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We had been working with Estelle Tratiak at the Veterans Memorial Skating Rink, W. Hartford, CT and later the International Skating Center, Simsbury, CT on the preliminary and pre-bronze dances under USFS doctrine prior to moving to Florida in mid 1996.  By then we had passed the Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, Rhythm Blues, Swing Dance, and Cha Cha and were working on the Fiesta Tango (Fiasco Tangle).  We had tested the Swing Dance twice: once when it was a preliminary and again when it was moved to the Pre-Bronze category.

 

Prior to moving to Englewood, FL we skated with Erika Amundsen at the Ice Chateau in Nokomis.  We hit it off wonderfully and it confirmed our desire to be located in the Englewood area.  By the time we moved here the Nokomis rink had closed and was in the process of moving to Venice as the Venice Ice Pavilion (VIP).  During the interim we car pooled up to Sunblades in Clearwater, FL. with other TSI  team members once a week just to keep our blades cool.  After the VIP opened in December 1996 we started working on our dances with Erika.  She started us from the beginning under ISI dance rules, quickly passing us  to the ISI Dance 3 level.

 

Since Erika had accepted Bev on the TSI team which requires free style as well as dance techniques, she encouraged us to work on basic free style moves.  Again, under Erika's encouragement, we put together a Couples 1 routine to "The Way Look Tonight" and  skated it at several competitions just to accumulate more rink points.  We also created a Couples Spotlight, Light Entertainment, emulating Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers to "Steppin' Out with my Baby".

 

We developed our first free dance in early 1997 when we realized that under ISI rules a dance couple can compete in free dance at the Dance 3 level.  We both love the Viennese Waltz so Bev choreographed and Jack enhanced the music using Cool Edit on the computer.  Then she added some moves and we skated it to the Carousel Waltz.  Bev also choreographed our two free style numbers: Couples 1 to The Way You Look Tonight and Couples Spotlight, Light Entertainment to Steppin' Out With My Baby.  In 2002 with the input of our new coach, French Olympian Frederic Palluel, we modified our free dance significantly and changed the music to a rumba, Besame Mucho.  We  pushed  hard to move up to Dance 4 and competed at the Florida Senior Games in 2003 at that level.  We also entered Juvenile Free Dance where we competed USFSA STYLE with the teenagers and younger and did not disgrace ourselves.  At the 2003 ISI Adult Championships at Orleans, Cape Cod in September 2003 we did the Willow Waltz for the first time and earned gold.

 

We use Cool Edit on all of our free dance and free style programs and we have used it to enhance the music for the TSI team numbers.  It is an easy to use music editor that allows you to manipulate music like an art program allows you to manipulate graphics. 

 

We started 2009 with the ISI Competition at the Fort Myers Skatium with our free dance to "Sway" by the Pussy Cat Dolls and our Pairs 1 routine to Let's Face the Music and Dance.   We Competed our usual 5 events for the ISI 50th Anniversary Competition in Orlando, but for the first time, took a break from the compulsory dances, Hickory Hoedown and Willow Waltz when we competed at  ISI Adult Nationals at Lake Placid in October.

 

2010 brought us to Orlando for the Florida Districts in February.  ISI changed their rules which ended up putting us in the Pre-Bronze Dances or Dance 4 ISI.  Essentially, it gives us the opportunity to compete three dances we hardly danced and they are less scary.  So we did five events again. In October at the ISI Adult National in Las Vegas, we competed our new Free Dance 3 to Ann Murray's Could I Have This Dance as well as the compulsories Cha Cha and Swing.  After watching the Pre Bronze Dances from 2010 USFS Adult Championships on Icenetwork.com, we had a sudden urge to test the Fiesta Tango and complete our USFS Masters Pre Bronze to go to Salt Lake City for the 2011 USFS Adult Championships.  We joined the Southwest Florida Figure Skating Club so that we might represent them.

 

2011 finds us with a hard won Bronze Medal in the Pre Bronze Dance from the USFS Adults in SLC.  This year the four compulsory dances were Canasta Tango, Swing Dance, Fiesta Tango, and Willow Waltz (a real challenge for us).  We felt totally victorious.  We also found out we were the oldest competitors at the event.

 

2012 we took up the challenge again of competing 4 dances at USFS Adult Champs in Chicago.  We skated better but placed 4th out of 5 with Dutch Waltz, Cha Cha, Swing, and Rhythm Blues. It was a great competition for us.  We also entered the Southwest Florida Fall Classic at our Ellenton Rink in Pre Bronze Dance doing the Canasta and Swing and won gold.

 

2013 We competed at the USFS Adult Eastern Sectionals at our rink with 4 dances for gold.  We also did the SWFFSC Fall Classic for gold in our two dances.

