the roar | snapshots | 11
friday, dec. 9, 2011
Figure skaters partake in unique sport, discover dedication By Devin Dakota staff reporter
U
nderneath bright spotlights, sophomore Alex Hueste glides across the ice with a feeling of victory, knowing she just mastered a trick that took weeks of practice. “I actually get butterflies when I accomplish something new,” Hueste said. That feeling of success does not come easily. Figure skaters practice up to several hours daily to achieve certain jumps and routines. “I’ve learned that you can’t do everything you want to on the first try,” Hueste said. “You have to practice.” Ice skaters must constantly stay motivated and continue to work towards their goals. “It takes a lot of practice to gain just a little bit of stamina,” junior Angela Yip said. Long-time skater senior Macey Lively understands the great amount of effort and hard work that figure skating requires. “Basically, if you aren’t falling, you aren’t trying hard enough,” Lively said. Though falling is a major part of a figure skater’s practice time, skating can be therapeutic and acts as a destresser. “Some of the best moments are when I’m going slowly around the ice in circles, listening to my iPod and just being out there
for myself,” Lively said. The sensation of “wind in your face” that figure skating creates is arguably one of the best feelings that skaters enjoy. “When you’re out there, you get this feeling that you’re flying down the ice,” Hueste said. Figure skating offers several benefits over more common athletic sports. “Figure skating is different because you don’t always have to try very hard to get that feeling of going really fast,” Yip said. The individuality skating requires teaches skaters qualities like responsibility, creativity and accountability. “Knowing that you’re alone on the ice, and that it’s all up to you, teaches you that you have to be self-motivated,” Lively said. With figure skating routines as complicated and intricate as they are, it is easy for skaters to become disappointed and discouraged. “Sometimes, [to stay motivated] I have to tell myself that it can only get better from here,” Yip said. Figure skating teaches many valuable lessons that skaters can use in all areas of their lives. “Skating offers so much freedom of expression and teaches you about channeling your emotions,” Lively said. “The feeling is so liberating.”
Senior Macey Lively performs a routine to the song “Imagine” during Arctic Wolf’s The Magic of Christmas on Ice show on Dec. 3. Along with this solo, Lively skated to “Carol of the Bells” with six other skaters. PHOTO BY LAURA EVERETT
Junior Angela Yip skates at Arctic Wolf Ice Center. Yip has participated in all but one Christmas show at the rink. PHOTO BY DEVIN DAKOTA Sophomore Patricia Zhang skates to “O Holy Night” at Arctic Wolf’s ice show on Dec. 3. Zhang began ice skating during the summer of 2005. PHOTO BY LAURA EVERETT
Junior Angela Yip practices at Arctic Wolf Ice Center. Yip has been figure skating since the rink opened a few years ago. PHOTO BY DEVIN DAKOTA
Sophomore Alex Hueste and her younger sister Anastasia Hueste perform a routine to “Let It Snow” on Dec. 3 at Arctic Wolf’s ice show. “I still get butterflies when I accomplish something new,” Hueste said. PHOTO BY LAURA EVERETT