The Cochrane Skating Club is ready to build on a successful opening to its competitive season when club skaters glide into Invemere this weekend.
It will be the first time the club has competed in a BC event and Star 6 division skater Evelyn Archibald, 14, said she is excited about the fact the competition will feature elements and solo dance division, which the club normally doesn't see in Alberta.
Invemere will be the second time club skaters have put their skills to the test this season and they will look to build on the momentum from the Calgary Region STARSkate Invitational in Okotoks held prior to the Christmas break. Around 22 skaters attended that event, ranging from six years old to 16 combining for 21 medals/ribbons – five medals finishes out of a possible 10 in the ranked higher divisions and in the STAR events the skaters earned three gold ribbons, eight silver ribbons and five bronze ribbons. .
"I've never competed in elements before so I am quit excited for that," said Archibald about the upcoming competition in Invemere.
Skating competitively for the past five years of her 14-year career, Archibald has big goals this year. First she wants to work on landing the five main double jumps – double Salwchow, double toe-loop, double loop, double flip and double lutz.
"I already have four of the five," she said indicating the double lutz as the final landing she needs to stick.
The double axle, considered the most difficult jump in figure skating, isn't on Archibald's radar quite yet.
"The double A
xel is extremely difficult and it take a year or two to get," she said.
Aside from completing her four main jumps, Archibald is also looking to build on her point total after hitting her previous goal of 20 points.
"I would like to break a score of 25," she said. "To get that kind of score in the level I am in, it comes down to small details and skating really clean and well and just doing everything with proper technique."
With 10 full time senior skaters on the roster this yer, coach Karen Allison, who has been with club for 13 years, is excited about the prospects of her team which has five competitions scheduled in 2019.
"The club is strong right now and we have really good numbers at all our levels," said Allison.
With that in mind she will be using the next two events to gauge her skater's progression.
"I think those top skaters at the Star 6 level are very similar in their skills. As we have only had one competition, it will be interesting to see what happen in the next two events and where those skaters develop," she said.
As fo
r overall development goals, Allison said she would love to see more skaters pursue a higher level of competition but added that comes down to will of the skaters.
"Always coaches want to see more skaters look at the competitive skating and go into the A stream but that really comes down to the demographic of the club and the commitment level. You need to be skating all the sessions that are available and also committing to off ice training as well which we do offer at our club."
As it stands, Cochrane can expect to see big thing sfrom its figure skaters this year.
"We are really happy at how our club performs and competitive events and is often on the podium," said Allison.
Competition Schedule
• Invermere - Jan. 11 to 13
• Central Region STARSkate Invitational, Rocky Mountain House - Feb. 8 to 10
• South Region STARSKate Invitational, Lethbridge - March 1 to 3
• Starskate Championships Airdrie - March 22 to 24 (Provincials for StarSkate)
• Sunsational, Edmonton - April 19 to 21