 

2104 found us interested in celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary at the USFS Adult Nationals which were in Hyannis, Cape Cod, MA (where we had honeymooned) with the 4 dances we liked, and we got a silver medal against a 22 yr. old competitor!  We also competed in the SWFFSC Fall Classic for gold. 

 

2015 we again competed at the SWFFSC Fall Classic for gold to celebrate our last competition for Bev's 80th.

 

2016 Not so fast!  Jack wanted our last competition to be for his 80th and we won gold at the Florida Sunshine State Games in Coral Springs, FL with the Swing Dance and Canasta.  Believe this is now "Case Closed" and a wonderful journey.

 

We have shown below some photos from some of the different events in which we have skated. 

 

 

J. P. Igloo The Way You Look Tonight Rhythm Blues  Ice Sports Forum

                                                                            

 

Bev with Sergei Ponomarenko

Fred Astaire (Bev) & Ginger Rogers (Jack)

San Jose Ice Center

Santa Fe Ice Rink, Las Vegas

 

 

Carousel Waltz, Free Dance 3

All I Ask of You, Couples 1

J.P. Igloo

J.P. Igloo

 

 

Carousel Waltz, Free Dance 3

Hickory Hoedown, Compulsory Dance 5

FT. Meyers Skatium

FT. Meyers Skatium

 

Face the Music and Dance, Pairs 1

Sway, Free dance 3

Sobe Ice Arena, Las Vegas 2007

South Suburban Family Sports Center, Denver 2008

 

South Pacific's "Some Enchanted Evening"

Lake Placid 2009 in Back Corridor of Olympic Rink

Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center 2008

Between events with Rob

 

 

Sway, Free dance 3

RDV Sports Complex, Maitland, FL 2010

Ft. Myers Skatium 2009

Waiting for our warm up time

 

 

Could I have this Dance, Free Dance 3

Cha Cha Compulsory Dance 4

Las Vegas Ice Center 2010

Las Vegas Ice Center 2010

 

Ellenton Sports Complex Worlds Send Off Show, Mar. 12, 2011

 

2011 U. S. Figure Skating Adult Championships

Salt Lake City, UT, April 12-16, 2011

At the Salt Lake City Sports Complex

Third place for the bronze in Pre-Bronze Dance

Skating fun with granddaughter and friend in San Fran Cisco

 

Ice Dance Social after the competition.

 

ISI  2011  Adult  Nationals

Tampa Bay Skating Academy, Oldsmar, FL.

 

Skating Month Show

Ellenton, FL, Jan. 14, 2012

 

2012 U. S. Figure Skating Adult Championships

Bensenville, IL April 10-14, 2012

The Edge Ice Arena, Bensenville

Fourth place for the pewter in Pre-Bronze Dance

The Pre-Bronze Dancers

Rythm Blues Swing Dance

 

Historical Summary of Our Competitions and Shows

The events that we have skated since moving to Florida are listed below.  So far we have skated 161 programs at 65 events. 

 

No.

Date

Rink

Location

Event

Dance

Free Style

Other

Medal

1

3/3/97

Venice Ice Pavilion

Venice, FL

Open House

Rhythm Blues

2

3/22/97

Venice Ice Pavilion

Venice, FL

ISI Invitational Team

Rhythm Blues

   

3

5/9/97

Venice Ice Pavilion

Venice, FL

Annual Show

Rhythm Blues

   

 

4

10/25/97

Venice Ice Pavilion

Venice, FL

Fall Fling

Swing Dance

   

5

12/6/97

Venice Ice Pavilion

Venice, FL

Holiday on Ice

Swing Dance

   

 

6

2/6/98

Tampa Bay Skating Academy

Oldsmar, FL

ISI Winter Classic

Canasta

Couples 1

 

7

3/28/98

VIP

Venice, FL

ISI Spring Fling

Dance 3

Couples 1

 

8

10/16/98

VIP

Venice, FL

ISI Fall Fling

Viennese Waltz Exhibition

 

 

9

11/14/98

Skatium

Ft. Myers, FL

Grand Opening Show

Viennese Waltz Exhibition

 

 

10

2/19/99

Incredible Ice

Coral Springs, FL

ISI Winter Classic

Swing, Viennese Waltz

 

11

3/28/99

Ice Chalet

Knoxville, TN

30th Anniversary

Swing Dance, Viennese Waltz

 

12

9/25/99

Santa Fe

Las Vegas, NV

ISI Adult Championships

Canasta Tango, Viennese Waltz

Couples 1

 

13

10/15/99

Ice Sports Forum

Brandon, FL

ISI Fall Challenge

Swing Dance, Viennese Waltz

Couples 1

 

