“Lefties” may find it more difficult in school, but for accomplished figure skater Simone Aubrecht, it helps her stand out.
While it includes some complications in the ice rink navigating around other skaters spinning and performing moves in the opposite direction, being one of very few “lefties” means she’s noticed by judges.
Simone, from Faulconbridge, will be hoping to garner the judges’ praise in December when she competes in the National Figure Skating Championships in Brisbane.
The 13-year-old from Springwood High will compete in the advanced novice ladies section, including as many challenging jumps and spins as possible in her routine.
She’ll be hoping to land a “double axel” – a jump with 2.5 rotations, landing backwards on the left leg – which she’s been working on for a year now.
“I’ve been working hard at getting it clean,” Simone said.
Another manoeuvre she’ll be hoping to include is the double lutz and double loop – two spins in the air and a clean landing.
She’s also been working on her flexibility for split jumps in the air.
Simone is part of Penrith Valley Figure Skating Club and is trained by her parents, renowned skaters Pavel and Linda Aubrecht, and Yvette Dimitrov, who each work on specific aspects of her figure skating. Pavel focuses on the technical aspects, Linda the choreography and spins, and Dimitrov the upper body strength, spins and posture.
After competing in Brisbane from December 5-7, a week later Simone heads to Slovakia as part of the Australian team competing in the Grand Prix of Bratislava. Christmas will be spent with her grandma in the Czech Republic.
“I’m excited – the last time I had a white Christmas I was five years old and don’t remember a thing,” Simone said.
And in February she’s off to Abu Dhabi,representing Australia in their annual figure skating competition the FBMA Trophy.