Artistry on show

Flying camels and salchows will be on display at the Queenstown Ice Arena this weekend during the South Island Figure Skating champs.

Running today till Sunday, genres include singles, dance and synchro teams.

It’s the first time for a while the Queenstown Ice Skating Club’s (QISC) been able to host a competition, which will see several local figure skaters competing for medals against some of the best in the country.

QISC president Turi Edmonds says the highest-level local skaters competing are Clarice de Oliviera, 14, in the intermediate novice ladies’ grade, Sabine Edmonds, 14, in the basic novice ladies’ grade, and Mia Cotton, 11, in the basic novice under-12 grade.

The trio are part of a group of 14 committed local skaters, some of whom travel from Wānaka, to train in Queenstown.

Edmonds says the public’s welcome to come and watch — entry is by gold coin donation.

‘‘It’s something a little different on offer for locals and visitors to Queenstown.

‘‘The athleticism and artistry is quite captivating.’’

She says there’ll be some ‘‘great viewing’’ from 4pm till 5.45pm on Saturday, and from 9.45am till 12.30pm on Sunday, when some of the country’s top skaters — international A-team reps — hit the ice.

Those skaters include Dunedin Ice Skating Club’s Jazz Evangelou and Misaki Joe, who will compete for the SEA Trophy in Singapore next month.

Audiences are also welcome at practice sessions, which start in the mornings before the championships get underway.

For the full competition schedule, see queenstownicearena.co.nz

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