By Kirsten Johnson

DUNDEE’S OLYMPIC skating hopeful Matthew Parr (19) received a career blow yesterday with the news he will not be allowed to fly to Los Angeles to compete in the World Figure Skating Championships.

He said last night he was “devastated” by a High Court ruling that said one of his rivals should take his seat on the plane to the States next week, despite him having been selected by the sport’s governing body.

The UK number one, who lives in Duntrune, had been selected by the National Ice Skating Association (NISA) to represent the UK at the event.

However, a High Court judge yesterday ruled that NISA had breached its own “first past the post” selection process and that Matthew had been unfairly chosen over fellow skater Elliot Hilton, who is also 19.

Mr Justice Eady backed Elliot’s claims that he had beaten Matthew in the two official qualifying competitions, despite hearing arguments that his recent form has been “disappointing” and that the Dundee skater had been chosen as a “better prospect for the competition.”

It was also said Matthew had been unwell during one of the qualifying events.

The judge recognised his decision was likely to have an impact on team morale but concluded that “for good or ill, and whether subsequently criticised or not,” NISA was contractually obliged to pick Elliot Hilton.

The decision means Matthew will no longer be able to compete for a qualifying spot at next year’s Winter Olympics—although if his winning form continues into next season, and he meets the criteria, the British Olympic Association could still choose to put him in the squad.

Speaking last night from Dundee Ice Arena, where he trains five days a week, the Newcastle-born skater said he was “devastated” by the news.

“The news came as a real shock, I’ve been training really hard for the last month for the competition and to be told this only three days before I was due to fly out to LA is not fair,” he said.

“My coach hadn’t told me Elliot was appealing through the courts as he didn’t want it to affect my training, I don’t think anyone thought he would win.

“Obviously I’m upset and very disappointed. I won the British Championships this year and Elliot only came fifth but it’s something I just have to deal with now.

“The High Court don’t understand anything about figure skating, they just look at the legal side of things but I can’t afford to fight the ruling.

“Figure skating is a really expensive sport and, although the federation had paid for my flights and accommodation, my parents have spent a lot of their own money on extra coaching.”

Matthew said that the decision had made him “all the more determined” to win all next year’s competitions.

“Yes, this was the World Championship but in the end it is only one competition, it has just given me the extra motivation to perform even better next year,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to the next season already and I won’t give NISA any option but to put me forward to the World Championships.

“I do want to thank NISA as they fought hard to keep me on the team. I don’t blame them for what has happened, they have been very good to me,” he added.

Matthew’s coach Simon Briggs said he was confident he would “bounce back.”

He said in the second qualifying event in Slovakia, Matthew had been unwell and was advised not to skate.

Preston-born Mr Hilton, who was national figure skating champion last year, brought his case to court after he was told in February that Matthew had been selected to go to Los Angeles in his place.