The Mile Zero Figure Skating Club had two of its members at the 2010 Special Olympic regional qualifier in Kamloops last month and both have a shot at moving on to the next step towards the world competition in 2013.
As mentioned in a previous article, Darlene Jakubowski, a 17-year-old Fort St. John Special Olympian who skates with the Dawson Creek club, was at the competition and won gold in her division. However, Dawson Creek's Colton Giesbrecht, 20, also competed and placed second in Level 3 freeskate.
Jakubowski was first in Level 5 freeskate and Level 4 dance.
The Kamloops competition is part of a four-year program. The next step for the two will be the B.C. Special Olympic championships next season, the national competition the following year and then the world Special Olympics in 2013.
Giesbrecht is waiting confirmation from Special Olympics B.C. that will inform him soon whether he will be moving on to the provincial championships.
Jakubowski won gold and silver medals at the World Special Olympic Games in Boise, Idaho last winter, while Giesbrecht is working hard to make his first appearance on the world stage.
The Winter Special Olympics traditionally features athletes competing in such sports as figure skating, speed skating, snowshoeing, floor hockey and skiing.
