Local figure skater qualifies for Skate Canada Challenge

A novice level figure skater from the Sault has earned a spot at the this winter's Skate Canada Challenge after a successful weekend of skating in central Ontario.

Lake Superior Figure Skating Club (LSFSC) skater Yvonne Barnes competed at the Skate Ontario Pre-Novice/Novice Sectional Championships in Huntsville.

Skaters from all regions of the province were in attendance, the LSFSC said in a news release.

Barnes’ result earned her a spot on Team Ontario and she will be competing at Skate Canada Challenge taking place in February in Oakville.

The Pre-Novice/Novice Skate Ontario Sectional Championships identified the top 16 skaters in Ontario for advancement to the next round of qualifying events, which is the Skate Canada Challenge.

Skaters at the Challenge are ultimately vying for a chance to compete at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships for Novice competitors, which takes place in Waterloo at the end of February, the club said.

“I am very proud of Yvonne," LSFSC head coach Kerry Bain said. "Her dedication and hard work is paying off."

"She earned herself a spot on Team Ontario with a personal best score in her Novice Free Skate program. She skated her best and kept her mind in the moment. Now we’ll go back to the ice and keep working hard towards her next goal.”