Time isn’t always a luxury afforded to elite youth athletes.
Take Okotoks’ Londyn Kachur, 11, and 13-year-old Calgarian Vladislav Kryzhanivskyi, for example, who had just six weeks to form a partnership ahead of last year’s figure skating provincials.
“When they first started there was a natural unison that they had that just came together,” said coach Barb Westhaver. “And as they’ve grown into their relationship, we’ve learned that Londyn makes the calls and Vlad responds well and they train well together.”
Kachur and Kryzhanivskyi, who have earned a return trip to the Skate Alberta Sectional Championships this week in Edmonton, finished in second place last year, just 0.02 points off from top spot.
“I think it was a big step for level and understanding the atmosphere of a competitive competition as opposed to just learning and skating more recreationally,” Westhaver said.
“It was stressful, but it was really fun,” Kachur added.
As top-four finishers last year, they earned the opportunity to be on the Skate Alberta Junior Development Team.
It also gave them an invaluable head start on the 2024 season.
“Increases in speed, power, control, understanding of how things go without even thinking about it,” Westhaver said.
Liat Kobetitch, who coaches the pair with Westhaver, said the two both complement each other and push one another to work hard.
“It’s the unison and the communication,” Kachur said.
Kachur, who skates out of the Blackie Skating Club, got into the sport at the age of three, following in the footsteps of her sister.
The dedicated duo train three to four times per week, along with their individual skating training, at an assortment of rinks in the area with ice time hard to come by.
The routine has been tinkered with and ironed out with the last additions involving more spirals and switching around some of the jumping components.
“There’s a base mark and then they call a GOE (grade of execution), so that’s what they’re working for,” Westhaver said. “Last year it was get a base mark and this year, they’re trying to get it upgraded.”
They’re going to sectionals, Oct. 30-Nov. 3 in Edmonton, with designs on making one further step up the podium. Particularly with time on their side this season.
“I’m hoping that I get first,” Kachur said. “Because we’ve worked hard.”
The tandem will be competing in the juvenile pairs division.
For more information on the event, go to skateabnwtnun.ca
