Shae Darcy
Shae Darcy is an enthusiastic figure skater. The exuberant nine-year-old won gold at sectionals for her rock routine.
“I don’t do slow music at all,” says Darcy. “I’m a really fast kid, I love running and (my teacher) gives me fast music because if it’s slow, I’ll get done too fast.”
She recently hurt herself trying to cleanly land a double flip so Darcy is taking it a bit slower for now by only working on spins and no jumps. She is hoping to start working on her other stunts again soon.
“I’m working on double toe, double flip, double sow, double loop, and I’ll soon be able to land a double lutz,” says Darcy.
Darcy says she loves showing off her figure skating skills in competition. She also runs, is on the swim team and plays soccer and baseball.
She’s excited for Skate Dartmouth coming up in February and provincials in March.
Emily Dickson
Twelve-year-old Emily Dickson likes the challenge of skating fast and trying new music for her routines.
She came in seventh out of nine figure skaters. She says being there and competing was very important to her.
Her latest routine is to a song called The Riverdance and has a Scottish flavour.
“It’s really good music,” says Dickson.
Dickson’s favourite figure skater is Canadian Patrick Chan, a world champion and an Olympian.
“I like his choreography,” says Dickson.
To stay in shape, Dickson also does gymnastics. The flexibility she gets from gymnastics and figure skating is evident as she glides during practice with one foot touching the back of her head.
Dickson says she looks forward to provincials, which are happening in March.
Lauren Amirault
Lauren Amirault competed in the sectionals on Nov. 7 and was pleased to get a personal best score over the weekend.
Amirault finished last in her section but was happy to have improved.
“I skated really well,” says Amirault.
She’s also changed her style this year. Last year Amirault skated some Egyptian themed songs and had a more serious style of routine. This year she describes her style as “jazzy and sassy.”
“I really like it… it’s really fun, I’ve done serious but this is just more fun,” says Amirault. “You just kind of let loose.”
Her goal between now and Skate Dartmouth is to work on her double toe, double lutz, and double flip.
Amirault is in Grade 8 and plays soccer at South Queens Middle School when soccer is in season and gymnastics.
She also enjoys the arts and is in a drama class at a school as well as a choir. She’s currently working on Seussical Jr., a play being put on by South Queens Middle School and the Winds of Change Theatre Society.
