I’ve started working with a new coach, finally! After floating around on my own for a while, basically since my surgery last summer, I started looking earnestly into finding a coach with my eye on getting a new program and competing at Sectionals/Nationals next year. I’ve been working with my new coach about a month, and after discussing my goals and looking at where I am, we decided to shoot for Silver FS, which means putting together a new program and also testing. It suddenly feels like I went from relaxed to strapped for time, with all that’s required to get ready for the season!
The last time I competed was at Sectionals in 2016, about a year and a half ago, and my then-coach had suggested afterward that I stay at Bronze for the next season. I figured she knew better than I did and agreed with her opinion, but then I got injured and had to sit out the next season anyway. When I resumed skating, I focused a lot on edges and moves and feel like my overall skating improved a fair amount, but I wasn’t sure what my new coach would think. I put the question to her and after we went through my jump and spin repertoire, she thought I was ready to try for Silver, so we got right to working on a new program.
If I want to compete at Sectionals in March, I’ll have to pass my Silver FS test by January at the latest. It’s already nearly November, so this doesn’t give me a whole lot of time! It seems possible, but will require a lot of work, so I’m getting into my training mindset to learn things as quickly as possible.
Goals for Silver Freeskate are:
- Increased flow overall and speed throughout. (I was happy with my Bronze FS at Sectionals, but did see how it lacked flow and speed.)
- A diverse collection of transitions other than 3-turns and crossovers. Would like to throw in some harder turns like rockers/counters and twizzles.
- Performance quality! I don’t think I’ve been able to *perform* my programs in the past because I was so fixated on hitting the elements, but I’d really love to actually interpret music and engage with the program this time around.
- Jump layout will probably be: Lutz, flip, loop, likely a flip combo, and then another combo of some sort (Lutz?)
- We’re still figuring out what spins will work best. Which is to say, nothing stands out right now as particularly strong, so we’ll try a bunch of spins and see what is working. Possibilities are camel-sit-back sit, back camel-back sit, or sit spin with a couple variations in position.
Sarah on Ice 
That is super exciting! That “strapped for time” feeling is just a sign that you’re about to make a big leap forward. It’s amazing what can happen in just a few months. Can’t wait to hear about your progress towards the test and the work with the new coach–good luck!
Thanks, Jo! It’s definitely an exciting sort of pressure, not (purely) a panicky one, so I’m looking forward to the work. It’s just, there’s a lot of it to be done! š
I have a parallel, but different track. I came to ballroom dancing at an older age and found your blog when stoning my dress (remember me?). I only figured skated for fun as a kid, but followed it in the Olympics, so a lot of what you say is familiar to me.I started competing in dance last year, then had numerous set-backs with health issues. I too found the positives when I had to re-start lessons after several breaks. We started back with the some of the basics and foundations, which has helped a lot. I was afraid I’d forget so much, but that muscle memory does kick in.
It sounds like you needed a change in coaches, a fellow ballroom dancer’s dealing with the good but scary situation too. I’m lucky that I don’t foresee that. I’m sure glad I don’t have to pass any tests as I progress in my dancing, we just have to follow a syllabus with types of figures and techniques and get marked down if we deviate. I enjoy following your journey, good luck!
I can definitely see where there would be a lot of similarities between skating and ballroom dance. They’re both recreational activities, but spur the same focus on technique and competitive drive! It’s good to hear that you’re coming back from your health issues too. I was scared I might have to come back with drastically reduced goals, but at this point I’m more grateful to be able to skate than anything. Good luck!
I thought the same thing, about cutting back on goals. We did a bit, but today I told my teacher that “you’re not taking pity on me anymore are you?” He said, “nope”. But there are things we still have to either cut back on or eliminate. My first comp I was so grateful just to be dancing again, I didn’t care how I did. Which was a very good attitude because so many things out of my control went very wrong (dance floor issues, just like you have ice issues). But I still ended up with good scores.
I always feel pressed for time.. by the time I really start thinking about a program it feels like there is never enough time! LOL
I know, as soon as I mapped out the timetable I was kicking myself for not starting earlier, lol!
What a great goal, Sarah! I know you can pass Silver FS. Just work hard and believe in yourself. I will be here to cheer you on!
Thanks for all the encouragement! It’s nice having a concrete goal to work at again š
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Hi Sarah! Maybe we will get to see each other at Sectionals again this year. We’re both back at it. I’m glad that in the midst of excitement and maybe pressure about these goals you also still feel the happiness of just being able to be back on the ice and skate. I hope that gratefulness carries both of us through the season in good spirits.