Sport & Motorsport
Ice Sports Southland is hosting the New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Champs in Gore this coming week.
Starting with the official opening ceremony to welcome ice skaters from around New Zealand at 12:30pm on Thursday, the competition continues right through until Sunday afternoon.
More than 150 skaters across several disciplines, including synchronised skating and pairs are represented at the championships, as well as several from the Ice Sports Southland club.
Those skaters are Jodie Ross, Shanae Taylor, Genevieve Webby, Tessa Ayers, Christine Stevens and Maia Smith (of Alexandra). The neighbouring Alexandra Ice Skating Club also has several skaters competing, including president Jo Tickle, technical specialist and adult skater Rachel Hope, Rachel Sidda (Wanaka), Arleigha Blissett and Astrid Smith.
Many New Zealand-level skaters from Dunedin have entered, along with clubs from Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. New Zealand’s Senior Men’s skater Dwayne Li is coming straight to the competition from the international ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, and is ranked number 6 in the world. He performs both triple and quadruple jumps and will be on the ice for his short programme at 2:10pm on Friday, followed by 3:50pm on Saturday for his long programme.
Gore last hosted the NZ Ice Figure Skating Champs back in 2019, and prior to that during the 2008 and 2002 winter seasons.
Gore Multisports Complex
29th October – 1st November
Thursday, 29th October: 12:30PM – 5:40PM Friday, 30th October: 12:30PM – 5:20PM Saturday, 31st October: 12:10PM – 5:10PM Sunday, 1st November: 10:50AM – 1:35PM Door Entry – $5 Per Adult Under 16’s Free