Village Squire, 1978-05, Page 37tendonitis and the recent partially torn
muscle in the right leg.
After the broken wrist, it was "one thing
after another," said Sherri, casually
dressed in a yellow t -shirt and blue jeans.
Prior to the interview, she had jogged as
therapy for her leg.
Sherri recalls receiving several early
warnings of the leg injury during the
program, for she could not put any weight
on the leg and "it felt like a great big
knot."
She admits that her leg giving out was
inevitable, as it has been overworked due
to a case of tendonitis during the summer.
"It was something that just had to
happen. That muscle was so weak from
overworking with the poor tendon." she
said. Because of the leg injury, Sherri has
temporarily retired calling it a "mending
time."
"1 am going to be starting skating again
at the end of June."
When the leg recovers. Sherri plans to
devote more time to singles, as she and
Robin have agreed to end their
partnership.
"We both feel we have accomplished so
much in the little time we have skated,"
she said.
"Robin and I just decided we have really
come as far as we can go." she said,
explaining every time they attempt a more
difficult move, she would fall. In addition,
Robin, who has entered university and is
taking a general arts course, is concerned
about his education. explained Sherri.
Figure skating is a year round career for
Lorri and Sherri. When the girls are not
competing from November to March, they
are training or attending skating schools in
spring. summer and fall.
Figure skating competitions are based
on a process of elimination. Sub -sectionals
are slated for the end of November. with
the Western Ontario sectionals occurring
mid-December.
There is about a five-week break before
the divisionals are held. This year the
divisionals for Western and Northern
Ontario and the whole of Manitoba took
place in Winnipeg on Jan. 9.
"There are three divisions across
Canada. and the top four winners from
each division go onto the Canadian
championships." explained Sherri.
Following the Canadian Figure Skating
Championship, is the world's usually held
in March.
Once the girls have completed the circuit
they participate in carnival shows as guest
skaters. The shows, run by individual
skating clubs. raise money for the
Canadian Figure Skating Association.
Both girls enjoy the competitions.
especially travelling and meeting new
people. "1 enjoy skating for people.
especially at carnivals," said Sherri. with
the common look towards her sister for
confirmation. Carnivals are favoured
because of their relaxed atmosphere,
bright lights, though both agree they skate
far better under the pressure of
competition.
Nervousness is common befote a
competition, and according to Sherri, "the
nervousness ends when the program
begins."
Asked what is foremost on their minds
during a competitive performance, their
answer is simply, the program. "You just
think about what you are doing," said
Lorri, dressed in blue stretch slacks and
top as she just returned from a practice at
the spring skating school in Waterloo.
Unlike the majority of figure skaters,
who specialize in one area, Sherri and Lorri
choose to do both single and pair skating.
For Sherri, the advantage of both
electives, is it creates a variety in practice
schedules. And in Lorri's opinion, pair
skating complements single skating.
Sherri likes pair skating for "you have
somebody else to get nervous with." She
recalls when skating with Robin, during a
slow romantic number, making faces at
each other, which puts them at ease for the
rest of the program.
For Lorri, the advantage of pair skating
is it provides an opportunity to remind your
partner of common pitfalls. Another plus is
since there are fewer pair skaters than
single skaters, it is easier to get into world
level championships.
As early as November, the girls embark
on a vigorous training session at the rink in
Preston under the supervision of their
coach, Mr. Leitch.
A typical training day begins at 6:30 am.
For seven hours the girls practice figure.
free and pair skating. After a two-hour
break, the girls return at 3:30 pm to repeat
the procedure until 7:00 pm. when they do
physical exercises for an hour.
Exercises consist of running up and
down stairs, lifting weights and sit-ups. In
one session, the girls in 45 minutes ran up
and down stairs 150 times to build leg
muscles and strengthen cardio -vascular
system.
At 8:00 pm the girls return to the
boarding house in Preston, exhausted.
During training, Sherri and Lorri spend
Sundays at home in Mitchell catching up
on school work. Both attend Mitchell
District High School. with Sherri in Grade
10 and Lorri in Grade Nine.
Last year Sherri missed over 75 days of
classes. but still managed to be on the
honours roll. Lorri, who missed about 60
days of school, did equally well.
Kerry Leitch. of Cambridge, a profes-
sional figure skater, has coached Sherri for
seven years and Lorri for five years at the
Preston Figure Skating Club.
"If he doesn't scream and yell at you, he
doesn't care what you do," said Sherri.
describing his critical behaviour.
"But when he does tell you that
something is right, you feel you have really
accomplished something."
And he has a terrific sense of humour.
"for he screams at you one moment, then
the next makes a joke."
Sherri describes the relationship be-
tween Mr. Leitch and the skaters as one
big family. Sometimes the whole team
during competitions will go bowling or
have a barbecue to let off the tension,
remembers Sherri.
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"" LAGE SQUIRE/MAY 1978. PG. 35.