Year 10's Caitlin started skating at the age of seven and quickly developed a passion for the sport. Under normal circumstances, she attends a private coaching session at 5.30am, returning home at 8am to get ready for school each weekday morning. Caitlin also coaches on a Saturday morning between 5.30am and 8am before the rink opens for other skating classes on top of training with her strength, conditioning and flexibility coach after school four days a week - dedication or what!?
Just before lockdown in March last year, she won her final competition of 2020, achieving the points to be able to skate in the British Qualifier event in March which was sadly cancelled due to the pandemic.
During times when ice is not available, Caitlin attends training sessions via zoom with her coach as well as other coaches including both current and past British champions and Olympians. Caitlin purchased a pair of 'off ice skates', so she could continue the feeling like she is on ice (you may have seen her testing out the best surfaces in various car parks in Chester le Street and Durham!)
Caitlin has just been granted elite status for her age and level by British Ice Skating, which means she has the opportunity to continue her on-ice practise during lockdown, but has to travel to a selected approved hub to do this. She has been practising at Sheffield Arena but this is now on hold for the next three weeks due to the increase in Covid statistics, so she is back to zoom class practise for the time being. The elite development pathway has been put in place to support those skaters with the potential to represent the UK in the Olympics in the future.
Everyone here at Hermitage Academy wishes Caitlin the best of luck in what looks like a very bright future ahead!