Upon mastery of her new short program, Canmore’s Jane Gray has posted back-to-back gold medal performances and is skating some of the best programs of her life.
Gray was golden at the Canmore Skating Club Fall Invitational and subsequent warm-up event in Saskatchewan last weekend (Oct. 4-5), as she prepares for Sectionals and Challenge Championships later this winter. If she performs well at those competitions, she’ll earn a spot at Canadian Nationals.
“I feel really good about my short program. I feel really good about it now. It’s really working,” Gray said about her Saskatchewan performance. “The skating itself, I feel I performed it really well. I missed my first jump, but refocused and did the rest.”
She struggled in the long program, but knows it will come around in time, just like the new short program. She’s moved to Calgary to train at Winsport and attend the University of Calgary, and still skates once a week in Canmore.
Two weeks ago, Gray wowed the hometown crowd at the Canmore Skating Club Fall Invitational. She skated a near flawless campaign where she scored a 54.48, landing all three of her jumps: the triple lutz-double toeloop, triple loop and double axel. She hopes to add another triple to her repertoire soon.
“That was the best I’ve ever skated and the best I’ve ever performed. It was a huge confidence boost,” Gray said. “It felt amazing. Finishing the short program, I knew I skated well. I haven’t skated like that in a long time. To do that at home, it was quite the experience.”
Gray’s jumping has always been her strong suit, and she’s added more triples to her repertoire heading into her third year as a senior. Working with coaches Jan and Cynthia Ullmark, she’s confident she’s well supported and training alongside Olympians at COP is motivating her further.
“I feel like I’ve stepped up a level, off the ice and on the ice. I’m probably skating the best I ever have. I found a really good balance (between skating and school) and so far it’s working for me. The coaches understand what I need,” Gray said.
She now has access to trainers, dance classes, physiotherapy and nutrition information, which is helping. She’s also feeling challenged by her peers.
“There are a couple more skaters at my level in Calgary, and some guys at my level. It’s more competitive and it pushes me a bit more,” Gray said.
Canadian Nationals are Jan. 20 in Kingston, Ont.
