Former Clyde School student Bridey Sangster (14) has been named in the New Zealand ice skating team following a recent top performance.

Up and coming figure skater Bridey won gold in the Clucas Cup in the intermediate novice grade held in Dunedin on June 15-16. 

She eclipsed other skaters in the Centaurus Ice Skating Club Championships in Christchurch on July 6-7 with a score of 30.20, 7.6 points clear of the second-place skater. 

Bridey said it felt really good to receive the email from New Zealand Figure Skating confirming she was in.

“It’s been a two or three year process to work towards this.”

When asked about her figure skating goals Bridey said following on from selection, she wants to represent her club, everyone who supports her and her country the best that she can.

Watch Bridey perform a spin and an axle jump at Ice Inline. VIDEO: The Central App

She credits her success to determination, hard work and the support of her family and coaches.

“It’s about not giving up when things get tough . . . [you’ve] got to brush it off if things don't go your way and do what you want, keep pushing to do what people think you can’t.”

For training she is up at 4.55am five mornings a week, skating for two and a quarter hours each morning along with afternoon sessions twice a week and another practice on a Saturday morning. 

“If there aren’t [competitions] on then Sunday and Monday morning are a rest.”

Bridey as a youngster in a figure skating competition. PHOTO: Supplied

The Dunstan High School (DHS) Year 10 student is completing school work via correspondence, spending two weeks in Dunedin, and then one week at home in Central. 

Parents Mike and Tania said Bridey’s second home is Mosgiel where she stays with coach Steph Woodacre and husband Darren, to be close to the Dunedin ice facility enabling her to train year-round.

Bridey said the support from DHS, her part time employer The Post Office in Clyde, her mum, dad and family, along with Steph, Darren and their daughter Tash was critical to her success. 

Her skating career began at four at the public sessions at IceInline, then she joined Alexandra Ice Skating Club (AISC) completing the Kiwiskate programme and becoming a competitive figure skater. So far, she’s travelled twice to the North Island for national championships.

As it’s the off-season for international competition Bridey doesn't know yet when she’ll wear the silver fern.

She said she’s a small-town girl at heart, a bit hesitant in big cities and snakes and spiders overseas “freak her out”. 

AISC has been operating for more than 50 years, and moved from the Manorburn Dam to Ice Inline in 1993.

AISC club champs are on Sunday morning (July 14), starting at 8.30am and locals are welcome to watch the action. 

Figure skating is a minority sport in New Zealand with about 300 people across the motu (country) competing in singles, pairs, ice dancing and synchronised skating.

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