2017 U.S. ADULT CHAMPIONSHIPS


Sweet Carolina


SKATERS BASK IN APPRECIATION, SUPPORT


BY TROY SCHWINDT T ere wasn’t much bleacher seating at


Coralie


Raunig, 85, hoists the inaugural


Yvonne M. Dowlen Trophy.


the Polar Ice House for the 23rd annual U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships in Wake Forest, North Carolina. But it didn’t matter one bit. Family, friends and spectators happily


squeezed into both rinks to cheer on and support every skater and team throughout the competition, held April 18–22. It was a big family reunion, as it is every


year. “T e adult skating community is widely


diverse with diff erent backgrounds, home- towns, religions, races, political beliefs, ages, sexual orientations and skating skills,” U.S. Adult Skating Chair Lori Fussell said. “But one thing we all share is a love of the sport of fi gure skating and a desire to express our love on the ice. “We are grateful for the opportunity to


participate in a meaningful competition, and even though competition is fi erce, the love of our fellow athletes is even fi ercer.” T e event was full of quality and inspir-


ing performances. On Championship Satur- day, the best of the best took the ice. Regan Alsup, Daniel Palmeri, pairs skaters Kimberly Sailer and David Garber, and ice dancers Shay Sterlace and Yovanny Durango all stepped up to successfully defend their titles. T ey shared their appreciation once they


stepped off the ice for their fellow competitors, fans and the Triangle Figure Skating Club, which served as the local organizing commit- tee.


“T is crowd was amazing,” said Alsup,


whose parents, aunt and uncle attended. “It’s very intimate; there’s not a lot of seating but it’s nice because you can hear everyone. When I was out there I could hear the support of the crowd. Adult fi gure skating is so supportive.” A total of 393 competitors took the ice in


656 starts. One of the many feel-good stories from


the event occurred after the awards ceremony for the bronze dramatic entertainment class V event. Coralie Raunig, 85, received the inau- gural Yvonne M. Dowlen Trophy as the oldest


18 JUNE/JULY 2017


competitor at the U.S. Adult Championships. Dowlen was an inspiration to countless skat- ers, skating and competing until her death last year at 90 years old. Raunig, wearing a bright yellow skating costume with an ornate 15-inch-tall head- dress, skated a “Copacabana” number. She was supported by more than a dozen friends from the Tidewater FSC in Chesapeake, Virginia, who followed her around like paparazzi. “It was an emotional moment for all of


us, remembering Yvonne, honoring Coralie, and experiencing the moment when this new trophy became a reality,” Fussell said. Eight athletes received inaugural Skate


Forever Young Awards. T e awards, which recognize and honor longevity on the ice, were presented to those 71 years old and older. Another touching moment took place in


the silver dramatic V event when Dorothy Ray skated to “Wind Beneath My Wings” for her husband, James, who she helped onto the ice in his wheelchair. Ray has competed in all 23 U.S. Adult Championships. “T ere wasn’t a dry eye in the house,”


Fussell said. All the competitors were treated to


Southern hospitality by the Triangle Figure Skating Club. An emoji-themed kiss and cry, sweepers wearing custom hair ribbons with “2017 U.S. Adult Nationals” inscribed on them and “Tossie Target” T-shirts were just a few of the personal touches that made this competitor-friendly event memorable. “Hosting this unique, premier adult competition and annual family reunion is no small task, and the adult community is grate- ful to the volunteers for all of their hard work on our behalf,” Fussell said.


Serafi n Ong visits with a friend in the emoji-themed kiss and cry while volunteers seek out tossies.


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