Beginning and advanced figure skaters of all ages heated up the ice during the 13th Annual Quad City Championships over the weekend at Quad-City Sports Center.

The Figure Skating Club of the Quad-Cities hosted more than 125 competitors striving for medals in more than 50 events over the three days.

"This event brings awareness about what the sport of figure skating is and allows families and the skaters to get a feel for what competition is like," said Karen Doy, the test director of the FSCQC.

Skaters from a handful of states along with judges from across the United States were in attendance. In its 13th year, the event is still going strong with a wide variety of programs.

The weekend began with compulsory moves on Saturday, where skaters showed off their footwork, spinning and jumping abilities. Basic skills, jumps, spins and championship freeskating followed. Events came to a close on Sunday, with championship freeskating from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Skaters performed dance and artistic programs with themed costumes. Judges awarded points for creativity, originality and musical interpretation.

"For most skaters, they skate 3 to 6 hours a week for a program that could be just 3 minutes long," said Pascuala Weste, a volunteer for the Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities.

The competition was free for the public, and the FSCQC encouraged fans to watch the talented skaters strut their stuff.

"This event shows how hard the young people work and that figure skating is a very difficult sport," said Weste, a DeWitt, Iowa, resident.

The skaters spend months preparing for this event, often getting up before the sun rises or training off the ice.

"The skaters take ballet, aerobics and other things in addition to the skating," Weste said.