N-ice one as Tilli, 8, glides into medals

Now her goal is 2024 Winter Olympics

A young ice skater from Coatbridge has set her sights on the Winter Olympics after claiming her first podium at a competition in England.

Tilli Mullen, who is just eight years old, claimed the bronze medal at the Bradford Open, a national tournament during which she faced 16 other competitors in her age group from all over the UK.

The St Timothy’s pupil trains before school twice a week at the Time Capsule and also rises early at weekends to train in Ayrshire.

Tilli’s third-place finish also represents her first medal since beginning to compete, and proud mum Danielle thinks it could be the start of something special. She said: “I’m so happy for Tilli. “This is the biggest competition she’s participated in so far and it’s a great achievement to win the bronze.

“She made a wee mistake in her routine and that might have cost her the gold as she was close to the winner’s score at the end.

“But she was delighted when it was announced and she really deserves it.

“Her ultimate goal is the Winter Olympics in 2026, she talks about it all the time.

“We have to remind her that’s so far into the future.

“She’s already set goals and is very determined for an eight-yearold.

“She has to reach Level 4 skating before she can be considered for Team GB, and she wants to do that within the next two years and then progress up the age groups.

“Ice-skating really is everything to her.”

Tilli took up skating at the age of five after watching her sister Holli, 11, on the ice.

Competitions in Edinburgh, Dundee and Irvine have recently given her the platform to showcase her talents before picking up the bronze in Bradford.

Her coach, Natalie Dallas, used to skate for Great Britain and is confident her young pupil has a bright future.

Natalie said: “Tilli is a great talent.

“It’s great to see her progressing and she is a very determined little girl.

“I really see a bright future for her and I hope she can take her skating to the next level and achieve her hopes and dreams.”

She has already set goals and is very determined. Ice-skating is everything to her Mum, Danielle

Ice ice baby Tilli Mullen shows off her medal