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.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer Three Flin Flon Star Skaters got a big vote of confidence as their coach told them they were "ready and polished" for the Manitoba Open. Hanne Buettner, Hasana Church and Kelsey Farkus got the nod of approval earlier last week before heading to Neepawa for the Manitoba Open this past weekend. All skating in the Preliminary Ladies 10 and over events, the three girls were excited and nervous about their first trip to this competition. Part of the Nor-Man region, Church, Farkus and Buettner were used to competing against skaters they had become familiar with. The Manitoba Open featured only a few familiar faces throughout the three days of competition. Not knowing more than a handful of people, the skaters were excited for the chance to skate against some new girls. "It's like the biggest competition we've been to," said Buettner, noting there could be skaters from the United States at the competition. Open to everyone, the majority of skaters reside in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and the northern States. "It gives them a chance to get a little higher of competition that they haven't had before," said coach Heather Powell. "It gives them good experience." Of course the Flin Flon girls know the meaning of competition. Buettner, Church and Farkus compete in the same level Ð often against each other. If that wasn't enough, Farkus and Buettner share an even stronger bond as cousins. The skaters headed out Thursday for the open competition with hopes of a strong showing. Powell herself hadn't been to the open since the former skater attended two years ago. Looking over the ice at the Whiney Forum, Powell said the judges at the Manitoba Open would be on an upper level, looking at the skaters. As well, the marks for each skater would be announced. "Like a mini Olympics," Buettner said. The girls were excited, but nervous, about the new challenge. "You don't know how good they're going to be," Buettner said, referring to the girls having never seen the others skate. But all three skaters agreed that not knowing, puts them at the top of their game. Farkus, Church and Buettner competed this past Friday and Saturday. Next on the docket, the skaters will be heading to the Stoney Mountain Open at the end of March. The girls all agreed that this fun event doesn't even feel like a competition. The top three skaters in each event are named, but from there, the rest come in fourth place. "They relax and have a chance to skate their best because its not so stressful," said Powell. But the coach made it clear that the Manitoba Open wasn't going to be that way. Due to timing, the Flin Flon skaters were unable to attend Regionals, hosted in Gillam this past January, but found other venues to compete at throughout the season.
