A STUDENT from Sherfield on Loddon is on track to compete in the next Winter Olympics.

Ava Wilson, who is a year nine pupil at Sherfield School won Gold representing Great Britain in the intermediate girl's category for figure skating at the 2022 Reykjavik International Games in Iceland in February.

Her routine was performed to the music of Lion King and she scored 38.77 points, giving her a six-point lead on her competitors.

SEE MORE: Youngsters take to the sky as they impress in skydiving competition

This week also saw Ava win Gold at the North East Opens in Billingham, competing at the advanced novice level which involves performing both a short and a free program over two days. She saw off competition from 24 other skaters from all over the UK, to take Gold in the short program with a personal best of 31.88 points and Gold in the free program with another best of 55.58 points.

A spokesperson from Sherfield School, said: “She started skating at the age of three after watching a live Christmas show on ice. Now aged just 13, she currently trains for around 30 hours a week, including on-ice training, off-ice strength and conditioning, and flexibility, as well as Dance at the Basingstoke Academy of Dance.”

READ MORE: 'If they can do it then so can we': Camrose protesters hope to follow in the footsteps of Bury FC

With the support of her coach Lucy-Anne Walker, who was also the lead skater in the Christmas show which inspired Ava to take up skating, she is training hard this season to reach the next level, with opportunities to be selected for the most important International Competitions in the Figure Skating calendar.

Ava has set her sights on qualifying for the next Winter Olympics, which take place in 2026.

Message from the editor 

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support. 

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from Basingstoke by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page. 

Kimberley Barber

Editor