Two local figure skaters pick up high honors in competition

Forty skaters from Montana and Washington attended the Whitefish Figure Skating Club’s second annual Flathead Valley Invitational Competition at the Stumptown Ice Den this past weekend.

The event was judged by five U.S. Figure Skating judges from Seattle, Spokane, Missoula and Jackson Hole, Wyo. Each skater was judged by their abilities in the level they participated in. Awards were given for first, second and third places.

The Atkinson Award for Excellence, sponsored by Whitefish residents Carol and Richard Atkinson, longtime sponsors and supporters of rink-related activities, was presented to three skaters based on a three-event score — Emily Blumhardt and Emma Marchetti, of Whitefish, and Emily Beach, of Missoula.

Two handcrafted silver skate pendants engraved by Stephen Isley Jewelry and designed by Stephen Isley and Cindy Just were presented for best overall skater and best artistic skater. The winners were Cari Maus, of Missoula, for best overall skater, and Billie Stone, of Missoula, for best artistic skater.

The judges’ choice for two Atkinson awards which were not in the qualifying category included Justin Hergett, of Missoula, and the Missoula skating contingent for the team event.

The next event for the Whitefish Figure Skating Club will be the Spring Show on March 28.