Figure skaters prepare to perform in annual show

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

A year’s worth of hard work and success is about to be put on display for all to see.
The Strathmore Skating Cub is putting the finishing touches on group and solo routines that will be shown off at the annual Fire on Ice figure skating show April 13 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
With the Chinook Open serving as their final competition of the season this weekend, the skating club is ready to wrap up another successful campaign.
“It was a really great season. We saw improvement in all our skaters and saw them all make improvements in their skills in each of their programs,” said Jennifer Wickson, a coach with the Strathmore Skating Club.
As far as tangible results go, members of the club hauled in several medals.
Krista Pietrobono won gold at the STAR 4 level at the STARSkate Invitational in Sylvan Lake in February. Grace Little also took gold at the STAR 4 level while competing at the Calgary Winter Invitational two weeks ago, while Olivia Beardsell snagged silver in the same event.
Aislyn Shaw brought home silver at the STAR level 6 STARKSkate Invitational last December, while Emma Bittorf also sniped a silver at the Special Olympics Level 2 STARSkate and Adult Championships in Spruce Grove last weekend.
“Medals are bonuses; for us, it’s all about seeing the skaters improve as the season goes on. Sometimes we will have a skater win a medal one weekend and not win one the following weekend, but they were able to do another skill or element in their routine that they couldn’t do before — that is the kind of stuff we like to see out of our group,” said Wickson.
Other skaters who saw improvements in their routines and were rewarded with strong scores in competitions were Hailey Preston, Jaicey Birch, Kaitlyn Struiksma, Genevieve Hart and Grace Little.
“Now that competitions are done for the most part, everyone is excited and looking forward to our Fire on Ice show,” said Wickson. “It’s a chance for the kids to highlight everything they have been working on all season long.”
The skating club will be split up into three groups for combined skates to start off the show, followed by a couple of individual performances and capped by a synchronized skate program at the end. The performance lasts for two hours and starts at 6 p.m.
Already with an eye on next year, the Strathmore Skating Club is one of the several ice sport groups to be clamouring for a new arena. A new arena means more ice time, which means more programs, which means better development for the skaters.
But the kids in the club right now are focusing on showing off everything they have worked on this year for their family and friends, and members of the community.