It’s a moment that happened 35 years. At the 1989 Interlake Regional Competition, I won my first gold medal. Primary Dance. A team effort with my sister. One could scoff and say, “That was years ago” or “Primary? Really?” I always say every achievement has a story, first place or last. They’re lessons, regardless of age, level, or time.
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After a brief hiatus, the Arborg Skating Club attended the 1989 Interlake Regional Competition in Fisher Branch, Manitoba, bringing home a gold and bronze medal.
Technically, our club brought home three medals.
My older sister, Jenn, and I were born 20 months apart. As toddlers, we were angels in public, but under a coat of darkness, we’d attempt to maim each other using creative means.
There’s a well-told story about the time my sister and I were buckled into our car seats. Dad heard us screaming. He turned and saw us with kinked necks, each with the other’s ponytail in our tiny fists, wailing at the top of our lungs.
Dad calls this the “missed Kodak” moment.
We both joined the Arborg SC in 1980, and my parents were relived that we spent less than half a season in the same group.
During the 1987/1988 season, my sister stepped away from the sport while I entered private lessons under the Canadian Figure Skating Association (CFSA) now called Skate Canada. By season’s end, I’d passed the Dutch Waltz, the first preliminary dance.
During the off-season, there were whispers about our club. According to sources – the village rumour mill – the Arborg Skating Club was signing a highly certified competitive coach from Ottawa, Ontario: Joanne Hough. She skated with the likes of Elizabeth Manley, who was my first skating idol.
At the beginning of the 1988/89 season, Joanne held a meeting with the CFSA skaters and our parents. She wanted the Arborg SC to start competing again – singles and synchro (precision). I was sold because I’m competitive. I’d crumble if there wasn’t a Scratch ‘N Sniff sticker on my elementary school tests.
My first competition would be the 1989 Interlake Regional Competition, Primary Ladies “B.”
My Mom already filled out our registration forms (by hand) when Joanne pitched an idea that increased our registration fee. Which Mom wrote by cheque. And sent by mail. To the competition host. Ah, the days of “must be postmarked by.”
Besides singles, Joanne thought my sister and I should also compete in Primary Dance at Regionals. We were already there, why not? Another chance for a medal? Sign me up!
Continue reading “Revisiting An Interlake Regional Memory – Recapturing A Golden Figure Skating Kodak Moment”
Skating Scene 