OLYMPIC HOPEFUL WILL APPEAR AT WEEKEND SCATE SHOWS AT THE ICE

The Ice in Cape Girardeau will present "Beach Party on Ice" this weekend at the Plaza Galleria.

The shows will feature more than 100 skaters from the skating school at The Ice and special guest skater Colin Vander Veen, an Olympics hopeful. Vander Veen, of Marietta, Ga., trains in Ontario, Canada, under coach Doug Haw with choreography by Toller Cranston, a bronze medalist in the 1976 winter Olympics.

Vander Veen, 22, is known as one of the finest jumpers in the sport. Since he began skating at age 6, he has won numerous medals and awards. He placed third at the 1991 Olympic Festival, fifth at the 1989 Nebelhorn Trophy, an international competition in Germany; and first place in the 1989 St. Gervais in France, another international competition.

His repertoire consists of a triple axel and a quadruple toe loop, which only a handful of skaters can execute.

Shows at The Ice are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2 at the door. Some seating will be available but standing room only will apply. Doors will open one-half hour before each performance.

The beach party theme will include favorite summertime music and attire.