It’s all systems go for the 2022 South African National Figure Skating Championships to be held in Cape Town at the Grand West Casino and Entertainment World from 8-12 May.
The aptly-named Ice Station has an indoor 30m x 60m, air conditioned rink. There will be three categories competed in, namely single skating, pairs/ice dance and synchronised skating teams.
President of the SA Figure Skating Association, Ricardo Jacobs, is hopeful that the championships will continue to raise the profile of the sport in the country.
“Given we come from a warm climate country, geographically it’s a challenge to compete internationally but we don’t stand back,” he said. “We have dedicated members and volunteers to ensure we achieve our goals, so that our athletes can participate.
“We try to have as many competitions within SA and try to keep our standards up to an international level,” he said, pointing to the National Championships this weekend as an example of continually raising the bar.
“The last skater to represent Team SA in a Winter Olympics was in 1994 at Lillehammer and we’re trying to change that, and hopefully we’ll make some history in 2026 and return to the Games in Milan.”
Jacobs said that he is getting help from macro governing body SASCOC.“They (SASCOC) have come on board, and with the help of the IOC they’re put funding in place to help us. The SASCOC president Barry Hendricks has helped us open doors and he is working in the background to ensure that we, as a winter sport, features prominently going forward. So that’s a big positive from SASCOC’s side.”
Jacobs himself earned his Proteas colours in 1994 when he represented his country in the synchronised skating competition in London. “It was the first time I’d ever been on a plane,” he said. “I started skating at the age of 13 and I fell in love with the sport. I was a soccer player and ice skating was something totally different. Not everyone could do it, which was an attraction for me. I started at the Goodwood ice rink in Cape Town and the bug bit!”
Jacobs invited people to attend the National Championships this weekend. “It’s a national sport and it’s important for people to get involved. Please come and join us!”
The draw for the order of skating and the opening ceremony will take place on Sunday (8 May) at Roxy Revue inside Grand West Casino. All Covid-19 protocols must be observed.
The competition is held under the auspices of the Western Province Figure Skating Association, on behalf of the South African Figure Skating Association (SAFSA).
More information can be found on the following link: