2013 U.S. ADULT FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Imagine throwing a party that’s part re-
union, part celebration for about 500 people. Now add the butterflies of a competition, and you’ve got the 2013 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships. With the desert in spring bloom, the Ice
Den in Scottsdale, Ariz., was the perfect respite for those escaping the last gasps of winter. Bench- es and tables outside the rink were filled with people looking for a little sunshine while enjoy- ing the 85-degree days. Inside, the bleachers held a steady group of supportive skaters and fans. Helping make the April 8‒13 event so mem-
orable were the organizational skills of Competi- tion Chair Amanda Gagnon and Co-Chair Patti McNeill of the Coyotes Skating Club of Arizona. Aiding them were more than 100 well-trained and friendly volunteers who took a businesslike approach to their tasks — from Judy Civiello’s group greeting athletes at the registration desk to Anne Curzon making sure every last official had transportation back to the airport. “Te majority of our core volunteers worked
night and day, very long hours, throughout the six days to provide round-the-clock support,” McNeill said. “We could not have done it with- out any one of them. In addition, we are lucky to have the support of a tremendous facility, man- agement and operations team at the Ice Den.” Teir efforts — and about eight months of
preparation — did not go unnoticed. “Te Scottsdale LOC [local organizing committee] was tremendously successful in es- tablishing this event and running it smoothly,” Lexi Rohner, U.S. Figure Skating’s national vice chair of adult skating competitions, said. “Te Coyotes Skating Club of Arizona has a long track record of hosting events well, so I knew this one would be handled the same. One of their volun- teers was overheard to say that ‘Te skater is the customer, and that makes them the priority.’ I can’t lavish enough praise on their efforts!” Te efforts on the ice were equally impres-
sive, with several competitions being decided by slim margins. “Entry-wise I noticed many new skaters at
several levels, as well as adult skaters who have become coaches,” Rohner said. “We also saw an increase in younger skaters at the championships masters junior-senior level.” And like all U.S. Adult Championships, the
common threads that run through the event re- main sportsmanship, respect and support for all the athletes.
“Te most memorable thing for me from this championship is witnessing the camaraderie and encouragement between the competitors,” Gagnon said. “Teir true spirit of friendship and respect shows at every event.”
Award presenters included (l-r) Amanda Gagnon (LOC chair), Heather Nemier (chief referee), Doug Razzano and Adam Rippon.
CHAMPIONSHIP MASTERS JUNIOR-SENIOR LADIES
By Allison Manley
Courtney Donovan (All Year FSC) per- formed a memorable and playful free skate to music from Elvis Presley to repeat as champion. Donovan, who generated 57.65 points,
chose music by the King of rock ‘n’ roll because she wanted the audience to be able to relate to it. “I was sitting in a restaurant texting my coach and all of a sudden Elvis played on the ra- dio,” Donovan said. “I asked her if she thought I could pull it off.” Te minute Donovan was on her first ses- sion with the music, she knew she could. Even her dressmaker knew exactly what to do in cre- ating an Elvis-inspired costume, working the King’s later-years Las Vegas look into the dress, complete with large white collar and colorful stoning. Donovan completed three double-double combinations, two of which came after the half- way point of the program and thus earned bonus points. Two of her spins received Level 3s, and overall she garnered the highest technical score by more than three points. Donovan she said she tossed and turned the
night before the competition. “I was up every hour since I couldn’t fall
asleep, and then at 4:30 a.m. the fire alarm went off in the hotel,” she said.
After taking naps during the day and drink- ing lots of fluids, she was ready to go. “I knew coming into this I’d done multiple
clean programs and I knew my training was go- ing to pull me through, but I had to dig deep and try to make it all work like I do in practice,” she said.
Displaying impressive flexibility and
high-level spins in addition to strong jumps, Jac- lyn Yacomes (Body Zone FSC) repeated as silver medalist with an elegant and powerful skate to “Meditation.” She finished with 53.55 points. Her program component score of 28.08 was
an event-high. Her spins were impressive, includ- ing a final Level 4 camel spin that received a pos- itive grade of execution (GOE) from each judge
16 JUNE/JULY 2013
PHOTO BY LEXI ROHNER
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