14

12/12/99

J.P. Igloo

Ellenton, FL

Christmas Show

Viennese Waltz

 

 

15

3/17/00

J.P. Igloo

Ellenton, FL

ISI Team Championship

Swing Dance, Viennese Waltz

Couples 1: Steppin' Out

 

16

6/23/00

Sunblades

Clearwater, FL

2000 14th Annual ISI Championships

Swing Dance, Rhythm Blues

Couples 1: Steppin' Out

 

17

9/16/00

Santa Fe

Las Vegas, NV

ISI Adult Championships

Canasta Tango, Viennese Waltz

Couples 1: Steppin' Out (reversed)

 

18

12/17/00

J.P. Igloo

Ellenton, FL

Learn-To-Skate Christmas Show

Winter Wonderland Swing

 

 

19

2/17/01

Ice Centre

San Jose

ISI Winter Classic

Swing Dance, Carousel Waltz

Scratched Couples 1

 

20

3/24/01

Tampa Bay Skating Academy

Oldsmar, FL

Good Life Games USFSA/ISI

Canasta Tango, Rhythm Blues, Carousel Waltz

 

21

3/25/01

J.P. Igloo

Ellenton, FL

ISI Invitational Team

Swing Dance, Carousel Waltz

Couples 1

 

22

9/22/01

Tampa Bay Skating Academy

Oldsmar, FL

ISI Adult Championships

Canasta Tango, Carousel Waltz

Couples 1

 

23

11/7/01

J.P. Igloo

Ellenton, FL

Exhibition, Breast Cancer Awareness

Carousel Waltz

 

 

24

2/9/02

Tampa Bay Skating Academy

Oldsmar, FL

Good Life Games USFSA/ISI

Canasta Tango, Swing Dance, Carousel Waltz

 

25

3/24/02

J.P. Igloo

Ellenton, FL

ISI Team Championship

Swing Dance, Carousel Waltz

 

26

9/14/02

Yerba Buena

San Francisco, CA

ISI 2002 Adult Championships

Swing Dance, Besame Mucho

Couples 1: The Way You Look Tonight

 

27

3/1/03

RDV Sportsplex

Orlando, FL

Spring Classic ISI Team Competition

Cha Cha,       Besame Mucho

 

28

5/9-10/03

Lakeland Center Arena

Lakeland, FL

Florida State Games 2003 USFSA/ISI

Cha Cha,          Fiesta Tango, Besame Mucho

 

29 9/12-14/03 Charles Moore Arena Orleans, Cape Cod, MA ISI 2003 Adult Championships

Willow Waltz,

Besame Mucho

30 2/13-15/04 Centennial Sportsplex Nashville, TN 19th Annual ISI Winter Classic Willow Waltz, Besame Mucho Couples 1: My Funny Valentine

31 9/18-19/04 Stephen C. West Arena Breckenridge, CO ISI 2004 Adult Championships Hickory Hoedown, Besame Mucho Couples 1: I Go Out Walkin'

32 2/18-20/05 Dr. Pepper StarCenter Dallas, TX 20th Annual ISI Winter Classic Hickory Hoedown, Besame Mucho Couples 1: I Go Out Walkin'

33 9/17-18/05 Sobe Ice Arena Las Vegas, NV ISI 2005 Adult Championships Willow Waltz, Carousel Waltz Couples 1: All I Ask of You

34 11/5-6/05

RDV Sportsplex

Orlando, FL

ISI Artistic Challenge Carousel Waltz Exhibition

35 4/8/06 Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex Ellenton, FL Dress Rehearsal Cancer Benefit Carousel Waltz Exhibition

36 7/22-29/06 New England Sports Center Marlborough, MA 2006 ISI World Recreational Team Championships Hickory Hoedown, Carousel Waltz (FD 3)

37 9/8-10/06 Centennial Sportsplex Nashville, TN 2006 ISI Adult Championships Hickory Hoedown, Carousel Waltz (FD 3) Couples 1:     I Go Out Walkin'.  Pairs 1: Face the Music Jack:  1st Figure: Inside Eight

38 5/5-6/07

Skatium

Ft. Myers, FL

2007 ISI Florida District Championships Hickory Hoedown, Carousel Waltz (FD 3) Couples 1:     I Go Out Walkin'.  Pairs 1: Face the Music

39 7/23-28/07 The Edge Ice Arenas/Franklin Park Ice Arena Chicago, IL ISI World Recreational Team Championships Willow Waltz, Carousel Waltz (FD 3) Couples 1:     I Go Out Walkin'.  Pairs 1: Face the Music Jack:  1st Figure: Inside Eight
40 9/21-23/07 Sobe Ice Arena Las Vegas, NV 2007 ISI Adult Championships Willow Waltz, Carousel Waltz (FD 3) Couples 1:      I Go Out Walkin'.  Pairs 1: Face the Music Jack:  1st Figure: Inside Eight
41 2/15-17/08

