Both of Quesnel’s arenas will play host to the Cariboo North Central Regional Figure Skating Competition this weekend (Jan 18-20).
Nineteen clubs are attending and 257 skaters from across the region are expected to compete.
Athletes and their families and coaches will be travelling from as far away as Prince George, Terrace, Kitimat, 100 Mile, Williams Lake, Houston, Mackenzie, Prince Rupert, Smithers and Winfield.
Nineteen officials, which include judges, data specialists, and a chief referee (yes, skating has referees) will be on hand to ensure the athletes are evaluated fairly and properly.
Quesnel Figure Skating Club’s head coach Carly Dinicol says the community has really rallied around the event.
“We have had so many generous donations from local businesses,” she says, “Its been really great to see the community get together.
“We have a crew of very hardworking parents working until all hours of the night right now to make this event happen.”
The local club has 63 entries, which is more than any other club attending, and many of the skaters will competing in more than one category.
“I feel very confident about how our skaters will fair,” says Dinicol, “They have been working extremely hard this year, pushing each other like I’ve never seen them do before.
“A lot of our skaters have already had an amazing season with personal best scores and a lot of more difficult jumps and spins.”
The competition opens Friday morning at 10 a.m. and will wrap up by 2 p.m. Sunday.