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The 2005 Masters Cup
The 2005 Masters Cup competition, held in the Melbourne area at the Olympic Ice Skating Centre on June 13th, drew skaters aged 20 and up from all over the country. This annual competition is currently the only one of its kind in Australia, and features free skating events at 5 different levels: Proficiency, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Open. I used to attend the annual Adult Peach Classic in Atlanta when I lived in the States, and have really missed the fun atmosphere and camraderie at that event since my move to Sydney last winter. So when I found out about the Masters Cup in June, I couldn't wait to get there! I was very excited about my first Australian skating competition, and my first trip to the Melbourne area. I travelled to Melbourne on the Saturday afternoon of Queen's Birthday weekend, and competed in the rink's "warm-up" competition, the Olympic Figure and Dance Club's Fun Skate, literally as soon as I arrived at the rink from the airport! There were a few other adult skaters competing and testing out their programs for the Masters Cup on Monday, and it was great getting to meet them for the first time and see their programs. Everyone at the host rink and club was very welcoming, and I felt at home at the rink right away. Winning the Adult Silver Freeskate event was a surprise, though! I hadn't won a freeskating event competing against other adult skaters since February 2003, so I felt a bit odd being up on the top step of the podium. It was nice, though, and the medals were beautiful! Monday arrived quickly, and the rink was bustling with adult skaters of all ages and ability levels from not only the home rink in Victoria, but also from ACT, NSW, and an entire adult synch team from South Australia! All the adults encouraged each other -- cheering for each other's jumps, spins, footwork, and spirals on the ice, and complimenting each other's skating, costumes, and musical choices off the ice. Besides the freeskating events, which are usually split into two age divisions, the Masters Cup competition also features the popular Adult Interpretive Trophy event, with the Silver Blades Girls' "It's Raining Men" and New South Wales skater Alyssa Montgomery's Marilyn Monroe program winning top marks in the audience awards portion of the competition. There were three of us representing New South Wales, and we all brought home medals. Alyssa Montgomery won the bronze medal in the Bronze Under 40 freeskate event and the Adult Interpretive Trophy event. Tara Haydon won the silver medal in the Silver Under 40 event and another silver medal in the Adult Interpretive Trophy event. And competing against 3 great skaters, I was stunned with my first place trophy in the Adult Silver Under 40 division! The Masters Cup is a truly wonderful opportunity for adult skaters to meet, compete and enjoy the sport we all love -- I hope even more adult skaters will join us there next year! . About Amy I started competing in US Figure Skating competitions in the summer of 1999, and after taking 9 months off to have my son in 2001, I went back to competing, and even attended the US Adult Championships in 2003 at the Bronze level. My most recent competition was the Masters Cup in Melbourne, where I skated at the Masters Silver level. There are so many skaters I admire -- I'd have to say that my favorite is Michelle Kwan. Her ease on the ice, artistic quality, heart-on-her-sleeve emotion, and consistency paired with her good sportsmanship and perspective on the sport make her a great role model for skaters of any age group. Many of the up-and-coming skaters at Macquarie are also my favorites -- they have such wonderful, positive attitudes about skating and such great work ethics -- but another Australian favorite would be Miriam Manzano. Her longevity in the sport and confidence on the ice, as well as being one of the nicest people in the sport, make her a great role model. I also really admire Jo Carter -- her freeskate at the 2005 World Championships was amazing! |
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