Perth Voice Interactive

THE popularity of winter sports is set to get a significant boost in WA, with the first figure skating championship where competitors can earn international points to be held later this month.  

The WA Figure Skating Club’s Swan Trophy will be allow figure skaters to gain points necessary for national and international selection, the first time this has been available in Perth. 

WAFSC representative Alana Davis says it is “really significant” for WA based skaters to have access to a local competition that will allow them to compete on an international scale. 

“It’s quite difficult for WA skaters to compete because it can be so expensive just to travel,” Ms Davis said. 

“When travelling to an interstate competition, you have to pay for accommodation, competition entry, meals, and flights as well.

 “It’s really great that we are creating these opportunities here for our WA skaters.

“Their parents are sacrificing financially for them to be able to skate, but they don’t have the added burden on to them financially to have to travel.”

A majority of the competitors are young teenagers, according to Ms Davis.

“There has to be a lot of coordination, agility on the ice, and strengthening and conditioning to cater for a lot of the injuries,” Ms Davis said.

“It’s not just a matter of having the technical skills required and the composition and presentation, but it’s also a very mentally demanding sport.”

Amongst the Australian competitors is 14-year-old Hana Bath, the first Australian female to land a triple axel jump last year. 

Known as the WAFSC’s “pocket rocket”, Hana has competed all over the world at skating Grand Prix and Junior Worlds, with podium finishes at international level. 

One of Hana’s coaches and former competitive ice dancer Maria Borounov says it is “such an achievement” to make it to the world stage in their own backyard. 

“It’s really rewarding, because as coaches we’re with them from when they’re very young, so you get to witness them growing up, and you get to witness all the obstacles they overcome.

“[the Swan Trophy] is something that WA has never had, and it’ll just be opening those doors for the whole of Australia to become more serious about winter sport, and become more serious about figure skating.

The Swan Trophy will be held at Cockburn Ice Arena from September 23 – 25

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER