Skaters up to the Challenge

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/11/2011 (5239 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the first time ever, Skate Brandon is sending six skaters to the prestigious Canadian Challenge this week.

The national competition — the final qualifier for the 2012 Canadian Figure Skating Championships in Moncton, N.B., from Jan. 16-22 — begins today in Regina and runs until Sunday, featuring 500 skaters from across the country.

Among them will be six skaters who train here in Brandon. Virden’s Mercedes McLean, 17, Morden’s Brooklyn Parker, 15, and Portage’s Madison McCallum, 15, will all compete in the novice girls singles division, with the top 18 of the 52 competitors earning a trip to nationals. Neepawa’s Amy Todoruk, 14, and Brandonites Kirsten Gutenberg, 13, and Tori Thiessen, 12, will be among the 52 skaters in the pre-novice girls singles division.

It’s the biggest contingent Skate Brandon coach Tammy McKay has ever taken to the Challenge, an accomplishment the club is clearly proud of.

“We’re training harder and harder all the time and I think we’re better prepared with each year that comes along and we’re seeing the results,” McKay said. “I am just really pleased with the work ethic and the determination that we all have and we’re certainly pleased with the results so far.”

McCallum, who is living in Brandon for the first half of the season, won the provincial novice title in Winnipeg on Nov. 4-5, with Parker placing third and McLean finishing fourth to earn her third trip to the Canadian Challenge.

While McKay does not expect any of her skaters to crack the top 10, there is a chance someone could challenge for a spot in nationals if they have an exceptional week.

“In the novice category, just from past competitions, Madison has had scores that could put her in the top half of the category, but it just depends on what she does and on what the other skaters do, too,” McKay said. “Mercedes competed at this level last year, so I know she is looking to advance in the standings, but it will just depend on what she puts out there this week … She certainly can go into this with some confidence.”

Meanwhile, Todoruk won the provincial pre-novice title earlier this month, with Gutenberg placing second and Thiessen finishing fourth. However, this year’s Challenge will likely be more of a learning experience for the three youngsters.

“For us to be a part of it is a major accomplishment in itself,” McKay said. “Two of the girls in pre-novice, Tori and Amy, this is their first experience at this level … Kirsten competed at this level last year and I think she is definitely looking for an improvement in her placing from last year.”

Also skating in Regina this week will be Virden native and former Skate Brandon member Kaleigh Hole, 18, who now lives and trains year-round in Strathroy, Ont., but will represent Manitoba in senior women’s singles. In Friday’s short program, Hole will skate in the same group as former Canadian pairs champion Jessica Dube, who like Hole is now focusing on singles skating.

Also taking to the ice will be the Virden-based senior pairs duo of Paige Lawrence, 21, of Kennedy, Sask., and Rudi Swiegers, 24, of Kipling, Sask., who are the current Canadian bronze medallists and live and train year-round in Virden coached by Hole’s mother Patty.

» jshewaga@brandonsun.com