"There were a lot of people that went away from our weekend saying 'wow'," said Battlefords Skating Club president Krista Crockett of the STARSkate Competition that was held at the Civic Centre on the weekend.
Nearly 200 skaters, their parents, coaches and judges gathered at the arena and were impressed for three days with the work of the local committee, chaired by Terra Schaefer, and those involved.
"I hope this is a door opening for us for something bigger," said Crockett. "We didn't know what to expect. We are 10 people who jumped into the deep end and went 'what do you do?' And we did it and did it well."
Along with the sensation of the entire event, it was a rewarding weekend for the local skaters, as well.
The big local winner was Lynnsy St. Amant, who was first in the senior silver women's free final, the senior silver/gold women's spins final and the senior silver women's jump. Anything and everything she could win she did and is likely in line to join the Road Show skating group for the second straight year.
"We have some phenomenal figure skaters here," said Crockett. "Look at Lynnsy St. Amant. You never know when you are going to see her in the Olympics - that is honestly what I think. She is amazing."
Another local skater earning a gold medal was Susan Walsh, who was first in the junior silver women's jump. Corrine Sokul was second in the junior bronze women's free final while Amy Reid was third in the prelim women's free final. Other local skaters included AshLynne Ukrainetz, Jadie Fennig, Kennedy Schaefer, Kelly Hu, Kassie Reid, Cotini Millhouse, Kira Tollefson, Jalissa Klippenstein, Megan Guthrie and Berklee Crockett.
Crockett said the skaters, parents and the club were all, "Thrilled with the way everyone placed. I can't think of one person who didn't say they didn't do their personal best. From a club standpoint we couldn't be prouder of these kids. They did us proud and they left it all on the ice."
The skaters continue to practise as there is more testing to com,e along with a invitational skate in Biggar this weekend and the Jean Norman Competition in Swift Current, the largest skating event in Saskatchewan.
The club's year end skate carnival will be March 17.
