BOW VALLEY – Winter season has officially started as athletes from the Banff and Canmore figure skating club won eight medals (three gold, one silver, and four bronze) at the Star Series #1 in Calgary.
Banff’s Hannah Molina shined as one of the competition’s top stars, winning gold in the STAR 8 freeskate on Nov. 24, with skaters competing from Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
The 16-year-old said she is pleased that all the hard work she and her coaches put in had paid off.
“Being able to show the judges that is an even better experience,” said Molina. “I feel good that I started off strong and I’m hopeful and eager to do better in all the coming competitions.”
Also medalling in their respective categories were Valerie Laferriere (gold, bronze), Mio Yuda (gold), Amelia Jacques (silver), Leilah Molina (bronze), Niko Iwasaki (bronze), and Maya Aura (bronze).
For Yuda, Jacques, Iwasaki and Aura, it was the young athletes’ first time in Star 4, meaning they were being ranked and judged based on their performances.
While Jacques and Iwasaki said it was a fun experience, there were some nerves from others.
“Sometimes I feel that skating is as much of a mental sport as it is a physical sport, so I was certainly nervous but I had to try my best to keep calm,” said Aura, 15.
“It was really nice because I got to get back out there and compete again and attempt some of the harder jumps and really worked and tried my best to compete.”
Gold medal winner Yuda, 11, landed a single axel in her solo for the first time during her routine, saying it was a little challenging, but overall, felt at ease when the spotlights were on.
Other local athletes who competed were Abigail Wagner, who had a fifth place finish in Star 5 artistic, Madelaine Dubois with fifth place finishes in Star 6 freeskate and Star 7 artistic, and Izabel Dubois with a pair of fourth place finishes in Star 6 freeskate and Star 7 artistic.
On Dec. 12, the local figure skating club is hosting its annual Holidays gala, Sugar and Spice, at the Canmore Recreation Centre starting at 5 p.m. Entrance is free with a food bank donation.
