Troy Summer Skating Competition - Long Program

Saturday, July 13, 2024 

Today was the long program - usually Emily's best program.  But before we get to her skate, we had a chance to watch some of her fellow club (Sarah and Lily) members skate their events.  Then we all headed to lunch together in downtown Troy to this kind of eclectic little brewery that was in an old church.  We wanted to go back to the Boathouse again this year, but it was closed.  Frowny face.

   

Then it was time for Emily's group.  We had seen Emily's sole competitor the day before and determined she was not the strongest spinner or jumper so we were hopeful Emily might be able to edge her out for another win.  Her long program is just so exquisit that we were hopeful she would really get to show it off...and she really did.  It wasn't her best skate, but it also was not bad.  She did single her opening double flip and fell on her double lutz double toe combination (none of us are sure how that happened) but she did get all three spins (including a level 4) and all the rest of her jumps.  It was a beautiful program even with the two mistakes.

   

   

   

We were worried that with the two mistakes maybe she would end up coming in second, but nope.  Emily won the gold by 7 points!  She ended up getting some nice upgrades on her GOE and also on her skating skills, performance and composition too!  

   

   

Winning the gold also came with a special trophy - the Ellin Jenkins memorial award.  While she may have only had to beat one other skater to earn it, it was incredibly meaningful to her since her competition road started at this very competition when she was only 8 years old.  When I see her skate now, I can see where all the time has gone, but it also feels like these years have gone far too fast.

   

After the competition, we grabbed dinner at Noodles & Co (still very full from lunch) and then hit up Graeter's for ice cream!  Perfect end to a wonderful weekend of skating!