EK ice skater April gets silver at Skate Celje competition in Slovenia

Nov 18 2009 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

ICE skater April Hunter kept her cool at the Skate Celje competition in Slovenia recently, as she warmed up for next week’s British championships with a silver medal.

The 15-year-old, who is a member of East Kilbride Ice Figure Skating Club, was pitted against other skaters from around Europe as she competed for Great Britain and put in an impressive display to finish second in her age group.

And the youngster believes it is a great build up for the British championships which start in Sheffield on Monday.

April told the News: “I was really excited and proud to win a medal as this was my first international competition, so it is a massive achievement to finish in second place.

“It was a great experience that very few people are selected for and this is the biggest event I have ever competed in.

“The result has given me a real confidence boost before the British championships and I think I’ll still be running on adrenalin by the time I get there.

“I really hope I can carry this type of performance into the British championships and I think I can get a medal.”

April has been skating for seven years and is coached by Yvonne and Silvanna Cameron, training four or five times a week at the Olympia Centre Ice rink in the town centre.

Despite all the time she puts into her training, she insists she could never become bored of the sport she loves.

April said: “I enjoy it so much. It is hard work at times, with early starts during the week and at the weekend, but being selected to represent your country and returning with a medal makes it all worth while.”

Her mother, Karen, added: “She has always loved skating and this has always been one of her goals, to represent Great Britain, so this is great news for her ahead of the British championships.”

Meanwhile, April was joined by fellow East Kilbride Ice Figure Skating Club member Rachel Smillie at the event. The 13-year-old put in a good performance in the 1995 category to finish seventh overall.

The British Figure Skating Championships take place between November 23-28.