The Florida Open is a competition held every year at our rink by the Central Florida Figure Skating Club sanctioned by USFSA. The competition is open to all skaters regardless of age and level from basic skills to senior level skaters.
This was my very first Florida Open competition even though I've been a member for 4 years and began testing adult tract in 2012. At the moment I am a pre-bronze adult level IV with Master Adult Bronze level Moves in the Filed. I've work hard for the past months to become a stronger bronze skater so that I can test bronze. When I tested I listen to the judge and worked on what needed to improve. I can say that with my confidence, I decided to compete and skate UP to Adult Bronze Level- it took a lot of courage but I did it anyways. Its really not about the medal for me in any competition, its just an opportunity to show my strength and skating skills.
Competition Day, April 4th
Well as usual, my nerves tend to shut down my eating habits and just have fruits and applesauce the entire day...funny but it keeps me going. If I eat solid, heavy food...I'll end up getting poopie and that's a no no in competition. I have to admit, I do get nervous but not because I am competing with other skaters. My nerves are of my own creation....aka if I feel my entry of a jump or element that is questionable by the judges - I syke myself up and get all jittery.
To add to my stress, I've been sick for the past week and then to add more my beautiful dress had a malfunction...my sleeve ripped and tried to fix it but my sewing machine literally died on me, we are talkin 1/2 hour before I leave to the rink. I had no time to do anything, felt like crying. Thank goodness I have a closet full of beautiful dresses and decided to were a ivory lace with purple crystals and beads. It worked perfect for my program!! When I got to the rink and register, everyone can tell by my face something went wrong!!
Program Free Skate
My very first debut of my Bronze Free Skate and new music :) To think my free skate program was choreographed only 4 weeks before this competition. I am so proud of myself that I went out there and skated with my heart!! Had the "blank moment" in my program. As I was going to set for my inside 3 turn it happen the "blank moment" loop/toe combination was epic literately!! so I went into "what next move" so decided to jump a loop/loop but did not get the height on it....as I heard the music I know I was running out of time....and just kept going....that's what skaters do, improvise and keep going. But guess what nobody knows your program but you and your coach!!! hahaha!!! other than that little error - I skated great :)
I received, however numerous compliments on my performance and that's what makes all worth while. All the pain, injuries and tears all comes down to a great performance.
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| Third Place!! |
Aside from skating, I did have the opportunity to volunteer during the competition as ice monitor.
It was about 6:10 am and all the skaters and coaches were checking in for practice ice then John Zimmerman approached and asked me " Did you skate yesterday? what music did you skate to? and I replied, then he told me "I saw you skate yesterday, and you did a great job - lovely skate, well done" I was in awh!! and coming from him is like the best compliment ever!! This is why I skate...its not about the medal, or if you come in last, its the pure joy of skating that makes it all fun.
Re-cap
What I take from this experience is; take risks face your fears full force, go for it!! no matter the outcome. You wont know until to go and give a shot....this performance is my first of many to come and it will only make me stronger. I shall keep skating and improve where it needed. If I am blessed and God willing I can make it to Adult Nationals 2015 but for now. I am a happy skater :) :) :)
Special thanks to all my dear friends who came out to
support and watch me skate that means the world to me
Happy Skating
Happy Skating
Nicely done!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Fernan!! You know we are our worst critic...though I messed up my loop combo :( I am certain that I will get better.
DeleteCongrats! I got a new computer and lost the bookmark to your site but found it again! Good luck as you continue with your goals. I've commented on your blog before (I'm also trying to pass Bronze FS for AN in 2015 and also struggling with sit spin and loop jump as well as speed, and asked you about sewing your dresses). Your sit spin is better than mine! Your program was lovely - loved your music, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, It was a great experience despite my mishap. Its a learning experience. My sit spin has gotten so much better (lower) and I am hoping to test again in November hoping all goes well if I pass then I want to train for 2015 AN. My loop has gotten better as well and finally got my flip back from a bad fall I had last year (mental block) but now I am jump with foot crossed :) :)
DeleteI will be designing a new dress for my artistic program a tango so I am really excited about that. Lots to work on this summer. But overall I am pleased with my skating and progress. Thank you so much for reading and commenting it means a lot :)
Forgot to add, the Adult Skating Committee is looking into changing the wording on the bronze test regarding the sit spin to "recognizable sit spin" which will help a lot of adult skaters. The loop, all I can say is keep working on your back spin and your waltz jump/loop practice this before you normal loop jump...its a muscle memory thing. good luck
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