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Siblings a magical pair on ice

A pair of Okotoks figure skaters didn’t look out of step after switching to pairs competition at a major figure skating competition.
Luke and Charlotte Arbib with the pre-junvenile pairs freeskate trophy they won at the Alberta/NWT/Nunavut sectional championships in Edmonton Nov. 3-6.
Luke and Charlotte Arbib with the pre-junvenile pairs freeskate trophy they won at the Alberta/NWT/Nunavut sectional championships in Edmonton Nov. 3-6.

A pair of Okotoks figure skaters didn’t look out of step after switching to pairs competition at a major figure skating competition.

The brother-and-sister duo of Luke and Charlotte Arbib won the pre-juvenile pairs competition at the Alberta/NWT/Nunavut sectionals Nov. 3-6 in Edmonton.

They had competed in ice dance prior to making the switch to pairs in the spring.

“We liked ice dance, but we also wanted to add jumps into the mix,” the 11-year-old Charlotte said.

The change was ideal for the 13-year-old Luke.

“I enjoy it because I am still skating with my sister,” he said. “But we get to throw more and get to do more jumps.”

Ice dance showcased the grace, timing and athleticism of the Arbibs.

The pairs competition also highlights their strength, particularly those from Luke.

“I’m not lifting (Charlotte over his head) yet because we aren’t allowed at this level, but it does take some jumps where I pull her in,” Luke said.

Sectionals were the biggest performance in pairs so far for the young skaters.

They had previously performed in an exhibition and were second at a competition in November.

They cast a spell with their 2 1/2 minute skate at sectionals.

“It was our personal-best skate – it felt like magic,” Charlotte said. “Our hands just kind of knew when to connect. When were done, we were grinning and we hugged each other.”

The highlight of their skate was near the end – when they hold hands, squat down and spin like the Tilt-A-Whirl ride at the Calgary Stampede.

They share more than natural athletic ability on the ice.

“It’s like we are almost telepathic,” Luke said. “We know…”

Where each other are,” Charlotte interjected. “So we know each other’s moves…

“We are matching steps and stuff,” Luke added on.

However, Luke can also think and skate pretty well on his own. He was second in U14 juvenile freeskate.

“I was happy with it, but I got the jump I wanted to get done – the double-flip and the double Salchow,” Luke said.

Although he enjoys singles, he prefers skating with his sister.

“I like both of them, but with pairs I get to enjoy the experience with my sister,” he said.

As a result of winning the pre-juvenile at sectionals, the Arbibs, who have skated together for four years, will have to move up to either juvenile or pre-novice for further competitions.

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