Livingston figure skater gets Great Britain call up

Sep 29 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

STARLET of figure-skating Lana Bagen will represent Great Britain at the Junior Grand Prix in Austria this weekend.

The Livingston teenager won a silver medal at the IJS Sheffield Junior Ladies’ competition last month to qualify for the big event.

She competed against 48 skaters to clinch a place in Innsbruck, but knows she will face a difficult task on the European stage.

Lana, 15, has progressed so well in recent years at East Kilbride ice rink that she is competing in the junior ladies’ section, which is for skaters up to the age of 19. But she admits things will be a lot different to what she is used to.

She said: “It’s going to be a big ask for me to do really well because I’m not used to competing at this level so I hope I can just go out there and do myself proud.

“A personal best would be brilliant but I wouldn’t say a medal is something I’m expecting to get.

“But the result in Sheffield was really good and that gives me a lot of confidence to take to Austria.”

Lana’s coach, Leanne Collins, is delighted to see the youngster make it to such a prestigious event.

She said: “This will be a great learning curve for Lana, allowing her to see what the elite junior ladies in her sport are producing and it will help her to develop her talents further.

“She is a good role model for the younger skaters of the club – showing that hard work, dedication and good technique can help you achieve your goals.”

The teenager has also been shortlisted for the Youth Olympics in January.