I would like to take this opportunity to wish our entire ISV skating community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If these celebrations are not a part of your family's process for this time of year, I wish you some happy downtime and (more importantly) time away from skating. Take the opportunity to recharge and renew yourselves and spend some moments considering what 2020 may look like in skating terms.

Our skating community has had a very busy season and the results have been nothing short of stunning. Our athletes who travelled this season all acquitted themselves very well at the interstate events and returned with many podium and personal best performances. This was capped off with breathtaking results at the recent AFSC held on our home ice.

Our ISV athletes are all moving to a higher standard, as is evidenced by GOE and component scores, along with the maturity of programs and choreograph being presented. I congratulate our athletes and coaches for having the courage to be adventurous, competitive and try new things. It has been very encouraging to watch this development and to be judging at this time.

I know this sport has its moments and can seem frustrating and bewildering at times but the outcome from this has been a steady and consistent improvement over the last few seasons and all athletes should be very proud of what they have accomplished.

I'm delighted to see athletes training and competing overseas as this truly gives you an understanding of where you are in the frame of things and is the next phase of ISV cementing the gains of the last seasons. I encourage all athletes to take the responsibility of challenging yourselves and your coaches to push our already notable achievements to greater heights.

I would like to thank the current ISV council for putting together such a strong season for our athletes and community. I would also like to thank the people who were able to assist with a myriad of volunteering tasks to ensure our events were the best they could be. This sport simply stops without the support and volunteering of all concerned.

In the meantime, relax over the break, laugh with family and friends and just be nice to one another. ISV look forward to seeing what you can produce for the 2020 season and we wish you all the best.

Mark Storton
President ISV