The Figure Skating Showcase this year was in Wesley Chapel, Tampa, Florida took place from August 1-7. We arrived in Tampa International Airport late morning on August 1st and right away we drove to Robert' s place in Clearwater about 30 minutes away from the airport to pick up large props for Sarah's showcase that we shipped them a week earlier. It was nice to see Robert again after he moved away from NYC in January. The sun was strong but the temperature was the same as New York so we didn't feel too much change.
After seeing Robert, we went straight to Champions' Edge Skating Club and AdventHealth Center Ice for Sarah's practice ice with Devorah since their event was the first event on Wednesday August 3rd and they needed to get used to the rink and the more practice the better for synchronized duet. By the time we checked in our airbnb it was after 6pm. The area that we were staying was 10 minutes drive from the rink and it was a very quite neighborhood called "New Tampa". There were a lot of new developments and shops, every shops you could imagine. Grand pa and grand ma drove all the way from Port St. Lucie to see Sarah. It was nice to hang out with them for a short few days. We found the park nearby to run, Cypress Creek Nature Preserve that was beautiful with 7 miles biking and running loop after 2 miles in the park, we did 11 miles run one morning. The most memorable thing there was having iced cold water from water coolers under small sheds while running in a very hot and humid summer and there were sheds in every 2 miles. The bikers were cheering us as we ran. We couldn't imagine having that in NYC. That's why many people are moving to Florida, it seems safe, friendly and civilized.
It was such a fun experience to watch the competitions filled with many talented young individuals and adults who were dedicated themselves, practiced day in and day out for a moment on ice stage in spotlight, no redo and hope for the best. Won't be able to guess what the judges were judging on, live results were display after each individual. Sarah was excited and nervous at the same time before her solo, it didn't help when the rink was freezing cold (we needed to bring blanket). Her starting order was 18 from 39 skaters so the ice was somewhat decent and not too rough. She did her best and performed so beautifully in both duet and solo routines, we are so proud of her for enjoying herself on ice and didn't let the nerve got to her too much. She didn't get the placement she was hoping for but in our book she's always our #1 in her performance, effort and perseverance.
AMAZING JOB SARAH!!!!
Solo, Open Juvenile Character Performance. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!
Duet, Open Juvenile. Fantasia Hyacinth Hippo & Ben Ali Gator
Thanks to Melanie Heaney from Melanie Heaney Photography who did an excellent job every year in capturing the moments on ice.
Sarah did a great job on her own makeup.
Clearwater beach was a very nice beach, we were glad to get a chance to visit during the week when it was not too crowded.
Running early in the morning before the sun got too hot in Cypress Creek Preserve made the rest of the day more energetic.
Sarah and David got to skate together, disco night at the rink and I got to have my favorite ice cream, banana split.
What a Trip!!!!
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