News

01/01/2007 - Speyside skater Sarah

A YOUNG Speyside skater has won her first national competition – and is gunning for a chance to make it into the UK Championships next year.

Sarah-Jane Smith (13) slid home to win the Ayr Open in August, crowning her first success as part of the Elgin-Moray Skating Club.

The Archiestown youngster has been skating for four years, but the open win in the level four category marked her first success on the national stage.

Training six days a week, Sarah-Jane is working hard to perfect her technique and hopes to make it through the trials next year and compete in the UK Championships.

She said: “There were 14 other girls in this competition and I was delighted that I managed to pick up my first win.
“I got two cups for my winning routine, and I was just so surprised to win it. There was six months practice put into the programme, and a lot of hard work.”

The Speyside High pupil performed to the Titanic theme tune but, unlike that great ship, she wants to rise to the pinnacle of her chosen sport.

“I do it because I love it – its different to other sports and I think I am good at it. It’s something I want to continue doing and, hopefully, I can build on this success.”

The youngster is coached by Graeme Summers and Sue Farrell at the club, which meets at Moray Leisure Centre.

There was further success in the competition for the Elgin-Moray club with Daisy Slapp lifting the honours in the ladies’ beginner under 8s, Hayley Anderson the nine and 10 years section and Claire Noble winning the beginner over 11s.

From Northern Scot Newspaper - http://www.northernscot.co.uk