Figure skaters from as far away as Camrose, Strathcona, Battleford, and Wainwright travelled to Bonnyville and the Centennial Centre this past weekend to compete in the 2011 North East Region Open and Zone 7 Winter Games Runoffs.
Over 150 skaters participated in the event, with 30 coming from Bonnyville, as well as five from Elk Point, six from St. Paul, and 24 from the Cold Lake skating clubs.
It is the first skating event of this size that Bonnyville has won a bid to host, and Tammy Costard, president of the Bonnyville Skating Club, said the event could not have been possible without the support of volunteers, as well as the officials and data specialists who volunteered their time.
“All weekend, we've had about 200 volunteers,” she said. “Everybody's doing a great job.”
Debbie Worthman, competition chair, agreed, saying, “It's been good. I'm really impressed with all the volunteers and all the help that we've had, as well as all the comments from the coaches and other clubs. It's been good feedback.”
Despite the hectic pace to make sure the event was a success, Costard added, “You still have to keep an eye on your girls, and they've been doing really well.”
Bonnyville was well-represented in the tournament, with local skater Paitan Molde saying, “Bonnyville's raking in the medals right now.”
Fellow skater Chantil Costard added, “We all tried our best. There's tough competition here.”
Molde participated in the preliminary elements category flight 2, as well as preliminary freeskate, flight 2, and senior bronze solo dance, flight 1, and Costard participated in senior bronze solo dance, flight 1, junior bronze runoffs, junior bronze elements, flight 1, and junior bronze freeskate, flight 1.
“The main point is just to have fun and try our best,” Costard added.
“Everybody has done their best and everybody has had their best skates,” Molde agreed.
“It doesn't matter where you place,” said Costard.
Bonnyville skater Amber Vasseur agreed, adding, “Just as long as you have fun and try your hardest.”
“It's not about all the medals or whatever else you get,” said Molde. “It's about love for the sport.”
The competitors were glad to host the tournament in Bonnyville, feeling it gave them a little bit of an edge over the competition and the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the building.
“It's home ice advantage,” Vasseur explained.
“Just like in hockey, you want the home ice advantage,” Costard agreed. “I like that you don't have to drive anywhere, that's the best.”
“And the dressing rooms probably smell more like hairspray than sweat now,” added Molde. “That's a good thing. They'll probably smell like that for a while.”
Costard laughed and added, “With sparkles all over the place, to brighten the mood.”
In total, Bonnyville competitors won 28 medals, with seven in gold, 11 in silver, and 10 in bronze.
Morgane Baxter won gold in flight one of introductory elements, while Alyson Carr took silver and Emma Popkie took bronze. In flight two, Sydney Carr won gold and Alias Skarsen bronze. Erin Peddle captured gold in flight three, while Ella Baxter was awarded silver.
Monique Ouellette won gold in flight four, and Kendra Moore took silver in flight five. Erika Moore won silver in flight six.
In the pre-preliminary event, Ashley Jackson won bronze in flight two, Lisa Ference won silver in flight four, Amber Vasseur won gold in flight six, Brooklyn Haygarth won silver in flight seven, and Vanessa Baer-Fylypiuk won bronze in flight seven.
In the preliminary event, Paitan Molde won bronze in flight two. Amber Vasseur won silver in junior bronze solo dance, and Chantil Costard won gold in senior bronze solo dance.
Paitan Molde was awarded silver in the preliminary freeskate event, and Ashley Jackson won bronze in flight three of the pre-preliminary freeskate. Kayley Drzazga won bronze in flight four.
In flight one of the pre-preliminary solo dance category, Sydney Carr won gold and Alyson Carr won silver.
In flight two, Kylie Johannesson won silver and Madison Worthman bronze. Monique Ouellette took bronze in flight three.
Ashley Jackson won silver in preliminary solo dance and Haley Campbell won bronze in flight two of the junior bronze freeskate.
