Some of western Canada's best young figure skaters will be twirling and spinning on Airdrie ice this weekend, during the Airdrie Skating Club's annual Fall Competitive Invitational.
The competition will be held at Genesis Place Recreation Centre on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, according to Chalsie Doiron, a long-serving coach with Airdrie's local figure skating club.
“It’s a more competitive competition, so that means skaters who are striving to get to the national level of competition,” she said, adding the athletes vying for spots on the podium will range in age from 10 to 18 from the four western-most provinces, as well as Northwest Territories.
“It’s going to be a high-level competition,” she said. “You’re going to see a lot of really strong athletes competing, trying to advance to the next level of their own competition. A lot of skaters are going to be striving for personal bests, as well.”
Due to the high calibre of performers in action, Doiron said most local figure skaters aren't quite at the level where they could qualify for this event. However, she said the Airdrie Skating Club will be represented at the Fall Competitive Invitational by ice-dance pair Heather Nunn and Benjamin Vatcher.
This is the second competition hosted in Airdrie this year, according to Doiron, who said such events are a boon for the Airdrie Skating Club's coffers.
“They're great fundraisers for the Airdrie Skating Club as well, so that's why we really enjoy hosting them,” she said. “When we're able to bring in competitions like this, it's good for the club.”
Competition gets underway at noon on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday. Those interested in checking out the competition can visit Airdrieskatingclub.com for more information. Doiron added the site includes skate times for Vatcher and Nunn, as well.
