A bunch of local youth are twirling and ice dancing their way through the winter blahs. Local figure skaters recently returned from the Didsbury Rising Star Fun Meet with a treasure trove of medals, and can't wait for the big ice show to come.
ìThere are new things you've gotta try every year,î said Alli Russell, who competed on the Fireflies team and won longest and highest spiral in the skills competition. ìI just like working on everything. Once you get it it's really fun.î
Innisfail's Fireflies wore neon pink body suits with multicoloured skirts while the Forget-Me-Nots competed in black body suits with royal blue shirts.
Erica Rafuse was on the Forget-Me-Nots and said she enjoyed having so many of her friends on the road trip with her.
ìWe won, so that was really fun,î she said. ìThere was other girls to talk to.î
StarSkate coach Sue Bullick said the smiles will stick with her from the event.
ìThey were all supporting each other,î she said. ìThey had such a great time. They did so well.î
Lisa Allan, secretary of Innisfail Skating Club, was glad to see such a strong showing for the local club at the Didsbury meet.
ìThis group of girls are really tight,î she said. ìEveryone got at least one medal.î
Rafuse won the longest shoot the duck and now can't wait for the ice show coming up Saturday, March 16.
ìWe all have our own numbers, there are group numbers and costumes,î she said. ìThere are lots of cool props and stunts. I'm a clown.î
The coaching staff is rounded out by StarSkate coach Dylan Bullick and PreStar coach pre star coach Jill Neilson. On Feb. 2 local pre-stars competed in a fun meet in Sylvan Lake.
