About 38 skaters aged seven to 17 performed at the Arctic Edge Skating Club’s Gold Nugget Competition at the Canada Games Centre on Dec. 2.
The competition was also part of trials to select skaters who will represent the territory in figure skating at the 2024 Arctic Winter Games (AWG). The games will run from March 10 to March 16, 2024, in Mat-Su, Alaska.
Anne Patrice Cross, one of the coaches of the skating club, told the News she was impressed with the skaters’ performances.
“I feel pretty good about the competition. I think overall it was a good event for our skaters and for everybody. It’s kind of a fun thing that we do every year and I think a lot of the skaters look forward to it every year,” she said.
Cross said this year saw a lot of “great skates, lots of wonderful moments out there and lots of lessons learned.”
As for the AWG trials, she said it was an interesting event this year with more skaters trying out than there are spots available. Four skaters secured spots for the games. Natalie Stark and Laura Ruiz were selected from the level 1 category while Leah Lariviere and Kayla Huffman were selected from level 2.
Cross said there were four levels in the figure skating event, with level 1 being the lowest and 4 the highest. Each level comes with a set of eligibility criteria that are based on assessments achieved.
“It was a true competition for spots on the team, but yeah we had some really good skates and some really good performances and overall we are very proud of what everybody did out there. We all trained pretty hard to get to this point,” Cross said.
In the AWG level 1 short, Ruiz and Stark were ranked in top place. The AWG level 1 free also had Ruiz and Stark in top place and overall best.
For the AWG level 2 short, Madisyn Millar, Huffman and Natalie Thompson placed in first, second and third respectively. In the AWG level 2 free, Lariviere, Myla Turner and Huffman finished in top spots. The overall best place had Lariviere, Huffman and Millar.
In the star 4 free U13, Lily Bowen and Ella Gunderson finished in first and second place.
Michelle Semaschuk, one of the coaches, said she thinks everyone has really improved.
“I think it’s kind of a new event for some of our skaters this year and I think they all handled them really well,” she said. “I guess what’s special about this event is that some kids don’t get to travel to other competitions. Some will do while some choose not to. So, this kind of competition experience here at home is good for them.”
Tanya Sage, another coach in the club noted that they have seen big improvements from skaters who have shown great skills, confidence, resilience and belief in themselves.
“I’m just really proud of them all. They have just done a wonderful job,” she said.
Going forward, Sage told the News they will continue training and practicing.
“We will keep doing what we are doing and help them improve and push some a little bit more and others a little bit less depending on what they need. Just keep them skating and keep having fun. We want them to enjoy skating, so that they stay and do what they love.”
Cross said the skaters will participate in a competition in British Columbia early next year before departing for the AWG.
Contact Patrick Egwu at patrick.egwu@yukon-news.com
