CBS 58's Hometown Athlete: Skate Milwaukee U.S. Junior Cup brings next generation to Pettit National Ice Center
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Whether it's summer or not, the Pettit National Ice Center is prepping potential future Olympians.
"We just had a wonderful Olympics," competition chair and chief referee Carolyn Clausius says. "And so now we're building on that momentum into the next quad. Or the next four years. The next Olympics is in 2030 in France. And then in '34, it'll be here in the United States in Utah. And some of these skaters in the Junior Cup could very well be those Olympians."
The Skate Milwaukee U.S. Junior Cup figure skating event features athletes before they are stars. Like Kirk Haugeto.
"Showing the judges how I have improved on my skating skills," Kirk Haugeto says. "Components. And my jumping elements. And I use the Olympics, our amazing skaters that we had at Milan, to inspire me."
"In 2021? Two members of the current Olympic team were here," Clausius says. "Ilia Malinin competed here. And Isabeau Levito competed here. So, I feel like we're watching for who's next."
And now they know what it takes to get to the next level.
"Getting the feedback from the judges which are watching us," Haugeto says. "Since there's a lot of high level judges and officials here at this event."