Pupils who are striving to get to the top
rising star....
The Beginning:
I was only 7 when I started skating. My cousin Marcus took me to a public session and after being on the ice for only 10 minutes, I fell in love with the feeling of freedom that gliding across the ice gave me. I didn’t want to get off because I felt like that was where I belonged. As soon as it was time to get off, I instantly asked my parent for lessons, I finally knew what I have been waiting to do my whole life.
Starting off:
After much persuading and pleading by me, my mum and dad finally gave in and let me start my own private lessons. Days became weeks, weeks became months and I still loved it as much as ever. My coach told me I had a natural talent across the ice, this made me realise just how much I truly loved what I was doing.
Competitions and Events:
I have competed in numerous competitions, and at the age of only 10, I won my first ever competition. I was level 3, and was against some very good skaters, but luckily I came out the best with my Jai Ho routine. I also came 3rd at Guildford at level 5. I love to compete because it gives me the determination to carry on and improve my performance. In 2011 I represented Great Britain in Luxembourg, this was my first International Competition where I came a reputable 13th, with my Lord of the Dance Programme. Another great time was when I performed in the amazing Holiday on Ice show with Cardiff Skating Club. We skated to Boogie Wonderland and this was a wonderful experience- one that I will never forget.
What I’m doing now:
At the moment,
I’m training to
compete in the British
Championships.
I am also doing a
few National Skating
Tests in the next
couple of months.
I have now got a new
partner called Josh,
who is helping me to get
my pairs tests, so then I
can also compete in the
British Championships as
a pair. I will have a better
chance of winning as a pair because there aren’t many pair skaters in the UK.
The Future:
For the future I am hoping to have competed not just in singles skating but also in pairs , with either Josh or a new partner in the British.
I would also love to win some more competitions at level 8 but as I get older & better and demonstrate more understanding of the skating rules, I would really love to skate in the World Championships , just like my idol, Carolina Kostna. She is an amazing and fabulous skater that I have looked up to since I started skating. Luckily, when I went to skate camp in Oberstdorf, Germany 2013, to receive coaching from the best coach in the world ,Michael Huth, I met Carolina and watched her practice. This was a dream come true! So, when I’m older, I would adore it if I could make an impression on some young skaters, just like Carolina did with me.
Sophie Ekstrom-Gabb,
ice skating
23