More than 900 figure skaters came to Langley to take part in “Winterskate,” the 2020 B.C. Coast Region Championships, which wrapped up Sunday at the Langley Sportsplex after four days of competition.
All ages and all areas of the province were represented at the annual event, the first time it has been hosted by the Langley Skating Club (LSC).
There were some out-of-province visitors, too, with one coming from as far away as Saskatchewan, organizers said.
Event co-chair M.J. Holmquist, explained skill levels range from beginners to advanced, with competitors ranked by ability.
“You could have an 11-year-old, if they’re at that skill level, compete with older skaters,” Holmquist told the Langley Advance Times.
Several of the 38-member LSC team who took part made trips to the podium.
Among the medalists were Brieanna Bright, who won gold in both artistic and free skates, as well as Alexandra Ye, Lizzie Park, Alyson Cox and Isabella Zhou who won bronze in various events.
Coach and club co-director Rob Woodley was pleased with the results.
“It went better than expected,” Woodley commented, especially considering the club couldn’t practice at George Preston for two weeks due to the Canadian junior curling championships.
“The best part was, some of the girls who didn’t get to the podium skated their best [point totals],” Woodley said.
Winterskate was the biggest competition in club history, according to Woodley,.
“We’ve hosted other events, but not this size,” said Woodley, who praised club volunteers for making it run smoothly.
Karen Nash, on the LSC organizing committee, said the number of medals was a measure of how much the club has grown in ability.
“It wasn’t so long ago that none of our girls were landing axels,” Nash related.
READ ALSO: Langley figure skater takes gold at Autumn Leaves
Langley Skating Club is known for it’s biannual show, which last year saw 160 skaters in two performances of The Greatest Show On Ice, a tribute to both the film about the life of famous impresario P.T. Barnum, and the modern Cirque Du Soleil.
READ ALSO: It’s the Greatest Show On Ice and it’s happening in Langley
Held in March of 2019, the show drew about 800 to George Preston Recreation Centre and generated $7,400 in ticket sales.
Aleksa Rakic, the 2019 junior national men’s champion was the featured guest skater and the Lower Mainland Open synchro skating team kicked off both shows.
Complete Langley skaters results – 2020 B.C. Coast Winterskate:
Pre-Juvenile Ladies Under 13:
– ALEX YE – 3rd place – bronze medal
Star 6 Ladies:
– LUCY ZHOU – 4th place
– AMY XIE – 6th place
Star 5 Artistic:
– BRIEANNA BRIGHT – 1st place – Gold Medal
Star 5 Ladies 13& Over:
– BRIEANNA BRIGHT- 1st place – Gold Medal
– ISABELLA ZHOU – 3rd place
– MAHLEAH GAERTNER – 4th place
– CAITY NASH – 9th place
Star 4 Ladies Under 10:
– ALLY COX – 3rd place – Bronze Medal
Star 4 Ladies Under 13:
– LIZZIE PARK – 3rd place – Bronze Medal
– MAYA TOWSTYKA – 4th place
– HANNAH LI – 6th place
– ANNALIESE BECKMANN – 9th place
– TRACY ZHOU – 11th place
Star 4 Ladies 13& Over:
– MELISSA KIM – 4th place
– TARYN ELL – 5th place
– EMMA NASH – 10th place
Star 3 Ladies:
– SAMANTHA LAU – Bronze Level
– IRENA LIN – Silver Level
– CAELYNN DAY – Silver Level
– MAYA ROEDIGER – Silver Level
– CHARMAINE SONG – Silver Level
– ALINE FARAHAT – Silver Level
– ERICA LANGE – Silver Level
Star 2 Girls:
– TAYLAH MERCIER – Bronze Level
– SABRINA LAU – Bronze Level
– EVA SUN – Bronze Level
– EILEEN BAE – Bronze Level
– SOPHIE LALLI – Silver Level
– AIMEE LONG – Bronze Level
– MEGAN ISAAK – Silver Level
Star 1 Girls:
– HANNAH LEE – Silver Level
– ELVINA LEUNG – Bronze Level
– ANASTASYA SHOKINA – Silver Level
– HANNAH WANG – Silver Level
– AIYANA RANDHAWA – Silver Level
– EMILY HOU – Silver Level
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
