THUNDER BAY -- Lauren Puumala is starting to get used to competing alongside the best figure skaters in the country.
For the third time in her career the 15-year-old figure skater will be heading to the Skate Canada Challenge, which will be held this year from Dec. 3-7 just outside of Montreal.
“I used to get really nervous before I skated but now I’m able to stay pretty calm and I know what to expect,” she said after performing in the Skate Thunder Bay competition at Port Arthur Arena on Saturday.
“The first time I went it was really overwhelming with so many competitors from all across the country but now I know what I’m getting into.”
That doesn’t mean it’s not still a special experience.
“It’s really cool to be skating in the same event as these competitors who compete in international competitions,” she said. “It’s really cool telling stories to my friends back here about what I see there and the experiences I have.”
Lauren booked her trip after a top-five performance in the sectional qualifiers held earlier this month in Sudbury. She will be joined by fellow local skater Jarret Melanson, who trains out of town, after he placed fourth in his sectional event.
Thunder Bay Figure Skating Club coach Barb O’Brien said having the two reach a bigger stage is an achievement.
“We’re farther away up north and not down in the bigger cities where you can see what’s going on so for them to qualify and go is a great accomplishment,” O’Brien said.
“(Lauren and Jarret will) also get to see what else is going on and also inspires the younger skater to keep pushing along.”
Lauren will be in a field of more than 50 skaters in the novice category. When asked about her goals, she said she just wants to have successful, clean skates.
She has added the ability to land double axel jumps to her arsenal of tricks and she said she hopes she can pull at least one off in front of the judges.
As she has gotten older she has become a more of a complete skater.
“She’s become very mature in her skating and is a lot more confident,” O’Brien said. “She’s a smart girl so she puts all of that into play when we’re on the ice working.”
O’Brien added that work on the programs began in March with training taking place throughout the summer and fall to prepare for the early winter competition season.
