Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships Attract Adult Skaters

By Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz, special to U.S. Figure Skating Online

Laura and Beshara Emulfdi (Photo by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz)

Ever since Laura and Beshara Elmufdi started skating together eight years ago, they always dreamed of stepping on the ice in the historic 1980 Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Their dream became a reality when they found out the adult bronze pattern dance competition at this year's Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships (LPIDC) would be taking place in that venue.

"We went to adult nationals in Lake Placid two years ago, but our event was at the 1932 rink," Laura said. "When we heard we were going to be in the 1980 rink for this competition, we immediately signed up."

While intermediate, novice, junior and senior ice dancers come to the annual summer classic to receive judges' feedback, debut new programs and begin their season, adult competitors view the event as a way to enjoy the competitive spirit, meet other adult skaters and enjoy the beautiful Lake Placid sights and scenery.

While only two adult events - adult bronze and championship adult - were held at this year's LPIDC, many adult teams took part in the several open competitions that were offered, including ones from as far away as California. One of those was the Elmufdis, who are members of the Peninsula Skating Club in San Jose, Calif. The husband-and-wife duo went head to head against each other in the open Fourteenstep with their skating pros, calling it the "Elmufdi Challenge."

"We had a contest to see who would get last place. We just want to have fun," Laura said. "But there is also the challenge to improve and see what you can do."

(In case you're wondering, Laura lost the challenge, as she finished last in the seven-team field; Beshara, with his partner, came in fifth.)

For Cara Zanella of the Center Ice and Blades Club of Western Pennsylvania, who competed in the open Fourteenstep with her partner, Lance Holton, the LPIDC experience was "beyond belief."

Cara Zanella and Lance Holton (Photo by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz)

Zanella, 44, skated 24 years ago in freestyle and just returned to skating last year, with ice dancing, and since then she has taken and passed each dance test through pre-silver. Zanella and Holton also received a bronze medal at a recent competition in York, Pa.

"I am so fortunate to be on the ice at 44 years old and be a part of a sport that has given so much to me," Zanella said.

Zanella, who has rheumatoid arthritis, feels her time on the ice is invaluable to helping her manage her condition.

"It really helps keeping my body limber," Zanella said.

Besides the health benefits, she loves competing, and has a personal skating goal as well.

"My main focus is to try and get my golds in ice dancing," she said. "But right now I'm taking it all in and enjoying it all."

And enjoy it they did. The Elmufdis and Zanella had reason to celebrate, as Zanella won gold in the open Fourteenstep, and the Elmufdis won gold in the adult bronze pattern dance.

"This has been a dream come true," Zanella said. "I am so fortunate to be here."