Kelowna skaters Haley Sales and Nik Wamsteeker finished sixth at an international skating competition in Quebec last week.

The pair represented Canada at the Skate Canada Autumn Classic in Quebec, which was held from Sept. 16 to Sept. 18. The event marked their first international competitive debut for the season, which featured top teams from Canada, the U.S. and Spain.

Sales and Wamsteeker finished sixth in both the short dance and free dance segments with a total score of 155.89 points. Canadian champions and World Bronze medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirer captured the gold medals.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e at a pretty early stage in the development of our new skating and programs this season,害羞草研究所� said Wamsteeker. 害羞草研究所淎CI was a great starter and eye-opener on what it is we need to focus on going into this Olympic season.害羞草研究所�

It has also been a season of growth for the Sales and Wamsteeker. The pair made the move to London, Ont. this summer to be coached by iconic Canadian skater Scott Moir. Moir, along with his skating partner Tessa Virtue, has won numerous World and Olympic championships for Canada.

害羞草研究所淲e are allowing ourselves to get vulnerable this year and grow into this new skating style we are striving for going forward,害羞草研究所� said Sales. 害羞草研究所淲e are very proud of how far we害羞草研究所檝e come in such a short time and excited to see where this next chapter goes.害羞草研究所�

Despite the move, Sales and Wamsteeker chose to represent the Kelowna Skating Club. Prior to the Autumn Classic, the pair visited Kelowna for a week, where they trained and interacted with local skaters.

Sales has a long history with a club, where she developed as a singles skater up to the national level. She also won a bronze medal as a Novice competitor at the Canada Championships. She has two younger sisters who continue to train at the club, both of whom have competed at the national level.

害羞草研究所淚t was amazing to see them work with our skaters of all levels,害羞草研究所� said club director Jason Mongrain. 害羞草研究所淗aley and Nik have had so much experience, from representing Canada, training abroad, and learning from exceptional coaches. It was so great to see them pass some of that along to our young generation.害羞草研究所�

The pair have been selected to represent Canada at the ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada event in Vancouver from Oct. 29 to Oct. 31.

READ MORE: Canadian men fall to Britain in rugby sevens quarterfinal

READ MORE: Road to Canada害羞草研究所檚 Olympic curling trials crowded in Ottawa tournaments

paula.tran@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily newsletter.