Svfsc Club Newsletter11-09

The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club Newsletter November 2009 Upcoming Events & Calendar Notes               

Nov. 11, 2009: Sectionals Exhibition/Recital, 4 p.m. Indoor Rink. Nov. 13 – 14, 2009: Freedom Classic (Basic Skills Competition & Test Session), Ogden, UT. Nov. 17 – 22, 2009: Pacific Coast Sectionals, Jackson, WY. Nov. 26, 2009: 4 p.m., FOX scheduled to air: “Kaleidoscope,” a skating special choreographed by Gia Guddat (see article below). Dec. 8, 2009: Annual SVFSC meeting, 5:30 p.m., home of Kathy Crossen. Dec. 14 – 19, 2009: US Junior Nationals, Strongsville, OH. Dec. 24th 2009: Sun Valley Company’s Christmas Eve ice show. Jan. 14 – 24, 2010: US Nationals Championships, Spokane, WA. Jan. 27 – Feb. 3, 2010: Indoor rink closed due to a convention. Feb. 12 – 28, 2010: Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada. Feb. 5 – April 18, 2010: Session #2, Skate with Us - Friday afternoons. Feb. 20, 2010: Sun Valley Winter Games. Feb. 21, 2010: USFS Test Session. April 17, 2010: Spring Show (Tentative). July 22 – 25, 2010: SV Summer Championships.

Sun Valley Skaters Medal at Regionals Congratulations to Shayna Mollenberg, Novice ladies competitor, and Alex Harten, PreJuvenile girls competitor, who both brought home medals from the Pacific Northwest Regional competition held October 8-12, 2009. Shayna Mollenberg: Silver Medalist Shayna Mollenberg, 15, won the Novice short program and placed second overall in a field of 20 skaters. The top four placements at Regionals qualify to compete at Pacific Coast Sectionals, so now Shayna is preparing to compete November 17-21, in Jackson Hole, WY. She is coached by Lisa-Marie Allen and her choreographer is Gia Guddat. The Pacific Coast section includes skaters from the Northwest Pacific, Central Pacific and Southwest Pacific regions. See this chart for the current USFS regional map. The top four medalists in the Novice through Senior levels at Sectionals will qualify to compete at the U.S. National Championships, held January 14-24, 2010 in Spokane, WA. Good luck, Shayna!

Alex Harten: Bronze Medalist Alex Harten, 12, earned a bronze medal in her Pre-Juvenile free skate group at Pacific Northwest Regionals. She is a seventhgrader at Community School and is primarily coached by Holly Wheeler. Her choreographer is Gia Guddat. This is exciting because it is one of the few times the SVFSC has earned two medals at Regionals. For the 2010-2011 season, Alex plans to move into qualifying competition at the Intermediate level. More Regional information can be found in the October 21st, 2009 edition of the Mountain Express newspaper.

You’re Invited: Nov. 11th Exhibition/Recital On Wednesday, November 11th, at 4 p.m. in the indoor rink, there will be a short exhibition for our Sectionals competitors. Please come and show your support for Shayna Mollenberg, Novice ladies, and Abby Chase & Alex Sullivan, Juvenile ice dance. The exhibition is designed to simulate a competition to help these skaters prepare to skate their best under pressure. SVFSC judge, David Hold, has generously volunteered his time to offer feedback to the skaters. In addition, hot chocolate and cookies will be served! Note: Abby Chase & Alex Sullivan recently found out that they are the only Juvenile dance team registered to compete in the Pacific Coast Section; therefore, they will bypass Sectionals and compete at Junior Nationals.

SVFSC Skaters Win Top Showcase Awards Alex Stuessi Wins Big at Oktoberfest During the Cottonwood Heights’ Oktoberfest Competition held September 17-19, 2009, Alex Stuessi (pictured with Claire below), a 9-year-old 3rd grader from Hemingway Elementary, captured the coveted “Most Distinguished Showcase Award.” Alex, who is coached by Holly Wheeler, skated a unique and creative Chiquita Banana program choreographed by Gia Guddat. The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club Newsletter – November 2009

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Claire Siderman Awarded Showcase Trophy During the 2009 Sun Valley Summer Championships, Community School 7th grader, Claire Siderman, entertained the audience with a slapstick rendition of a cleaning woman who has an accident with a bucket. Her efforts were rewarded with the "Best Overall Showcase Trophy" for Nontest through Pre-Juvenile level skaters. Claire is coached by Michele Monnier and her program was choreographed by Gia Guddat.

