Pictured from left to right: Nicola Bebelman (Year 12), Courtney Wertheim (Year 11), Victoria Heald (Year 10) and Katrina Chan (Year 12) (Sancta Maria students and skaters in the Mixed Age Ice Skating Team, Black Ice)
2018 New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Championships, it is the event of the year for figure skaters all over New Zealand. Paradice Ice Skating Botany was the place to be as skaters poured their hearts out to showcase everything they’ve worked for this season.
Amongst the competition was the Mixed Age division which featured two synchronized skating teams: Black Ice and Kia Kaha. This is not the first time the two teams have met, having competed against each other in the past three NZ Nationals. This year, Kia Kaha (Christchurch) was first to draw, they skated to The Greatest Show from The Greatest Showman. All in all, with evidence of the hard work they put in, they racked up 35.87 points. Black Ice (Auckland) performed second to their lively, feel-good music from Cirque du Soleil. With stellar facials and a strong team spirit, they decisively proved their last gold was not a fluke, securing a solid win at 39.63 points and maintaining their position as National Champions. Both teams competed with twelve skaters and achieved their personal best scores.
After placing first in their respective Mixed Age Category, Black Ice gained the qualifications to represent New Zealand. Coached by Charlotte Van Uden, Sabrina Snoad and Natalie Bartlett – Black Ice has earned their place in the International B Team and is now set to work even harder to take on multiple teams at the 2018 Australian Nationals in December.
Katrina Chan
