Team Okanagan sweeps world podium with 9 medals
Six skaters from the Okanagan competed at the recent International Skating Union’s world adult figure skating competition and did the region proud by bringing home four gold world titles, plus four silver medals and one bronze.
“I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone,” said one of the competitors. “When I’m in my rocking chair I can show my great grandchildren and say, ‘See what great grandma did at 65.’”
Dubbed Team Okanagan and sponsored by Blade Runner Skate Services, this intrepid group of ladies aged 46 to 76 worked hard all summer at the Winfield and Mount Boucherie arenas, training for this highprofile international event. Their efforts were rewarded.
“Throughout all the excitement and with all the great performances our girls put on, I felt like we were riding the wave of success,” said another competitor. “I just wanted to be part of that success and have two good skates. It wouldn’t be easy though.”
Skating through a back injury, Isabella Ciocoiu earned two gold medals.
Karen Smith, scoring the highest marks in her career, won gold and silver medals, while Maureen Barnes also gracefully skated to gold and silver.
Donna Bergvinson landed silver in her very competitive free skate and fourth place in her interpretive.
Newcomers to the team and to competition, Henrietta Penney, aged 76 (and not afraid to say so), skated to the loudest applause of the day and a bronze medal, while Jacquelyn Parser also reached the podium with a surprising second-place finish.
“It was one big blur, my only coherent thought was at the very end of the skate, ‘Now, don’t mess up the bow,’” Parser said with a laugh. “Then just pure shock that I came in second!”
For more info about Team Okanagan, visit winfieldskatingclub.com.