Coming Soon: The Christmas Eve Ice Show Sun Valley Company will soon be sending out invitations to participate in the annual Christmas Eve Ice show. Rehearsals will start in December. The show is produced by Sun Valley Company and choreographed by Gia Guddat. Regarding the show, Scott Irvine, Director of the Sun Valley Skating Center, commented: “I’ve started working on the Christmas show and we’re going to try to be organized well in advance this year. We are also planning on holding the dress rehearsal earlier in the evening so that it’s not so cold and the kids aren’t out too late. As more information becomes available I will post it at the rink.” From all of the parents of the younger children: “Thank you, Scott!!!”

Resources for Parents & Skaters Understanding U.S. Singles Free Skate Competition By Andrea Nelson (Note: This article is also posted on the SVFSC’s board and web site along with the “Singles Free Skate Competitive Levels” chart. In addition, the chart is attached to the newsletter email.) The Rules of the Sport

Competitive figure skating is divided into three disciplines: Singles Free Skate, Pairs Free Skate, and Ice Dancing. This informational sheet and the accompanying chart are intended to help skaters and their parents understand the levels of singles free skate competition and their USFS testing and age requirements. Understanding what is required and what is permitted at each competitive level, and how the levels relate to USFS testing, is

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The Rules of the Sport are governed by the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook. CAUTION: USFS frequently changes the requirements that govern testing and competition! The online version of the rulebook is the most current version and reflects all known corrections to the edited date. Find it at:

http://www.usfigureskating.org/Content/Rules%20of%20Sport.pdf For clubs offering the USFS Basic Skills Program, the requirements for Basic Skills Competition are found in the Basic Skills Competition Manual located at: http://www.usfigureskating.org/Content/2009-10%20Basic%20Skills %20Competition%20manual.pdf 

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The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club Newsletter

The classes of tests in U.S. Figure Skating include: 1. Moves In The Field (standard track and adult) 2. Free skate (standard track and adult) 3. Compulsory Dance (standard track, solo, adult and masters) 4. Free Dance (standard track and adult) compete in2009 Singles Freeskate at the Pre-Preliminary level or – To November Page: 3 higher, skaters must pass the Moves In The Field and Freeskate tests required for their level. USFS test requirements are set forth as a separate volume within the in the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook. A current copy is available in the Sun Valley Figure Skating Club office.

essential to understanding the sport of figure skating. Beyond Basic Skills, a skater’s competitive level is determined by the highest USFS Free Skate Test he or she has passed. Moves in The Field tests do not determine competitive level, except that a skater must have passed the Moves in The Field test at the same level or higher to compete at that level. The elements necessary to pass a free skate test are much simpler than the elements a skater will need to be competitive at the same free skate level. This is why skaters often take Moves in The Field tests as soon as they are ready to pass them, but, unless they are no longer actively competing in free skate, they will hold back on taking free skate tests until they have mastered the elements they need to compete at that level. (Example: An axel is permitted at the Pre-Preliminary level of competition, but it is not a required free skate test element until the Juvenile free skate test. To be competitive at the Juvenile level, however, a skater must have mastered most of his/her double jumps!) That is why it is not unusual for a skater’s highest Moves in The Field test to be several levels higher than their free skate test/competition level. Once a skater passes a USFS free skate test, the skater may never again compete at a lower level. (Note: The optional testing performed by clubs as part of a Basic Skills Program are not official USFS tests. Official USFS testing requires a panel of qualified USFS judges. Basic Skills tests are informal tests administered to determine Basic Skills competition level.) Many competition applications require parents and skaters to affirm that they have read and understand the USFS Rules and the Competition Rules applicable to the skaters’ event. Do not hesitate to ask your coach detailed questions so that you may better understand what elements you or your child will need to have mastered to successfully compete at a given level. There are times when a skater is ready to pass a USFS free skate test, but might not be prepared to compete at that free skate level. In addition, age restrictions come into play at the Juvenile and Intermediate levels. Your coach can help you decide when to test and what competitive level is best. What about Artistic, Showcase and Interpretive events? The United States Figure Skating Association “USFS” permits clubs hosting Nonqualifying Competitions, such as the Sun Valley Summer Championships, Oktoberfest, the Boise Ice Classic and the Jackson Hole Invitational, to modify events covered by the USFS Rulebook to include events such as Artistic, Interpretive, and Showcase. These creative events emphasize the artistic side of the sport and keep competitive figure skating open to a broader range of skaters longer. They are non qualifying at all levels. (See Footnote) The requirements are up to the hosting club and must be clearly set forth in the competition application, whereas the requirements of Singles Free Skate, Pairs and Ice Dancing are governed by the USFS Rulebook. These events are not offered at qualifying competitions. Footnote: A skater who places 4th or higher in a contested Showcase or Artistic event at the Preliminary level or higher 12 months before applications are due may compete at National Showcase. For more on the National Showcase Competition and USFS Programs such as Theatre On Ice, Synchronized Skating and Adult Skating, go to www.usfigureskating.org/Programs.asp. In this article, the terms “Qualifying” and “Nonqualifying” refer to whether or not medaling qualifies the skater for Sectionals, Jr. Nationals or Nationals.

