More than 70 competitors took part in the day-long event with each skater performing a routine based on their individual skill level.

They were cheered on by several hundred figure skating fans in the crowd.

Several members of the Special Olympics Team Canada figuring skating team attended to lend support to the event which was hosted by the Central Ontario Region of Skate Canada. They also had a chance to show their talent on the ice.

"Each year Special Olympics holds a competition for the region," explained Team Canada head figure skating coach Janet Collins. "We had a training camp for Team Canada yesterday so we could participate in the competition as well. This is to prepare them for the world competition that will be held in Boise, Idaho."

Several skate clubs took part from as far away as Sarnia and Ottawa.

Skaters compete in six different levels based on ability and have the opportunity to move  up the ranks over the course of several years.

"They start at the local skating club," Collins said. "Each year they can move from regional to provincial, then to nationals and then the worlds. It takes four years to go through it."

Angela Van Casteren is a level-six skater who is on Team Canada and will be going to Idaho Feb. 7 to 13, 2009 for the world competition.

"Ultimately I'd like to win," she said of competing at the international level. "I've been skating since I was a little girl but I started skating competitively seven years ago. We'll be going to the world competition for two weeks."

Van Casteren lives in Minesing but trains at facilities in Wasaga Beach, Stayner, and Collingwood.

When the skaters return home, some will attempt to move up a level in the competition, but many are happy just to participate in the sport they enjoy.