Young Harwich Skater Takes To The Ice At World Championships

HARWICH – Krystin Santiago, 12, a local figure skater, will be on the ice in TD Garden in Boston during the ISU World Figure Skating Championships this week.  

Santiago will not be competing, at least not this year, but that’s one of her goals. And while her skating skills have been recognized by ISU judges as exceptional, she was chosen from among 200 young skaters from throughout the East Coast to be one of 39 skaters to participate as a sweeper during the five days the World Championships March 25 to 30.

Sweepers, skaters ages 6 to 13, clear the ice of stuffed animals and other gifts thrown on the ice after skaters’ performances. The young skaters were selected to be sweepers based on skating ability, personality and positive attitude by a series of judges, including ISU judges, after they observed skating skills and conducted interviews with the contestants. 

Santiago will perform her duties on Wednesday after the pairs short program; Thursday after the men’s short program; and Friday after the women’s free skate. She has also been chosen to be one of six sweepers to be on the ice during the championship awards presentations, according to her mother, Erin Santiago. 

“We’re so excited that talented local skaters have qualified to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as a Dedham Savings Sweeper on the world stage during the ISU World Figure Skating Championship event,” said Liz Bissell, executive vice president of sponsor Dedham Savings.  

“I am so happy that I was selected as a sweeper for the World Figure Skating Championships,” said Krystin, a sixth grade student at the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School in East Harwich. “This is something that I have always wanted to do, because I will be surrounded by some of the best figure skaters in the world. It is a dream come true for me.”

Krystin started skating when she was 4 years old in the learn-to-skate program at the Charles Moore Arena in Orleans and continues to take private lessons there. She now skates at both the Orleans arena and the Skating Club of Boston with coach Renee Laurin-Roos, according to her mother. 

Krystin enjoys competition and did very well in the Excel Series competition at the Skating Club of Boston, her mother said.

“Having these young skaters represent the host country and participate in the event is a long-standing tradition of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships,” added Doug Zeghibe, CEO and executive director of the Skating Club of Boston, the local organizing committee for the event.