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.
Kara Rutley has her eyes set on a podium position for her free skate competition during the Norman Regionals in Thompson, which take place January 13 and 14. It's important she achieves that to earn a spot for provincials in Steinbach, Manitoba. Sounds like a tough task ahead, but her figure skating coach, Carla Wabick, knows Kara is good for it, though she won't admit it. "Actually, Kara always skates well in competitions and performs under pressure," Wabick said. "Kara has a very good track record." Kara's coach said she has been working on new jumpsÐ axel and doubles. She has also been working on spin combinations and flying spins while improving steadily. Right now her main weakness is slowing down before entering a jump, which takes away the momentum and flow of her skating program. The two work together by taking on sections of the program and practicing it to music. Wabick's goal for the soon-to-be 13-year-old, who is skating in her sixth season, is to have her happy with her performance and skating the best she can. "She skates with a lot of energy and her style could be considered very personable," Wabick said. "She has great charisma on the ice." She is described by her coach as a performer who thrives on competitions and performs when called upon. "She comes up under that nervous pressure," Wabick said. Kara admits that she's scared heading into the regionals in Thompson, but doesn't know why. "I have no clue," she responded to how she will do. Kara's mother, Charlene, sees a difference in Kara the last couple of years and sees that in all the skaters. Dedication is the most important thing Kara may need to succeed at the regional champsionships and her mother knows she has it. "She loves it," Charlene said, after stating that she gave her daughter the option to try other sports. "She just wants to stick with skating. I'm proud of what she's done." The other events that Kara will participate in is the skating skills, spinning, interpretive and team.
