Passed my Bronze Freestyle Skating Test!

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Whew! I had a good skate today on my bronze freestyle test and all three judges passed me. I’m now eligible to compete in events like adult Sectionals and Nationals, so I’m really happy.

I sweated my sit spin for the last few weeks. Last week coach Ty talked with me about the possibility that I might not pass the test so I wouldn’t be too upset if it happened, noting that the sit spin is what skaters are usually held back on since it’s the hardest element on the test. He’s really pushed my sit spin lately and I’ve gradually gotten it lower and lower.

Today I planned to go to a rink which had ice available before my test, warm up, then drive to the rink where my test was being held. I started off for the first rink without my makeup, doubled back for it, and felt rushed and stressed when I arrived with half an hour to skate.

Luckily I was the only one there. It was a public session, so there could have been little kids or even a speed skater. But since I had the ice to myself I was able to warm up at leisure and play my music as often as I wanted.

Which I really needed. I fell on my first two run-throughs of my program, first out of my sit spin and then from my usually reliable Ina Bauer. I gradually warmed up, relaxed, and skated several clean run-throughs. I skated so hard for that half hour that I was soaked with sweat by the end. That’s rare in a really cold ice rink!

I whipped into my dress and drove to the second rink, where I discovered that coach Ty was not there because he was sick. Coach Lisa, who I also love and work with, was there to help me out. She gave me advice that I needed to fix my back spin and sit spin, which were both giving me problems at the beginning of the warmup. There’s usually only a five-minute warmup but my group of skaters had an unusually long warmup time while the judges were taking a break– very helpful.

When my time rolled around I felt eager to get out there and skate my program. That’s not always the case, so it started me off on a good note. I hit all my elements, though I felt like I could hear my coach holding her breath as I wound up for the sit spin. I breathed, felt the music, and even smiled a little. And I finished the program on time without rushing the end. It was a good skate!

Two of the three judges wrote really nice comments on the test sheets and gave me extra points above the passing level. I’m really happy and have just been relaxing since I got home.

My husband wasn’t able to come to the test so there’s no video, though he will video my program soon so you can see how it’s come along (update– my son videoed me skating in practice on 5/22, it’s above- don’t mind the crazy hair). Thanks for reading, and thanks to my coaches Lisa and Ty for getting me this far!