Rachel is flying to success

Docklands local Rachel Wood will compete in the Victorian Figure Skating Championships this month at the Medibank Icehouse.

18-year-old Rachel was the 2011 intermediate figure skating state champion and is hoping to repeat her success this year.

Rachel is set to compete in the novice division, which is only two below the highest figure skating division.

Rachel spends a lot of her time at the Icehouse, training up to 16 hours per week and also working part-time as a coach and party host.

She splits her time between Docklands and her family home in Wantirna.

Rachel started figure skating when she was eight after seeing Disney on Ice.

After her first lesson she was hooked and has been skating ever since.

“I love the feeling of skating. It feels like you’re flying out there,” Rachel said.

Throughout her 10 years of figure skating Rachel has competed in a range of competitions.

She won a national artistic skating competition last year and came third out of 26 competitors in her division at the Hollins Trophy earlier this year.

The Hollins Trophy is the oldest interstate figure skating competition in Australia,

“That was a big achievement,” Rachel said.

Rachel said she was glad she had pursued figure skating as it has led to many great experiences and opportunity.

She has trained internationally, in England and America, has performed in front of packed stadiums and hopes to make a career out of ice-skating.

“I’d love to be a princess for Disney on Ice. That’s my dream, I’d love to do it for a career,” Rachel said.

Rachel is optimistic about her chances at the state championships.

“I just want to do the best I can and give it my all,” she said.

The Victorian Figure Skating Championships will be held on October 13 and 14 at Medibank Icehouse.

Tickets are $4 and can be purchased at the Icehouse on the day.