The Olds Winter Wonderland Funskate Competition attracted several new clubs this year and that in turn brought out the best in local figure skaters, says Lori Milligan, president of the Olds Figure Skating Club.
Winter Wonderland was held Feb. 2 at the Sportsplex.
It attracted 96 skaters, including 24 from the Olds club. That's up a couple from last year.
"Sundre, Carstairs, Crossfield, Canmore, Three Hills were new to us," organizer Shannon Byrt said in an email. "Bowden, Didsbury, Innisfail and Blackfalds returned."
The Frosty group showcase earned gold in both the Olds competition and in the Delburne competition. It was also performed during ceremonies for the Canada Winter Games torch relay in Olds.
Following are some individual results:
Megan Byrt received gold in Canskate Team 5/6 , Creative 5/6 and the Frosty group showcase as well as a silver in Canskate Program 6.
Brooke Milligan won gold in Canskate program 5, Canskate team 5/6, and in the Frosty group showcase. She also received a bronze in Creative 5/6.
Peyton Milligan obtained gold in Canskate Program 6, Canskate Team 5/6, and in the Frosty group showcase. She also won silver in Creative 5/6.
Alya Koksal won gold in Canskate Team 5/6, and the Frosty group showcase. She also obtained silver in Canskate 5/6 and in Creative 5/6.
Ameila Hoffman got gold in Creative 5/6 and the Frosty group showcase. She also obtained silver in Canskate program 5/6.
"They did very well," Milligan said during an interview with the Albertan. "They got quite a few golds, actually; quite a few golds and silvers. There were only a few bronzes I think, so everyone did quite well.
"And we had quite a few good comments about how it went and how it was run, so that's always nice to have."
Milligan figures the extra competition from the new clubs, combined with the fact that Winter Wonderland is held at home, spurred Olds skaters to perform at a higher level.
"It's something they look forward to, for sure," she said. "It helps them prepare for it. Because it's at home and they get to show their friends and family (what they can do), it gives them a little bit more of a push to do better and prepare."
The next big event for Olds figure skaters is the annual carnival, which takes place March 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Sportsplex.
