Arctic Edge held the Arctic Winter Games trials and the Gold Nugget competition this past weekend.

The event took place Dec. 1-2.

Overall, 38 skaters participated in the competition. That included youth skaters from seven to 17 years of age, and two adult skaters: one Special Olympics skater, Mike Sumner, and one that competed in a Star 10/Gold solo dance event, Stephanie Stewart.

Stewart performed two pattern dances: the Starlight Waltz and the Paso Doble.

"This is exciting," she exclaimed. "I was really happy with myself. I'm a mom of a skater (Sophie Stewart, 10), and as a skater myself – I'm the president of the skating club – I challenged myself this fall and I wanted to get out there and compete at something, so I chose the dance. I'm happy that I worked for it and really happy that I was able to do well."

Stewart said it was the first time she'd competed in over 20 years. She said she was "really proud. I think it's important that people see skating as a lifelong sport, and not just something for teenagers. So to show my daughter that I can still do this, as an older adult and a mom, is really important, because I'd like all these girls to have a lifelong relationship with skating like I do."

Stewart added, "I'm proud of all the girls. They've all done their best today, and I'm really grateful for the coaches, who put in such good work to get the skaters ready and for all the parents who are here cheering them on."

The Star spoke to Arctic Edge coach Anne-Patrice Cross during a break in the competition on Saturday.

"It's been great," she related. "It's been a lot of fun. We've had lots of great skates. Super-proud of everybody that's skated so far. "

Regarding the Arctic Winter Games Trials, Cross said, "We have a few more skaters in one category, so it was a real trial this year. So more skaters than we have spots for, so I think it resulted in a little bit different environment and feel for the skaters. They actually were kind of fighting for a spot on the team.

"It was great. Super-pleased with how everybody handled it, and had some really beautiful moments out there."

One skater stood out for Cross.

"Myla Turner had a rough skate yesterday. She had a really big fall on an element that really impacted her whole program. She skated well after that, but she had a really good comeback. That was a good moment. She probably skated the best I've ever seen her skate."

Turner was fourth overall and second in the long program.

"There was some really positive moments for everybody," said Cross.

She said they had skaters doing multiple events.

"It makes for a long day for them, for sure."

Cross said on Saturday, all of the free skate events took place in the morning, with free skate elements taking place in the afternoon.

"They'll be doing individual elements on their own and they'll be judged based on the quality of a single element at a time as opposed to having them all within a program," she explained.

Creative Improv followed the individual elements.

"That's kind of a fun one where they skate to a piece of music they've never heard before and they get to do some free movement and interpret it in their own way," said Cross.

A team event followed, featuring teams of skaters at different levels.

"They'll go out and they'll skate against each other. They'll do one element at a time and each skater will have an element to perform for their team," related Cross.

The day ended with a group showcase event.

Following are the results of the ranked events with more than one skater:

AWG Level 1 Short

Laura Ruiz Natalie Stark

AWG Level 1 Free

Laura Ruiz Natalie Stark

Overall

Laura Ruiz Natalie

AWG Level 2 Short

Madisyn Millar Kayla Huffman Natilee Thompson

AWG Level 2 Free

Leah Lariviere Myla Turner Kayla Huffman

Overall

Leah Lariviere Kayla Huffman Madisyn Millar

STAR 4 Free (U13)

Lily Bowen Ella Gunderson