2020ne ISI Holiday Theatrical Challenge Skaters Light Up Iceoplex!
While the weather was unusually foggy, the atmosphere inside the Iceoplex in Simi Valley, Calif., was bright, as skaters took to the ice Dec. 4-5 for the 2020ne ISI Holiday Theatrical Challenge.
Nearly 300 skaters representing 18 rink teams from four states (California, Minnesota, Missouri and Texas) were thrilled to be competing again and making memories with skating friends.
Iceoplex Simi Valley was crowned Overall Team Champion, with a total of 439.5 points. HealthEast Sports Complex, Woodbury, Minn., took 2ndplace, with 423 total points and Toyota Sports Performance Center, El Segundo, Calif., placed 3rd, with 255.5 points.
“I believe it was one of the first competitions in which many of the skaters (most being from California) were able to participate in since the start of the pandemic, and we could certainly see that they were excited and grateful for the opportunity,” said ISI Skating Programs and National Event Director Kim Hansen. “The rink did an exceptional job of creating the theatrical lighting for the event, complete with professional-grade spotlights and colored background lights.
“The host rink won, but it was extremely close right down to the end of the competition. A visiting rink from Minnesota, HealthEast Sports Center, almost won; the point difference was only 16.5 points — the closest I have ever seen in my 10 years of running events, so that was very exciting!”
Submitted Photos
Oldest Skaters:Marsha Stout, 73, Valley Edge Skating School, Panorama City, Calif.; Wild John Cohen, 67, Toyota Sports Performance Center; Catherine Roze, 66, Toyota Sports Performance Center
Youngest Skaters:Mackenzie Blatt, 2, Toyota Sports Performance Center; Archer Crichton, 3; Toyota Sports Center; Isla Lavizani, 3, The Cube — Ice and Entertainment Center, Valencia, Calif.
Skated in Most Events:Kiera Daniels, HealthEast Sports Center, 11 events; Robert Trygstad, Vacaville Ice Sports, Vacaville, Calif., 11 events; Addison Eckberg, HealthEast Sports Center, 10 events; Aubrey Lovins, HealthEast Sports Center, 10 events
Largest Skating Teams:Iceoplex Simi Valley, 70 skaters; Toyota Sports Performance Center, 46 skaters; The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center, 44 skaters
Teams from Farthest Distance:HealthEast Sports Center, Woodbury, Minn., 1,965 miles; Line Creek FSC, Kansas City, Mo., 1,654 miles; ICE at the Parks, Arlington, Texas, 1,456 miles
Top 10 Teams
- Iceoplex Simi Valley
- HealthEast Sports Center
- Toyota Sports Performance Center
- Solar4America
- The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center
- Skatetown Ice Arena
- Iceland Ice Skating Center – Van Nuys
- Vacaville Ice Sports
- Hollywood Ice Stars Skating School
- The Rinks – Lakewood ICE
For a complete list of teams and results, please visit skateisi.org/theatricalchallenge.
View the 2020ne Holiday Theatrical Challenge Professional Photo Gallery
Established in 1959, the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) — creator of America’s first learn-to-skate curriculum — is an international trade association encompassing all aspects of the ice sports industry. Our goal is to promote ice skating as a participant sport and recreational activity for everyone — all ages and abilities. For more information, visit skateisi.org.