Every Wednesday at the Katie Xu and Jack Fan Ice Rink on Shea Road, you can find Special Olympians training determinedly at their regular ice sessions in preparation for the upcoming Provincial Special Olympics Winter Games. The games are being held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario from January 30 – February 3, 2019.
Coach Cathy Skinner with Special Olympians competing Jan 30-Feb 3, 2019 in the Provincial Winter Special Olympics in Sault Ste. Marie – Michael Raytchev, Maureen Mills-Associate Coach, Victoria Ziola, Katie Xu, and Jack Fan. (Photo: Heidi Pinsent)
The Goulbourn Skating Club will be well represented in Sault Ste. Marie, with 4 athletes competing, as well as 2 coaches on the team. Cathy Skinner explained, “This competition is the 2nd step in the qualifying process for the eventual goal of competing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2021. These skaters have qualified due to their great results at the Regional level of competition, held last year in Arnprior. We will have some athletes competing for their first time at this level of competition, including Victoria Ziola who will be competing in the Level 1 Women’s singles event and Michael Raytchev, who will be competing in the Level 2 Men’s Singles event. We will also have some veterans including Katie Xu, who will be competing in the Women’s Level 3 Singles event, the Level 2 Solo Dance event as well as the Level 2 Couples Dance event together with Jack Fan. Jack will also be competing in the Men’s Level 4 Singles event, the Men’s Level 2 Solo Dance event and the Level 2 Couples Dance event with Katie Xu. The 2 coaches who will be accompanying these and other athletes are; Cathy Skinner – who is the Head Coach for the Eastern Ontario Figure Skating Team and Maureen Mills who is an associate coach.”
We wish them all the best of luck at this event! And you can wish them luck personally at their not to be missed official send-off – Wednesday, January 23rd at 6:30pm at the Katie Xu-Jack Fan ice rink on Shea Road.
The skating season will be even more competitive for Michael Raytchev, as he has been chosen as the sole Special Olympic male athlete for all of Ontario, to compete in the Canada Winter Games, in Red Deer Alberta, February 23 – March 3. What an honour for the Goulbourn Skating Club to have Michael performing as their and Ontario’s representative. Cathy Skinner will also be attending these Games as the Special Olympic coach for Team Ontario. Michael, show Canada how it’s done – best of luck! The 6:30pm send-off for Michael will be on February 20th at the Cardel-Goulbourn Rec Centre (GRC) on Shea Road.
Coach Cathy Skinner with Michael Raytchev. (Photo: Heidi Pinsent)
Come on out to these two admirable send-offs and show your support to these wonderful young Special Olympians for whom Stittsville is so proud!