Young figure skaters perform downtown
BUFFALO - Eight young skaters took to the ice at downtown Buffalo's Rotary Rink this afternoon for a public showcase of their skills just as the Winter Olympics get underway in Vancouver.
Ranging in age from 12 to 16 years old, the all-girl squad from the Buffalo Skating Club performed four solo routines and one group number for the crowd.
"These girls practice very hard and long," said club board member Peggy Gugliuzza. "We wanted them to be able to share what they've learned to hopefully attract other skaters into the sport."
Hannah Sigurdson, 16, took part in the group number and said she will be watching the Olympic figure skaters for inspiration.
"I like that you have a lot of artistic and creative freedom but I also like the jumps a lot," said Sigurdson, who has been skating for 11 years.
Gugliuzza said figure skating is a physically demanding sport that can take 2000 practice tries to master one move. The Buffalo Skating Club is the country's fifth oldest and was formed in 1924, she said.
-Joseph Popiolkowski
Watch Hannah and her teammates in action this afternoon
