Athletes from Japan pose for a photo at the 2020 Pan Pacific Cup Baton Twirling Championships in Red Deer, Alta on Jan. 18, 2020. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

2020 pan pacific cup

Baton twirling takes the spotlight at RDC’s Harris Centre

Jan 18, 2020 | 2:30 PM

It isn’t the most glorified sport, but baton twirling athletes have a ton of talent.

That skill is on display this weekend (Jan. 17-19) at RDC’s Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre where the 2020 World Baton Twirling Pan Pacific Cup is happening.

“For the Pan Pacific athletes here, this is the ultimate event, though it is also a bridge for those who are on the path to the World Championships,” explains Joanne Moser, president of the Canadian Baton Twirling Championships.

“The Pan Pacific countries (Canada, USA, Japan, Australia) started planning this event years ago because we found the European countries had so much more opportunity to get international competition because of proximity.”

As for why Red Deer was chosen to host the event, it was almost fate, Moser says.

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“When we first put in our bid, we were thinking somewhere in Alberta, and Red Deer College rolled out the red carpet,” she shares. “The facility, with it’s gymnasium, the ceiling height, and other amenities, it was almost as if they were thinking of a baton twirling competition when it was built, which I’m sure wasn’t actually the case.”

Moser adds that the local hotel association has also been first class in ensuring the 220+ athletes from out of town and abroad had accommodations.

The sport of baton twirling has about 1500 athletes in Canada, and around 40 countries compete worldwide, putting it somewhat on the brink of being able to push for inclusion at the Olympics.

The central Alberta region has contributed to the sport’s success with names like Michelle C. Smith, a world champion baton twirler turned Hollywood actress and stunt artist (Deadpool, Smallville), as well as Hollie Gamble (née Neilson); both are from Red Deer.

“Our top athletes in this sport have easily a decade of training under their belts. They will have taken multiple disciplines of dance, gymnastics and acrobatics, and the very elite ones work with personal trainers,” says Moser. “Those who excel are incredible athletes and are incredibly dedicated.”

Competition wraps up on Sunday, with the first athletes competing at 9 a.m. It is free for the public to attend.