INNISFAIL - Local figure skaters took to the ice last weekend for their annual grand year-end showcase and a thoroughly entertained crowd was decidedly dazzled.
The annual event took place March 11 at the Innisfail Arena.
Nicole Sabasch, one of three coaches with the Innisfail Skating Club, said it was great to see skaters perform in the event.
"Today is a great day for our skaters to show their progress, their achievements and how far they've come in the year," said Sabasch. "Öthat they've worked so hard in the last six months to achieve certain goals."
She noted all coaches, family members and friends could be proud of the skaters' hard work throughout the year.
"They've all done so well," she added.
Sabasch noted the different levels of skaters participating in the event and the different abilities each level demonstrates.
"Our showcase shows all of the levels in our program here in Innisfail," she explained. "From our Can-Skate, which is our learn to skate and our flagship program to our Pre-Star program, which is a transitional program into the Star-Skate program."
Justin Ma-Phan, 14, has been with the club for three years and made his third appearance in the year-end showcase on Saturday.
"I like the showcase because you get to see everyone else's creativity and skills," said Ma-Phan, who performed a solo in the event. "You get to meet so many people (through skating) and you get to form friendships that last a long time."
Madi Blazenko, 10, was completing her first year with the local club.
"We've been learning twirls, jumps and glides," she said. "I really love to skate. I wasn't nervous, I was really excited," she said of her group performance on Saturday.
Sabasch noted the encouragement from the community.
"It's wonderful to see the community support us and support our skaters."
Nicole Sabasch, skating coach
"Today is a great day for our skaters to show their progress, their achievements and how far they've come in the year."