The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club Newsletter – November 2009

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Skating News & Travels Gia Guddat Choreographs Scott Hamilton Show SVFSC coach and choreographer, Gia Guddat, will be going to Washington D.C. this month to choreograph "KALEIDOSCOPE," a show that celebrates skating, songs and survivorship. "This is a holiday variety special that features Olympic skating champions and GRAMMY award winning music artists,” said Gia. “The show will feature the legendary Scott Hamilton in his first television special since being diagnosed with a brain tumor five years ago. In addition, it will feature Dorothy Hamill who will skate to music of fellow cancer survivor Olivia Newton John and one of America’s foremost producers, David Foster." Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan, Johnny Weir, Rachael Flatt and ice dance champions Meryl Davis & Charlie White will also perform. The show will air nationally on FOX on Thanksgiving Day (Nov.26th) from 4:00-5:30 p.m. EST. (2:00-3:30 p.m. here). This special is the latest incarnation of last year’s “Frosted Pink.” “I'm excited to be part of a show that informs, entertains and inspires," commented Gia. Dawn Peterson Coaches in Iceland Sun Valley skating professional, Dawn Peterson, was coaching in Reykjavik, Iceland last fall and early this fall for the Reykjavik Figure Skating Club. The club has about 300 skaters, about 100 of them competitive. Dawn also worked with the Skautafelag Reykjavikur Youth Hockey Association coaching power skating. While in Iceland, Dawn focused on the competitive levels of skating: Juvenile through Senior, preparing the skaters for the new testing structure of basic tests developed by Maria McLean (similar to our Moves in the Field testing, but on figure circles) teaching skating school classes and helping train the junior coaches. The skaters competed in competitions the entire fall which included the other skating clubs throughout Iceland. The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club Newsletter – November 2009

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The Nationals were held in December, and the Reykjavik Club had much success, winning the Senior, Junior, 12 and 10 and under ladies divisions. The club then sent four of the skaters on to the Nordic competition last winter, where they competed against Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. This fall, Dawn returned for a clinic to help prepare the competitive skating and basic testing programs for this season. Dawn mentions that it was an interesting time to experience such a unique country. With the economic failure of all three of the country's banks, Iceland's currency, the krona, became worthless beyond its shores, becoming one of the strangest economic failures of the global financial crisis. Another Sun Valley club member, Marie Matthews, came to visit Dawn in early November of last year (see picture above). Both Dawn & Marie experienced the U.S. presidential election and Iceland's economic crisis together on this tiny island in the Atlantic. Skate America History: Lisa-Marie Allen & Judy Blumberg As mentioned in the October issue of SKATING magazine, in 1979, Lisa-Marie Allen won the ladies’ title and Judy Blumberg & Michael Seibert competed in their first international event at the inaugural version of Skate America held in Lake Placid, N.Y. The invitational competition, called “Flaming Leaves International,” served as a test event for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, also held in Lake Placid. Both Lisa-Marie and Judy would return to Lake Placid to compete at the 1980 Olympics (Judy would also compete in the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo). Thirty years later, 2009 Skate America is again being held in Lake Placid and will serve as a precursor to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The event will be Nov. 13–15th and you can watch highlights on NBC the afternoon of Nov. 15th.

