Cara, 12, glides to first place at international

Th e school commute for most Coatbridge youngsters rarely involves a 4am wake-up call and travelling to Edinburgh.

But 12- year- old St Ambrose High pupil Cara McCabe’s day regularly begins in the middle of the night. For Cara, a remarkably talented ice-skater, is up before the crack of dawn twice a week to make the long journey to Murrayfield for specialist training. But all her hard work paid off when wonderkid Cara struck gold for Great Britain at a prestigious international event. The young figure skater, who also travels to Kilmarnock to train three times a week, impressed judges at the Golden Bear International event in Croatia, claiming first place out of 18 competitors in her age category. And her performance was so good that Cara scored better than all but one of the 72 skaters who competed at the event, some aged 16. The delighted youngster told the Advertiser: “It felt really good, firstly to be picked for Great Britain and then to win gold. “I just jumped for joy with my mum when they announced I’d won. “Mum could barely speak. We phoned home to my gran and she was really excited too.” Cara added: “I’m so happy for my coach Yvonne Cameron, as I’m the first international gold medallist she’s had.” Acknowledging her gruelling training regime, Cara said: “I’m fine with getting up in the middle of the night as I’m used to it now. “Sometimes I can feel a bit tired but I want to push myself to be the best I can be.” Cara’s proud mum Laura said: “I first took Cara skating when she was five, just to start a new hobby. I never thought she would go on to achieve this. “Her coaches have always said she has a natural talent but she’s worked really hard to make herself even better. “She’s won numerous national events throughout the UK but to win an international one, representing Great Britain, is extra special.” And Laura said Cara’s early rises and tough training schedule are no hindrance to her education. She said “St Ambrose are great with Cara. “They tell me she’s often more alert than other pupils because she’s been up and energised for a few hours before school. “Cara is disciplined. She’s in her bed no t long after 8pm every night.

“Even on weekends, when her friends are having sleepovers and facetiming each other to all hours, she isn’t afraid to say no as she needs her rest before training on Saturdays and Sundays in Kilmarnock.

“Getting up at 4am is hard work but we have a wee community of parents who take turns to do lifts as Cara trains early with three other skaters.

“She isn’t daft. She knows there are lots of talented skaters out there but she’s working hard to succeed in the World Championships.”

Cara’s coach Yvonne Cameron said: “Cara is talented as well as dedicated and has a great future ahead of her.

“One of my former pupils Suzanne Otterson made it all the way to the Winter Olympics in France in 1992.

“If Cara keeps going the way she is then I believe she can achieve thathat too. too.” Success is clear to see

Trophy haul