Burrell ready to cut figures at Games

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Skate Yorkton has a young athlete heading to Canada Games in PEI.

Aya Burrell, 13, is the Skate Canada Saskatchewan PreNovice Champion and will be representing the province at the Canada Games.

Burrell said the opportunity to go to the Canada Games is gratifying.

“I’ve really worked hard this season,” she said, adding that effort is being rewarded by the Games’ spot.

“It’s a good opportunity.

Burrell said she has been skating since she was two, or three, following in her sister’s footsteps.

“My sister really helped me start skating, wanting to skate,” she said.

In the past decade Burrell said while enjoying several sports, figure skating has always been her favourite, meaning lots of early alarms to be at the rink training.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get up in the early morning but you have to work hard to achieve what I want to achieve,” she said.

While already capturing a Saskatchewan championship this season, and having a berth at the Saskatchewan Winter Games before heading to PEI, Burrell is modest about her Canada Winter Games aspirations.

“I just want to have fun, make some friends, see some new places,” she said.

As for her performance, a personal best would be great, but Burrell said she will just strive “to do the best I can do.”

Burrell said she also realizes the Canada Games are an opportunity to continue her journey as a figure skater, one she admitted when she dreams big includes one day skating on the biggest stage of the Winter Olympics.

The Games run from Feb. 18, to March 5, and can be seen livestreamed at www. CanadaGames.ca