The skaters of the preceding team took their bow, then hurried to gather up their props and leave the ice. They stood in a straight line, poised and ready to take center stage. They were standing still, yet there was a sort of excited energy buzzing about them, something that hadn’t been there on previous practices and performances. But that was expected, for this performance was different. This was nationals.
For many, this was the first time they had been to a national-level competition. For most, this was the biggest competition they would ever attend. For all, this was a very important competition, one in which they would impress the nation and show them what they had accomplished in the past six months. All those early morning practices, extra sessions, off-ice, hard work by parents, skaters, coaches… it was time to see if it would all pay off.
Still, even if the team didn’t place first, second, or at all, simply being at the competition as prepared as they were was in itself quite an accomplishment. The team had stuck together, through drama, through injury, through last minute complications. They were all there, standing in that line together. In this way, they had already won, even before stepping onto the great white stage. They had won confidence and friendships. They had won the trust of each other and the pride of their parents.
The announcer said, “And now, representing the Skating Club of San Francisco, please welcome…”
The seventeen skaters of San Francisco Ice Theatre stepped gracefully onto the ice.
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