Not Just A Girl's Sport

Kurt Browning, Brian Orser, Elvis Stojko, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Ekaterina Gordeeva, and Philippe Candelero are just some of the world class figure skaters set to take centre ice tonight at Memorial Gardens with the Celebration On Ice show.

The show choreographed by Brian Orser showcases top Canadian talent, but also offering an opportunity for the World Champions to rediscover their humble beginnings, as they will perform with local Skate Canada kids.

Chad Mathieu and Kaitlin Smith of the North Bay Skating Club have been invited to be part of the show along with special performances by the North Bay Ice Edition of the and the wee CanSkaters.

Mathieu says it’s an honour to be lacing up to perform alongside Orser, Browning and Stojko as he has grown up watching them become world champs.

“I look up to them they’ve good skaters and they’ve done good stuff it’s just great to be out their it’s just really exciting,” says Mathieu.

Mathieu is also impressed that Browning and Stojko have added an tone of masculinity to skating opening the door for more boys to discover the sport.

“Watching Kurt and Elvis, I love Watching them, I love their style of skating I try to skate like them. They have good artistry and they’re still very strong skaters.”

Part of the shows preparation is the young skaters rehearsing with the top dogs which may offer up a few pointers.

“We don’t get to talk to them to much because they’re preparing as well, but they do talk to us and if they see anything they will help us out.”

ShowTime is 7:30 PM.