WATCH ABOVE: Nearly forty local figure skaters auditioned for the opportunity to be official flower retrievers at this year’s Skate Canada International competition. Global’s Blake Lough reports.
LETHBRIDGE – Preparation is fully underway for the rapidly approaching Skate Canada International 2015, including finding the right skaters to clean off the ice when dolls and flowers are thrown in appreciation. An audition at the Enmax Centre has whittled 39 local figure skaters down to 12.
When the stars perform at the highest caliber, the fans, especially Canadian fans, often show their appreciation by littering the ice with flowers and stuffed animals. It is the flower retrievers’ job to clean up the mess.
“Once a skater is done, people will throw out flowers or teddy bears or any little gifts for them,” said Samantha White, event volunteer program coordinator with Skate Canada. “The flower kids will be put out on the ice, pick them up and bring them back, and then they are brought to the skaters once they’re done their competition.”
It is a desirable position for young figure skaters.
“It would be cool to skate on the same ice as really good skaters,” said Alexis Demaere.
“I might be able to stand beside a famous person,” added Olivia Dobson.
The event is one of six competitions on the International Skating Union’s grand prix. The best skaters from around the world will look to bolster their rankings in Lethbridge in an effort to compete at the figure skating finals in Barcelona, Spain.
“It’s the lead up going into the worlds,” said Jeremy Ten, former Canadian silver medalist and current athlete ambassador for this year’s event. “It’s kind of getting your feet wet and competing against the best and seeing where you rank up before that big championship in March. So yeah, it’s a big deal.”
The Skate Canada International 2015 competition starts on Oct. 30.
Tickets are now available at http://www.enmaxcentre.ca
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