Local figure skaters take on the world

Three local figure skaters recently helped the United States take on the world.

East Ridge High School’s Jordan Weiss and Woodbury High School’s Madison Rothweiler and Tasha Vo were each part of the Team Braemar synchronized ice skating team that competed at the 2012 Synchronized Skating Junior World Challenge Cup (JWCC) from March 16-17 at the Frölundaborg Ice Rink in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Team Braemar, based out of Edina, was one of two teams from the United States that earned an opportunity to skate as Team USA at the Junior World Challenge Cup, along with The Skyliners out of New York.

“It was a lot of fun,” Rothweiler, 17, said. “I only knew a couple of the girls going into it and it’s kind of scary at the beginning of the season. But, you get to know them quickly and by the end of the season we’re like family. My favorite thing is really getting to know everybody. We win together and lose together and we’re all a team.”

The field at the 2012 Synchronized Skating Junior World Challenge Cup consisted of 18 teams representing 13 countries: Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

Team Braemar made its fourth consecutive appearance at the JWCC this year after placing second at the 2012 World Junior Team Selection Competition. They placed third at the JWCC last year. Earlier this month, Braemar won the junior title at the United States Figure Skating (USFS) Synchronized Skating National Championships held March 1-3, in Worcester, MA. They represent the Braemar-City of Lakes Figure Skating Club and are coached by Pamela May.

The team also competed in the 2012 French Cup in Rouen, France, in February of this year.

“It was so much fun traveling with the team, because you get to spend time with your friends and experience a lot together,” Rothweiler said. “Traveling with family is fun, but it’s not the same as traveling with 19 of your best friends.”

Rothweiler said not everyone is aware of her and her teammates accomplishments, but it doesn’t bother her.

“People know about it and a lot of people ask questions, but I don’t talk about it too much. I’m modest and kind of just keep it to myself. Sometimes I wish more people knew about it,” she said. “With high school sports everyone on the team is from that school. Ours is a little different because we train in Edina and everybody is from all over.”

Rothweiler began figure skating when she was 7 years old. As part of Team Braemar she and Weiss and Vo all practiced year round and trained six days a week during the season.

“I learned a lot doing individual competitions. But going into synchro really brought me to a whole other place and gave me different experiences,” Rothweiler said. “Hard work pays off. You just need to stick with it as long as you love it.”

Vo and Weiss each will have an opportunity to return to Team Braemar next year, but it was Rothweiler’s final year of eligibility. Next year, Rothweiler hopes to skate for Disney on Ice and is waiting to find out if she made it. If she does, she’ll spend the next year with Disney on Ice and start college afterward.

“I have some friends that have graduated in the past and do it now and I’ve been talking to them,” Rothweiler said. “They all really want me to do it, because they love it. I’m really excited.”

Tags: sports, prep, updates