Skate Chautauqua Heats Up

By STEVEN M. SWEENEY

Skaters prepare for Skate Chautauqua at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena on Thursday.P-J photo by Steven M. Sweeney

8/18/2006 - Skate Chautauqua, Jamestown’s original figure skating showcase, is quickly becoming one of the must-stops on skating coaches’ itineraries.Mary Handley, Skate Chautauqua event chairwoman, said Jamestown has earned its place with similar events in New York, Los Angeles and Detroit.‘‘We have the appearance of professionalism,’’ Ms. Handley said. ‘‘We get letters, e-mails from many coaches. They went out of their way to compliment us and I think that’s wonderful.’’The Jamestown Skating event has been in existence for 11 years — first at the former Allen Park Ice Rink on the city’s south side, and now at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena on Third Street. This year, Jamestown will also play host to the newest in scoring and judging system.The new system requires computer databases, accountants and video equipment fully integrated to avoid a repeat of the 2002 Winter Olympic controversy, where two ice-dancing couples were awarded a gold medal after one judge rigged her vote.‘‘In all other sports, there is ‘instant replay.’ The video and camera equipment is used for figure skating’s ‘instant replay’,’’ Ms. Handley said. Skate Chautauqua is among the first events to be deploying this system in the U.S. Figure Skating Association. The system’s use this weekend is another testament to the level of confidence the skating community has in Jamestown. ‘‘There’s nothing like producing an event here,’’ Ms. Handley said. ‘‘All I got today were smiles. Everybody is just doing their thing. Jamestown knows how to produce these kinds of high caliber events.’’Quality Markets, Hagan Business Machines, The Post-Journal and Media One Group are among several sponsors of the 2006 event. The Jamestown Skating Club, under the direction of Kirk Wyse and Lenel VanDeBerg, is hosting the event


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