qualified, the team was subsequently prevented from competing at the 2010 Winter Olympics as Katherine was denied Lithuanian citizenship by then president Dalia Grybauskaitė [1]

Her brother is American ice dancer/coach/choreographer Dean Copely. Her mother is skating costume designer Sandra Copely. Katherine is currently training in Diagnostic Radiology,[3] with a sub-specialty in Musculoskeletal Imaging.

Programs

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(with Stagniunas)

Season Original dance Free dance
2009–2010
[4]
  • Lithuanian Polka
2008–2009
[5]
2007–2008
[6]
2006–2007
[7]
  • Tango
    by Jaime Wilensky
  • Kalinka

Results

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With Duke Wensel

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Event 2003 2004
U.S. Championships 7th N. 12th J.
N. = Novice level; J. = Junior level

With Patrick Connelly

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Event 2005
U.S. Championships 8th J.
J. = Junior level

With Deividas Stagniūnas for Lithuania

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Results[8]
International
Event 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10
Worlds 23rd 14th 14th
Europeans 18th 12th 10th
GP Cup of Russia 5th 6th 8th
GP Skate America 8th
Golden Spin 3rd 3rd
Nebelhorn 6th 3rd
National
Lithuanian Champ. 1st 1st 1st 1st
GP = Grand Prix

References

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  1. ^ a b "Granting Lithuanian citizenship to Katherine Copely would be in violation of the Constitution". Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania. November 6, 2009. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011.
  2. ^ "INTERVIEWS: Katie Copely and Dean Copely". ice-dance.com. January 7, 2003. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007.
  3. ^ a b "Katherine Copely & Patrick Connelly". ice-dance.com. August 2004. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007.
  4. ^ "Katherine COPELY / Deividas STAGNIUNAS: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012.
  5. ^ "Katherine COPELY / Deividas STAGNIUNAS: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009.
  6. ^ "Katherine COPELY / Deividas STAGNIUNAS: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008.
  7. ^ "Katherine COPELY / Deividas STAGNIUNAS: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 29, 2007.
  8. ^ "Competition Results: Katherine COPELY / Deividas STAGNIUNAS". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015.
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