By Harry Corish
Katie Rees is looking to build on her new status as the GBSA British Cadet Ladies Artistic Dance Champion, as she now heads to the European Championships in Andorra to compete for Team GB at the end of this month.
The Welsh Roller Skater from Llantrisant won the championship, holding off stiff competition in a difficult field, to be crowned the Champion.
Rees has always loved Roller Skating, having started out playing roller Hockey. The 15-year-old then joined Cardiff City Rollers Artistic Roller-Skating Club in 2018 and quickly fell in love with the sport, having seemingly found her calling.
With her first attempt at the championship in 2019, the youngster stole the show, finishing an impressive 3rd position. Following this experience, Rees saw what was needed and has worked incredibly hard to get to where she is today.
Rees’ love for the sport is infectious, taking every chance she can to get out and skate. With the help of her parents, she has been travelling around the country competing and honing her skills, alongside her coaches Tara Ivins, Alex Williams and Ella Thomas.
Artistic Roller Skating is a sport which comprises of three major sub-disciplines, including dance, original dance and free dance.
This year’s GB Skate Artistic championships in Great Yarmouth saw 26 athletes in Katie’s category and the competition was always going to be tough.
The first 2 disciplines are compulsory dances that all skaters must perform require the skaters to be incredibly precise and technically correct. Rees’ hard work and determination paid off and she was 4 points clear in 1st place after her 2 stunning dances.
On the last day of the championships the running order for Free-dance is done in ascending order of total scores which meant that Katie would skate last and have to wait for 25 other skaters to perform!
Katie and her Choreographer Ella had spent the last 12 months refining her routine and making it as technically difficult as possible, this was the moment.
Racked with nerves, yet looking calm and professional Katie skated beautifully and despite a stumble costing her valuable points she finished with a personal best score, 3 points clear of 2nd place and became the British Champion.