Figure Skating
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FIGURE SKATING NEWS
Lower Mainland Juvenile Women Figure skaters shine at the 2012 BC Winter Games
By Mary Jackson
Kayla Oxland, 11, of North Vancouver, received a gold medal in Juvenile Women's Figure Skating at the 2012 BC Winter Games held in Vernon. Oxland, representing Zone 5, Vancouver-Squamish, had a score of 32.62 for the free program. Kayla skated a clean program to classical music.
"I'm happy that I had a clean skate and the spins were better than I've ever done them. I like how the crowd started clapping to the music because it makes me want to push even harder. I'm happy that I got all my combinations in and I'm proud of how I skated," Oxland says.
Bianca Duca, 11, of Richmond, represented Zone 4, Fraser River Delta. Duca received a silver medal for her performance with a score of 29.32.
Skater Cristina Delmaestro, 12, of Port Moody, skated to a Bronze medal finish with a score of 28.62. Delmaestro represented Zone 3, Fraser Valley. Her program, set to jazz music, was fast and energetic.
Medals were presented by Vicki Proulx of Sun FM, John Willis of Willis eTech Ltd., and Michael Kinghorn of Kal Tire.
Skaters needed to demonstrate both their technical skills as well as their ability to perform under pressure. Sometimes, the pressure seemed overwhelming to some of these young athletes. The Games provide a good opportunity to experience competitions and build confidence. The athletes make new friends and build memories that will last a lifetime.
Thirteen young women from throughout the Province participated in the Juvenile Women's event.
The Juvenile category includes young women over the age of 9 and under the age of 12. The category requires a free skating program of two and a half minutes in length and composed according to Skate Canada program requirements.
Vancouver Figure skaters Emma Carr and Danielle Gordon bring home gold and silver
By Mary Jackson
Emma Carr, 14, of Vancouver, received a gold medal in Pre-Novice Women's Figure Skating at the 2012 BC Winter Games held in Vernon. Carr, representing Zone 5, Vancouver-Squamish, had a total combined score of 76.16 for the Short and Free Programs. Carr, skating to classical music, demonstrated both grace and fluidity throughout her program.
Danielle Gordon, 13, also from Vancouver and representing Zone 5, Vancouver-Squamish, received a silver medal for her performance with a combined score of 72.79. Gordon showed good speed and flow on the ice and gave a lot of energy to her program.
"I had a really good skate," Danielle said, "Definitely my personal best."
"The Games are stressful, but then I realized that it was all about having fun and meeting people so I got to learn about it and I definitely got to meet new people and it's been really fun," Gordon explained.
Skater Mackenzie Wavryk, 14, from Victoria, skated to a Bronze medal finish with a score of 71.74. Wavryk represented Zone 6, Vancouver Island-Central Coast.
Medals were presented by Vicki Proulx of Sun FM, John Willis of Willis eTech Ltd., and Michael Kinghorn of Kal Tire.
Twenty-two women participated in the two day Pre-Novice Women's event, representing seven of the eight Zones in the province. Coaches are chosen for each Zone and work with all the skaters in that region to help them perform their best.
"They're very excited to be at the Games," notes Zone 5 Head Coach Darcee Matthews. "The skaters are like racehorses in the starting gate before their programs begin."
The Pre-Novice Women's category includes young women over nine years of age and under 15 years of age. The category requires both a short program of two and a half minutes in length as well as a free program of three minutes in duration. Medal standings are established based on the combined scores of the two programs.
Mangabat of Surrey earns gold medal in Juvenile Men figure skating
By Mary Jackson
Benjamin Mangabat, 13, of Surrey earned a gold medal in the 2012 BC Winter Games Juvenile Men's Freeskate Figure Skating competition held at Priest Valley Arena in Vernon. Mangabat is one of seven skaters representing
Zone 3, Fraser Valley.
Mangabat narrowly edged ahead of the only other skater in the men's juvenile category, Benjam Papp, 12, of Burnaby. Papp is one of ten skaters from Zone 4, Fraser River Delta.
Mangabat's program, set to the music of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," was artistic and entertaining. Papp impressed the audience as well with his fast paced skating and jumps.
Both skaters began skating at the early age of five. Papp comes from a family of skaters; three of his siblings
skate and his mother won a ladies champion figure skating event in her native Finland and later worked as a skating
coach. Mangabat, the sole skater in his family, pursued figure skating after his mom tried to get him involved in hockey.
"I liked it better," he said.
When asked what his key to success is, Mangabat replied: "Lots of practice, especially on my artistic side of skating."