Board News and Business Update to Club Bylaws The club is in the process of updating its bylaws. All voting members will receive a postcard in the mail with details. Copies of the old and new bylaws will be posted on the SVFSC website for review. Please call the club office at 622-8020 if you would like to have copies mailed to you. The basic reason for updating the bylaws is to bring the club more current with the rules and bylaws of US Figure Skating and to generally update our ability to conduct business electronically (via email, conference calls etc.). Annual Meeting & Election All club members are invited to attend the annual SVFSC meeting on December 8th at 5:30 p.m., at the Elkhorn home of Kathy Crossen (203 Blue Bell St., Sun Valley). The agenda will include an annual update on Club business, the treasurer’s report, and annual The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club Newsletter – November 2009

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elections. By now you should have received an elections packet from Lisa Broderick, chairperson for the 2009 Nominating Committee. The packet outlined the three committee-recommended nominees: Peggy Baker, Brad Cleveland and Rod Harten, please see information from each nominee below: Peggy Baker, Board Nominee Peggy Baker has been in the valley for 12 years and has three children. Blair, her oldest child is the member of the SVFSC. She is 11 and has been skating for 4 years and competing since she was in 3rd grade. She enjoys her life at the rink very much. Peggy would like to help make the club even more sound so that the kids who skate get the most out of their experiences involving skating. She would like the members to continue to support each other and care about each other. Peggy would like the coaches to work together and support each other as well. She believes that the shows that the club puts on are great fun for the community and that it is great for the community to see what these girls can do no matter what age or level they are skating at. Peggy has been very involved at The Community School in their development office. She was one of the co-chairs of the Annual Fund for three years in which they reached 100% (last year they reached 99.5%) participation from families and staff. She is a strong supporter of the YMCA as well. Peggy feels passionate about helping our children, giving them goals and safe places to go and hang out after school. Brad Cleveland, Board Nominee Brad Cleveland moved to Ketchum full-time in June with his wife, Kirsten and daughter, Grace (7) from Annapolis, Maryland. He and his family have been part-time summer residents for several years and Grace has enjoyed skated in the summer ice shows for the last two summers. Brad will bring a tremendous amount of professional experience to the Club. An original partner in and former President and CEO of the International Customer Management Institute (ICMI), Brad grew the firm into a global industry leader that is now part of United Business Media (London: UBM.L). He now serves as a Senior Advisor to ICMI, and is an award-winning author and in-demand speaker. Brad is excited to serve our community and our club as a member of the SVFSC Board and looks forward to working with all the members of the local skating community. Rod Harten, Board Nominee Rod Harten moved to the valley with his wife, Andrea, when their daughter, Alex, was a newborn. Rod’s experience with figure skating began when Alex entered SVFSC’s Learn-To-Skate classes at age 5. Rod saw Alex, now 12, through Basic Skills, countless competitions and USFS tests, numerous Club Shows and Christmas Shows and three Regional Championships. Somewhere along the way, Rod figured he might as well learn to skate himself. Now he plays B-League hockey as well as working on his first adult Moves in the Field test. The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club Newsletter – November 2009

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Over the years, Rod has served the Club as a volunteer at nearly every club event, most recently as an interim Board member. He holds an AB in History from Harvard and is currently employed at Marketron, Intl. as a database programmer and administrator. Rod enjoys serving on the Board and looks forward to implementing new ideas for increasing volunteer and fundraising participation.

Congratulations! Elena Khalyavina & Andrzej Dostatni Get Married in Poland Congratulations to SVFSC coaches Elena Khalyavina and Andrzej Dostatni who were married on September 18th in Gdansk, Poland. The ceremony was held in the Oliwa Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Bernard’s Church where Andrzej’s parents were married, where he and his sister were baptized, and where his sister also was married. Andrzej provided some interesting background on the historical church: it was originally erected as a shrine back in the 13th century, then reconstructed in 1350 after a fire and again in 1577 after another fire. Structurally, the cathedral is a tripleaisle, vaulted basilica built on the plan of the Latin cross. The Oliwa Cathedral is perhaps best known for its massive, yet splendid organ. The organ is comprised of over 7,000 pipes and is decorated with movable angels and brightly painted stars. When built, the instrument was the largest in Europe. Elena & Andrzej’s wedding was followed by a party in another historical location called the “Grand Hotel” in Sopot. Then the couple spent their honeymoon in Italy: Taormina and Palermo (in Sicily), Rome and then Tuscany where they enjoyed wonderful wine, pasta and risotto during porcini mushroom season!

Nicole Pratt Crowned Homecoming Princess Another note of congratulations goes to SVFSC skater Nicole Pratt (see picture at left) who was crowned freshman princess at Wood River High School’s Homecoming 2009 celebration.

More Information 

 More information can be found on the Sun Valley Figure Skating web site. Questions about the club can be emailed to: [email protected].

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Newsletter submissions are due on the last day of the month to be included in the next month’s edition. Suggestions are greatly appreciated! Please send comments and submissions to: [email protected].

The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club Newsletter – November 2009

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