LOCKERIDGE figure skater Alicia Boyer is aiming to continue rising through the ranks after enjoying a successful few months on the ice.

The 10-year-old, who is a pupil at Kennet Valley School, earned a place on the on the NISA (National Ice Skating Association of Britain and Northern Ireland) development team last year and is now competing as a level six skater.

Alicia, who is a member of Oxford Figure Skating Club and trains in both Oxford and Swindon under former British champion Tamsin Sear-Watkins, got her first taste of international competition as she claimed a bronze medal in the Novice B section at the Skate Southern Club International, at Lee Valley Ice Arena in London in March.

She then returned to Lee Valley on April 23 and won the Basic Novice Ladies’ category at the Lee Valley IJS (International Judging System) competition before finishing just 0.16 points behind off top place in the level sox Ladies’ section at the Bracknell Open on May 2.

Alicia trains six times a week and mum Nina says her daughter is going from strength to strength.

“She’s stepped up since getting in to the development squad last year and she’s done really well in competitions recently,” she said.

“She was gutted to come so close to winning at the Bracknell Open but it was still a really good result for her, just like her other recent results.

“She’s still getting up to train at 4.30am every morning before school and she just loves being out on the ice. She’s an inspiration, really.

“We’re hoping to send her out to train at the Mariposa School of Skating in Canada for two weeks this summer.

“It’s run by Doug Leigh, who is one of the best coaches in the world, and she’s really excited about going.”

Last year, Alicia began receiving support from Charlie’s Charity, the foundation set up in the memory of Pewsey teenager Charlie Lamb, who died in a car crash in 2009.

The budding ice queen is still on the hunt for sponsorship to help fund her ambitions.

For more information, contact mum Nina on 01672 861762 or 07963 132052.

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