Clint has it all figured out in the skating world
The 54-year-old has been figure skating for 20 months and hockey skating since the Galleria rink opened five years ago.
Hard work, determination and constantly improving has paid dividends for Amanzimtoti figure skater Clint Smith, who was awarded gold at an inter-provincial competition.
Although Clint was the only one competing in the artistic men over 25 category at the Durban Ice Rink on Sunday, 9 September, he was awarded a 14.13 score from the judges, a vast improvement on last year’s 12.63.
The 54-year-old has been figure skating for 20 months and hockey skating since the Galleria rink opened five years ago. “I was doing freestyle but I wanted to get better and improve my jumps and springs,” he said.
“I approached dance teacher Wendy Reinhardt as I thought the sports were compatible. When she put me in a ballet class, my jaw hit the floor. However, after two months I started to enjoy it and it helped me become more expressive in my skating.”
Clint then contacted coaches Wendy and Marco Hammen and joined the local synchronised skating team, Toti Seals. “I had an interest in skating when I was a youngster but I never took it seriously until Galleria’s rink opened.”
At club level, skaters improve through six different skills. To be awarded your KZN jacket, you need to complete skill level one. Unfortunately in SA artistic skaters cannot progress past skill level two. In order to do so they have to become technical skaters.
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti ice hockey ace makes SA U18 team
At competitions, a panel of four technical and three artistic judges adjudicate. Technical judges only award negative marks, while artistic give positive marks. As Clint is the only competitor in his category, his scorecard begins with a 1.63 factor, in effect a handicap.
Clint’s recent success is a steady progression from a club trophy win last year and victory at an inter-provincial competition in Gauteng in February. These awards have spurred him onto greater heights. “My dream is to win the International Skating Union competition one day and my goal is to compete overseas either next year or in 2020.”
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