It was a first place finish for Saanich’s Desiree Grubell in Level 2 and a second place finish for View Royal’s Emily Walzak in Level 3 in Special Olympics figure skating at the B.C. Winter Games taking place in Kamloops this week.
Walzak and Grubell are among eight Special Olympics figure skaters from across the province invited to participate in the B.C. Winter Games, along with two Victoria coaches, Tess Van Straaten and Kailee Bowman.
Walzak says it has been fun representing Vancouver Island at the provincial games this week and being on a team with other athletes from other sports.
“I’m happy with my performance. I did the best I could. It’s not always about winning, it’s about doing your best and cheering on your teammates.”
Grubell, meanwhile, who trains with Walzak at the Oak Bay Figure Skating Club, says she is pleased to have had her performance judged as gold level on her report card.
Region 6 Figure Skating Head Coach Tess Van Straaten says it has been a fantastic experience for her athletes.
“It’s so wonderful to watch our athletes skate their hearts out and have the whole arena cheering for them. Sport is such an incredible opportunity for growth and personal development and our athletes inspire me every single day. This is my second time coaching at the B.C. Winter Games and it’s been such an honour to do it again and work with athletes and coaches from around the province.”
There are over 1,500 athletes competing in 19 sports this week in Kamloops. B.C. Games extended the invitation to Special Olympics athletes from two sports – figure skating and basketball.
