The Beaver Valley Skating Club (B.V.S.C) came out on top as over 100 skaters from across the Kootenays descended on Beaver Valley Arena on the weekend for the Kootenay Regional Figure Skating championship.
“The Beaver Valley Skaters had a great weekend,” said organizer/treasurer Shelley Verhelst. “We had 18 skaters competing in four disciplines, with many skaters achieving personal-best skates.”
The B.V. Arena was bustling with activity, as organizers coordinated a seamless event, with 115 competitors, judges, prize tables, photographers, and ample food for participants and supporters.
“It was a fun weekend had by all who attended: skaters, parents, and spectators. This could not have happened without the many hours volunteers put in before and during the competition.”
With special thanks to officials who travelled from Vancouver Island, the coast, Armstrong, Vernon, Cranbrook, Fernie, and Nelson, added Verhelst.
Figure skaters from 11 different clubs in the East and West Kootenay competed in the Regional competition with the B.V. Skating Club winning the Barclay Team Trophy for the most points overall, and B.V.S.C. skater Brenna Paulsen taking the Ferraro Foods Award for gold in her category. Cranbrook was awarded the Most Sportsmanlike trophy.
Results:
In the Star 4, U13, Group 1 category, Paulsen captured first and Claire Sibbald took second while Yvonne Gregory was second in Group 2.
In Star 4 over-13 Rossland’s Desiree Cassidy finished third. Sianna Tomich also of Rossland came second in Juvenile women and first in Silver Interpretive, while B.V skater Taryn Verhelst came second and Serena Deadmarsh skated to a third-place finish, with Mackenzie Walts in fourth. Tomich also one the Gold Dance portion with Deadmarsh placing second.
In Elements 2 the team of Walts and Verhelst captured first, while Paulsen and Gregory were one and two in Junior Silver dance.
Meanwhile, Jacob Verhelst who will be competing in the B.C. Winter Games at the end of the month, claimed first in Pre-novice Men and in Elements 5, and second in Gold Interpretive behind brother Robert also from B.V.S.C.
Rossland skater Jade Gaudet finished second in Pre-introductory Interpretive Group 2.
In the group portion of Elements 1, Brenna Paulsen, Claire Sibbald, Jasmine Drolet, and Yvonne Gregory had a gold-medal performance, while Jillian Leslie, Annika Cheveldave, Candice Soukeroff, and Desiree Cassidy won silver, and Brian Chan, Anna Shin, and Sarah and Megan Cousins took bronze.
Jillian and Emma Leslie teamed up to take first in Junior Bronze dance, as Jasmine Drolet captured top spot in Senior Bronze dance and Sibbald claimed second place to cap off a great weekend.