Winter Games Is Fun Event For Skaters
By ANASTASIA CONKLIN
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2/4/2007 - The tension of regional and national competition gave way to fun and games for skaters participating in Chautauqua Ice presents Winter Games on Saturday at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena.
For the eighth year, the annual Winter Games attracted skaters from throughout New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio to take part in the club against club competition. The competition allows all levels of figure skaters to represent their clubs for cash prizes.
‘‘We want to present the best possible environment,’’ said Mary Handley, Winter Games chairperson. ‘‘It encourages skaters to work together as a group.’’
Many different events span the two-day event including a free skate, short program, a jump and spin event, music interpretation, a showcase event with props and spotlights and a snowman contest.
One of the featured events is the returning ‘‘Survivor’’ event, which is not judged by the usual panel of judges. Instead, officials measure the distance of spirals and jumps, and count the number of rotations in a spin by using a machine called the Dartfish, which is a computer program that photographs jumps. Skaters with the highest total of distances win the event for their club.
‘‘The Dartfish is one of the new pieces of training equipment used by the Chautauqua Skating Club,’’ Mrs. Handley said.
There were 20 clubs represented at the Winter Games. Each club can vary in size from only one member to as many as 25 or 30 skaters competing.
Each year for the Winter Games, there is an opening ceremony, something other competitions don’t have. Skaters enter the main rink at the arena wearing their club jackets and holding their banners while skating to Olympic music.
‘‘The kids really love it,’’ Mrs. Handley said.
According to Mrs. Handley, one thing that keeps bringing people back year after year, not just for the Winter Games but for Skate Chautauqua as well, is Jamestown’s hospitality. Mrs. Handley believes that because of the friendly community, more members of families come to cheer on skaters.
‘‘There are a lot of good people here,’’ Mrs. Handley said. ‘‘Families here are willing to help and explain things to the new skaters and parents. I’ve also found that coaches are happy here too.’’
Skating continues today from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Admission is free.
For the eighth year, the annual Winter Games attracted skaters from throughout New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio to take part in the club against club competition. The competition allows all levels of figure skaters to represent their clubs for cash prizes.
‘‘We want to present the best possible environment,’’ said Mary Handley, Winter Games chairperson. ‘‘It encourages skaters to work together as a group.’’
Many different events span the two-day event including a free skate, short program, a jump and spin event, music interpretation, a showcase event with props and spotlights and a snowman contest.
One of the featured events is the returning ‘‘Survivor’’ event, which is not judged by the usual panel of judges. Instead, officials measure the distance of spirals and jumps, and count the number of rotations in a spin by using a machine called the Dartfish, which is a computer program that photographs jumps. Skaters with the highest total of distances win the event for their club.
‘‘The Dartfish is one of the new pieces of training equipment used by the Chautauqua Skating Club,’’ Mrs. Handley said.
There were 20 clubs represented at the Winter Games. Each club can vary in size from only one member to as many as 25 or 30 skaters competing.
Each year for the Winter Games, there is an opening ceremony, something other competitions don’t have. Skaters enter the main rink at the arena wearing their club jackets and holding their banners while skating to Olympic music.
‘‘The kids really love it,’’ Mrs. Handley said.
According to Mrs. Handley, one thing that keeps bringing people back year after year, not just for the Winter Games but for Skate Chautauqua as well, is Jamestown’s hospitality. Mrs. Handley believes that because of the friendly community, more members of families come to cheer on skaters.
‘‘There are a lot of good people here,’’ Mrs. Handley said. ‘‘Families here are willing to help and explain things to the new skaters and parents. I’ve also found that coaches are happy here too.’’
Skating continues today from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Admission is free.
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