Neepawa skater ready for Nationals

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Published on Thursday, December 4, 2014

Submitted photo. Amy Todoruk competing at a recent event.

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

Amy Todoruk of the Neepawa Figure Skating Club is hoping to conclude her skating career on a positive note. The 17 year old is participating this week in the Skate Canada Canadian Challenge in Montreal.

She earned the right to compete against the country’s best figure skaters by placing second in the junior ladies category at the Skate Manitoba Sectional Competition in Brandon last month. Todoruk said since her success in Brandon, she has been preparing her short and long programs and doing everything she can to perfect them.

“The plan that I had for provincials is the same plan that we are going with for the Challenge. We focused on the same training and keeping the consistency,” said Todoruk. 

The Skate Canada Challenge consists of four categories; pre-novice, novice, junior and senior. There will be 48 of the best skaters from across Canada competing in the junior category against Amy. She said this level of skill could be daunting for some, so it’s important to keep focused on what you yourself are able to control.

“It’s really exciting because it is a big deal but at the same time, you need to view it as another competition,” said Todoruk. “I’m going there to do my job and I don’t worry about anything else around me.”

Todoruk has been skating since she was three years old and figure skating since age six. She noted that this would likely be one of her last figure skating events on a competitive level. She is hoping to conclude this facet of life with a strong personal showing.

“My goal is to be among the top 30,” said Todoruk. “There is going to be some incredible skaters out there, so it’s going to be a challenge,” said Todoruk. “I’m excited. It’s my last year skating, so this will be the icing on the cake. Being able to go one last time [to the Canadian Challenge] is satisfying.”