AN ELLESMERE Port schoolgirl is winning national accolades on the ice rink.
Ellesmere Port Catholic High pupil Amy Luisa Bills, 15, came third in a National Open Ice Skating Competition in Basingstoke.
Amy has been skating since 2007 and trains at Deeside Ice Rink every day – before school at 6am and after school until 7.30pm.
Amy has to balance the pressures of revision and school exams in addition to her high expectations at the rink but juggles her schoolwork and skating training with aplomb.
She is coached by 2002 Salt Lake City Olympians Marika Humphreys-Baranova and husband Vitaliy Baranov.
Marika was awarded the BITA Young Coach Of The Year.
Last month Amy travelled to Basingstoke to compete in the National Open Competition.
Amy left a lasting impression on the audience and wowed the judges with a superb routine which earned her third place.
She said: “Coming third out of such a large field of competitors has meant so much to me as I have worked so hard to achieve such success.”
Amy has also won a podium place at Hull Opens in 2009. Deeside Ice Skating Club has also selected Amy to represent its rink at the Northern League three times in Nottingham, Blackburn and Sheffield.
Amy’s parents, Graham and Michele Bills, said: “We are very proud of Amy’s dedication and determination to succeed.”
After Amy has completed her remaining NISA levels and has finished competing she plans to be a show skater and coach.
