question for canadian skaters?

[sk8tngcanuck]

This question is for any Canadian "starskaters" out there.

Have any of you ever been to "star skate run offs" and if so, how serious is the competition and how many skaters can be expected to be there?

My little one will be competing there for the first time this year and I am afraid she will be in over her head. Her coach feels she needs the challenge, and is confident that she will be fine there. She will be competing pre-prelim freeskate, and the mom in me is so worried that she will be waaaaay out of her league.

Hope someone can shed some light on this for me.

 

[cborsky]

StarSkate run-offs? Do you mean Starskate Sectionals(Provincials)?

I'm competing in "Gold Triathlon" at StarSkate Sectionals coming up in January. I had to qualify at a regional competition back in October to go to sectionals.

I think you should be happy and support your child in this competition. It's all about experience and having fun! I have always loved competition because I've thought of it as an opportunity to "show-off" my skating, to perform, to wear a pretty skating dress, and have the ice to myself. It's also an opportunity to challenge myself to skate well when it counts. Focusing on placing well or skating better than the other skaters in the group will only lead to nervousness, and disappointment if you skate or place poorly.

So don't worry about your skater being way out of her league, because at this point it should be about having fun, not beating everyone. And usually, if you're having fun - you'll skate well too! At the end of the competition focus on what your skater did well and how she skated relative to what she does in practice. Thats all that matters - don't compare her to everyone else - leave that for when she's competing at the Junior level and needs to know what to do to win!

Just remember, its just her first competition... make it a fun time for her so she'll enjoy competing and want to do more of them!

Hope this helps!

~Cassie

P.S. Oh, and give her a bouquet of flowers when she gets off the ice, it'll make her feel like a star!