Kim Ye-lim (figure skater)


Kim Ye-lim is a South Korean figure skater. She is the 2019 CS Nebelhorn Trophy silver medalist, the 2018 CS U.S. Classic bronze medalist, and the two-time South Korean national medalist. Kim finished within the top eight at the Four Continents Championships.
On the junior level, she is the 2018 JGP Lithuania silver medalist, the 2018 JGP Czech Republic silver medalist, and the 2016 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy silver medalist.
Kim is currently the 16th highest ranked ladies' singles skater in world by the International Skating Union following the 2019-20 figure skating season.

Career

Early years

Kim started skating after the 2010 Olympics, inspired by Yuna Kim.

2016–2017 season

In August 2016, Kim debuted on the Junior Grand Prix series in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, France, and placed fourth. In September, she placed fifth at the another JGP competition in Yokohama, Japan. In January 2017, she won a silver medal at the South Korean senior national. She qualified to participate in the 2017 World Junior Championships, but she withdrew because of a toe injury.

2017–2018 season

In September 2017, Kim placed fourth at the Junior Grand Prix in Minsk, Belarus. In October, Kim placed sixth at the JGP in Egna, Italy.
After the season ended, Kim changed coached and training locations. She switched to Tom Zakrajsek and Tammy Gambill and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

2018–2019 season

In September 2018, Kim won the silver medal at the Junior Grand Prix in Kaunas, Lithuania, behind Russian figure skater Alexandra Trusova. It was her first JGP medal. The following week, Kim competed in the senior level of the 2018 CS U.S. International Classic, winning the bronze medal. She won her second silver medal at the JGP in Ostrava, Czech Republic behind Alena Kostornaia of Russia. Her results qualified her for the Junior Grand Prix Final in Vancouver, where she finished sixth after falls in both programs. After the free, she commented: "This first competition is, for me, like a higher level competition. I can see many audiences, and it’s interesting, but I want to have more big competitions like this, so next time I want to show everybody my best program."
Kim placed fifth at the South Korean championships, but had fared better at the previous ranking competition, and was assigned to her first senior ISU Championship, the 2019 Four Continents Championship. She finished eighth, and said that she had enjoyed the experience.

2019–2020 season

Kim left coach Tom Zakrajsek and relocated to Korea to train under her former coach. She opened her season at the 2019 CS Lombardia Trophy, placing fourth. A week later, she won the silver medal at the 2019 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. Assigned to one Grand Prix event, Kim placed seventh at the 2019 Skate Canada International.
In December 2019, Kim won the South Korean Trials for the 2020 Four Continents and was subsequently assigned to the event along with country mates Lim Eun-soo and You Young. After winning the bronze medal at the South Korean championships, behind You and the senior-ineligible Lee Hae-in, she was assigned to the 2020 World Championships as well. Lim placed sixth at Four Continents.

Programs

Records and achievements

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

Detailed results

Senior level

Junior level