The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The number eight could prove lucky for the Flin Flon Figure Skating Club this weekend. Members of the club are in Thompson for the Norman Regionals and that's the number of entry level skaters getting a taste of competition while that many could earn provincial berths in Steinbach, Manitoba. "If the kids work the way they always do, I have confidence they can do it," said figure skating coach Carla Wabick. "Dedication and work ethics have helped the skaters. They will go into provincials skating the way they have." Wabick said competition is always fairly tough, but the skaters in the Norman region aren't considered underdogs. "When we come back from provincials with medals, that shows that we're talented here," she said. One thing that will help her skaters do what they do best is the non-expectations from their coach. Wabick doesn't feel the need to impose that pressure on the skaters. "They put stress on themselves," Wabick said. Twelve-year-old Riahna Swain is among eight skaters at the entry level going for the experience of competition. "I'd like to get around third or fourth," she said. Riahna has something to prove as last year didn't go like she preferred. She is also a late bloomer who began skating in the middle of last year. "I was just nervous, but this year I'm confident," Riahna said. Aside from working hard, instilled confidence from Wabick has helped Riahna immensely. "Carla is a great coach," she said. Another entry level skater is 10-year-old Shania Nordick. The little redhead is shy about the upcoming event only because it will be her first. She's excited about going but doesn't know where she wants to place. Three skaters with guaranteed placements at the provincials are Annalee Stevens, Mikayla Gawiak and Amanda Hill. This happened because there weren't enough people to compete against. Once the regionals wrap up on Jan. 14, then the skaters will compete in the Winter Games qualifier on Jan.15.
