Skating competition a shining success

February 25, 2022 News

BY KIM LANGEN

Despite a blizzard, icy roads and frigid temperatures, last weekend’s regional skating competition held in town was an overall success.

Melissa Blixhavn, the event’s chair for the Killarney Figure Skating Club, said she was thrilled with both the turnout to the 2022 Skate Canada Manitoba West Regional Competition, and the smooth running of the two-day event held at the Shamrock Centre.

“The numbers were good,” said Blixhavn. “Just about every skater made it in. A few skaters, along with a synchro team, could not make it in due to weather, but the majority of the registered skaters attended for their events. We had around 145 competitors, coming from as far as Roblin, Russell, Dauphin, Morden and Winkler, and Carman. We started on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. We were right on time.”

She added that the big event, hosted by Skate Canada and the Killarney Figure Skating Club, ran smoothly, happily, and impressed the visitors.

“Overall it was a great weekend,” said Blixhavn. “I am absolutely happy. It was great. From officials to judges, to skaters and coaches – they all gave positive feedback, and said that the Shamrock was a fantastic facility. Skate Canada liked working with us, and would like to host another event with us in the future at the Shamrock Centre. The ice was great, and it was kept in top-notch shape. There were no glitches – except for the weather.”

Blixhavn included the following information and results on the regional competition, held on February 19 to 20, 2022 at the Shamrock Centre in Killarney.

18 different clubs represented: Boissevain, Carberry, Carman, Elkhorn, Hartney, Killarney, Melita, Morden, Neepawa, Notre Dame, Pilot Mound, Rivers, Rolling, Russell, Skate Brandon, Virden, Waskada, and Winkler.

149 skaters registered in 32 different events: Fifteen Killarney Skaters competed in singles events, plus four more joined as part of the Pre-novice Gravity Synchro Team, and performed an Exhibition Skate during opening ceremonies.

Ranked events results for Killarney skaters (with medals): Payton Blixhavn – star 4 u 13 free Skate – silver; Emily Dousselare – star 5 o 13 free skate – awaiting results (judged offsite); Kealani Webb – star 5 o 13 free skate- awaiting results (judged offsite); Payton Blixhavn – star 5 artistic – silver; Emily Dousselaere – star 7 artistic – gold; Charlise Bisson – star gold artistic – gold.

Gravity Synchro Elementary – gold medal: Anna Archambault, Claire Archambault, Kaley Bekiaris, Sophia Rain Cardenas-Guinana, Macy Coolen, Lily Groening, Violet Sawatsky, Njiva Museka (Boissevain), Meagan Glover (Boissevain), Madison Jones (Melita), and Brooke Jones (Melita).

Assessed events – Ribbons

Canskate elements 3: Keziah Groening – gold; Felicity Sawatsky – gold.

Creative improv 1: Lily Groening – silver.

Star 1 free skate: Claire Archambault – gold; Lily Groening – gold.

Star 2 free skate: Anna Archambault – silver; Annalouise Gie – silver; Teagan Guenther – silver; Violet Sawatsky – silver.

Star 2 elements: Teagan Guenther – silver; Violet Sawatsky – silver.

GOLD MEDAL PERFORMANCES – The Killarney Figure Skating Club’s Emily Dousselaere (above) and Charlise Bisson (below) both received gold medals for their artistic skate performances at the 2022 Skate Canada Manitoba West Regional Competition, which was hosted by the club last weekend at the Shamrock Centre. Despite a blizzard, icy roads and frigid temperatures, the competition was a success.

GRAVITY PRE-NOVICE – The Killarney Figure Skating Club’s Gravity Pre-novice Synchro team wowed the crowd with an amazing secret agent themed synchronized skate during the event’s opening ceremonies on Saturday.

GRAVITY ELEMENTARY – Killarney’s Gravity Synchro Elementary team put in another gold medal winning synchronized skate at last weekend’s big regional event at the Shamrock Centre.

GRAVITY GOLD – Members of the Gravity Synchro Elementary team were awarded with their gold medals after their big skate. See both teams together in a photo below, just prior to hitting the ice for their performances, and keep scrolling for more photos of Killarney Figure Skating Club’s medal winning skaters.

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTOS

GRAVITY GIRLS – Back row (from left): Danika McCausland, Kealani Webb, Emily Dousselaere, Charlise Bisson, Emma Ward, Kendra Sanders, and Paige Wanless of the Gravity Pre-novice Sychro team. Missing: Jenna Nicholson. Middle row: Violet Sawatsky, Kaley Bekiaris, Anna Archambault, Brooke Jones, and Meagan Glover. Front row: Madison Jones, Njiva Museka, Claire Archambault, Sophia Rain Cardenas-Guinana, Lily Groening, and Macy Coolen of the Gravity Synchro Elementary team.

RACHAEL SAWATSKY/PHOTO