Photo by Whitehorse Star
Bryn Hoffman and Rachel Pettitt
Local figure skaters to compete at sectionals
Bryn Hoffman just wants to skate her best.
Bryn Hoffman just wants to skate her best.
The 15-year-old Whitehorse figure skater says she has recovered from a hip injury and is ready to give her all at Skate Canada Sectionals being held this weekend in Parksville, B.C.
Hoffman left for the Vancouver Island city this morning.
"This is the biggest tournament of the year,鈥� she told the Star. "I guess I'm excited, and I'm a little nervous. I just want to skate my best.鈥�
The Porter Creek Secondary School student said she doesn't have a placement goal.
Her last competition came in August, when Hoffman finished ninth out of 28 skaters at the B.C. SummerSkate in Burnaby.
She achieved that placement despite a hip flexor injury.
Hoffman said that injury is no longer a concern, however.
"I feel pretty good,鈥� she said. "I trained hard and I think I'm well-prepared.鈥�
Hoffman has moved up a level since last year and will compete in novice this time around. Last year, she finished ninth in pre-novice at sectionals.
Rachel Pettitt is the other Yukon skater who will participate in the sectionals. Pettitt has been training in Kelowna, B.C., this fall.
Pettitt finished seventh in pre-novice at last year's sectionals, but recently took home a gold medal from SummerSkate.
"It will be good to see her,鈥� Hoffman said of her friend.
Hoffman's Arctic Edge coach Charlene Donald said the sectionals tournament is a "huge competition.鈥�
The BC/YT sectionals will be held Nov. 8 to 11 at Oceanside Place Arena in Parksville.
The tournament will identify the top skaters from the province for advancement to the next round, eventually leading to the Canadian Figure Skating Championships.
Both Hoffman and Pettitt have the talent to place quite high at sectionals, Donald said.
"Both of the girls are excellent skaters,鈥� she said today. "They're both very dedicated, very focused on their skating and on their training in particular.鈥�
Donald said she hopes Hoffman can improve on her ninth-place finish at last year's championship.
"We're definitely hoping so,鈥� she said. "She's someone that's very entertaining and enjoyable to watch. She's come along quite a bit.鈥�
Hoffman was coached last year by Michelle Gorczyca.
Both skaters will skate a short and a long program for a combined score rating.
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