![PODIUM POSITION: Team Cosmopolitan members [from left] Kim Rowbotham, Leanne Maximnuk, Keltie Jenkins, Rachelle Ford, Sheena Deveau, Lisa Wilson and Sarah McClean, recently won a bronze medal at the 2023 Mountain Regional Synchronized Skating Championships in Burnaby.](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/powellriverpeak/images/sports/2816_team_cosmopolitan_1.jpg;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000)
Five years ago, qathet region synchronized skating coach Sheila Paquette put out a call to adult skaters in the area to form a team.
Last weekend, Team Cosmopolitan, which is made up of nine local skaters, came home with a bronze medal while competing in the 2023 Mountain Regional Synchronized Skating Championships, which were held at Bill Copeland Arena in Burnaby from January 20 to 22.
Paquette said the team only had a short time to get a program and choreography ready, and came up with a dance-themed program that was fun and fast. That may have been the key to their success.
“The team has been together for about five years now; it’s a phenomenal group of women who have become like family,” said Paquette. “Many of the team members grew up skating at the [recreation] complex.”
The competition was open to teams from BC, Yukon, Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut sections registered with Skate Canada. Team Cosmopolitan competed in the Adult 3 category and finished on the podium.
“They beat out another BC team, and two teams from Alberta to clinch the third place,” said Paquette.
Next year the team is hoping to return to this competition and do even better, setting their sights on another medal colour.
The team, which practices on Wednesday nights at Powell River Recreation Complex, is hoping to recruit more skaters; there are usually eight to 12 on a team.
“Synchronized skating is a fun, dynamic sport; it’s good exercise and competing is a great motivator to constantly improve,” said Paquette.”
For more information on how to join, go to facebook.com/PowellRiverSkatingClub.
