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Skaters set to dazzle Penticton crowd
| Source: |
Penticton Western News |
| Date: |
December 3, 2009 |
| Author: |
Emanuel Sequeira |
Brittany Black is excited to join figure skating stars such as Kurt
Browning during the Holiday on Ice event at the South Okanagan Events
Centre on Saturday.
Scratching your head trying to think of what to get your loved one for
Christmas.
Kurt Browning, a four-time world and Canadian figure skating champion
who will be performing in Saturdays Holiday on Ice event at the South
Okanagan Events Centre, believes tickets to the event are the perfect
gift.
"The Christmas theme works with ice very well," said Browning from
Toronto. "The cast is amazing. We have a great camaraderie that gets
that warm cozy feeling on the ice."
Joining him on the ice will be two-time Olympic Gold medalist
Ekaterina (Katia) Gordeeva, three-time national bronze medalist Shawn
Sawyer, Jeffrey Buttle, 2009 World champion and 2006 Winter Olympic
bronze medalist, Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, Canadian
national champions and world silver medalists and Jamie Sale and David
Pelletier, Olympic gold medalists.
Browning said he considers the cast his best friends and he intends to
have a blast.
"I'm really happy to be on a tour with people that I love," said
Browning.
The 43-year-old Caroline, Alta., native has been performing with ice
shows for 20 years. Last October he had knee surgery and it has given
him extra years to skate at a level he loves.
"My knee was really holding me back," explained Browning, adding
that fan reaction to him is like that of an old friend. "I didn't
realize how much until I got it fixed. I'm skating pain free and
jumping stronger."
The crowd at the SOEC won't just get to see familiar stars, but a
local one too.
Organizers for Holiday on Ice contacted the Glengarry Figure Skating
Club and asked that they pick their highest-level member to
participate. Seventeen-year-old Brittany Black was the choice.
"I was surprised and happy," said Black, who has won three gold
medals in competition and was given the news last Friday. Her most
recent win came in White Rock during the Jingle Blades competition
taking the ladies category.
"I have done lots of shows, but this is huge," she said. "The stars
I'm skating with are unbelievable."
Among the skaters Black is looking forward to meeting is Buttle, who
she has looked up to.
"I get to meet all of these people and rehearse with them," said
Black, who has had more excitement coming to McLaren Park Arena for
practice since knowing who she will be skating with.
"I'm going to enjoy it," said Black, who has applied to Disney on
Ice. "This is probably the biggest show I have done."
Darren Gillett, Black's coach, said this is going to be great for
her.
"It's not often you get to skate with these athletes," said
Gillett, who added he hopes these events come to Penticton more
often.
The show begins at 7 p.m.
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