The Juneau Skating Club went south and won big during an international competition in January.
“Being so isolated here, the skaters don’t get to compete without other skaters very often,” JSC coach Leah Farzin said in a phone interview. “It was a pretty big competition only one flight away, so we jumped on it.”
The Ice Sports Industry’s West Coast Skating Championships were held in Tacoma on Jan. 17-19, and the JSC took second place in overall points. Scoring works like a track meet, Farzin said, where every event members place contribute to the overall points for the team.
“We brought so many kids that ended up getting second,” Farzin said.
Members of the JSC placed first in such events as synchronized skating. There were many events, Farzin said, often emphasizing different aspects of skating such as footwork, jumps, performances to music, or skating in sync with one or more other skaters.
“As a founder of the Juneau Skating Club and current Figure Skating Director, it gives me great joy to see how the club has developed in 16 years. I never imagined that our young club would place 2nd overall in a field of 15 established clubs competing at a national event,” Coach Pam Leary said in a press release. “I am beyond proud of the hard work our skaters have put into their practice. They competed with confidence and joy, and for me, that is the ultimate goal for our skaters.”
Members of the team, aged between 9 and 17, trained for months for their specific events, Farzin said. Farzin has helped coach the JSC since she moved here approximately four years ago.
“You’re always working on the fundamental skills,” Farzin said. “The best parts were hearing tons of JSC skaters cheering on every single one of their teammates during their individual and synchro events, supporting each other no matter how they placed. All our skaters, from the 9-year-olds to the adults, were great ambassadors for Juneau sports.”
The team’s next major event will be their annual spring show, scheduled for April 4 at Treadwell Arena. More information or signups for the JSC can be found on their website.
