An Edmonton-based figure skater will be representing Canada at the Olypmics in Sochi.
Kaetlyn Osmond, 18, was selected to the national figure skating team during a Skate Canada announcement Sunday.
The 18-year-old, originally from Marystown, N.L, trains in Edmonton and said the last year has been one of obstacles and trials.
"This whole year has been a big learning experience," Osmond told The Canadian Press.
She suffered the stress reaction -- a precursor to a stress fracture -- in August, and was off the ice for several weeks. Then finally back on the ice for Skate Canada in late October, she woke up the morning of her long program unable to put much weight on her leg. Tests determined it was a torn hamstring and she withdrew from the remainder of the Grand Prix circuit.
However she came back and won the women’s singles short program at the Canadian championships earlier this week.
Osmond trains at the Ice Palace Figure Skating Club at the West Edmonton mall and the selection has been an inspiration to local skaters, coach Jessica Burgess said.
“Any time there is an Olympics coming up there is always a little bit more electricity on the ice during practice time.
“I think it makes all that excitement a little bit less abstract for them and a little bit closer to home and a little bit more achievable,” she added.
Payton Fenton, who has been skating for six years, agrees.
“That is really inspiring to know that someone from Edmonton made it.
“It is kind of like a possibility that maybe if I wanted to I could do it.”
This will be Osmond’s first time competing at the Olympics, something she has spent her whole life preparing for.
According to the Skate Canada website, Osmond began skating when she was 2-years-old.
With files from Amanda Anderson, The Canadian Press
