abilities.” The Yankton Area Ice Association’s season runs from October-March, which does make competition a little more difficult for Yankton’s skaters. “We have a lot of competitions that we can’t make it to because we don’t have ice to practice on for the majority of the year,” Zavadil said. “Some of our group does go to Sioux City once-a-week in our off-season to keep in practice.” Although the competition window is narrow, Zavadil said local skaters are encouraged to compete in as many or as few competitions as they want and they do try to go to one or two events as a team. When you’re ready for baby… “We go to Brookings and Blaine, MN, which is really fun at the Super Rink. (In Blaine) they have eight sheets of ice and it’s a three-day competition,” she said. “At Blaine last year we brought home the Percentage Trophy as a team. We are pretty proud, we usually come with a trophy.” Because fun is a priority for Yankton Figure Skating, the group hosts a performance once a year, in the spring before the ice rink is closed for the season. “Each class performs a routine to a song to showcase the skills they have learned throughout the year,” Zavadil said. “Each of the Freestyle-level skaters can do a solo program. It’s a lot of fun. We have a great group of kids and parents and we are very proud of them.” If you are interested in the Yankton Figure Skating program visit, www.yanktonice.org for more details. n By Tera Schmidt See more Yankton Figure Skating photos online at hervoiceonline.com Sanford Vermillion is ready for you. sanfordvermillion.org HERVOICE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 v 11