Dancing on Thin Ice - Aurelie Kan
Aurelie Kan is a senior at the Taipei European School and an accomplished junior figure skater.
From the very end of our toes to the last bit of our fingertips, elegance is propagated, radiating a pleasing and graceful figure on the surface. Submerged in poise and intertwined with diligence is the underlying effort and hardwork acquired through boundless cycles of blood, sweat, and tears.
Figure skating has been a part of my life since I can remember. It is fundamental to my wellbeing and it is what constructs my life. I remember the fear when I was about to step on stage for the biggest international competition of my life, the nerve-racking feeling that overwhelmed me when I looked at the crowd filling the colossal arena from every angle. I felt vulnerable, targeted, exposed. But as soon as I stepped foot on the ice, my confidence kicked in as I started executing every single movement of my program with delicacy.
Looking back at all the pain I’ve endured in order to participate in this competition, I realize how all the pain is worth it. Falling relentlessly, getting into never-ending arguments with parents and coaches, and despite trying my hardest and resisting through the exuberating pain, success never seemed to come easy. But after countless tries, incalculable failures, innumerable injuries, and many “I give up’s”, I have finally achieved my goal of representing my country.
From tears of pain, to tears of sorrow and finally to tears of joy. One thing I’ve learned the most from this sport isn’t the numerous jumps and spins, but the determination, perseverance, and dedication I had to put in to get what I wanted. This sport served more as a life lesson to me, where I’ve had an early look of what real life awaits me and the qualities needed in search for success.
My love for figure skating was first kindled at the tender age of 8, when my parents introduced me to the enchanting world of ice skating. As I watched the graceful skaters effortlessly gliding across the ice, I was captivated by the vision of my future self joining their ranks. Fast forward 11 years, and I proudly stand as a national skater, representing my country on the international stage. The pinnacle of my figure skating journey came in 2021 when I embarked on my maiden Junior Grand Prix (JGP), marking my inaugural foray into the realm of international competition.
