Great results are great to have, but great results that open doors are even better.
Last weekend, four of Whitehorse’s Arctic Edge Skating Club members competed at the 2010 BMO Skate Canada Sectionals (BC/Yukon Section) in Richmond, BC.
Not only did they produce strong results, some of the Edge skaters will profit from the experience in the future.
Whitehorse’s Rachel Pettitt, 10, won silver in the pre-juvenile ladies event, producing a personal best score of 26.38.
“My axel was high and good,” said Pettitt. “Then I had my double salchow-single loop, that was good - I got that one. Then my double-toe-single-toe combination and then my spin combination. I had my double loop and double flip, and then my footwork.”
Pettitt then ended her routine with a double lutz and a double salchow.
“I sort of two-footed my double lutz - I didn’t land on one foot,” said Pettitt. “It wasn’t that good, but I could have done it better.
“I was really happy once I got second.”
At the competition Pettitt added a new combination to her routine, an axel-loop, but a
sharper presentation also helped, said Arctic Edge coach Trish Pettitt.
“She was presenting herself on her landing better, flowing better,” said Trish. “She was confident (in Saskatchewan), but this one she was even more confident and that was the difference.”
Last month, Pettitt was one of only four skaters to represent both the Yukon and BC at the Saskatchewan First Skate in Saskatoon, winning a bronze medal.
Because of their dazzling performances, Pettitt and teammate Millie Austin qualified for membership in the BC/YT Provincial Development Team.
“Basically, you can get invited to seminars or training events, so it opens you to more opportunities,” said Austin. “It’s a good thing to be on it. It’s just a confidence builder too, to be on the team.”
Skating in the junior ladies event, Austin, 17, was fifth in the short program, with a personal best score of 33.55, and seventh in the long for an overall finish of seventh.
“I think they both were pretty good,” said Austin. “I scored really well in my second mark - interpretation and choreography and how you move on the ice - and I think it helped me.
“It was a great experience overall.”
Arctic Edge’s Kevin Caron will also be reaping the benefits of a top-notch performance. Not only did he finish third in junior men’s category, the result qualifies him to compete at the 2010 BMO Skate Canada Challenge at the start of next month in Mississauga, Ontario. He also secured a spot on the BC Provincial Team.
“I had a good skate and got done what I wanted for that competition,” said Caron. “I got through to the (BMO Skate Canada) Challenge, and that was the goal for that competition and I accomplished that.
“I had some really nice triple jumps, and had an amazing short program and the long was pretty good. I made it through it all with a bit of a cold, so it was a good program for me.”
If he finishes in the top 18 skaters in Mississauga, Caron will move on to compete at the Canadian Nationals, which will be held in January in London, Ontario. Last year he was an alternate at the nationals.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Caron. “Hopefully I finish in the top-18 and move on to nationals. That would be a nice change.”
Whitehorse’s Teneil Caron also competed at the sectionals, finishing 20th overall, coming 21st in the short program and 18th in the free program.
Arctic Edge will be hosting its first local event of the season December 5 and 6 at Takhini Arena in Whitehorse. The Yukon Gold Nugget Interclub Competition will double as the Arctic Winter Game trials.
Contact Tom Patrick at tomp@yukon-news.com