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NEWS & NOTES2023 ISI Adult Championships Attracts Skaters Ages 18 to 86!
Talented adult skaters hailing from nine states* had Texas-size FUN at the 24th annual ISI Adult Championships, Oct. 7-8 at ICE at The Parks in Arlington, Texas.
Participants, ages 18 to 86, competed in various events, including Artistic, Couples Spotlight, Dance, Ensemble, Figures, Footwork, Freestyle, Interpretive, Jump & Spin, Pattern Team, Rhythmic, Solo Compulsories and Solo Spotlight.
ICE at The Parks, 2023 ISI Adult Champs Winner
The host team, ICE at The Parks, was crowned the overall team winner.
“This year’s Adult Championships was a great experience,” said Paola Ramirez, coach of El Paso Blades Skating Academy in El Paso, Texas. “This was our second time participating in the ISI Adult Championships, but our very first time attending a competition in a mall setting. I have to admit we were super nervous about the mall audience and activity, but in the end this was one of the things I think we enjoyed the most. One of my skaters even had a little audience of shoppers cheering her on!
“This has definitely become one of our favorite competitions to attend. I think the best thing about this competition is that it gives our skaters an opportunity to take a break from their daily adult responsibilities and do what they love the most with other adults who share the same passion. It was amazing to see how much fun all the skaters had this year!”
Lynne Winderbaum of Tropical Spice on Ice, a team based out of the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex in Ellenton, Fla., added: “We appreciate that ISI has given us the opportunity to participate in the Adult Championships. While ISI offers competition for different levels and abilities, we compete in the Masters category in events, which encourages us to showcase that senior skaters never outgrow the sport. We enjoy seeing the results that hard work can bring to the ice. We absolutely love what we do, love sharing it with each other, and love performing for the audience. Thank you ISI for all you do to run this event.”
“ICE at The Parks was very excited to host the Adult Championships, ” said ICE at The Parks Skating Director Caroline Baker. Many of the skaters were very friendly and complimentary of our facility and the mall setting. I remember talking with skaters from Minnesota; they loved the idea of an ice rink in a mall.
“Julie Stahl, Karen Becker and Olivia Langston are the ladies that coached and pulled the ladies together for the Chili Peppers synchro teams. They were able to entice these former skaters from 10 to 30-plus years ago to participate in the synchro teams. It is always fun to see old faces. Of course the highlight of the weekend was winning the Erica Amundsen Trophy.”
Submitted Photos:
Fun Facts
Oldest Skaters
Larri Slippen, 86, the oldest youngest at heart competitor at the 2023 ISI Adult Championships.
Larri Slippen, 86, Children’s Health StarCenter McKinney, McKinney, Texas; Marilyn Pagni and Jimmy White, both 84, Ellenton Ice and Sports Center, Ellenton, Fla.
Most Events
Jennifer Martino, 18 events, Gilmour Academy Ice Arena, Gates Mill, Ohio; Sherry Dowlen, 13 events, South Suburban Sports Complex, Littleton, Colo.; Rachel Collins, 10 events, Milford Skating School, Milford, Conn.
Largest Skating Teams
ICE at The Parks, Arlington, Texas, 35 skaters; Galleria Ice Skating Center, Dallas, 16 skaters; Children’s Health StarCenter Farmers Branch, Farmers Branch, Texas, 13 skaters; Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, Ellenton, Fla., 10 skaters; Stars of Austin Figure Skating Club, Pflugerville, Texas, 10 skaters.
Teams from Farthest Distance
Lloyd Center Ice Rink, Portland, Ore., 1,620 miles; Nazareth Ice Oasis, San Mateo, Calif., 1,458 miles; Milford Skating School, Milford, Conn., 1,436 miles.
* California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon and Texas
Professional Photography by Kaminsky Photo:
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. Learn more about the ISI Ice Skating Program.
