Sooke’s figure skating duo have earned enough points to compete at the Four Continents in Japan, one of the top three events in the figure skating world.
Leonardo Maekawa, 20, and sister, Pilar, 18, earned enough points from the Golden Spin of Zagreb in Croatia to attend the Four Continents in February.
“This is one of the three most important competitions in the figure skating world and Pilar and Leonardo are the first skaters ever to qualify to this competition in the entire Vancouver Island,” said mother, Conchita Maekawa, via email.
“They will bring Sooke and Victoria to the world.”
Leonardo and Pilar will be hosting a fundraiser and autograph session at the Grizzlies vs. Cowichan Valley hockey game on Jan. 18 at the Bear Mountain Arena.
“They will open the game and at the end will do an autograph session. Everybody is welcome. Also for all the followers who would like to watch them skate, they will perform one of their competitive routines in one of the intermissions.”
The Four Continents sees competitors from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.