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Skate club claims trophy

Just two weeks after wowing crowds with its 2012 Ice Carnival, the Port McNeill Figure Skating Club claimed the overall team trophy
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Six members of the Port McNeill Figure Skating Club have qualified to compete in the provincial championship in Surrey in April. From left

Just two weeks after wowing crowds with its 2012 Ice Carnival, the Port McNeill Figure Skating Club claimed the overall team trophy in the 36th annual — and final — Barbara Rasmussen Memorial Figure Skating competition at the Comox Valley Sports Centre in Courtenay.

Alison Gurney and Alyssa Rowe placed 1-2 in the Gold Women's freeskate and Alyssa Busch, Kierra Shambrook, Karlie Shambrook and Lexie Murgatroyd each won gold medals in their competition divisions as PMFSC out-dueled 14 other clubs to claim the coveted Barbara Rasmussen Club Trophy.

The competition drew 266 figure skaters.

"We won a medal in every classification we had kids entered in," coach Elizabeth Kines said.

"The girls all did a phenomenal job."

The Barbara Rasmussen Memorial has always held special significance for Kines, who was badly injured in the automobile accident that took Rasmussen's life at age 27.

Rasmussen, a figure skating coach based in Courtenay, also coached skaters in Port Alice, Port Alberni and Campbell River before her tragic death.

In 2011, when the the host Comox Valley Club was unable to hold the competition due to lack of volunteer support, a group of Port McNeill club parents stepped up on Kines' behalf and took over organization of the event. It was held at Port McNeill's Chilton Regional Arena, the only time in its 36-year run the event was held outside of the Comox Valley.

This year's Barbara Rasmussen Memorial will be the last, as Vancouver Island Figure Skating reconfigures its competition schedule beginning next season.

Rasmussen's family traveled from Winnipeg for the event and helped out with award presentations.

Tyanna Laming and Whitney Murgatroyd claimed silver medals in freeskate competition.

In performance group competition, Brenna Jardine, Saiya Gachter and Rebecca Griffith each won gold medals and Carly Klughart, Devon Jardine, Cole Klughart, Natasha Grafton and Nicole Wigard all earned silver.

Six PMFSC skaters have qualified to compete in this weekend's Super Series STARSkate Final, the provincial championships, at Fleetwood Arena in Surrey. Alyssa Busch, Kierra and Karlie Shambrook, and Whitney, Lexie and Darian Murgatroyd will each wrap up their 2011-12 seasons at the finals.