麻豆社区

A frustrated Rachel Pettitt left the ice following her free skate at Skate Canada Sectionals in Parksville B.C. last Friday.

She had fallen while attempting a double-axel.

"I thought I blew it,鈥� the 13-year-old Whitehorse native admitted.

In reality, her skate was awarded a top mark of 52.64, propelling her to a gold medal in women's pre-novice 鈥� a category that featured 54 skaters.

Ranked fifth following her short program, Pettitt could only wait and watch as each of the skaters ranked ahead of her performed their free skates.

Much to her surprise and delight, she held onto the top ranking until the end.

Her gold medal is a significant one. Pettitt is the first Yukon figure skater in history to win at sectionals and advance to the Skate Canada Challenge in Regina, Sask.

The Challenge will be held Dec. 5 to 8, and winners will move on to compete at Skate Canada nationals in January.

"My goal was to make it to Challenge,鈥� she said, before setting some realistic goals for her next competition. "I'm not going to worry about the other skaters. I can only worry about myself.鈥�

Pettitt admitted she felt much better after her short program at sectionals, where she finished fifth.

"I was really happy getting off the ice after my short,鈥� she told the Star before skating at the Canada Games Centre yesterday. "I was really happy walking away from the rink.鈥�

Pettitt has been training at the Kelowna Skating Club this season under the tutelage of Jason and Karen Mongrain 鈥� both of whom have national experience.

They often refer to Pettitt as a perfectionist.

In August, Pettitt won gold at B.C. SummerSkate.

"I've improved on my skating this season,鈥� she said. "I'm working on my triple salchow.鈥�

Sectionals marked the first time Pettitt attempted the jump in competition. They weren't perfect, but she was happy with them.

Pettitt admitted she had also purchased new skates only a week before sectionals, but they proved golden.

"I'm really proud of her,鈥� said her mother and coach, Trish Pettitt, who attended sectionals with her daughter. "She set her goals, and they were realistic. She worked hard for it, and she says she's saved her best for Challenge.鈥�

Alongside her gold in pre-novice, Pettitt also took home gold in the Pond to Podium Super Series 鈥� an award that takes the top three marks from six competitions 鈥� as well as an Okanagan region award for her top performance in B.C. this season.

Pettitt said she will move back to Whitehorse following the Challenge competition.

"I miss it,鈥� she admitted.

Bryn Hoffman, the only other Yukon skater to compete at sectionals, finished sixth out of 19 skaters in novice women, after finishing seventh in the free program, and eighth in the short.

The 15-year-old said she finished "better than she expected.鈥�

She endured two falls in her short program, but said she was "happy she went for it.鈥�

"Bryn's a performer,鈥� Trish Pettitt said. "She performed very well.

"It's nice to see that even though they're from a small town, these girls have the quality and grace and talents to win.鈥