LITTLE CURRENT—A year’s preparation came to fruition for the 92 figure skaters from 11 clubs that came to the Skate Canada Manitoulin Island Skate 2017 event held at the Northeast Town recreation centre March 31 to April 1.
Sanctioned by Skate Canada Northern Ontario, Island Skate has been a fixture on the figure skating calendar for many years.
“This was my first year on the committee,” said coordinator Brenda Francis. Getting a first hand front row role in what goes on behind the scenes to make each Island Skate a success, Ms. Francis was effusive in her praise of the volunteers and officials. “I was very appreciative of the time and effort that volunteers, many of them parents, put into the event,” she said. “I came to realize just how much work they put in each year.”
during Island Skate 2017.
photos by Michael Erskine
Ms. Francis said that in talking to the parents, coaches and officials this year she found that sentiment reflected dozens of times over.
“Everyone had their different responsibilities and tasks,” she said. “Everything ran very smoothly over the entire weekend.
“I would like to welcome all the skaters, families and spectators to our 30th annual Island Skate,” said Skate Manitoulin President Lori Clark. “The joy and happiness on skaters’ faces, the chatter from the dressing rooms and the cheers from the crowd make all the sweat and tears from putting this together all worth it. I hope each and every one of you make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.”
This year’s organizing committee included Ms. Francis, Ms. Clark, Tracy Chapman, Nicole Taylor and Andrea Lewis, supported by a host of willing volunteers.
Officials for this year’s Island Skate included technical representative Jane Drolet, data specialists Teresa Perdicou and Ms. Cousimeau, and judges Kim Bordeleau, Mary Henderson, Teresa Perdicou, Nicole Cousimeau, Kirsten Swanson, Dawn Robinson, Sylvie Jeanneault, Amelia Schaffner and Alex Duncan.
The poise and confidence of the young skaters was simply amazing to witness as they went through their routines and elements over the course of the weekend.
Ms. Francis noted that they were very excited this year as four Pre-Star skaters were taking part. “Their excitement was contagious,” she said. “It was a great experience for them.” Skate Manitoulin also had five skaters at the Star level competing at Island Skate.
“Watching the skaters all year as they prepared for this weekend, I was so proud to see them so confident, so poised, it was wonderful to watch,” said Ms. Francis.