Tampa Bay Skating Academy

Oldsmar, FL

ISI Winter Classic

Willow Waltz, Sway (FD 3) Couples 1:     I Go Out Walkin'  Pairs 1: Face the Music
42 5/4/08

Skatium

Ft. Myers, FL

2008 ISI Florida District Championships Hickory Hoedown, Sway (FD 3) Couples 1:     I Go Out Walkin'  Pairs 1: Face the Music
43 7/28-8/2/08

South Suburban Family Sports Center

Centennial, CO

ISI World Recreational Team Championships

Willow Waltz, Hickory Hoedown, Sway (FD 3) Couples 1:     I Go Out Walkin',  Pairs 1: Face the Music
44 10/3-5/08

Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center

San Francisco, CA

ISI Adult Championships

Willow Waltz, Hickory Hoedown, Sway (FD 3) Couples 1:     I Go Out Walkin',  Pairs 1: Face the Music Jump & Spin Low Jack:  1st Fig: Outside Eight
45 10/25/09 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL Showcase Sway (FD 3)
46 1/18/09

Fort Myers Skatium

Fort Myers, FL

ISI Invitational Competition

Sway (FD 3) Pairs 1: Face the Music
47 5/22-25/09

RDV Sportsplex

Orlando, FL

ISI 50th Anniversary Skating Championships

Willow Waltz, Hickory Hoedown, Sway (FD 3) Pairs 1: Face the Music, Couples 1: I go out Walk'n Jump & Spin Low
48 10/2-4/09

Olympic Center

Lake Placid, NY

ISI Adult Championships

Sway (FD 3) Pairs 1: Face the Music,  Couples 1: I go out Walk'n Jump & Spin Low
49 12/6/09 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL

Christmas Show

Adult Group Blue Christmas
50 2/20-21/10

RDV Sportsplex

Orlando, FL

2010 ISI Florida District Championships

Swing Dance, Cha Cha, Sway (FD 3) Pairs 1: Face the Music,  Couples 1: I go out Walk'n

 

51 10/9/10 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL Breast Cancer Awareness Exhibiton Can I have this Dance Free Dance
52 10/8-10/10 Las Vegas Ice Center Las Vegas, NV 2010 ISI Adult Championships Free Dance 3: Could I have this Dance. Dance 4: Swing, Cha Cha Pairs 1: Face the Music,  Couples 1: I go out Walk'n
53 3/12/11 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL

World Team Sendoff Fundraiser

Swing Short Dance
54 4/15-16/11 Salt Lake City Sports Complex Salt Lake City, UT USFS 2011 Adult Championships, Ice Dance Social Canasta Tango, Swing, Fiesta Tango, Willow Waltz
55 8/5-7/11 Newington Arena Newington, CT Nutmeg Ice Dance Weekend Thru Pre Bronze
56 10/1-2/11

Tampa Bay Skating Academy

Oldsmar, FL

ISI Adult Champs Cha Cha,    Swing Dance, Free Dance
57 1/14/12     Skate Month Show Cha Cha
58 4/11-14/12 The Edge Ice Arena Bensenville, IL USFS 2012 Adult Championships, Ice Dance Social Dutch Waltz, Cha Cha, Rhythm Blues, Swing Dance
59 5/26-28/12 RDV Sportsplex Maitland, FL ISI Conference Championships  Swing Dance, Cha Cha, Free Dance
60 9/21-21/12 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL USFS 2012 Southwest Florida Fall Classic  Canasta, Swing Dance
61 3/8-10/13 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL USFS 2013 Eastern Adult Sectionals

Canasta Tango, Swing Dance, Fiesta Tango, Willow Waltz

62 9/20-22/13 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL USFS 2013 Southwest Florida Fall Classic Dutch Waltz, Cha Cha
63 10/26/13 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL Breast Awareness Fund Raiser  Swing Dance to As Time Goes By
64 4/8-12/14 Hyannis Youth & Community Center Hyannis, Cape Cod, MA 2014 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships Dutch Waltz, Cha Cha, Rythym Blues, Swing Dance
65 9/19-20/14 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL Southwest Florida Fall Classic   Canasta, Swing Dance
66 09/25/15 Ellenton Ice Sport Complex Ellenton, FL Southwest Florida Fall Classic Dutch Waltz, Cha Cha
67 05/13/16 Ice Den Coral Springs, FL Sunshine State Games Swing Dance, Canasta Tango

 

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