Joey Payeur
It’s their time in the spotlight—and the majority of those in attendance will be firmly in their corner.
Members of the Border Skating Club will be looking to feed off the support of an adoring home crowd at the Ice For Kids Arena this weekend during the Sunset Country Regional Interclub 2011 Competition—their biggest meet of the figure skating season.
The event, which will feature CanSkate, STARSkate, and Competitive classes, kicks off Friday at noon and runs until 8:30 p.m.
The opening ceremonies, featuring the Fort Frances Highlanders, is slated for 6:30 p.m.
Saturday’s action will run from 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m., with Sunday’s schedule going from 8-10:30 a.m.
“It is an advantage to be at home,” said local CanSkate coach Penny McComb.
“The pressure is always there, but it’s a comfort to step out on your own ice,” she explained.
“You know where the judges will be, where the boards are. There’s more familiarity.
“But the pressure to perform in front of friends and family is still huge,” McComb stressed.
Roughly 185 skaters from 10 communities will participate at the regionals, with 47 of those representing the local club.
“We normally have a good haul [of regional medals] and we expect the same this year,” said local STARSkate coach Nicole Campbell.
“Last year, we brought home a good number of the regional trophies.”
Campbell also noticed a tangible jump in the energy level of her skaters in recent practices as the big weekend nears.
“They’re working hard,” she lauded. “I’ve definitely noticed they have stepped up their game.
“I know they’re going to fare well.”
McComb’s CanSkate group may be at the low end of the totem pole when it comes to competitive experience, but that doesn’t mean their approach to the regionals differs from older skaters in the club.
“They skate to their own level, but they have to do what’s asked of them on demand and they have just the one chance to do it,” noted McComb.
“The most important thing is their development and participation and the thrill of being there, but they’re still being evaluated.”
The regional meet also will act as the swan song for longtime club members Sarah DeGagne and Michael Nelson, who will graduate from the senior category after this season.
Both will compete in their respective singles categories this weekend, but Nelson also will be on tap to do a special exhibition skate with longtime pairs partner, Sophie Potvin-Begin.
The duo is unable to compete as a team at the regionals because no other pairs from the region are participating here this weekend.
