For the love of ice

There is nothing that will keep young Randburg resident, Teagan Purnell (13), from pursuing her dream of becoming a world-class figure skater.

She began skating at the tender age of four and has since completely dedicated herself to her sport.

“She became part of the juvenile national skating team three years ago,” said Purnell’s proud mom, Jillian, “and she has now also qualified for the next section of the nationals.”

Purnell has piqued her younger sister’s interest in the sport as well, for six-year-old Eirwen Purnell has recently began to do synchronised skating too.

When asked what the two sisters-in-skating like most about the sport, they answered together excitedly: “Because it’s fun.”

Teagan continued to say that she enjoys it because it’s so unique. “Not many other people do ice skating, it’s something different. You have to be quite fit to do it and it takes a lot of dedication and hard work.”

Teagan currently practises most mornings before school, most evenings and even on weekends. Her favourite skills are the axel jump, sit spin and the Ina Bauer, which requires her to be extremely flexible.

Eirwen said that she loves doing a spiral and lunge. “But I don’t like falling, it can hurt.” She is very excited about her first competition at the end of September – her music is Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid and her skating costume is a mermaid dress. “It’s very pretty and sparkly.”

Teagan will be taking part in the Gauteng Inter-Provincial Skating Championships which takes place at the beginning of September in Pretoria, while Eirwen will be taking part in the Rising Stars Competition which will be taking place at the Northgate ice rink at the end of September.

Details: South African Figure Skating Association www.safsa.org.za