Samara Thew has no pre conceived notions about returning from the British Columbia and Yukon Section figure skating championship with the gold medal.
The 14-year-old skater with the Prince George Figure Skating Club is just looking forward to competing in an field of about 75 skaters in Kelowna on Thursday and Friday for the Pond to the Podium event. The entire competition wraps up Sunday.
"I am nervous because it's my first time, but I'm also excited because it's been my dream to be competitive for a really long time," said Thew.
At the Autumn Leaves competition in Kamloops last month, Thew finished the women's pre-novice category in 37th place.
Thew said the Autumn Leaves event - a much smaller competition than the one this weekend - helped convince her she was ready for the challenge.
"I feel like I'm ready because I've been landing most of my jumps in practice," she said. "Everything is getting into place for for me."
Her modest goals for the sections - the top three skaters qualify for nationals - are to beat her Autumn Leaves scores, land a double salchow and have fun.
Nicole Collins, Thew's coach at PGFSC, said the provincial competition will be a learning experience for the young athlete, which she'll be able to return from and help other skaters at the club prepare for their own opportunities.
The Spruce City Skating Club is sending four skaters to Kelowna for the provincial championship.
Justin Hampole of Spuce City will head to Kelowna to compete in the pre-juvenile men's category, while three skaters - Danielle Sidsworth, Chelsea Raful and Shaelynne Macaulay - will take part in the pre-novice women's group. Macaulay trains at Spruce City but will represent Quesnel.
