Zoé Abelé in her Lamond Signature Sweepers uniform. / Photo Chris Stockman
UPDATED March 26: This week in Boston, almost 20,000 fans will flock to the TD Garden arena as spectators of the annual International Skating Union (ISU) championship — along with hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide joining via the televised program. Starting Tuesday, March 25, through Sunday, March 30, some 200 of the world’s top figure skaters will be just a few miles from Arlington, competing for the top prize and wowing the crowd at what is known as the most prestigious skating event . . . and skating among these famous athletes, representing Arlington, will be 10-year-old resident Zoé Abelé.
The Abelé family moved to town from Switzerland at the end of 2022. The French and Swiss family of five are a household raised on the ice. Zoé has been training as a skater since she was just 4 years old – and her two brothers are part of the Arlington Hockey Club.
“I love jumping and dancing on the ice, it makes me feel free and happy,” Zoé said about what she loved most about her sport.
In addition to her schooling, the young athlete practices five days a week – both on the ice and off the ice, additionally taking ballet and gym classes to perfect her skating form. After moving to town, Zoe joined the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood. Now – with just six years of skating experience – Zoé has earned a spot as a “Sweeper” at the world’s best skating competition.
She is now one of the ISU’s Dedham Savings Sweepers, a group of 39 dedicated skaters ranging from 7 to 13 years old. They are to be the youngest skaters participating in the five-day series – but they carry a big responsibility; after each competitor finishes a performance and the rink is adorned with flowers and gifts thrown by fans – Abelé and her teammates will “sweep” the rink, collecting the items swiftly and showing off their graceful skating control.
“I’m so excited, it’s a big honor to be a sweeper at the Worlds because I’ll be close to champions who have worked so hard to get there. Since we share the same passion, it’s really inspiring to watch them,” said Abelé.
More than 200 audition
The Dedham Savings Sweepers.According to a recent press release, more than 200 children from across the country auditioned for a spot on the Sweeper team on Dec. 8, 2024. The judges were selecting finalists based on skating ability, personality and positive attitude. Zoé recalled the nerves she was experiencing that day as the Skating Club of Boston was buzzing with auditioners, supervisors and several reporters.
“I was excited, but also a little scared because, even though the tryouts were at my club, I didn’t know anyone,” Zoé explained. “We had to wear bib numbers, and there was no music, so the atmosphere felt a bit strange and very quiet.”
According to Zoé, the auditions consisted of a mock-sweep, where judges watched the skaters glide across the rink and collect items, just as they’d be doing during the championships. Zoé, though only 10 years old, is no stranger to anxiety when it comes to skating for audiences. She said she calms down her nerves with positive thoughts, reminding herself that she has been practicing hard for many years and “everything will be OK.”
The young athlete recited these mantras during auditions – and her confidence and skills secured her a spot on the exclusive sweeper team. The Abelé family received the news just a few days after the auditions, Zoé said.
“I was super happy and excited because an experience like this only happens once in a lifetime.”
Honoring late coaches
Just hours away from the championship kickoff, Arlington’s featured skater is looking forward to share the same rink as some of her idols and inspirations – but most importantly, Zoé is taking this incredible opportunity as a way to honor her late coaches, two-time Olympians, former world figure skating champions, and spouses Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
The iconic duo were among the 67 people killed during the tragic accident of an American Airlines flight that crashed into an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29. Also on board the commercial flight were teenager skaters from the Skating Club of Boston and their family members. According to the Associated Press, the group was returning from a development camp for elite junior skaters in Wichita, Kan. 
Zoé with her former coaches Evgenia Shishkova, right, and Vadim Naumov.
When Zoé was first welcomed to the Skating Club of Boston, she was brought on board the “Tomorrow’s Champions” programs, led and coached by Shishkova and Naumov.
Joyful, supportive
Zoé’s parents discovered the olympian directed program, and believed it perfect for their daughter as it was not only serious about training young athletes — but also joyful, supportive and had a strong sense of family.
The young skater got the opportunity to train with the duo for more than two years and the Olympic coaches helped her improve her technical skills,strength, flexibility and posture. Under their direction, Zoé is most proud of the advanced jumps she has learned to land.
“I’ll never forget Vadim’s smile and the hug he gave me when I landed my double Salchow. We had worked hard on that jump, and it felt like he was just as proud as I was,” she recalled.
Zoé remembers how happy they were when she told Shishkova and Naumov that she made the Dedham Sweepers team in December, just one more before the crash. Zoé is now being coached by the spouse’s 23-year-old son and two other coaches part of the Tomorrow’s Champions team.
“I tell myself that even if I have to fall hundreds of times on a jump, that’s the only way I’ll succeed, so it helps me keep training,” Zoé said.
The “official practice kicked off Tuesday, March 25. Wednesday, March 26, the women’s short program begins. According to the ISU website as of Tuesday, tickets are still available for some programs at TD Garden (100 Legends Way, Boston). See more information here >>
Arlington residents unable to make it to Boston can turn to their televisions or the streaming service Peacock to watch from home to catch a glimpse of the local skater at this worldly championship.
This news feature by Brynn O’Connor, YourArlington’s assistant editor, was published Tuesday, March 25, based on information from interviews, the Dedham Sweepers, ISU website and Abele family in Arlington. It was updated March 24 to include a photo.
