‘This is a big deal for our province and our sport,’ coach says
Regina figure skater Koen Kucher has won a national title in the sport, the first for Saskatchewan in almost 25 years.
Kucher, 14, competed in a Skate Canada Challenge event which took place in Edmonton last weekend. He took home first place in his age category, called Pre-Novice. The Skate Canada event is the highest level of national competition for a Pre-Novice figure skater.
Other skaters, in older age categories, also competed on the weekend but not for a national championship.
“This is a big deal for our province and our sport,” David Schultz, one of Kucher’s three coaches, said, noting that the last time Saskatchewan produced a national champion in figure skating was 1991.
“It was pretty exciting, especially since its hasn’t happened in a while for Saskatchewan,” Kucher said of the experience. “I’m just really happy and very thankful for the opportunity to skate.”
His coach pointed out that Kucher performed exceptionally well against 30 other competitors from across the country.
Kucher’s total score of 106.59 was nine points ahead of the second-place finisher.
“It was massive gap. Usually it’s between a point, two points, three points if you really nail it,” said Schultz. “Everything that went up, he hit.”
Kucher’s coaching team designed a routine to showcase his strengths.
“His strength is his personality,” Schultz said. “He’s a little showman.”
His accomplishment was all the more remarkable considering he must also deal with a rare metabolic disorder, called PKU, that affect his digestion. Kucher maintains his diet using a specially formulated drink.
Schultz said Kucher doesn’t let his condition slow him down and is a role model for young boys in figure skating.
He is also pleased that Kucher has stayed in Saskatchewan.
“I’m proud he lives and trains in our province, most skaters move away,” Schultz said. “Koen is committed to staying here.”
Saskatchewan’s got talent
Schultz, who coaches with his wife, moved to Saskatchewan in April to take over the High Performance Program for Skate Canada in Saskatchewan.
“We moved here because there is a lot of talent and ability. We were very interested in working with Saskatchewan athletes,” he said. “Saskatchewan kids are little bit tougher. A stronger breed of kids.”
Source: cbc.ca
