Five dollars - it can get you some junk food or a tavern beverage, but the feeling from that wouldn't last nearly as long or be nearly as much fun as attending Unity's own Battle of the Blades.
This show had definite wow factor.
Nine skating pairs had been practising three hours a week for six weeks to perfect their numbers for this show - all to benefit the Unity Skating Club. The nine male skaters consisted of a high school student, a math teacher, two investment bankers, a SaskPower worker, an oilman and three local business owners. The girls are all members of the local skating club.
These performers delivered two and a half hours of fantastic family entertainment. There were thrills, chills and, thankfully, no spills. There were 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' and plenty to cheer about.
I walked into the arena and was greeted by the sharply dressed Larrie Thalheimer. That gigantic grin told me he was ready to put his hard work to the test. I chatted with him briefly and he felt his chances were pretty good although he did not discount the tough competition. Skater Rayel Green told me that if she and Chad skated their full routine with no slip-ups their chances were also good.
Rayel's brother and fellow competitor, Chase Green said he felt their routine held the highest technical difficulty. He was one of several male skaters who stated how much fun they were having and didn't want it to end.
Todd Chorney also felt his and Megan Bloder's chances were good. He wondered if Larrie wasn't the man to beat because of his pre-event vote pedalling or, perhaps, Todd chuckled, Larrie would garner the sympathy vote.
The crowd flowed in steadily from the 6 p.m. opening. Most spectators were highly anticipatory of what they were about to see in this inaugural event. Fan, and friend of the figure skaters, Toni Burnell told me, "I am very excited for the show to see the fabulous skating I have heard about. I don't have a favourite team as I am excited to see them all. I will be voting by how they skate."
The club had over 30 volunteers posted in various places in the rink, running the gate, selling 50/50 tickets, manning the voting stations, and including MC, music man and backstage directors. Judges Curtis McLean, Gerald Hauta and Bea Stephenson were seated in the players' box so they could see each pairs' performance and give their thoughts following each free skate number. Their judging styles added to the entertainment value of the evening.
Seeing the full stands across from the press box, noticing folks in bleachers on the dressing room side of arena, as well as the full bleachers in the lobby led me to estimate around 350 or more attended. And it was an active crowd, clapping to the music, cheering loudly for jumps and spins and applauding heartily before and after each number.
Each pair skated a dance routine, which to an untrained eye looked simple. However, non figure skaters should note it consisted of the proper edges, turns and co-ordinated moves, as partners, to complete the number. Something not all hockey players are accustomed to, but those gentlemen competing made it look easy.
Todd Chorney and Megan Bloder led the pack with their free skate and executed it flawlessly. Todd was commended by the judges on his landing, control and spins. Megan was commended on being a flawless partner and great performer.
Chase Green and Katy Robertson definitely held the fearless youth category in hand. You could feel the collective audience breath being held with their lifts and throws. And the audience belted out loud cheers for their successes. The judges proclaimed this duo was the future of pair's figure skating.
You could tell the next duo was going to be a fan favourite as loud "whoop whoops" were heard when Jenna and Larrie entered in their white shirts, sunglasses and other unique costume choices. By far, Larrie had the biggest smile from start to finish of the entire event. Being that he had not skated in eight years, some had doubts about his ability to pull this off. However, those doubts were quickly laid to rest as he and Jenna rocked the Risky Business soundtrack to hoots and hollers from the appreciative crowd. Judge Bea got some great laughs when she quipped, "See? You can teach an old dog new tricks!"
I felt Ken Parker and Brandi Braun's rendition of Runaround Sue was the most entertaining program of the night. Ken played the part of the jilted man so well. It captured the audience's attention right off the start and no one wanted to take their eyes off them throughout the number. Judge Gerald teased Ken about his early practices, trying to integrate math concepts into step-by-step learning of his number, but admitted it must have worked because their program had raised the bar a little higher for skaters to follow.
Dan Feser was another competitor people paid to come and watch. And they got their money's worth with his and Courtney Boser's program done to a hard rock number. You could tell this duo was enjoying every moment of this experience, and that the crowd was loving it too. Judge Curtis reiterated his common theme for the night of "good job" as Judge Gerald commented on how 'the thingy they did over there was awesome."
Scott Smith and Robin Belliveau chose a terrific '70s theme that started out with audience members laughing at the get-ups (mostly Scott's), but throughout their program they wowed the crowd with both dance moves and skating manoeuvres well-executed. Judges were impressed with the hair and at the ability of Robin as a strong skating partner.
Brother and sister duo Kyla and Alex Van De Meutter, I thought, were the most synchronized pair for the night. They put out several wow factors with lifts and jumps and you couldn't help notice their giant smiles throughout the program proving how much they enjoyed the number. Judges joked that this event gave Alex the opportunity to throw his sister around.
Chad McLachlan and Rayel Green hit the costume nail on the head for their Sk8er Boi number, Chad sporting a "Chad is Rad" T-shirt and Rayel in a beautiful blue tutu. Judge Gerald noted how much fun Chad was having, especially considering his competitive nature.
Last but not least was the duo of Byron Bertoia and Shiraya Winterhalt skating to Sharp Dressed Man. Their flawless routine had folks amazed at Bryon's skating ability and Shiraya's partnering finesse.
Audience members were entertained with some surprises while waiting for the judges to tally the votes. The men decided that, seeing how the girls had taken them out of their comfort zone, they would offer the same experience to the girls, putting them through a hockey skills competition of skating races, shooting pucks and puck handling through obstacles. The girls surprised the audience and, I dare say, themselves, with their abilities.
Robin Belliveau won the fastest skater competition although it was Todd Chorney competing backwards against forward skating Brandi Braun that may have drawn the higher applause. Shiraya Winterhalt aced the puck shooting, going three out of three. And the puck handling was a toss-up between the now agile Larrie Thalheimer to the creative obstacle manoeuvring by Jenna Winterhalt.
The winner of Unity's Battle of the Blades was then announced - Byron Bertoia and Shiraya Winterhalt. After being awarded the trophy they took their victory lap around the arena. Byron told me he was somewhat surprised with the win but believes he and Shiraya aced the win with their hard work, spins and jumps all executed well. Neither knew how they were going to celebrate the win but Byron knew his kids would be very excited and Shiraya was anxious to meet with her family and friends, knowing how happy they would be as well.
It should be noted that the men all wore their hockey skates for both the dance and free skate portions of the event, including spins and jumps.
I talked with skating club president, Kerri Green, following the show. She was very, very pleased with the entire event. She said it couldn't have been done without the dedication of the skaters donating so much personal time to practices. The guys created the competitive atmosphere and the entire event generated a lot of excitement around town, evident in the good crowd that attended the event.
I asked her if the girls could rest now and she replied "they really don't have much time to rest as they will be catching up on other skating factors they had been missing since the beginnings of this endeavour." She also told me it won't be an annual event but they would consider doing this again in the future. I told her several pairs had said they weren't ready to be finished with this and they mentioned the possibility of reliving their role at the annual carnival. She replied with "you never know."
Following the event, I heard nothing but positive comments and saw fantastic salutes to all participants on many Facebook postings. Congratulations, Unity Skating Club, on this successful endeavour and thank you to all the skaters who chose to entertain us.
