This year’s Skate Ontario Section CompetitiveSkate Award winner is David Shteyngart from the Gloucester Skating Club. David is the reigning Novice Men champion of Canada. This season, he also won Skate Canada Challenge and the Skate Ontario Sectional Championships.

From the age 6, he exhibited very real determination, potential and desire to succeed in figure skating. Aside from working hard on and off the ice, David has a true passion for skating. Throughout the pandemic, David did not get discouraged and he and coach Darlene Joseph came up with a plan for off-ice training. This included guest coaches and workshops that included cardiovascular conditioning, off-ice jumping,  ballet, dance, strength and flexibility awhile keeping a close watch on his motivation and overall well being. Training was done outside, in the basement, in the living room or wherever there was enough space for safety and a good internet connection.

David can truly combine the two aspects of our sport – athletics and artistry. Outside of skating, David is a competitive dancer, transferring the skills he learns at dance onto the ice. He also sets a terrific example for his peers and those learning to skate, “David is very conscience of how he interacts with young skaters, he takes his “role modelling” seriously and is very encouraging of the young skaters at the club and in the province.  David always displays a polite and pleasant attitude and can even laugh at himself once in a while.” – Darlene Joseph.

Please join us in congratulating David on being the recipient of the CompetitiveSkate Award!