Future looks bright for local skater thanks to success Kootenay Regional Figure Skating Championships
By Contributor
The region’s best young figure skaters squared off in Nelson last weekend at the Kootenay Regional Figure Skating Championships.
Hosted by the Nelson Figure Skating Club (NFSC), the three-day event determined the 2013 champions across a range of categories from Elements to Pairs to the crowd- pleasing Interpretive programs.
Thirteen skaters from the host club participated, giving friends and family a rare chance to see skaters compete on home ice.
Considering the club has been plagued with injuries and a number of senior skaters gone from last season, coach Yoshie Measures was pleased with her club’s effort.
“We have a number of young skaters in our Junior Academy program competing for the first time,” Measures said.
“They are the club’s stars of tomorrow.”
There were some strong results from veteren skaters as well. Charly DeFouw, 12, earned Gold in Jr. Silver Dance, Christina Champlin, 15, notched Gold for her Pre Novice short program, Courtney Shrieves, 15, placed seventh in Pre Introductory Interpretive, and Breanna Tomlin finished seventh in Introductory Interpretive.
With teams travelling from across the region and officials and support services arriving from around the province, the competition was a huge logistical undertaking by the NFSC.
“I can’t say enough about the community support we got- it was unbelievable,” commented NFSC President Jane Macleod, who has spent more than a year planning and organizing with the support of many local businesses.
“I received so many comments on how well the event came off.”
In the Star 1 category the Nelson results were: Lila Mckechnie, Gold; Leo Measures, Silver; Helene Keating, Silver; Tia Berrens, Silver; Mallory Pinske, Silver; Aurora Panko-Dool, Bronze.
In Star 2 Isabella Kroker Kimber received Bronze while in Star 3 Tao measures received Silver and Angelica Ross, Bronze.
In these levels skaters do not compete against each other but receive rankings from the judges of Gold, Silver or Bronze.
Shaen Panko-Dool wrapped up her skating career by competing in two events, Bronze Elements and Star 4 Freeskate program finishing 8th and 9th in those events respectively.
Complete Nelson skating results can be seen at neslonfigureskating.com.
