Wirral teenager aims to skate off with a medal at Youth Olympics

Jan 14 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Wallasey News

A TEENAGE ice skater from Wirral will be competing in the International Youth Olympics next month.

Katie Powell, 16, of West Kirby, is one of just four ice skaters from the UK - and the only girl from the North West - taking part in the biggest sports event for junior sportsmen and women.

She will travel to Poland with the Great Britain ice-skating team on February 14 where she will perform two routines to try to take home a medal.

The West Kirby Grammar School pupil starting ice skating when she was five after falling in love with the sport when she watched Oliver on Ice at Deeside.

She then joined skating lessons at the rink and continued to skate on a weekly basis from then on.

Katie has entered many competitions abroad and won the Dragon’s Trophy in Slovenia.

The talented skater said: “The International Youth Olympics will be the biggest competition I’ve ever taken part in.

“I’m really excited and a little nervous as well.

“In the future I’d like to compete at a higher level and go to the European Championships.”

Getting good enough to fulfil her ambitions has not been without its pain.

Over the years Katie has suffered two broken fingers - one on each hand.

She said: “I just put a splint on and got back on the ice!

“Something like that would never put me off.”

The young student makes sure she works hard in the classroom as well as on the ice as she also has a passion for sports science which she would like to learn more about in the future.

Glenice Robinson, headteacher at West Kirby Grammar School, said: “We’re thrilled that West Kirby is being represented at the Youth Olympics in Poland.

“Katie has competed in a number of prestigious skating competitions but to represent her country is a huge achievement - she’s done very well.”