Balfron teenager is UK skating champ

Christie Anne on the podium after winning the British title

Christie Anne Doran is now the number one ranked skater in her age group after capturing the British under-13 title at Sheffield.

The Balfron High School pupil, who turned 13 on Christmas Eve, travels all over the UK to compete and is also part of the GB Development Squad which takes part in international competition.

She has been skating since she was eight, taking up the sport following a visit to The Peak in Stirling, and is a member of East Kilbride Figure Skating Club where she is coached by Yvonne and Silvanna Cameron.

Mum Shona is understandably proud of the achievements of Christie Anne whose long-term dreams are to take part in the junior world championships and skate at the Olympics.

Shona said: “She began skating at the age of eight when she went to The Peak.

“It’s not something there was a family tradition of but she took lessons and found she liked it and things just went from there.

“There are lots of levels to go through. There are 10 Skate UK levels and then you have to achieve bronze, silver and gold and only then are you allowed to compete in open competition.

“Christie Anne did all that and then came first in various competitions and last year she was selected for Great Britain and took part in international competitions in Amsterdam and Riga.

“I’m really proud of her and what she has achieved.”

Christie Anne travels all over the UK to compete and now moves up a level and will be skating against 15 and 16-year-olds.

And, as Shona explained, he success involves a huge amount or hard work and early-morning rises for practice.

She said: “Christie Anne has been skating at East Kilbride but thee rink is closed at the moment so we have had to travel all over the country, to Murrayfield, Kilmarnock or Dundee or wherever we can get space booked.

“Usually this means getting up at five o’clock in the morning and driving through somewhere to practice at six and then after she has finished skating it’s back home and off to school.

“It can be hard work juggling skating and her educations but she knows she has to remain focussed on her school work and the school are really good in terms of allowing her time off to take part in competitions.

“One day she would love compete in the junior worlds and to go to the Olympics would be the ultimate dream.”