Darrow Passes Skating Milestone, Awaits ‘Ex On Ice’

Good As Gold
Darrow Passes Skating Milestone, Awaits ‘Ex On Ice’
April 16, 2011
By Scott Kindberg (skindberg@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal

Alexis Darrow sat in the conference room of the Jamestown Skating Academy, its walls adorned with photographs from "Excellence On Ice" performances from the past, and began counting.

By the time the Maple Grove High School junior was finished she came to the happy realization that she had been a participant in the last eight shows.

"To skate with Excellence On Ice is a dream come true," she said.

Darrow will be one of dozens of JSA students who will take part in the annual production, billed as America's most spectacular community ice show, which is scheduled for performances at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on May 7 at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena.

When Darrow takes the ice she will be following in the footsteps of some of the JSA skaters she grew up admiring, including Trey Ehre, Kristen Treni, Robbie Dierking, and Ellie Elchert.

Inspired by them, the daughter of Roger and Ellen Darrow of Bemus Point hopes to one day join a professional ice show just as they have.

But Darrow has also put together quite a competitive resume.

In fact, over the winter she successfully passed her gold test, an accomplishment that is a major milestone in the sport. According to Wikipedia, every American figure skater who the public sees competing at the World Figure Skating Championships and at the Olympics is a "gold medalist." More simply, only one in 5,000 skaters successfully passes that test.

"It means the world to me," Darrow said. "It's one of my last accomplishments before I begin a new chapter in my life.

"I was confident that my coaches (JSA co-directors Kirk Wyse and Lenel van den Berg) had prepared me well. ... It's a pretty big deal."

So, too, is Excellence On Ice, a show that is traditionally known for its production numbers. This year's theme, "A Night of Awards," will feature music and productions from the Academy Awards, Grammy's and Tony's.

Darrow will be skating to "I'm a Good Girl" from the hit movie Burlesque.

"I like competing," she said, "because I like how it feels when I do well, but the shows are my passion."

VIP seating will once again be featured. Flooring material will be placed around the perimeter of the ice floor and tables adorned with linens, hors d'oeuvres, wine and soft drinks. With six seats per table, the spectator becomes part of the show. The arena seats will be utilized for reserved seating. Concert-style lighting will be provided by APG of Fredonia.

VIP on-ice tickets are $30 and reserved arena seating tickets are $10 or $12.

Tickets are available at the JSB Ice Arena box office from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To reserve tickets by phone, call the Excellence On Ice ticket line at 484-2624 or reserve tickets on-line at www.JamestownArena.com.

Excellence On Ice is sponsored by The Post-Journal, the Warren Times Observer, Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Wegman's, and SE-93.