Watch out, Jane Gray. Move over, Somas sisters. Canmore has two new figure skating medallists to reckon with.
Lori Louis-Thompson and Valeri Laferriere finished one-two at the 2015 Skate Canada Adult Figure Skating Championships in Calgary, clinching the top podium spots in the Silver Women Class III-IV interpretive competition. Only one point separated the duo, who train together with the Canmore Skating Club, at the top adult competition in the nation.
“We were neck and neck. (Val) is my training partner and I really appreciate her making me work hard. It was really a challenge this time,” said Lewis-Thompson. “We had a tough group.”
Louis-Thompson began skating when she was 12, but had to quit when she was 15. Twelve years ago, once her children were old enough, she returned to the sport and began competing at the adult level and discovered success. Her score in the interpretive program was a personal best, and she also finished third in the free skate.
“I loved it as a child, watching it on TV, and as an adult I came back to it after my son was born. I just love it and have a passion for it. I won’t stop until I can’t continue. The love of the sport, love of being fit and the challenge to get better and better keeps me going,” Louis-Thompson said.
Her rhumba-inspired program was a personal victory for Louis-Thompson, who wanted to improve on her 2013 program.
“Two years ago in Kamloops, I totally forgot my entire program, so I ad libbed the entire thing. So this year, I swore to myself I wasn’t going to forget, and I went out there and performed,” Louis-Thompson said.
Laferriere didn’t start skating until she was 34 (as a Canskate rookie), but since then has thrown herself into the sport, culminating with her silver medal performance this weekend. She made her own dress for her Great Gatsby-inspired flapper program, and her daughters helped her every step of the way.
“We sometimes get preoccupied with our full-time jobs and kids, so sometimes training can be difficult. But you make it a priority and make it happen. Nationals was a big goal for us. We did well and exceeded our personal goals,” Laferriere said.
Her daughter also trains with the Canmore Skating Club and will compete this weekend in Edmonton, and Laferriere said the younger skaters were inspired by their performance, learning figure skating truly is a sport for life.
“This weekend turned the tables. She drew inspiration from us. For my daughter to see us put on the costume, go through the nerves and just put on a show … I think it really inspired her. She said ‘Mom, I can’t wait to compete next weekend.’ I think it will be fun to see what they come up with now.’” Laferriere said.
While adult figure skating is relatively new, the sport still inspires Laferriere, who says it’s a perfect artistic and athletic outlet for adults.
“It’s one of the few sports where you get a workout, but can express myself individually and artistically. That’s really important to me,” Laferriere said. “I’m on the ice three hours a week, and training six hours a week off ice. That’s a lot of running, a lot of biking, a lot of planks and a lot of saying no to dessert.”
Many adult programs across Canada struggle to find ice time and coaching, and Laferriere has seen smaller programs squeak out an existence. But in Canmore, the program is well accepted, and she said that has helped contribute to their success.
“It’s a great atmosphere to train in. They’re very accepting of the adults.”
