Sarnia, ON
– Margaret Purdy and Michael Marinaro returned home
from Riga, Latvia on Monday with a bronze medal and
some new inspiration.
The first
Junior Grand Prix event of the International Skating
Union's competitive season proved to be a tremendous
success for the young team. Margaret, 16, of
Strathroy, ON and Michael, 19, of Sarnia are
entering their fifth season together and are finding
a strength in their new programs that brings them a
new kind of confidence.
Their
short program this season was created in conjunction
with their ballroom dance teacher Pamela Forbes and
is a fun and intricately choreographed number that
brings an exciting danced component to the technical
elements that are required. Their long program is a
moving and compassionate story skated to the
legendary "Who Wants to Live Forever" by Queen. Both
programs push Mike and Margaret in the performance
aspect of the sport as well as command a speed and
fluidity that is impressive.
The team
skated two clean and strong programs to place 3rd
against a very tough field, including the Chinese
team of Sui and Han who are the 2-time reigning
junior world champions and the winners of this
event. They are inspired to push themselves further
both technically and artistically and are looking
forward to their next event in Innsbruck, Austria at
the end of September.
The two
train at the Competitive Skating Centre of Strathroy
in Strathroy, Ontario under coaches Scott Rachuk and
Alison Purkiss.
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