"I like a lot of things about skating. I like creating the wind in my hair, gliding on the ice and expressing feelings on the
ice," Mangabat added. His goal in attending his first winter games is to have fun and have a good experience.
"It was the opportunity to come here," he added.
The Juvenile Men's category includes competitors under the age of 13. The category requires a free skating program to music of two and a half minutes in length and composition according to the Skate Canada program requirements.
A total of 41 figure skaters from around the province will compete over the two day event.
Port Coquitlam's Alexander Lawrence Captures Gold Medal in Figure Skating
By Mary Jackson
Alexander Lawrence, 15, of Port Coquitlam, skated to a strong gold-medal finish in the Pre-Novice Men's category at the 2012 BC Winter Games held in Vernon. Lawrence, representing Zone 3, Fraser Valley, placed well ahead of his fellow competitors with a total combined score of 52.43 for the Short and Free Programs. His free program was impressive with the landing of two double axels and a program that demonstrated clean lines and precise technique.
"I'm feeling happy." Lawrence said. "I got all my jumps, combo's, and presentation, so it well really well." Lawrence
plans to retire his current program and develop a new routine for his next competition.
Kelvin Koon, a 14 year old from Vancouver, representing Zone 5, Vancouver-Squamish, skated an artistic program to the theme of Dragonheart. Koon captured the Silver Medal with a combined score of 37.37.
Skater Austin Ma, 13, from Burnaby representing Zone 4, Fraser River Delta, received a Bronze medal for his skate and a combined score of 34.37.
Also skating at the Pre-Novice Men's performance was Justin Ma, 14, representing Zone 4, Fraser River Delta.
While the field of skaters was smaller than the women's categories, the quality of skating was equally impressive.
The young men have formed a tight bond over the course of the competition.
"They are enjoying their independence and the entire experience," notes Zone 4 Adult Supervisor and parent, Martin Ma.
The Pre-Novice Men's category includes young men over nine years of age and under 16 years of age. The category requires both a short program of two and a half minutes in length as well as a free program of three minutes in duration. Medal standings are established based on the combined scores of the two programs.
Family Ties Run Deep in Figure Skating
By Mary Jackson
Many of the figure skaters competing at the 2012 BC Winter Games have multiple skaters in their family. Support from their family, whether they are skaters or not, is key to the success of these athletes.
Jasmine Wood, 13, of Kelowna skates for Zone 2, Thompson-Okanagan, and is accompanied by her mother Jennifer Wood. Jennifer, who also serves as adult supervisor for the Zone 2 team, knits and watches the competition.
"Knitting keeps me relaxed throughout the day and takes my mind off the stress," she says.
Wood continues, "Our motto is to encourage the skaters to tell a beautiful story on the ice, because it's mesmerizing."
"This allows the skaters to face their own personal challenges but in the end everyone has a successful story to tell," Wood concludes.
Rosalynn Carr, 12, from Zone 2 (West Kelowna), shares her story. "My mom judges figure skating and when I was two years old she had to leave for two weeks to judge different competitions, so this is one memory that stuck in my head and became my little two year old goal to go to the Games."
Brothers Austin, 13, and Justin Ma, 14, skate for Zone 4, Fraser River Delta. Their father, Martin Ma, is also the Zone 4 Adult Supervisor.
"Just keeping the schedule is a steady job for my wife and myself." he says. "We have to support our kids and make sure they're doing routine training and make sure that they have time management skills. At their age, schooling is also very important and we always have that job task," he adds.
Ma's youngest daughter Amanda is also a skater. "Amanda is working hard at her skating, hoping to reach this level too."
Jodi Stemberger, 12, of Fernie is one of the athletes in the pre-Novice Women's category. Her mother, Diana Stemberger, is the Adult Supervisor for Zone 1 – Kootenays.
Diane Stemberger began skating at three years of age and subsequently taught and coached figure skating for 24 years – ten of those with her daughter Jodi. "Being at the games, I really miss doing the choreography and working with the kids. Now my role is to keep calm and support our athletes."
Danika Hommy, 14, of Dawson Creek is also accompanied by her mother, and Zone 6 Assistant Coach, Kelly Hommy. Kelly skated in two BC Winter Games, held in Penticton and Duncan and now coaches skating in Dawson Creek. The 2012 Vernon Games is Danika's second BC Winter Games.
Surrey Skater Leads Juvenile Men's Figure Skating
By Mary Jackson
Benjamin Mangabat of Surrey, BC placed first in the 2012 BC Winter Games Juvenile Men's Freeskate Figure Skating competition held at Priest Valley Arena in Vernon on Friday.
