Rowena golds add to growing reputation
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MORAY’S very own international figure skater was a double gold medal winner at her latest major competition.
Elgin’s Rowena Mackessack-Leitch was one of three Moray Skating Academy members to compete in last week’s Bradford National Opens.
All three came home with medals, with Rowena (20) enhancing her growing reputation by winning two golds.
She was victorious in the level 10 ladies’ short program event against some of the top figure skaters in the UK, landing an impressive double axel.
The international medallist followed this up with another gold in the free program event, with two more double axels and a personal best score. The success comes hot on the heels of another gold medal win for her in Basingstoke.
Rowena has recently been selected to represent Great Britain in a major forthcoming international event in Hungary.
Meanwhile, teammate Madison Mitchell, from Buckie, took bronze in the level 2 ladies’ competition against 16 other skaters from around the UK, missing gold by only a fraction of a point.
And 10-year old Kiernan O’Shea from Mulben also won bronze in the level 1 men’s event with a very successful routine to music from Secret Garden.
The skaters are all coached by brother-and-sister coaching duo Sue Summers-Farrell and Graeme Summers. As former championship medallists and international-level competitors themselves, they run Moray Skating Academy which works together with Moray Skating Club. The club is running a recruitment drive for new members and is looking for people of all ages and abilities, including people who have never skated before.
Graeme said the club is looking for children and adults of any age and ability, including raw beginners who have never skated.
“Our friendly team of coaches and volunteers will help you with your first steps on the ice, and your first visit is completely free with no obligation.”
The award-winning club is one of the most successful in the country and runs the only skateUK programme in Moray. SkateUK is the approved learn-to-skate programme of the sport’s national governing body, the National Ice Skating Association.
The club has produced Scottish champions, members of the GB team and winners of sportMoray and sportScotland awards.
Members of the club’s competitive team frequently win major national events all around the country.
But the club also runs friendly learn-to-skate sessions for the whole family with the emphasis on having fun and learning the basics of the sport. In many cases, children learning to skate at these sessions are joined on the ice by their parents.
The club is looking for sponsors to ensure it can continue its success.
The learn-to-skate sessions are every Saturday from 10.45am to 1.15pm and this includes a 30-minute group lesson.
For more details, check out the club’s facebook page, contact Mike on 07974 387326 or simply go along on the day.
