Cheltzie a star
on ice The 10-year-old who skates at Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink, was introduced to ice-skating, more specifically figure skating, by her father when she was five. Five years later the determined youngster has earned a swag of accolades, testament to her natural sporting ability which also extends to the gymnasium. Her most recent achievement was a first place in the NSW Figure Skating Championships (pre-primary ladies division). Cheltzie was up against five other skaters who also had qualified for the championships, the eldest 16 and obviously stronger and more experienced. "We are very proud of her," Cheltzie's mother Renita said. "Whatever she does, she does her best." Cheltzie's success at such a young age in the ladies and pre-primary ladies divisions has not come without sacrifice. Her successes this year include a third place at the ACT Autumn Trophy, a third at the NSW Artistic Titles, a win at the Sydney Figure Skating Club Trophy Night, another third at the Hollins Trophy and a win in the Sydney Figure Skating Club Championships. Cheltzie, a Year 5 student, trains under the guidance of Samantha Lind and Gloria Pracey up to four afternoons a week at Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink. Despite her youth, her goals are clearly focused on higher representation. "In the short-term, Cheltzie would like to represent NSW at the 2004 Australian nationals in the primary ladies division," Mrs Lee said. "Her long-term goal is to one day represent Australia in figure skating at an Olympic level." She recently passed her primary ladies test to cap off a successful figure skating season. |
||
|
||