The 13 year old Mangabat, one of seven skaters representing the Fraser Valley, narrowly edged ahead of the only other skater in the men's juvenile category, 12- year-old Benjam Papp of Burnaby.
Papp is one of ten skaters from Zone 4, Fraser River Delta.
Mangabat's program, set to the music of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," was artistic and entertaining.
Papp impressed the audience as well with his fast paced skating and jumps.
Both skaters began skating at the early age of five.
Papp comes from a family of skaters; three of his siblings skate and his mother won a ladies champion figure skating event in her native Finland, later working as a skating coach.
Mangabat, the sole skater in his family, pursued figure skating after his mom tried to get him involved in hockey.
"I liked it better," he said.
When asked what his key to success is, Mangabat replied: "Lots of practice, especially on my artistic side of skating."
I like a lot of things about skating. I like creating the wind in my hair, gliding on the ice and expressing feelings on the ice," Mangabat added. His goal in attending his first Winter Games is to have fun and have a good experience.
"It was the opportunity to come here," he added.
The Juvenile Men's category includes competitors under the age of 13. The category requires a free skating program to music of two and a half minutes in length and composition according to the Skate Canada program requirements.
Figure skating medals will be awarded for Juvenile Men, Juvenile Women, Pre-Novice Men and Pre-Novice Women on Saturday at Priest Valley.
A total of 41 figure skaters from around the province will compete over the two day event.
Vancouver-Squamish lead pre novice figure skating
By Mary Jackson
Three figure skaters from Zone 5, Vancouver-Squamish, lead the 2012 BC Winter Games pre-novice women's figure skating competition, following the short program.
The final medal winners will be determined following the Free Program which will be held at the Priest Valley Arena in Vernon on Saturday.
Danielle Gordon of Vancouver led the results with a clean program, followed by Emma Carr of Vancouver and Amy Webb of North Vancouver.
The Thompson-Okanagan, Zone 2, showed strongly as well with five competitors among the top ten finishers after the short program.
Jasmine Wood, and Breanne Bergvinson, 14, placed fourth and fifth respectively, while fellow skaters Hannah Delcourt, 13, placed eighth, Rosalyn Carr, 12, ninth, and Phoebe Kemp was in 10th place following the short program.
There were 22 competitors in total in the pre-novice women's category.
The competitors were really excited to be at the Games, meeting new friends and for many of them, experiencing the games for the very first time.
The Pre-Novice Women's category includes young women over nine years of age and under 15 years of age.
The category requires both a short program of two and a half minutes in length as well as a free program of three minutes in duration. Both programs must observe Skate Canada program requirements. Medal winners are established based on the combined scores of the two programs.
A total of 41 young men and women figure skaters from around the province will compete over the two day event.
Lawrence Takes Pre Novice Men's Lead After Short Program
By Mary Jackson
Alexander Lawrence, a 14-year-old from Port Coquitlam, takes a strong lead after the Pre-Novice Men figure skating short program as part of the 2012 BC Winter Games held in Vernon.
Lawrence is one of eight skaters representing the Fraser Valley Zone.
Lawrence's goal for the games was to "Skate a clean program, strive for my personal best score and do well."
Lawrence's skate, to classical jazz music, was crisp and confident.
Kelvin Koon, 14, hails from Vancouver and trains in Coquitlam. Koon, skating to the Sherlock Holmes soundtrack, placed second after the short program.
"I like the freedom to express yourself and jump and spin," Koon noted. "To prepare for the games I do a lot of run-throughs and feeling relaxed and feeling confident.
"So far the experience (of the first Games) has been very good; all the teams are quite friendly and the staff is pretty good too," Koon added.
Two of the competitors in this category are brothers, Austin Ma, 13, and Justin Ma, 14.
"We're used to it. This is what we've done since we've started skating and competing – we've always been in the same category," shared Austin.
How is the games experience?
"Exciting. It's been really fun – making new friends and coming here for the first time," Austin notes.
"To prepare for the competition, we skate about six days a week, one to three hours each day." We have stretch class and endurance and a personal trainer for off-ice," Austin continued.
Their father, Martin Ma, accompanied them to the Games and serves as Zone 4's Adult Supervisor.
The Pre-Novice Men's category includes young men over nine years of age and under 16 years of age.
The category requires both a short program of two and a half minutes in length as well as a free program of three minutes in duration. Both programs must observe Skate Canada program requirements. Medal winners are determined based on the combined scores of the two programs.
A total of 41 young men and women figure skaters from around the province will compete over the two day event.
