BY SCOTT HADDOW
Local figure skater Marianne Laporte has made
a lasting impression on people in Greater Sudbury and now,
she's ready to make an equally valuable impression on the
people of Canada.
 |
| name="valign"
top >
According to her coach, Marianne
Laporte's confidence is growing and her performance is
getting more consistent as she prepares for the
nationals. |
Laporte is off to the 2006 BMO Financial
Group Canadian Championships to compete in the Junior Ladies
division, which takes place in Ottawa at the Civic Centre from
Jan. 9 to 15.
During a recent practice, it was evident
everyone around the 17-year-old skater is fully supporting
her.
An arena manager offered extra ice time to
Laporte for her training. When she stepped on the ice, younger
skaters, who are obviously in awe of
her, followed Laporte. One youngster even
went out of her way to give her a big hug.
This support, combined with increased
confidence, has pushed Laporte to a new level in terms of
ability.
She had her best skate ever at the
sectionals, in Sudbury, back in November 2004, where she placed
first. At the Western Challenge in December 2004, in
Mississauga, despite a sub-par performance by her standards,
she finished eleventh, qualifying for the nationals.
This will be Laporte's second nationals; last
year, she placed 18th.
The experience overwhelmed her in 2005, but
Laporte is ready for the challenge this year.
"Last year, it was hard to get used to all
the cameras in your face and all the best skaters being there
like Jeffrey Buttle and Emanuel Sandhu," said the St. Charles
College student. "I got caught up in watching the other events.
I will be used to all the excitement this year. I also have a
different mindset this year. I am not thinking about setting a
number, like finishing in the top five. I am just concentrating
on my skate and doing well and not
everyone else. I have improved a lot over the
year and I also feel I belong there. I am ready."
All year, Laporte has been doing full runs of
her short and long programs, getting her elements to feel
exactly right.
One of her coaches, Heather Basso (the other
is Garth Devon), sees a remarkable development curve in the
skater, especially with the new scoring
system.
"Marianne is skating better than she ever
has," said Basso. "With the new scoring system, skaters can
compare their scores...With past results and against other
skaters. For someone like Marianne, she has gained confidence
with this system. In the past, she has skated as well as other
skaters, but she would think they would be out of reach. Now,
she can see she's right up there with them. She has got more
and more confident throughout the year and in turn, she's been
getting more and more consistent."
The Sudbury Skating Club member has even
benefited from some out-of-town training with two-time Olympic
silver medallist Brian Orser back in November 2005 in
Toronto.
The experience was fulfilling. "I like
working with Brian because he still skates and he tells me
about his experiences in Olympic, national and international
events," said Laporte. "He gives me little tricks he used to
use in competitions. When I came back my coach asked me what he
did to me because I was so motivated."
As good as she is, Laporte wouldn't be near
thetop if it wasn't for her unrelenting dedication.
"Marianne is hard working and gives up a lot
at this level," said Basso. "She truly loves the sport and does
everything she can to do better. At 17, it's hard not to go out
with friends and watch what you eat all the time. She's
dedicated to improving and I think that's why she's doing
better. Marianne pours everything she has into skating and I am
glad to see her becoming successful because she deserves
it."
The 2006 nationals will be Laporte's final
kick at a medal in the Junior Ladies division as she plans to
jump to the senior level next year.
"I don't see why I should stay back...I want
to compete against the best."
Another big test for Laporte will be waiting
for her in Sudbury when she gets back, but not in athletics, in
academics.
"When I get back I have a week to get ready
for three exams," said Laporte. "It can be hard (juggling
athletics and academics), but my teachers and principal have
been fantastic with support and that means a lot to me and
helps me."
Fans can follow Laporte's progress at
www.skatecanada.ca
