Aldergrove senior skater Linda Maundrell won the Gold medal in the Bronze Artistic V Free Skate event in the 68-78 years category, skating to “You Make Me Feel So Young” at the International Skating Union Adult Figure Skating Competition in Oberstdorf, Germany, May 22-27.
Linda, now 74, started skating at six years old with her family at public skating and at eight years of age she joined the Vancouver Skating Club. She had very few lessons and never competed in a competition, and was skating with the club till she was 18 years old, then it was off to a work.
In 2005 quite by accident and being away from skating for 40 years she returned to skating at age 62 and joined the Aldergrove Skating Club. The club was wonderful and nurturing to adult skaters and she rekindled her joy for skating.
She did some synchronized skating and dance and in 2009 started competing in Artistic Free Skating, placing sixth place out of a field of 12 skaters in Oberstdorf. Then she competed again there in 2012, 2013 and 2014, receiving Gold medals.
“The process of working with your coach and developing a program and especially working with the music is a great experience,” said Maundrell.
“Adult skaters are a wonderful group, supporting each other on and off the ice. I am fortunate to skate with women and men much younger than I am and they know skating can be for life. To wake up each morning with this joy is so wonderful.”