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The BC Section Office is located at:
Suite #2-6501 Sprott St.
Burnaby, BC V5B 3B8
In the World Famous 8-Rinks Complex
The Hours of Operation are:
8:30-4:30 PST
Monday-Friday
T-604-205-6960
F-604-205-6962
Toll Free
1-888-752-8322
1-888-SKATEBC
ON AND OFF THE ICE AT ISU ADULT WORLDS
By Diana Barkley
The first thing that struck me when I first saw the Oberstdorf ice rink was how big it was and that there would be no way our ice dance patterns would fill this enormous surface – I was sure we’d be dwarfed by it.
That was three years ago. My husband, Jim Wilkins, my ice dance partner, Geoff Squires and I had just arrived in this little Barvarian town which is about a two hour drive south of Munich. It was a beautiful summer evening and we were winding our way through the narrow streets when we spotted our friend Cathy McLean from Edmonton. She hopped in our rental car and took us over to the Oberstdorf Sports complex which houses two Olympic sized ice rinks as well as a public skating rink.
The next morning, we apprehensively laced up for our first practice session, sure that we would totally be embarrassed by our inability to fill the ice surface. And, while the size was still overwhelming, much to our delight, the ice was also the best (and fastest) you could ever hope to skate on. We were hard pressed not to plow into the boards.
We also met our fellow competitors – ice dance teams from Germany, France, the US and Great Britain. While our first international competition netted us a bronze in the Gold Free Dance, the best part of all was in making new friends.
For those who have competed at the adult regional or national level, you know that there is so much more to adult figure skating than the competition. It truly is about the people you meet and the friendships you make, the only difference is than instead of the people being from Alberta, they are from Austria and Australia or from Paris and Berlin. And, although you might not be able to speak the same language, the love of skating (and a few glasses of wine or steins of beer) makes communicating quite simple.
Last year, all the gold ice dancers got together the night before the competition for an impromptu ice dance social. We really got to know each other much better as we waltzed and tangoed various compulsory dances. This year, became better acquainted with a wonderful German woman from Oberstdorf who has volunteers as the on-ice gate opener and closer for all the competitors. She starts at 7 a.m. and continues to 10 p.m. throughout the four-day event. As we all know, it can be cold standing at rink side. She never complains, always has a smile and I’ve never seen her take a break (except during ice floods). Over the years, we have gone from a nod and a smile hello to big bear hugs before we go on the ice. She is now my adopted German grandma and our special good luck charm.
The other great thing about competing is that it is a great opportunity to combine a European holiday with the sport we all love. Over the past three years, Jim and I have explored the canals of Amsterdam and the castles of Germany. We’ve taken the cheesy “Sound of Music” tour in Austria and toured small villages in the French Alps.
Oberstdorf is well known in the competitive skating circles. Most of the greats have skated there as it has been home to numerous world junior championships, European championships as well as a host of others. It is currently the home club of Carolina Kostner, 2008 World Silver Medalist as well as European champion for 2007 and 2008. And, since 2005, it has been home to the ISU International Figure Skating Competition.
This year’s competition (May 29 to June 1) attracted 254 entries from skaters representing 18 countries. The event featured women’s and men’s free skating as well as artistic free skating, ice dancing (compulsory, original dance and free dance) and synchronized skating. Competitors must be between the ages of 28 and 71 years old. (For more information check out the International Skating Union web site.)
Canada was well represented this year – 28 competitors in all categories and levels – from elite/masters to those just getting started. This year, we earned a record 25 medals, including nine gold, 11 silver and five bronze. The Canadian team racked up a total of 42 of the top10 results.
Multiple medal winners included Stéphane Vachon (Quebec), who captured a gold and a silver medal in singles plus a gold in pairs with Jan Calnan (Ontario), who also won silver in singles. Single’s skater Gloria Purvey (Port Coquitlam) and ice dancers Angela Justason and Jeffrey Bullard (Ontario) captured two gold medals, Barbara Tkach (Ontario) won a gold and a silver medal in singles and Pamela Giangualano (Alberta) captured a gold and a bronze medal. Ice dancers Diana Barkley and Geoff Squires (Vancouver) were awarded a gold and a bronze medal.
Also from British Columbia, Takashi Ikeno (Vancouver) was awarded a silver medal (Silver Men I Free Skating) as was Michelle Lamothe (Coquitlam) for Silver Ladies III Free Skating.
