Figure skating star Jane Gray led the Canmore Skating Club effort with a gold medal performance at the 2014 Provincial Sectionals Championship in Edmonton on Nov. 10, as four local skaters managed to earn a place on the podium.
Gray, who moved to Edmonton last season to train as well as study at the University of Alberta, earned 114.16 points in her short and long program, which gave her a nine point edge on her nearest competitor. It was her second sectionals gold medal in the senior women’s category.
“I had a very good short program, but my long program wasn’t as good. I’ve really been working on my skating skills and presentation, and that really helped me keep that title,” Gray said.
She’ll now compete in the Canadian Challenge competition on Dec. 8, where the top 15 skaters qualify for nationals in January. One of the most athletic skaters in the province, Gray knows the key to breaking through to the next level is consistency.
“My goal right now is to become consistent in competition – be more confident with my jumps so they become second nature,” said Gray. “It’s definitely starting to pay off. I’m progressing with every competition I go to.”
A veteran of sectional competitions, she said she’s always pushing herself to compete with the best. This year, she hired a new choreographer to create a program that suits her goals. Under Lance Vipond, her program is more challenging and Gray thinks it will take her up the national rankings chart.
“I’ve been moving up in levels, so it’s like a new experience every time. The jumps are getting harder, the spins are improving. Now I’m more comfortable on the ice with myself and more in character on the ice.”
She believes a top-15 performance at the Challenge is possible.
“I believe I can do it. I just have to keep calm and focused,” Gray said.
Competing in pre-novice women – the most challenging category at sectionals, Geerthana Somas skated a flawless long program to propel her onto the podium. Somas added new jumps to her program and nailed them at sectionals to earn 72.06 points, which was good enough for bronze.
“It was better than my past competitions. That was my best one so far. I’m kinda happy,” said Somas.
This year, the 14-year-old added a double axel to her repertoire and is currently working on her triple sow, which she wants to try in competition.
“I feel more confident in competiting. I’ll go to Challenge and do the exact same thing (as sectionals),” Somas said.
Ten-year-old Savina Somas also dazzled the judges with a bronze medal performance in the pre-juvenile women competition, earning 24.17 points. The talented tiny skater landed a double toe axel to earn the win, and said her favourite part was “standing on the podium.”
She’s won several gold medals this year so far, and just missed another at sectionals.
New skater Joel Braganza also won bronze in the pre-novice men’s competition. This is his first year with the Canmore club and he showed promise with his performance.
Coach Cynthia Ullmark said results are remarkable for the Canmore club.
“That’s the best we could have done. The Canmore skaters were up to par and the coaches are thrilled with them,” Ullmark said.
Ullmark and her husband Jan lead the on-ice work with the athletes, and have been joined by choreographer Devan Nychka, who has helped the team make “huge jumps” in their performance.
The competition was the last of the season for Savina Somas, although the other three will move on.
