They may not have been the biggest team in the Vancouver Island regional figure skating competition, but the Oak Bay Figure Skating Club proved what they lack in numbers they more than make up in skill.
Last weekend, the Oak Bay Club took home the trophy for the fifth year in a row.
“We’ve been champions since 2008,” said the skating club’s director Jamie McGrigor. “We were a little outnumbered by some of the clubs, but the kids generally placed in the top three.”
With competitors ranging from seven to 15 years old, the Oak Bay Skating Club was able to dominate one of the competition’s newer events called elements.
“The kids essentially do four different skating moves and we pretty well won three out of four element categories,” said McGrigor. “It’s exciting because that event is pure skating and technique.”
In addition to taking the Vancouver Island title, many of the skating club’s members rank in the top five in the province.
Even though the skaters are currently enjoying a little bit of a lull in the season, McGrigor said they are focused on the provincial competition coming up at the beginning of March.
“They’ll compete one last time there in the individual competition and many will also compete as part of the Vancouver Island region team as part of the Super Series team final,” he said.
While the Vancouver Island team took home the trophy last year, and was largely made up of Oak Bay skaters, McGrigor said he is always pushing his skaters to do better.
“Winning regionals is nice but there is a provincial title won in March so that’s where we’re focused now,” he said.