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31 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,N ovem ber 29,2018 theifp.ca If last year was about gaining an understanding of what it takes to compete at the next level, then this year is about putting those lessons into action. "Last year was more of a learning experience," says Georgetown's Ethan Ruth- erford, who will compete at Skate Canada Challenge for the second year in a row later this week. "This year, we are going in trying to win it." Rutherford and partner Lindsay Wilson positioned themselves well after win- ning the pre-novice dance gold at the Skate Ontario Sectionals in Oakville ear- lier this month. The pair, who skate out of Skate Canada Brampton-Chin- guacousy, earned the high- est marks for both compul- sory dances as well as their free dance to finish with a total score of 71.76, more than four points ahead of their nearest rival. It was a significant step forward after finishing 11th at sectionals the previ- ous year, and one made possible by going to last year's Skate Canada Chal- lenge in Montreal. "Having that experi- ence and knowing what we needed to do really helped," Rutherford said. "Last year, it was good to see what was out there, what other skaters bring to the table. It's not just one style of skating." They put those lessons into their free dance. The Grade 11 Georgetown Dis- trict High School student said their new free pro- gram has an upbeat begin- ning, transitions into a slower waltzy section and wraps up with a jazz-in- spired finish. He said they also experimented with twizzle sequences to find the one that felt comfort- able, but also maximized their score. After working more on skills last year, Rutherford said he and Wilson have had more opportunity to concentrate on the chore- ography and performance aspect of their program. "We had a good solid base on the technical side, so that let us focus on inter- preting the music," the 16- year-old said. "There are other skaters that use the same music as us, but you have to be able to play to the audience and the judg- es and make a connection with them. You have to re- ally sell it to everyone." Their progress has been easy to trace, from bronze medals at competitions in Ottawa in July and North York in August, to gold in Paris, Ont. in September, to their victory at section- als in Oakville. It has taken dedication on their part. They are on the ice in Brampton from 6 to 8 a.m. four times a week, practice twice on the week- end, and with the Skate Canada Challenge ap- proaching, there have been additional after-school training sessions with coaches Matt Doleman, Pam Krolick, Asher Hill and Gina Doleman. "We push each other to do better," Rutherford said. Rutherford and Wilson will compete Friday and Saturday in Edmonton. Georgetown's Ethan Rutherford and Brampton's Lindsay Wilson will compete at this week's Skate Canada Challenge in Edmonton. The pair have made a marked improvement in their second season in pre-novice dance and will head west on the heels of a gold-medal win at the Skate Ontario Sectionals earlier this month in Oakville. Danielle Earl Photography GEORGETOWN'S RUTHERFORD SETS SIGHTS HIGH AT SKATE CANADA CHALLENGE COMMUNITY HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended August 31, 2018 are available on the Board Website www.hcdsb.org Copies are also available upon request. D. Rabenda P. Daly Chair of the Board Director of Education Get your Now!Fall Now!Savings Rentals For EVERY need! • Tools & Lawn Equipment • Skidsteers, Excavators & Trenchers • Light Construction Equipment SALES, SERVICE, RENTAL INC. 334 Guelph St. Georgetown, Ontario L7G 4B5 Tel: 905-877-0157 Fax: 905-877-0159 www.adamsequipment.ca Hours of operation: 7:30 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday; 8 am to 5 pm Saturday; Closed on Sunday Old World Quality New World Satisfaction since 1983 BASED IN GEORGETOWN SERVING ALL OF HALTON & PEEL REGIONS & ORANGEVILLE • Complete Residential Re-roofing • Repairs • Financing Now Available • Metal Flashing • Cedar Roofs • Copper Roofs and Flashing SHINGLES • CEDAR • FLATS • COPPER www.findlayroofing.ca Fully Licensed and Insured. Call for a FREE Estimate 905-702-7977 Email: info@findlayroofing.ca | toll free 800-683-2999 Silver 2018 Halton Hills