Their skates are sharp and so are their routines, as the Beaver Valley Skating Club (BVSC) gets set to host the West Kootenay Invitational skate competition this weekend at the Beaver Valley Arena.
Following a simulation skate last Friday, 19 BVSC skaters are primed and ready to compete against over 100 skaters from the East and West Kootenay and the Okanagan.
The Beaver Valley skaters participated in a competition simulation to prepare for the upcoming event. The simulation helps the skaters practice their disciplines, calms their nerves, and gives new competitors the confidence to compete in front of their home crowd and judges, many for the first time.
Led by head coach Lis Iannone, the skaters have been training hard and are looking forward to the upcoming Invitational.
“This will be the first competition of the season for many of our skaters,” said BVSC skating coach Jillian Sibbald. “For those skaters, many will be participating in multiple skating events.”
In all, there will be 52 events over three days, ranging from Freeskate to Dance and Interpretive and Elements programs. The event also helps skaters prepare for regional and provincial competitions later in the season and will see visiting judges coming from the Okanagan, the coast, and Vancouver Island to lend their expertise.
The BVSC had lots of help and community support, something Sibbald says is key in hosting and accomodating all the competitors, coaches, and families.
“The Beaver Valley Skating Club and the West Kootenay Invitational Organizing Committee cannot thank our generous community and our local sponsors enough for their support,” said Sibbald. “Without their generosity, hosting a competition of this magnitude would not be possible.”
The event starts Friday at 3 p.m. and continues until Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Admission is free, everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our skaters.
