Forget the glitter, skating takes ‘strength’
Winning routines at the NZ Ice Figure Skating Championship on Thursday at 5.30pm.
Ice figure skating is about more than just pulling on a tutu, says skater Harrison Bain. For the 15-year- old, it’s about strength and core power it takes to pull off complex routines.
Bain, who finished second in the New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Championship in Christchurch on Thursday, spent more than 15 hours a week in the gym and on the ice to improve his fitness, cardio and stamina in preparation for the competition.
But the movies, he said, focused on the glitter and the outfits and made the sport seem girly. He hates the stereotypes. Internationally there are almost as many men as women and he hoped more New Zealand blokes would give it a go.
‘‘If you set your mind to it, you can conquer the world,’’ he said.
A triple-spin in the air before landing backwards on one foot was all part of the winning routine at the championship event.
Junior Men’s Division winner Michael Durham was thrilled to be adding a seventh consecutive national title to his impressive collection.
The 18-year- old said when he was on the ice he felt ‘‘free, at home and away from everything else’’.
‘‘I was in the right head space, and felt really confident headed into the rink,’’ he said.
It’s all about the balance between being relaxed and calm, but also totally focused on every movement.
One moment of distraction can result in disaster.
Durham had a clean sweep on the ice and is unbeaten for the national title in his grade for six-years.
New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Association chief executive Sandra WilliamLeadley said the sport was always more popular after the Olympics.
When people saw the skaters on television, they were encouraged to attend ‘‘have a go’’ days and try the sport out.
A ‘‘good sense of balance and the desire to try something new’’ were crucial to success, she said.
The competition at Alpine Ice Centre hosted the countries 60e skating talents.
If you set your mind to it, you can conquer the world. Hamish Bain, 15.