The Summit Invitational Gymnastics Competition held its women’s artistic contest this past weekend in Canmore as local athletes showcased their technique against Western Canada’s finest young gymnasts.
The Canmore Illusions Gymnastics Club had 28 gymnasts competing on May 29-31 at the newly opened gymnastics space in the Canmore Rec Centre. The new space was able to accommodate over 400 gymnasts and it was “significantly less upheaval” in order to hold the event opposed to past times, said Jordana Drukarsh, competitive program director for the club.
The Summit marked the final competition of the season for the girls and it ended on a high note for the club, said Drukarsh.
Ivy Tupper, 11, placed first all-around with first place finishes in vault, uneven bars, beam and floor.
“(Tupper) competed for the first time in provincial level five and she competed a new vault and new bar routine and she stuck both of them,” Drukarsh said.
Krista Scurfield, 11, placed first all-around and finished second place in vault, uneven bars and beam and third in floor. Anna Parent, 14, placed second all-around and was first in uneven bars and beam.
“Scurfield and Parent competed new, high difficulty level vaults for the first time in the new space and they both stuck them.”
Kindrey deNys, 11, won her first medal in the level two category for uneven bars and Matilda Kirk, 8, competed in a new level for the first time and medalled second all-around, with a first place in beam.
This Sunday (June 7) is the men’s artistic competition at the Canmore Rec Centre.
In the offseason, Drukarsh said the girls will work towards preparation for Alberta Winter Games trials.
“It will be a new skill development time and we will be working on strength and flexibility and developing more difficult skills in order to prepare for the Winter Games trials,” she said.
Event organizer Gieta Steingart said the club has put tens of thousands of dollars in grant funds to good use for the new gymnastic space, transforming it into a high level competitive gym.
Steingart added the new space will also include an indoor walking track.
