Latimer wraps up stellar skating season

FORT FRANCES—A year ago, Emo native Taylor Latimer was faced with a difficult decision.
The promising 13-year-old figure skater had just been accepted to train full-time at the prestigious Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont.
And while the allure of training with some of the best coaches in Canada was undeniable, it also meant leaving behind her family, friends, and everything that was familiar to her.
Almost a full year has passed since Latimer, now 14, decided to pursue her ultimate goal of one day competing in front of the world at the Winter Olympics by attending Mariposa full-time.
And now more than ever, she’s convinced she made the right decision.
“There have been moments [when I’ve missed home], but for the most part, I know it was the right decision,” the young teen enthused. “If I hadn’t come down here, I would never be able to accomplish my overall goal.
“All of my jumps are much more consistent now,” she noted. “My speed is better. My overall creativity and presentation on the ice is a lot better.”
Latimer’s hard work in training over the course of the year has translated into a series of strong performances on the ice.
Competing in the pre-novice division (the fourth-highest in the Canadian figure skating hierarchy behind senior, junior, and novice), Latimer took top honours at several competitions during the season.
Her crowning achievement, however, came late last month won she took second place while representing Northern Ontario at the Trillium Cup.
The event, held in Waterloo, Ont., featured the fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-ranked skaters from each of the four sectional competitions held earlier in the year.
“That was pretty big for Northern Ontario,” Latimer remarked.
“For Northern Ontario, in the competitive stream, no one has ever finished that high I don’t think. If they did, it was a while ago,” she added.
Heather MacDonald, Latimer’s primary coach at Mariposa, also was thrilled with the achievement.
“She’s had a lot of first places in a lot of competitions this year but that was a big one because all the sections of Ontario—north, south, east, and west—came together,” MacDonald remarked.
“To come second there was a good result because there were some good skaters [in attendance].”
MacDonald said the strong showing at the Trillium Cup is just the latest sign that Latimer is making strides towards her ultimate goal.
“She’s working hard and skating well,” MacDonald noted.
“As far as the big picture goes, you have to just keep working hard and things will just sort of fall into place on where you go.
“But she’s done very well. She’s worked hard. She’s had a good year.”
Latimer’s “good year” hasn’t been confined to the ice, either.
A model student, she also excelled in the classroom—earning a 90 percent overall average during her first semester at her new school. She’s also made a seamless transition socially, making new friends with ease.
“She’s been great,” MacDonald said of Latimer’s adjustment to her new surroundings.
“It’s been a big step for her to be away from home, away from her family, but she’s handled it very well.
“She’s gotten in with a good group of kids, she’s done well at school, and she’s gotten along with all the skaters here.”
The Trillium Cup marked the end of the competitive season for Latimer, who now will concentrate on wrapping up her school year before returning home to Emo for the summer.
She then will return to Mariposa in the fall, when she will begin working on taking the next step in her development as a skater.
Latimer, who will compete in the novice division next season after passing her level test last month, will dedicate herself to overcoming the next obstacle in her path—namely the double-axle jump.
“I have to get my double-axle next year if I want to be able to go for nationals,” she said.
“That’s been coming. It’s been better but it’s not too bad right now,” she added. “That’s pretty much what I need to be able to get to the national level.”
“The double-axle would be a big step for her, if she could get that,” MacDonald agreed.
“That’s the goal of a lot of skaters to get that,” she noted. “I think she’s very capable of getting it. It’s just a matter of time until it does happen.
“And then the triple [axle], that’s the next step, which is a big step because some never get there,” MacDonald added.
But while Latimer remains focused on the future, she did take a moment to reflect on her successes this season and how far she’s come as a skater.
“It definitely seems like it’s [her dream of making the Canadian Olympic team] gotten closer over this year,” she remarked.
“I’ve been working with the best in Canada. If I continue to work with them, I know that I can accomplish it,” she added.