Gabrielle Sanson says the ice she usually trains on has melted
Gabrielle Sanson, 16, can be seen flying around the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval in Saskatoon. The Moose Jaw skater has come to the Bridge City to train after her usual practice ice melted.
“I am here training because our ice in Moose Jaw melted,” Sanson said.
“I decided to come up for just the week to train with our coach here. I’ve been training a lot lately and just getting prepared for China.”
Sanson is practicing for the World Junior Speed Skating Championships in Changchun, China next month.
“It’s an honour,” she said. “I’ve never had something so big in my life and I’m just excited to go there and learn from the older skaters and just get the experience this time.”
The Saskatchewan teenager has been speed skating for 10 years and she won a medal last year at the Canada Games.
She will be one of the youngest competitors in the upcoming competition as most other athletes are a year or two older.
While the ice surface in Saskatoon is a bit different, Sanson said it provides what she needs.
“The ice is a little soft but I’m not complaining because I don’t have ice at home,” Sanson said.
Sanson said she is “hoping to do my best [in China] and not let my nerves get to me and see what happens and have fun.”
This is the third year in a row Saskatchewan has sent an athlete to the World Junior Championships.
Feb 18, 2016
Source: CBC News