The commitment and dedication of adult skaters is also being noticed at the highest level of the International Skating Union. This year, Ottavio Cinquanta, ISU President as well as a number of other senior ISU officials were in attendance to observe and participate in the medal ceremonies. The judges are world and Olympic level and the new ISU judging system is in play. For example, each judge has a computer with access to a video of your performance for quick review of your program or of an element they may wish to view again.
Oberstdorf also invited Canadian and 1962 World Champion Donald Jackson was to be the featured exhibit performer. It was a bonus for us Canadians as he not only coached but was also our Team Leader. Along with his wife, Barbara, the two offered tips, advice and were a big part of our cheering team.
Canada not only took home 25 medals, but we also won the “unofficial” medal for being the most enthusiastic fans. Attired in our Skate Canada jackets (supplied by Skate Canada), our group is most renowned for our spirit and our noise-making ability (various cow bells, horns and other noise makers). In fact, many competitors and fans from other countries gather behind our distinctive red and white maple leaf flag which adorned a particular section of the stands.
It is this sense of camaraderie and enthusiasm that really makes the competition so special for me and for many others. Certainly we are all there to skate well and hopefully to earn a spot on the podium, but the experience also includes seeing your name and country digitally displayed in lights at the end of the rink as you are announced for your skate. It is about the people you meet from all over the world. And, most importantly, it is about the love of skating.
B.C. Skaters for 2008 included:
Takashi Ikeno from Vancouver, Silver Men I Free Skating
Michelle Lamothe, Coquitlam, Silver Ladies III Free Skating and Bronze Ladies III Artistic Free Skate
Gloria Purvey, Port Coquitlam, Silver Ladies III Free Skating and Bronze Ladies III Artistic Free Skate
Raye Rayan, Squamish, Bronze Ladies III Free Skating and Bronze Ladies III Artistic Free Skating
Pamela and Cliff Jansen, North Vancouver, Ice Dancing – Gold Compulsory Dance, Original Dance, Gold Free Dance
Diana Barkley, White Rock and Geoff Squires, Langley, Ice Dancing – Gold Compulsory Dance, Original Dance, Gold Free Dance.
AND, THEN THERE WAS FRANCE
Following the Oberstdorf Competition, six Canadians went on to Villard-de-Lans, France to compete in the 10th Mountain Cup – an invitational Adult Open Compeittion held June 5 – 8. British Columbia Skaters included Raye Ryan from Squamish as well as Diana Barkley and Geoff Squires from Vancouver.
SPECIAL THANKS to Jim Wilkins (Diana’s husband) who is the official photographer for the ISU International Adult Figure Skating Competition. Jim spends countless hours at rink side throughout the competition capturing the experience for all competitors. His photos also accompany this article.
Team Canada at the Opening Draw (for skating order) Party -- 28 competitors this year! Skate Canada made sure we were all properly attired by supplying the Skate Canada jackets. We were the only Country supported in this manner.
Pam & Cliff Jansen performing the Starlight Waltz -- one of two compulsory dances this year. The other Gold Compulsory Dance was the Killian.
Diana Barkley & Geoff Squires in the Starlight Waltz.
Name and country are displayed for every competitor.
Pam and Cliff Jansen doing a spin in the Original Dance
Pam and Cliff Jansen's Original Dance number -- a Flamenco!
Diana Barkley and Geoff Squires in their Original Dance -- A Chilean Folk Dance.
Raye Ryan performed very well in Bronze Ladies III Free Skating -- placing 6th out of a field of 11
Gloria Purvey's gold medal performance in the Silver Ladies III Free Skating
Michelle Lamothe placed 2nd in the Silver Ladies III Free Skating
Original Dance -- Diana Barkley and Geoff Squires took Gold and Pam & Cliff Jansen placed 4th in a tight field of very talented skaters
British Columbia Skaters take top spots-Gloria Purvey, Gold &Michelle Lamothe, Silver in the Silver Ladies III Free Skating
Vancouver's Takashi Ikeno won a Silver medal for his Silver Men I Free Skate
Diana Barkley & Geoff Squires took a Gold Medal for their Chilean Folk Dance in this year's Original Dance category. The theme this year was Folk Dance.
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