Skate Canada International reunites cross-country friendship

Best friends Evamarie Weiker and Marguerite Born have been attending Skate Canada International since 1995, and this year the duo reunited in Regina.

“We used to wear matching jackets and we used to have our TV sets with us running on batteries so that you could actually see the results,” remembered Weiker. “Now, we just come and we enjoy the skaters, enjoy each other’s company and whatever’s to offer in the city that we’re in.”

Twenty-two years ago, they started the tradition in Kitchener, Ont. and they’ve attended a skating event every year — whether it be in Canada, China or Russia — ever since.

After each being in the Canadian military for 30 years, Weiker said their annual get together is a chance to relax and appreciate their retirement.

“It means to touch base in a safe, friendly place with someone who’s known you for a very long time,” explained Weiker.

Born agreed, adding that it’s a chance to “spend time together and resolve all the problems of the world” while enjoying the figure skating.

Both said they don’t have any favourite skaters, but they do enjoy watching them grow.

“You see the potential there and you just know — gut feeling know — that they’re going to be somebody some day,” said Born, adding that they’ve watched the evolution of Canada’s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.

Having attended upwards of 40 skating events, the friends say they’d like to cross the Winter Olympic Games off their “bucket skate list” next.